Teen Pregnancy: How to tell your parents
Breaking the news to your parents that you are pregnant when you are a teen can be one of the hardest moments of a teenage pregnancy. You may not know how your parents might react to the news and it may cause a lot of havoc and chaos in the household. Some parents might even be unsupportive of their children and may be angry since their teenager is a child herself. They may have concerns and certain opinions and objections. While other parents may accept the news with wide-open arms. But whatever the case may be, as a teenager, it is very important that you inform your parents about your pregnancy and of your decision right away.
If you are a pregnant teenager and worried about breaking the news to your parents about your pregnancy, remember that your parents love you and care for you. If they yell or scream after hearing the news, understand what they must be feeling and listen to what they have to say calmly. Explain what happened to them and talk with them. Do not yell back at them or fight their objections or opinions because the problem will only escalate. If you feel that you cannot break the news to them in person, write a letter to them instead. Tell them that you need their support during this time and also write to them about your decision and what made you come to that decision.
If you feel like you cannot do this on your own, speak to the father of your child and ask him if he would like to be there if you plan to tell your parents in person. Also, tell him that you would do the same when he breaks the news to his parents. Another thing you could also try is breaking the news to one parent and let them talk to each other and discuss the situation amongst themselves.
After you have revealed the news to both parents, check out the services available in your local community that help our teen mothers. Find out if any high schools offer day care services that would allow you to go back to school and have your baby close to you at the same time. Also, keep your health in check and visit the doctor’s office regularly for medical care. Babies born to teen mothers usually tend to have a low birth weight, and other serious complications like anemia, high blood pressure and even fetal death. So, ask your doctor, family and friends for advice about how to deal with pregnancy and how to keep your baby healthy. In order to have a healthy baby, you will also have to make certain changes to your lifestyle which means if you are a smoker or a drinker, you will have to at all costs quit smoking and drinking. So, be ready to make these changes and learn to accept the responsibility.
Being a teenage mother can be very scary as well as difficult. But you have to face the reality and deal with the situation. If you accept these duties and priorities needed to raise a child, then you will be a great parent who is prepared for the wonderful miracle of life.
For more information on teen pregnancy check out our pregnancy videos.