ATTENTION : The Number Is Increasing

   "Motherhood is a challenge for any age mom, but being a teenage mother poses so many more obstacles". 
A teenage mother 
must make sacrifices and decisions that she never thought she would have to make so soon. She may be alone and have no one to turn to. With a little planning and confidence, teenage mothers can make it. Follow these steps for parenting ideas for teenage moms.

       *Step 1

Stay in school. There are schools that work with your schedule. Some schools allow you to bring your child with you and have onsite childcare while teen moms are in class or studying. Another option is homeschooling. You can take all your classes online while the baby is sleeping or while the baby is sitting in your lap. There are other schools similar to Westminster Academy in Richmond, VA that are schools where home schoolers can take classes. This option allows you to go to school and be there for your child.

      *Step 2

Continue the relationship with the father if it is a healthy one. The father of the child has a legal right and duty to see and care for the child. Many men are scared to take on the responsibility, but need to for theirs and the child's sake. Define your relationship with the father to coordinate parenting. Determine where the two of you are going and if you are going there together. Allow him to be part of the child's life. If it is an abusive relationship, use caution and think not only of yourself, but also the child. You don't have to continue a bad relationship, but it does need to be defined so everyone knows their roles.

         *Step 3

Allow your parents and the father's parents to be a part of your life. Some parents will be angry, others hurt, and still others okay with the pregnancy. They will go through different feelings so let them heal the emotional wounds as you heal. Don't hold their feelings against them. Forgive them, so you can move on with your life and avoid bitterness. The bitterness will only destroy you and could guide you into a depression. Let them baby-sit and take full advantage of their hospitality. You will need them. As much as we want to do it on our own, it can't always happen. You will get further in life as a teenage mother by allowing people to help you get there in developing your parenting skills.

     *Step 4

Forgive yourself. Don't get down on yourself for where you are. A child is a blessing. It will be hard and you will have to persevere. But, perseverance creates character. If you can raise a child as a teenage mom, you can do anything. Look at parenting as an adventure and not as a curse.

      *Step 5

Have fun. Life is busy and tiresome. Have fun with your new baby. Go for walks and meet other teen and young moms. The baby will grow up fast and you will miss the times when you could just sit in a chair and rock a sleeping baby.