How to Help Your Teenage Daughter Through An Unplanned Pregnancy

Your teenage daughter is pregnant. This is not what you imagined for her life and you worry for her future. Here are the five things you can do once you learn of your daughter’s unplanned pregnancy Des Plaines, IL.

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Be Supportive

Your daughter likely already knows you are shocked or disappointed with the news, and telling her so repeatedly will do nothing positive for the situation. As hurt, angry and upset as you are right now, remember that she is going through the most difficult and frightening time in her life as well. Be there for your daughter through the initial emotional shock and help her along the way with practical steps like informing the baby’s father or seeking medical advice.

Be aware of your options

Abortion is one of the options, however, there are many other ways for helping out mothers who are young. Open adoption has been considered greatly by many teenager mothers, which means that the baby is given to a caring family while you can be in touch with your baby. Whereas, do not force your daughter onto anything, she might want a hold onto the baby herself. In that case, you can have negotiations with your daughter and  father of the baby. Without any doubt, everyone parent distresses about their children, but always let your daughter to have a say on what she wants. Keeping a baby doesn’t mean your daughter’s future will turn bad, but it might be modified a little according to the situation.

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Find Pregnancy Resources

One of the worries you may have for your daughter is how she’ll support her new baby when she’s not yet able to support herself. The good news is there is plenty of help available like government medical assistance and from charitable organizations that help young mothers with supplies like diapers, clothing, and formula. She may also receive help with higher education expenses in the future, and you can help her research the different avenues where she can find help. Another option may be to let both your child and grandchild remain in the family home for care and support while your daughter finishes school and becomes financially secure on her own.

Seek help of others

As far as I know, many people go through early pregnancies. Everyone faces difficult time in their life and your problem might be similar to them. Therefore, reaching them for their advice in this crucial time will be a good option indeed. You might come across individuals who became parents in young age or whose daughter went through same trauma. People usually do not hesitate to present their experience and prove to be helpful in bad situation. Hence, you should not rely on yourself only and get hold of others for help.

Enjoy Your Grandchild

It’s easy to overlook the most joyful aspect of an unplanned pregnancy when you first hear the news, but don’t forget that you are also becoming a grandparent. It may not have happened in exactly the order you hoped it would, but there’s no joy in the world like gazing into the eyes of your daughter’s baby. You brought her into the world, and now you can help her bring the next generation of your family into the world.

As you already know, becoming a mother is challenging but is the most rewarding experience in life. No matter that this was an unplanned pregnancy, you and your daughter will make it through together with the right information and outlook.

Featured image by 28703 via Pixabay

*collaborative post