Parent’s Nightmare: What To Say To Your Pregnant Teen
Every parent dreads hearing the news that their teenage child is pregnant. Unfortunately, approximately 750,000 U.S. teenagers become pregnant every year. Because of this shocking statistic, it is vital to be realistic about the odds of your teenage daughter coming to you with the news that she is going to have a baby of her own.
Additionally, you will need to come to grips with your feelings about the situation very quickly so that you can offer your daughter the proper amount of support. Here are some ways you can begin to rebuild the relationship with your teen.
1. Communicate Openly about Her Pregnancy – Closing off all lines of communication is one of the worst things that you can do if your teen becomes pregnant. Although it is understandable that you will most likely be angry and frustrated when you first hear the news, you need to be emotionally responsible enough to understand that your daughter is going through one of the most difficult situations of her life.
Therefore, instead of being judgmental, it is in everyone’s best interests for you to provide a safe environment for your daughter to discuss her fears and plans regarding the pregnancy.
2. Buy Basic Baby Supplies – Most teens do not have the financial means to purchase all of the necessary items for a newborn. Because of this, it will be important for you to step up and provide some financial support. However, this does not mean that you need to put yourself in the stressful position of paying for everything. Instead, you should consider purchasing the basic supplies that your daughter will need when her baby is born.
For example, it will be critical for your daughter to have a nursing pillow, to make it easier and more comfortable for her to breastfeed her infant. Additionally, every new baby needs diapers and a place to sleep.
3. Help Your Teen Schedule Medical Appointments – It is crucial for every pregnant woman to visit their doctor throughout their pregnancy. However, many teenagers are unaware of the need to visit their physician on a regular basis. Because of this, you will need to provide your daughter with some guidance so that she and her baby will receive the proper medical attention. Keep in mind that going to the doctor may be very intimidating for your teenager, so it is a good idea to offer to go with her to each appointment.
Providing a supportive environment for your pregnant teenager is the best way to ensure that she will give birth to a healthy baby. Although it is understandable that you are unlikely to be happy about the situation at first, it is important to remember that your daughter is going to bring life into the world, and you are about to become a grandparent. Therefore, you need to put your misgivings aside to help create a positive home for the newborn.
You can also greatly reduce your teen’s emotional and financial burden by openly communicating and helping her receive the proper medical attention and basic baby supplies.
