32. Teen Pregnancy:
It can be a real shock to discover that
your daughter is pregnant or that your son's girlfriend is expecting
a baby. Once you are told about this it can be hard to believe that
your teen has been so careless and many parents and carers express
extreme anger when they hear this news.
While this can be a very worrying time
for parents and carers, try to listen to your teenager and be
measured in your response.
Try and retrieve the facts. How do they
know that they are pregnant and have they consulted a doctor? If the
pregnancy has been confirmed how do they feel about the news? What
about their partner?
It is very tempting to take over and
tell your teen what they must do next but remember your teenager is
the person who needs to decide what their next steps will be.
If you become too domineering you may
drive your teen away at a time when they need you most.
It is important that they receive the
right health advice and so you should encourage them to consult a
doctor if they have not already done so.
NHS choices can be very helpful if you
need to know the facts:
Your teen has some big decisions to
make and it is vital that they are made aware of their choices.
It can be very difficult to respect
their wishes if they conflict with your own opinions and beliefs. Try
to listen to your teen. Make clear that you are there for them and
encourage them to make their own decision.
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