Being a teenager and being a parent can be a difficult combination. Maybe you’re not quite sure what your next step should be. It can be a scary or exciting situation to find yourself in, depending on the circumstance. Now that you’ve decided to parent your child, there are some things to take into consideration. Your life has changed, morphed, and progressed. A new pathway of life has opened up to you.
Teen parenting takes a lot of work and dedication. It will be hard, trying, emotional, and tiring. There are resources and support available to you. Learn more about them and make use of them. Here are just a few things to consider:
Support System: Surround yourself with people who care about you and want to make sure you succeed in life. This support system can be comprised of family members, friends, community members, or church members. They need to be people you trust, people who can give you the emotional support you need.
Government Aid: There are programs the government has established to help you when you find need of it. WIC, for instance, gives you a monthly allowance for milk, cheese, formula, and other much-needed products. Remember that you don’t have to be embarrassed about needing help or support. There’s a reason these types of programs are available. Once you’re back on your feet, you can discontinue use and continue with your life.
Daycare and School: If have the option of returning to school, look for one that provides in-school daycare. If that doesn’t exist where you live, consider a non-school daycare. For some, this may be out of your budget. If so, develop a friendship with another parent. Switch off watching their children and your children. It is a great way to make a friend and to accomplish the necessities of life.
Support Group: Find a local support group. This is another great way to make friends and increase your support system. One of the great things about a support group is you can get advice and real-world experience from those who have been where you are now. They have made it through, and found a way to make being a teen parent work effectively and successfully.
Parenting during your teenage years can be both rewarding and complicated. It’s going to be challenging, but it is possible. It is about finding the right balance, the right help and support, and the right determination to continue and have a full life.
