The other two woman provided wonderful information and advice, and it does sound like a family counselor would be crucial in providing this family with a "sounding board" to help make some important decisions. The 14 year old probably just wants to move-past this event and get on with life as usual. I'm wondering if the teenager has been around babies or other young parents? Does she have real-life experience with what it is like to raise a child? (I remember reading that some young teenagers were having babies because they "wanted someone to love, and someone to love them back". Do you know WHY she wants to have the baby? If there is a chance she wants the baby for these reasons, you can offer her information that babies really don't "love you back" until they are older, and this is hard to cope with in the wee hours of the night! They are selfish little creatures!
There are many different situations, and I'm curious about the teenager's friends...does she have friends who are also teenage parents? Is she in a geographically high risk area for teenage moms? This information may be insignificant, or may not be. I know teenagers are very influenced by their environment, and may provide another clue into her mindset. The other clue is the boy who got her pregnant. Is he still in the picture, and influencing her decision? (Not saying this is good or bad, just more information).
Lastly, I somewhat disagree with the previous two postings, suggesting this teenager's life is about to be over, no matter what her choice. There are many young mothers who have an excellent support system, and have a happy life, go on to college, marry a wonderful husband, etc. I would hope that no matter what this young girl/woman chooses, that she is not hearing that her "life is over" and that she does not have any more choices in her life. That is not a very empowering place to put her in! Please empower her with choices and options, and no matter what she choose, she will be able to fulfill her other dreams...she may have to work a little harder than her peers if she keeps the baby...but her life by no means is over!
And, yes, she can not be made to have an abortion. A family counselor really is the best option for this family, to help make a some quick and important decisions, so this family can move on to helping with the outcomes.
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The other two woman provided wonderful information and advice, and it does sound like a family counselor would be crucial in providing this family with a "sounding board" to help make some important decisions. The 14 year old probably just wants to move-past this event and get on with life as usual. I'm wondering if the teenager has been around babies or other young parents? Does she have real-life experience with what it is like to raise a child? (I remember reading that some young teenagers were having babies because they "wanted someone to love, and someone to love them back". Do you know WHY she wants to have the baby? If there is a chance she wants the baby for these reasons, you can offer her information that babies really don't "love you back" until they are older, and this is hard to cope with in the wee hours of the night! They are selfish little creatures!
There are many different situations, and I'm curious about the teenager's friends...does she have friends who are also teenage parents? Is she in a geographically high risk area for teenage moms? This information may be insignificant, or may not be. I know teenagers are very influenced by their environment, and may provide another clue into her mindset. The other clue is the boy who got her pregnant. Is he still in the picture, and influencing her decision? (Not saying this is good or bad, just more information).
Lastly, I somewhat disagree with the previous two postings, suggesting this teenager's life is about to be over, no matter what her choice. There are many young mothers who have an excellent support system, and have a happy life, go on to college, marry a wonderful husband, etc. I would hope that no matter what this young girl/woman chooses, that she is not hearing that her "life is over" and that she does not have any more choices in her life. That is not a very empowering place to put her in! Please empower her with choices and options, and no matter what she choose, she will be able to fulfill her other dreams...she may have to work a little harder than her peers if she keeps the baby...but her life by no means is over!
And, yes, she can not be made to have an abortion. A family counselor really is the best option for this family, to help make a some quick and important decisions, so this family can move on to helping with the outcomes.
February 3, 2009 - 1:41pmThis Comment
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