Once Upon a Time…

One day, a 16 year old girl (we’ll call her Fran) found out that she was going to have a baby. She had been in a close, committed relationship with her boyfriend, “Scott”, for about two years. He was a bit nervous when he found out the news, but he was looking forward to early fatherhood and decided that he would propose marriage to Fran, work part-time and go to school.

Fran decided that she was also going to stay in school and leave the baby with her ever-supportive mother who, when she heard the news, told her daughter that she loved her and that she would support her, whatever her decision. Fran was determined that her unexpected pregnancy was not going to interfere with her dream of becoming a doctor; motherhood simply happened before she finished college instead of after.

It was not always easy to study and to stay up with the baby simultaneously, but Fran was successful and graduated with honors. Scott and Fran enjoyed a strong, stable marriage, healthy and secure children and fulfilling careers. Teenage parenthood was an obstacle for them, but not a handicap.

The story of “Fran” and “Scott” happens to be true but, compared to the typical life of teenage parents, it is almost like a fairy tale. The truth is that most teenage parents face daunting obstacles such as single parenthood, lack of support from the community, friends and family, nagging financial problems and a delay or abandonment of precious goals and dreams.

The good news is that one does not need to be as fortunate as Fran and Scott to survive teenage parenthood. A young parent needs to be realistic about his or her situation, to educate himself or herself about all available options and to ask for help when it is needed. Most of all, have faith and be kind to yourself; the road might be tough and you will need all the inner strength you can muster.