Stuck on Where to Go

I was a teen mom. Take it from me the first person you want to consult is yourself. Look at where you are going to get the most help because you are going to need it. You have to finish school. The option of quitting should not even enter your mind. You need to finish not just for you but now for your baby. I would talk with your parents, other family members and friends to see if it will be possible to stay right where you are at. Unless your parents are not supporting you not financially but emotionally and physically. You will be suprised at who will help you and who will totally turn their back on you. I know because some of the "friends" I had decided it wasnt "cool" having a baby around. My grandmother helped me more than I could have ever asked for. She also helped me while I was going to college and working at the same time. Yes it is still possible to go to college. It was a community college but I have an Associate's Degree. Thankfully I got to repay her for her help later in her life. There are programs to help you out. You can get daycare help, food stamps and what not untill you are able to take care of you and your child. It is possible. It was me and my daughter for 8 yrs before I married my husband now. I worked hard but it payed off knowing that my daughter got what she needed and most of what she wanted. Hang in there you are in for a bumpy ride but it is worth it.

S.,

You are in a tight spot. If you are in your senior year my avice to you is finnish your year at school then you and you baby can mve to where your boyfriend is, and if your man really loves you he will understand. Best of luck you.

The first thing I would worry about is having a place for me and my baby to live. You can still talk to your friends and see each other once in while, even if you are living in a different county.

I would also suggest looking into your local women's health department or food stamp office to see if they have any services to offer you. I live in a bigger city, so we have plenty of options here for teen parents. We have a few specific high schools for teen parents.

As much as the thought of moving your senior year stinks, you are really going to want a good support system when the baby comes. I think you really need to look at that factor- where are you going to get the most support and help? It sounds like moving would give you the most help. You are going to need help taking care of the baby while you are finishing school (Good for you by the way! You will be so much better off finishing now!) and you are going to need emotional support too. Don't forget about that-it's realy important.

Your friends are great, but they are not going to be there helping you with the baby around the clock. Your social life will be your second priority anyway, whether you think so or not right now. And your family will always be there, even if you aren't in the same house. If they are supportive of you, they will be there for you regardless. If they arent supportive of you, definitely go with your boyfriend. And as long as he is involved in this (it sounds like he is) then he really should be there for all of it- midnight feedings and all! If it was me, I would try and make the decision based on which situation is going to give you the most support.

I'm going to say that it depends a LOT on which country. Canada? Sure, go. Nigeria? I'd think about it and then not go, simply for health care's sake. Somewhere in Latin America? It would depend on city or countryside. My first instinct is to say STAY HERE! There are a lot of programs to help out a single mom. I know! I was 17 and pregnant once myself. Do you live with your parents now? Can you not stay with them? How about friends or other family?

God bless you for keeping the baby and choosing to give birth. It will humble you to realize the more important things in life that come with children. I would say out way these things with highest priority: School for sure (you definitely want to finish...easier now than later) and meeting the babies needs (shelter, clothes, food). It is sad to say, but friends will come and go as you grow through life. Family is always related; thus stick together good and bad. A lot of your friends also will struggle to even understand what all you are going through.
Good luck! Remember to take your prenatal vitamins! ;)