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Are you a pregnant teen? You may have some important choices to make - let us help by providing access to all the information, instead of just what others want you to hear. No matter what anyone tells you - it is your life and you choice!.

We've tried to make this page as complete and as bias-free as possible, because we don't believe in trying to convince anyone that what they are doing is "right" or "wrong" and we don't believe in making choices for you. If you would like to discuss any of the information on this page and/or would like to add a bias-free resource you feel would make this page even more complete, please feel free to e-mail us.

This page outlines 4 of the most common life choices newly pregnant teens have. Although we recognize that each life "choice" may not be as fully autonomous as one would hope (sometimes our life influences us one way or another so that we feel we don't have a choice about what to do), we hope that this page will be helpful to young pregnant women in making true choices about their lives.

Single Parenting

Some pregnant teens choose to keep their baby and not continue their relationship with the baby's father, or they want to keep their baby even if they find that the baby's father is not supportive and/or does not want to continue the relationship.

Some of the advantages of this situation are not making a commitment to marriage "just for the baby's sake" and then risking the possibility that the marriage will end and you will need to go through a divorce, which could be costly for you and your child, both emotionally and financially. Other advantages to single parenting are being able to make the decisions you want about how to raise your child, where you both will live, what your next step in life will be (e.g. go back to college when the baby is older). Some of the disadvantages are the financial and psychological difficulties of solo parenting - it can be very difficult to raise a child by yourself when you are the main or only person providing for her/his needs. It may also be more challenging to continue to pursue your life's goals without a partner supporting you, financially or by being present and allowing you to have time without your child.

Single Parenting Online Support Groups:

The Young Single Mommies Community is for any mother under the age of 25 raising her child or children without a life partner. Come and meet other young/teen single mommies to discuss the unique challenges (and the positives!) of solo parenting!

Single Parenting Links:

Choices ~ Single Parenting:

Marriage

Some pregnant teens choose to keep their baby and marry the father of their child, or they are pressured into marrying their baby's dad by parents or other people around them. Other pregnant teens form relationships with partners other than their baby's father, whether during their pregnancy or after their child is a bit older. Whether by choice or by pressure, and whether they marry the father of their biological children or not, these moms have the responsibility of being in a committed relationship, and have to think about their spouse when making family decisions.

Some of the advantages of having a spouse is that you have two people supporting the child(ren), both emotionally, practically, and financially. It may be easier to focus on more than one thing at once, because one parent can take the child(ren) to the park while the other cooks dinner, etc. A child will have the benefit of having two role models in the home, two people to learn from (and possibly two different "styles" of behaving, hopefully this is a good thing!). Some of the disadvantages of having a spouse are having to consult with another person when making big parenting decisions (and you may not always agree on "what's best"), having to share your child's attention, and having someone take your attention! It is also a challenge to keep a "united front" when parenting, so that a situation where a child is playing one parent against the other isn't occuring.

Married Parenting Online Support Groups:

The Young Married Mommies Community is for any mother under the age of 25 raising her child or children with a life partner. Come and meet other young/teen married mommies to discuss the ups and downs of being married/engaged/attached while parenting!

Married Parenting Links:

Choices ~ Marriage:

Adoption

Some pregnant teens choose to give their baby up for adoption.

Adoption Online Support Groups:

The Young Mommies "Birth Moms" group was created for younger mothers (i.e. who were 25 and under when they got pregnant with their first) who have given a child up for adoption. Join this supportive group of moms to discuss the inner struggles and challenges of making such an important decision.

Adoption Links:

Choices ~ Adoption:

Abortion

Some pregnant teens choose to have an abortion.

Abortion/Loss Online Support Groups:

The Young Mommies "Moms Loss" group was created for younger mothers (25 and under) who are coping with the loss of a child, whether by miscarriage, stillbirth, death in early childhood, and/or abortion. Join this supportive group of moms in your time of grief and healing...

Abortion Links:

Choices ~ Abortion:

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