For teen Moms?

Question

My church is starting a Ministry to help the teen moms in our community. I would like to know as a teen mom, what you feel is your greatist need? Or what is one thing that will help and support you the most?

Answer 1

I became a teenage mom at 15. I was kicked out of school for it. That was 12 years ago. The single most important thing for a teen mom is education. I am 27 and have an eighth grade education. How can a mother support her child without an education? There needs to be daycare offered by the schools, or at home schooling, or even the option of the "mommy schools", where the mother can bring the child with her to school, even in the smallest of areas. If more teachers, schools, and school boards would recognize that this is an ongoing problem then we could actually help more mothers get off and stay off of the welfare systems in the country. All I can say to sum this up is:
EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION.......

Answer 2

I was a teen mom at the time when girls were put out of school. There is nothing more important for a teen mom, especially a single mom, than an education.
If you can teach the girls a marketable skill, it would be wonderful. And also, how to build enough confidence to not get pregnant a second time.

Answer 3

I am no longer a teen mom but I do remember being one and the thing I needed the most was other People to talk to that is going through the same thing for advice and just to be able to have conversation.

Answer 4

In Britain, young mums are often isolated, unable to get adequate childcare or a job. They receive income support without any pressure as we recognise that mums and children under five should have the option of being together in the early years. There is still a social stigma but this has thankfully lessened in recent years.

Education is the key, but remember that having young children within a loving relationship and a source of income is hard enough. Try to put yourself in their shoes, and see how hard it can be to try and raise your child on your own, with little support and even less money.

They are so often made the scapegoats, and patronised or pressured to give their child up for adoption. They need to have confidence in themselves and their abilities, and for others to respect them for their difficult choice.

I think it is a shame that the mother who decides not to abort her baby and is then abandoned by the father and tries to raise her child is then villified - she was the one who has taken her responsibility seriously!

My advice to you would be to JUST LISTEN to what they say. There is no point in trying to lump people all together as a charity case as many single young mums are very independant, with their own homes and jobs.

In america i would guess that what they really need is money. In Britain we have free health care for all, a benefit system that assists families, and if you are on a low income or a student, childcare costs are more or less paid for out of tax credits and we dont pay for university education here in scotland - its free.

Answer 5

I was a teen mom. I had my first at 17, I would say the thing I needed support the most with was knowing that I was not the dumbest person around. Everyone told me how things SHOULD have been, what I SHOULD have done, but they did not understand that what was done was done, I needed help to know what to do to make my future better, how to make a brighter future for me and my child! People had lots of fun telling me how I "messed up my life" not how to improve it WITH my child! ( who did NOT mess up my life, in fact she made it worth living!)

Answer 6

i was a teen mom,had all three of my children by the time i was twenty(married) at 15,my children are all professional people,really i had no needs,perhaps it would have been nice to talk with other teen mothers,if they were moral women who put their children first.so i would say,just thinking of the young people now,that perhaps also a group workshop,where there young women can talk and,perhaps a day care,someone willing to watch the babes an hour or so to give mom some alone time.

Answer 7

Im not a teen mom, Im 26 with a toddler.
But i WOULD SAY A FREE DAYCARE so moms could go back to school and get a good job.

Answer 8

Positive encouragement, emotional support, and things to boost self-esteem. Things that would help them see far ahead, and the sacrifices that are necessary now, for later on. I'm old now, but I was a teenager when I had my son.

Answer 9

i was a teen mom- the biggest help i could have had was for my friends to have been there for me- not turn their backs when i needed someone to talk to

Answer 10

my cousin is a teen mom and the most she needs help with is a babysitter when she is at school.....to look after her kid...