I am trying to set up a group for teenage mother?

Question

I was just wondering what sort of things would interest them to attend a group? I was a teenage mother myself but i am a bit stuck on how to get them to come and enjoy my group

Answer 1

A comfortable place where they can relax, be themselves, and be totally honest. A few younger teenagers to babysit in another area - give these moms a break they don't get very often.
When I was a teenage mom, the only groups available were the typical hospital/social work style "support" groups. That was NOT what I needed. What I needed was to find friends in the same situation who could understand. I needed a group that would set up a trip to the mall with the babies, or really ANY kind of activity other than sitting around talking about my feelings. A babysitting exchange - linking 2 teen moms who could trade sitting services occasionally to get out of the house for fun or work. Find a local Mary Kay rep and see if they'd be willing to come do a makeover or pamper session with the girls. A clothing/equipment exchange, somewhere where they could get rid of the outgrown clothes and get what they need. Someone who could help them find resources they're not aware of - local churches that do a food pantry, or a clothing pantry, organizations that could help them go back to school, apply for needed assistance, stuff like that. Girls night out - hire a few teens to babysit the kids at someone's home, and the girls all go out to a movie, for coffee, whatever. It's cheaper to hire 3 teenagers to babysit 6 kids as a group than 1 on 1.
What I needed most was guidance - the support groups were okay, but didn't really HELP me. Put an ad up on the hospital OB clinic's bulletin board, asking the girls what THEY want. Find one or two willing to help you get this thing started.

Answer 2

I wish there was someone around like you when I was a teenager mother. I think it's great that you are trying to get a group together for them. This way they wouldn't feel "alone" in the world. It's tough being a teenage mother. I think that just making it known that you are creating a group for teenager mothers will help. Letting them know that it's a place for them to come, and socialize with mothers in the same situation, maybe have articles with advice on raising a child, ranging in ages. Have the option on them to be able to bring the child along with them, in case some do not have family or friends that can help them for awhile, by watching their child.

Answer 3

i think thats a great idea, i think that you should have meetings and let the kids get as personal as they feel safe, and while they are there in meetings offer babysitting. Where are you located? and is this going to be a "over the internet type thing" or real meetings?
I'd like some information please, im not a teenager mother or a to be mother but id like to know about it.

please email me with any information you have.

Answer 4

Offer free food, and emotional support with the pregnancy. The free food might make them turn up, while the emotional support would make them stay.

Stick up posters for this event. Hmm it also depends how much money you have for this.

Answer 5

Throw a party and offer babysitting. That way they can have fun and know their kids are safe. A little alcohol and they will open up and be social with each other. They are probably under a lot of stress.

Answer 6

do things find people to baby-sit and take them shopping take them out to eat just let them have sometime away from thier baby's that would be the best my mom ran i group for teen mom's and she had them paint shirts and have snacks and always welcomed them and sometimes gave them rides home or to thier partys

Answer 7

proper advice, not being looked down on or patronised. I'm in my thirties but find the midwives / health visitors patronising and not very helpful - i salute you for trying to help and wish you well

Answer 8

when i used to attend one they used to have people come in & do makeovers etc on the girls they always gave out really good advice aswell about motherhood.

Answer 9

you need to set up class on parenting /have coffee mornings also get information on benefits that they are intiled to cooking class trips out set up creche's so thy can go and pamper them self

Answer 10

a creche facility