What do I tell my 9 yr old about Jamie Lynn Spears? It was hard enough trying to explain Vanessa Hudgins.?

Question

Serious answers only, please. I'm an average mom with liberal views. But not THIS liberal. My daughter watches her show. And though she is not obsessed by it (the whole Hannah Montana craze), we will be inundated with pictures, articles, etc. And she will wonder what the big deal is. I want to dissuade her from teen pregnancy, NOT go into the big birds and bees talk (she's 9 1/2. Not sheltered, but still 9), but also keep our lines of communication open, if, heaven forbid, she finds herself in the same boat.
How are conscientious, regular everyday moms with average liberal values explaining this to their 9-12 year olds?

Answer 1

I would tell her that the girl made a mistake. That first of all, Jaime Lynn Spears is still a girl. Tell her that having a baby is a lot of work and responsibility, and since Ms. Spears is still very young, she is not ready in this way, she is still growing up herself. Also tell her that being so young can be difficult for the health of the mother and the child.

If you can have a pet, teach her that taking care of a baby is even harder than taking care of the pet. Someone I know, was a high school teacher while she was pregnant, and when the kids saw what she went through, it convinced them more than a lecture. Maybe when your child is older, she can have a similar experience, maybe by being a mother's aid.

Answer 2

I had the same question. I have an 11 year old boy that occasionally watches her show and definitely knows who she is. My mom and the kids and I were in the car when she told me about Jamie Lynn and my son (who was eves dropping - even though he knows better) heard what we had said. I must have had the deer in the headlight look - I was completely unprepared to tell him so I tried to say it was nothing. Well he knew better and so I finally told him. He said "Oh" and was happy I told him the truth. We have a pretty unsheltered and open relationship too, but still, I don't know what to say. I am sure the subject will come up again and I beleive I will tell him that she made some very poor choices and should have more respect for herself and her boyfriend (as should her boyfriend have had for her and himself) and with your whole life still ahead of you this is not something that teens are prepared for (either financially (Not the case for Jamie Lynn - but for most teens) emotionally or with life experience) and something you would want to be facing so young (I was pregnant at 19) so I know how I felt and why waiting until you are really ready is a good thing.

Answer 3

I know you said no Birds and the Bees talk, but that might be what's best for her right now.

After the talk, explain how what Jamie Lynn Spears did is not a good thing and we shouldn't think that she's the best role model ever. Let her watch the show, but still make sure she knows everything.

My 12 year old knew, because we had the Birds and The Bees talk when she was 5 and she learned about safe sex at age 9 when she got her period.

I explained to my 5 year old and 10 year old the same thing I told you to tell your daugther.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Great question! My 10 yr. old son came home from school today and told my husband and I that he heard Zoey (Jamie Lynn Spears) is going to have a baby! My 8 and 10 yr. old boys enjoy watching the show, so they new who the pregnant young girl is. We just told are kids the truth, not details about the birds & the bees though, just how we feel about it.That she is way to young to be having a baby! That we hope that they (are children) don't have babies until they are atleast 20 or even older.

Answer 5

You need to speak to your daughter and ask her what she thinks about the situation. Ask if she and her friends talked about Jamie being pregnant. If she seems interested in talking about it cool, if not, it's not necessary for you to push it. You can let her know that you think 16 is too young to have a baby and tell her SHE should wait until she's 30. :)

If you haven't already had "the talk" with her, you should consider it. Many girls are getting their periods at her age. Start by asking her if she knows how babies are made and see how much information she already knows. Trust me, I taught 10 year olds, and they know waaaay more than most adults think. Correct any misinformation she may have, and be brave enough to answer her questions. You don't have to go into graphic details, but it's best she has the correct information.

Answer 6

Honestly I had the same problem. My daughter is 10. And there is no way around it because they talk to friends at school and I would much rather her get the info from me. I just explained the situation, and explained how she made a mistake and that she is a kid having a kid and we talked about the responsibility that goes into having a child ecspecially at that age. We also talked about what goals she wants to accomplish that she wouldn't be able to do if something like this happened to her.

Answer 7

My daughter is 8 and Im wondering the same thing. She saw the story on the NEWS like its really news worthy, and asked me what it was about, I replied that the girl who played Zoey made a choice and she was going to be a mom now. My daughter said oh and asked to watch something else. If she asks again Im not real sure what else to say. Try to explain things as gently as possibel with out gamorizing it.

Answer 8

I know, isn't this putting a lot of parents in a bad position right now?

But, it can be a great opportunity for you too, open the door to talk about bad choices some make and consequences. Also about dating, and how you should date people your own age, have rules about what is done on dates or with bf.

I saw a psychologist on the Today show that said this is a perfect opportunity for parents to have a great talk with their children about pregnancy, protection, etc. I don't agree, I think it is teaching them how to respect themselves, be wise with boys and their "lines", etc.

Answer 9

I, personally, think 9 years old is a good age for the birds and bees talk. Some girls start puberty at nine. But that's just my opinion. Anyways, just be honest with her about the consequenses of having unprotected sex.

Answer 10

I;m 12, and I just learn about stuff myself, when we had that talk at school in fifth grade, I knew everything inside out upside down and topsy turvey. I knew everything, I read on the Internet. Just let your daughter figure it out, I'm just in to more adult shows and sitcoms and stuff good luck!!