How Do I Tell My Parents That I'm Going to Be a Teen Mom?
- 1). Seek support. You may be alone with your parents when you tell them you're pregnant, but talk to someone before you approach them. You will need at least the emotional assistance, and you may even want that person to be with you when you talk to your family. This support can come from a teacher, a clergy member, a neighbor or even a best friend if you feel you can't turn to an adult. Seek out anyone who will listen to your concerns and help you come up with a way to open the dialogue with your parents.
- 2). Prepare what you're going to say. Though there's no perfect way to deliver potentially upsetting news, if you think through what words to use, it could help soften the blow. Consider what you want to say to open the conversation. Perhaps you will want to come right out and say it. Or you may choose to talk to them about a friend who has dealt with something similar, and how everything turned out OK, before you reveal your news. Practice how you're going to make the announcement, with a friend or to yourself in the mirror, so you're less nervous.
- 3). Consider your parents' personalities when deciding how to approach them. Parents can have as many different reactions as there are personalities, so consider how your parents deal with life in general. Do they get angry easily? In this case, you may want to have a friend or other support person present when you approach them. Are they judgmental about other people's decisions? If so, try to keep an open mind yourself by not judging their response. Do they normally listen to you or do they brush off your concerns? If they are poor listeners, ask them to carve out some time and sit at the kitchen table with you so you have their complete attention.
- 4). Allow your parents to have their say. This may be the toughest part of the conversation, because it means hearing some potentially harsh feedback. You're likely dropping a big bomb on your folks. It will show maturity and a depth of understanding about what you're facing if you can take in calmly and rationally what they say to you, even if they aren't being either calm or rational.
- 5). Think about your options ahead of time. When you tell your parents that you're pregnant, they may pressure you to make quick decisions about what to do. Before you talk to them, research your options so that you can talk about those alternatives together. They may be more open to some choices than others, but it's still advantageous to educate yourself beforehand.
