I am trying to get some more ideas. We have an education project for our pediatric class. Picking an age group and something to educate them on. I am picking Teen parents, I plan on picking a general overview of topics to cover in my teaching plan for this group since their are a lot of important things that come in hand when caring for children and the children of teens are more at risk for certain things. This is a topic dear to me.
Anyway, if you were a teen parent, looking back now and learning what you have learned, are their things you have learned now that you wish you would have been taught back when you were in that situation?
Thanks for your input, I want to make sure I cover a good variety of things.
So far I am thinking about things I have seen a lot of IE:
Second hand smoke, especially in cars or at gatherings that people have brought their kids to which also includes the risk of leaving ashtrays and beverages used as ashtrays down low where children might pick up and drink not realizing whats in it.
Nutrition, seen a lot of toddlers with packs of gum, cans of pepsi, bags of candy, etc etc.
Shaken Baby syndrome and the importance of taking a time out if your upset. I know teenagers don't always thoroughly think about consequences and can act in the heat of the moment too easy.
The importance of well child check ups and resources available if money or transportation is an issue.
These are things I have seen more of in the Teen parent community, I would love to get some more ideas of important issues that people might overlook in helping this culture.
If you weren't a teen parent, please don't feel excluded, if you have something I am open to all opinions.
I was a teen mom. I had my son when I was 17 and my daughter when I was 20. I was very fortunate to not have any of the problems that the "statistics" try to make it seem that all teen moms have. I graduated high school on time and will be graduating from Michigan State in May with my bachelors. I always have a good chuckle about people who say all the things that teen moms cant do because they became parents early. Out of more than half the class I graduated with in high school, I am one of the very FEW who are actually graduating college on TIME, as a matter of fact Im one of the few who will even be graduating at all. I know Im going off on a rant here but I just wanted to disprove those statistics for a second. But to the topic at hand.
I never had a problem with anything because I had excellent parents/family to help me out. But I know there are many pregnant teens out there who dont seek prenatal care because they dont have insurance. And even after giving birth they dont get insurance for their kids. It would be beneficial for you maybe to inform them of the services available to them such as insurance (MedicAid), which they can get at no charge, even if not for themselves they can get it for their children. But I think they should know to utilize all resources available to them. One thing that I regret to this day though is not enrolling my son in the "Birth to Five" program like the medical social worker suggested after I gave birth to him. It would have helped me out a lot in terms of knowing where he shouldve been development wise, it also would have helped him to interact more with other children.
Colic is also a big thing that may need discussion. I know someone said it already but different ways to calm a cranky baby would be good to know as well. Things such as running water, a blow dryer, a car ride, even the sound of the clothes dryer can make a cranky baby calm down and eventually fall asleep. They should also know how to keep their child adequately nourished once they are able to eat normal food. A big disadvantage for me was that I didnt know how to cook so I would just buy my son raviolis and things like that. He was anemic because I didnt know how to make his meals into a combination that would allow his body to absorb iron. He also didnt eat vegetables because I didnt eat them. They should know that kids learn by example so if they do something their kids will be likely to do it and vice versa.
I could go on for days but I already feel like my post is pretty long winded, sorry:rolleyes:
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Great ideas ladies, thanks!!!!
starmickey03 your right, a great support system can make a huge difference. I didn't have one until I was about 7 months pregnant, but was able to do right by my son from having my step mom be there for me once she was able to accept what was going on, up until then I was in a really bad situation and almost lost my son a few times. I get really tired of being stereotyped myself. I have had some people make some really really out of line and out of place comments in front of my children. Oh and I love everyone thinking I am my eldest sons older sister :|
I'm not a teen mom but I know plenty (who doesn't?) and my mom and grandmas were all teen moms. I think teaching about resources is SO very important.
Another thing is to not give in to your child every time he/she cries!! Sometimes, and I know it's hard to do, you just have to let them cry or you will brat them which you will SEVERELY regret when they get a little older. I know this because I am a babysitter for several kids and I know with one of them, her mom would give in to her every time she cried just to make her stop. "You want Mcdonald's? We get Mcdonalds." "You don't want to go to sleep right now? Stay up." "You still want a bottle when you're six years old? Fine by me." I know I am not a parent so I feel bad to judge but I know this is not healthy behavior and although her daughter is a smart and loving child, and she is a wonderful, adoring mother, some of the things the girl does makes me worry. Also, watch your mouth around your kids! Let them keep their innocence as long as they can :)
My last piece of advice would be to enroll them in an activity. For example, guitar lessons, little league, ballet, etc. It will be one more way to prevent them from ending up on the streets when they are in middle school/high school. Personally, i've always wished my mom prevented me from quitting piano and gymnastics when I was younger. I know she was just trying not to be a "stage mom" but being bored in high school can lead to a lot of trouble. Having something you've been dedicated to since you were three gives you a reason to not somewhere safe to go after school and makes you feel accomplished.
I'm not sure if these were the things you were looking for but I hope it helped some :)
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
hey i was teen mom i had my son when i was only fourteen i wish people would have spoken to me and let me know in a situation like unplanned pregnancy you can get prenatal care without a parent and without being a legal adult. i had no prenatal care because it was never discussed.
another big problem and i am so sorry you didn't get this information, did everything come out ok?. i was fortunate to find out by a nurse, i was in the er with severe abdominal pain, i couldn't stand, i wasn't pregnant yet. i was 15. they needed parental consent to see me and the problem was, i had no parents at the time. my dad and step mom lived 3000 miles away and my bio mom abandoned me, so a nurse came to talk to me, she asked if i was sexually active and i told her yes, she asked if their was anyway i could be pregnant. i said i don't think so, she said,let me rephrase, if their is a chance you are pregnant, and maybe that is causing this pain, we can see you without consent. the way she said it clicked and i knew what she was getting at. it was a very good thing i was seen or i wouldn't have ever had children. anyway, she later came and talked to me a lot and i got a lot of information from her. when i did get pregnant (she did strongly try to persuade me against it, i don't want to give the wrong impression) but when i did get pregnant i knew the resources to take and got help and prenatal care. when i went to go live with my dad and step mom i was able to get back on to his military ins.
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starmickey03, MSN, RN
643 Posts
I was a teen mom. I had my son when I was 17 and my daughter when I was 20. I was very fortunate to not have any of the problems that the "statistics" try to make it seem that all teen moms have. I graduated high school on time and will be graduating from Michigan State in May with my bachelors. I always have a good chuckle about people who say all the things that teen moms cant do because they became parents early. Out of more than half the class I graduated with in high school, I am one of the very FEW who are actually graduating college on TIME, as a matter of fact Im one of the few who will even be graduating at all. I know Im going off on a rant here but I just wanted to disprove those statistics for a second. But to the topic at hand.
I never had a problem with anything because I had excellent parents/family to help me out. But I know there are many pregnant teens out there who dont seek prenatal care because they dont have insurance. And even after giving birth they dont get insurance for their kids. It would be beneficial for you maybe to inform them of the services available to them such as insurance (MedicAid), which they can get at no charge, even if not for themselves they can get it for their children. But I think they should know to utilize all resources available to them. One thing that I regret to this day though is not enrolling my son in the "Birth to Five" program like the medical social worker suggested after I gave birth to him. It would have helped me out a lot in terms of knowing where he shouldve been development wise, it also would have helped him to interact more with other children.
Colic is also a big thing that may need discussion. I know someone said it already but different ways to calm a cranky baby would be good to know as well. Things such as running water, a blow dryer, a car ride, even the sound of the clothes dryer can make a cranky baby calm down and eventually fall asleep. They should also know how to keep their child adequately nourished once they are able to eat normal food. A big disadvantage for me was that I didnt know how to cook so I would just buy my son raviolis and things like that. He was anemic because I didnt know how to make his meals into a combination that would allow his body to absorb iron. He also didnt eat vegetables because I didnt eat them. They should know that kids learn by example so if they do something their kids will be likely to do it and vice versa.
I could go on for days but I already feel like my post is pretty long winded, sorry:rolleyes: