Where will I (we) live?

 Will I be able to continue with my  educational and career plans?

• What do I need to finish my education? (Consider time and resources that you will need to finish high school, college, or vocational training plans.)
• Can I continue at my school and work and still have time to be an effective parent?
• Who will care for my child while I’m at school?

 Who can I turn to for advice and  information on parenting?

• Who will I get advice from when my child is sick?
• Who can answer questions about my child’s development?
• When will they sleep all night?
• What do I do when my child will not stop crying?
• Who will help me when I am sick and can’t even take care of myself, not to mention my child?

 How will I support myself and my  child?

• Do I have an affordable, safe and secure place for my child and myself to live?
• What will it cost to rent an apartment?
• What do utilities cost each month? (water, electricity, gas, city services)
• Where do I find information on public assistance for housing, utilities, and other necessities for setting up a home?
• What about furniture, linens, kitchen items and small appliances?
• Have I considered renter’s insurance?

Being a single parent is an option that most young women will consider. As you think about these options for your life, consider reasonable, realistic and practical answers to these questions. Wanting to be an effective and loving parent is an admirable desire; but being a single parent is difficult. It requires a selfless, long term commitment to another person (your child) that is not for a just a year or two, but for a life time.

Don’t be a parent, just so someone will love you.  Babies will give unconditional love to their mother. But to be a full-time mother, it requires you to demonstrate unconditional love for your child: all the time, everywhere, in every circumstance.

Don’t be a parent, just so you won’t be like your parent.  Most parents learned to parent from their parents, or in other words, you will probably parent your child very much like you were parented, unless you become involved in parenting classes, support groups or find a mentor to help you acquire different parenting techniques.

If you have questions or need to talk to someone about parenting or your other options, please contact a pregnancy center near you.