Taxed and perplexed by the lack of sleep and the many questions that plague new mothers, the young parents have smaller room left for focus, school work and extracurricular activities. By themselves, balancing the student life and motherhood is a feat nearly impossible to accomplish alone. That's where the Teen Parent Initiative steps in.
The program, known in the state of Indiana, takes care of the children at the Durgan Building, while their parents allot time on their education. Situated across the street from the high school, the set-up allows the moms to visit their babies during recess and vacant periods, as well as learn day-by-day time management, parenting tips on how to carry an infant and the likes.
In addition, the teenagers enrolled in the curriculum gain more understanding of birth control, a child's development during the course of pregnancy, as well as the milestones after childbirth. The parents are also introduced to resources within the community, as well as how to access them.
"As a teenager, they're still developing themselves," News 18 notes. In this phase, the teenagers are still discovering who they are, while juggling school work and peer demands. Adding pregnancy and parenting to the equation can cause some young moms to lose the delicate balance.
Despite this, "It's best for girls who are pregnant to finish school so they can get better jobs and create a better life for themselves for themselves and their babies," Kids Health states. After all, programs like the Teen Parent Initiative will help alleviate their load and anxieties.
Adding richness and laughter to their TPI days, the bond teenage mothers share during this entire experience is truly gratifying. The young parents learn from each other, share the joys and struggles of parenting, all the while celebrating their personal triumphs along the way.
The road to successful teenage parenting may be filled with bumps and detours. Despite all the trials, the lessons grasped, the friendships forged and the victories attained all make the journey completely worthwhile.
