William James

Teen Mom

Marriage, Family & Relationships

“You are one of that 367,752, but like I said, you are more than a statistic! You are a person with hopes and dreams, with fears and needs. And so is every one of the 367,751 other moms. You’re not alone. Many others are facing the same things. Life changes for every young person; for some it changes a bit more when they become a parent. While there may not be anything glamorous about these changes, you can find help and hope. Mom, you are stronger than you think. What Do You Need? I’ve been leading a support group for teen moms for the last twelve years. Every Thursday night, I hang out with pregnant and parenting young women. I’ve led support groups in Montana and in Arkansas. I’ve met teen moms all around the US. No two moms look alike or have the same walk in life. Each one has a different story, but they all have needs. They need friendship. They need love. They need help and support. They need parenting tips. They need to know they matter. In my groups, there have been moms from middle-class families. They have their own cars and sometimes apartments. These young moms often feel like they’re the “black sheep” of the family. They were the ones who tainted their family’s perfect image, and they hear about it all the time. There are also moms who are very familiar with teen pregnancy. Their moms were teen moms. Their aunties were teen moms. Their grandmothers were teen moms. It’s not a surprise when they become teen moms too. Whether teen pregnancy is unique to your family or it’s common, whether you are from a middle-class family or your family struggles to 1 Do I Matter? Importance The deepest principle in the human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”