Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of managing an unexpected pregnancy is deciding how to approach this with family members… especially with kids. Maybe, as you’re reading this blog, you’re debating whether or not to break the news of your pregnancy to your teenager. It’s understandable that you feel uncertain about taking this step. Moms facing circumstances like yours may worry about triggering painful emotions or somehow letting their teens down. Know that you’re capable of caring excellently for your kids’ emotional health and your own during this challenging season, and finding the approach that’s uniquely right for your family. Avenue Women’s Center is available to navigate that path by your side.
At Avenue, we understand the confusing and emotionally painful circumstances you’re going through. An unexpected pregnancy is a scary situation, and discussing it with family members is bound to feel daunting. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team at Avenue has your back. We’re a limited medical clinic with five locations in Chicagoland, and we’re passionate about equipping women with the tools they need to bravely find their own best outcomes.
Discover our free and confidential first-step pregnancy services! We provide medical-grade pregnancy tests, pregnancy consultations, limited medical ultrasounds, and more.
A Challenging Conversation
Figuring out how to address an unexpected pregnancy with an older child can be tough for multiple reasons. In general, teens are intuitive and emotionally intelligent. They’re capable of forming their own worldviews, and identifying and expressing their own complex feelings. If you share your pregnancy news with your teenager, they’ll probably have hard questions and difficult emotions to process. You undoubtedly have complex questions and feelings of your own. For example, maybe you’re concerned about your age and “starting over again” if you were to continue the pregnancy. Does any of this mean that inviting your teen into your pregnancy experience is the wrong way to go? No. Every person’s situation is unique. Each person must decide for herself how to handle this topic with her family in a healthy way.
Why Telling Their Kids is the Right Decision for Some
So, why do some women choose to share their pregnancy news with their teens? For some of the same reasons that engaging in these dialogues can be challenging. Teens are intuitive, emotionally intelligent, and able to shape their own beliefs. Their maturity can mean difficult questions and complex emotions, which may be hard for you to respond to, but healthy for them to process. Some parents feel most comfortable being transparent with their kids because they believe their kids have a right to know. An older child may want to share their feelings about an unexpected pregnancy or decision, even though the choice is their mom’s. Teens are more than capable of offering emotional and practical support as well.
Don’t Let Your Anxiety Drive Your Next Steps
As we mentioned before, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to navigating an unexpected pregnancy with a teen. Each parent-child relationship and set of circumstances is unique. And not every teenager may be able to process their parent’s unexpected pregnancy. Regardless of your situation, our team at Avenue Women’s Center would encourage you not to let fear drive your decisions about how to approach your pregnancy with your child (or anyone else). Consider your teen’s strengths as well as your own. Ask yourself what you think the healthiest outcome would be for you, your child, and your family. You and those in your care have what it takes to face what’s ahead with courage and resiliency.
Check out some of our other blogs for tips on navigating an unexpected pregnancy with kids, coping with fear, and sharing your pregnancy news bravely and effectively (with whoever you may choose to confide in).
Should I Tell My Kids About an Unexpected Pregnancy?
Coping with Fear During an Unexpected Pregnancy
Helpful Communication Tolls When Sharing Pregnancy News
We’ve barely scratched the surface of how complex it can be to engage in pregnancy conversations with kids. These dialogues, if and when they occur, can look so unique from family to family. However you choose to approach this, you undoubtedly care deeply for your teen and want the best for them. Avenue Women’s Center is here to support you and those closest to you in the days and weeks ahead- no matter what. We’re a safe space, where you can process your circumstances and learn your options without fear of judgment or pressure.
Call, text, chat, or email to connect with one of our expert team members! We’re available to provide reliable information and unconditional emotional support as your journey continues. Appointments are offered virtually and in person!
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.