Parent Support Groups for Teens
Being a teen mom or a teen dad is a difficult task. Teen parents are not finished with their own childhood, but suddenly have to put on the parent hat and care for a new born baby. Juggling school, making money, caring for the baby and a social life can be exhausting and overwhelming. If you are a teen parent who feels all alone, there are support groups out there that can help you to find others who can relate to you.
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About Teen Pregnancy
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According to FamilyFirstAid.com, 34% of girls become pregnant once before their 20th birthday. Teen pregnancy can be stressful and dangerous for both the teen and the new baby. If a teen parent is without support from an older adult, it is easy for a teen to end up on welfare, drop out of high school or college or even wind up in jail. If teen parents are not getting the support they need from family and friends, it is important for them to seek help through a support group.
How Support Groups Help
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Support groups can help pregnant teens or young mothers to talk to a professional counselor about what they are going through. Teen moms can obtain information on resources to help with school, financial aid, parenting tips and more. Teen parents can also meet other young people in the same situation. Getting through any rough period can be a little easier if you have someone that you can relate to. A support group can also be a place where a teen parent can bring her own parent to help work on how that relationship has changed since the new baby has come into the picture.
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Tops
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Tops is a teen outreach program in Arizona. This facility provides support groups and training on childbirth, life goals and education. All parents who are 21 and under can receive free help at Tops. Tops serves as a haven for young parents to meet other teen mothers and fathers, obtain baby clothes and attend counseling. Tops support groups meet at four different Arizona locations. The Tops website has a full schedule of group locations and meeting times.
Newark Beth Isreal Medical Center
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Located in Newark, New Jersey, this medical center offers several support groups for teen parents. The facility has a young parents group where moms and dads between the ages of 17 to 22 can connect and learn about stress management techniques, child development and more. Beth Isreal also has an expectant teen mom group to help pregnant teens cope with the fears and anxiety that they may be experiencing. The group is a great way for teens to learn more about caring for themselves and their babies.
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