by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: November 04, 2008   Last Updated: February 23, 2012

Are you a pregnant teen? Are you the mother of a pregnant teen? If so, I have some relieving news for you! This is not the end of your life, as you may have heard. It is the beginning of two new ones, your baby's and your own. Your life will change, but it won't necessarily be all bad. It will be harder in some ways, certainly, but it will also be filled with a new joy and love that you could never have imagined until now.

I realize that you may be doubting this a bit, especially if the news is fairly new still and you are feeling somewhat out of sorts. I understand because those were my feelings when I initially got the news that at the tender age of sixteen, I was going to be a mother. Now, that child that had me feeling all of those things is eighteen and ready to graduate high school and move on to college. Over the years, I did some things wrong and other things right, but she turned out to be a fine young woman that I am extremely proud of. The following are ten tips that will help you along in this new period of your life.

1-Pregnancy is no reason to marry. In most cases, you will be better off to wait on this decision. One reason for this is the fluctuating hormones that you will be experiencing during this time. Major decisions should be made with clear thought and not mixed up emotion. Aside from that, you are quite young and will go through many changes in the next five or ten years. Who you are today and who you want to spend your life with may change significantly and in ways you can't anticipate right now.

2-Educate yourself on pregnancy and on parenting, starting today. Learning will do more than just prepare you for what is coming up in your life. It will also begin to spark your excitement for the future you will share with your little one. Read books, watch videos or television shows, take classes, etc. Education will breed confidence and ability.

3-Don't listen to the negative comments around you. There are some people who don't realize how their words can hurt you and discourage you. More often than not, they are only speaking out of concern and worry for you, but it is still not what you need to hear at this time. Take to heart the words of positive encouragement and remember that you can do this. Thousands of others have walked the same road you are on, including me, and made it through beautifully.

4-Find a good support system that you can depend on to help you through the hard times and share your happiness in the good ones. The positive

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