The Media's focus on teenage pregnancy

[Mom2ConnorRyan]

I hate the media focus so much on Jamie Lynn's pregnancy.  I think it is highlighting and making it look glamourous.  In reality it is not.  I believe it is sending a message to teenagers that it is okay to get pregnant because look at Jamie LYnn and how great she has it.  These people have money and therefore it is easier.  I do not have a daughter and often wonder about my friends daughters when they grow up.  Now it seems it is normal to get pregnant when you are a teenager.  As moms we know struggle everyday of raising children.  I try to warn my sister that is not what parenthood is really like.  Being on the cover of magazines, getting 1 million for baby pics, etc.  If soceity took the approach it has taken years before when getting pregnant without marriage or even being a teenager than we would not have this mess.  Now it is no big deal but before society would look down and people would stop and think about their actions.  My MIL told me when she was in school there were no teen pregnancies because it was shameful.  She told me all four years of high school nothing like this happen.  Now at that same school she attended there are 8-10 girls pregnant.  When I was in 7th grade there was a girl pregnant. I could not believe it but everyone else thought it was no big deal.  Our lesson today is be smart if you are going to have sex and are not wanting a baby use protection!

[Audrey]

It's so important to talk to your girls. I'm all about reality. The reality is if you get pregnant, you're not going to college. If you get pregnant, there will boys who won't want to date you. If....there is a long list of what you won't be able to do anymore.

[Danielle]

  audrey, what you point out is a good point, you said it right there.. i have a9 year old daughter, and i am soooo concerned for her in this god awful world of sex, all i want to do is protect her, but again, she has to live her own life, make her own descions, all i can do is raise her under the leadership of God, point her in the"right direction,and her the conquences of having sex. lets me honest, we cannot shelter our kids from everything, if we do not teach them ourselves, they will learn it from someone else,(like i did) and may be getting some very wrond and destructive advice..so talk to your children about this issue, better you that the education system or peers, ultimely, you are your kids best example and they will listen to you!! Thank God my daughter is no where near of having interest in boys right now!! Thank you Jesus!

[Audrey]

My way of parenting has worked for me and for my girls. I do not allow co-ed sleepovers. I do not allow boys and girls alone in my home.

So what if they're "good kids". They are teens whose hormones are nuts. I was a teen once. Why put temptation in their path. Isn't it my job as a parent to remove that temptation, to provide them a safer atmosphere than that?

I've spent hours talking to both of them about relationships. My older daughter dated a boy who she was crazy about. His parents were just plain crazy. She and I talked a lot about a future with him. That furture would include his parents. Should they get married and have kids, those crazy people would be her children's grandparents. They ended up breaking up. These are real conversations. This isn't "I don't like him" or "you shouldn't date him" This is a real conversation about life.

Like I said, it's worked for me.