Real Story: Stephanie

ABC News recently ran an article and video featuring Stephanie, a teen mom. Stephanie was a 15-year old cheerleading sophomore in high school when she got pregnant. When she was able to tell her mother that she was pregnant, her mother was angry and told her to leave the house. So Stephanie stayed with her sister for a few days. Her mother "eventually calmed down and allowed Stephanie to return home, under one condition: she had to do her own chores. The tasks would be a homework assignment in preparation for her new life as a mother." Her mother's "anger quickly giving way to grandmotherly adoration." With support from her family and from a school program for teen mothers, Stephanie graduated from high school.

Watch this video segment where Stephanie tells about her day as a teen mom.

What chores can your pregnant daughter who lives with you do around the house to prepare her for independent living as a parent? Does her school have any programs that can help her finish her education? You may find it helpful to read the chapter "Completing School" in our book "How To Survive Your Teen's Pregnancy".