# data[].attributes.body
If I found out I was having a baby as a teen, I would be shocked. I know I (and my significant other) would be very careful in the process so to be expecting a baby would be surprising. I would feel scared of how others perceive me. I would feel sad because taking care of a baby is a huge responsibility. It is simply too early to have a baby. I would tell my older brother first because I trust his opinion the most. Also, he can help me decide if, when, or how I would reveal the news to my parents.  I would not tell any of my friends because words spread fast at this age. I like to think I would support my significant other in this extremely stressful situation.

# data[].attributes.body
I would be nervous but also excited for the delivery of my child. I would be nervous because I have no idea what would happen with the baby. I would question whether we are keeping the baby or giving it up. I would react with excitement to see what the baby looks like, what features he or she took from me, etc. I feel I would initially fear bringing the baby home, but by the time the baby is born, the fear will be gone. I hope my parents would be there to support the birth of the child, even if I am too young. I hope the other parent of my child is happy with whatever happens. I would try to fully support her decision regarding how to handle the baby.

# data[].attributes.body
The most difficult thing about being a teen parent would be managing my time with my baby and my own life. I believe I am still growing up right now. I am still going to school and figuring out what I am going to do with my life out of school. I am still maturing physically and mentally. While having a baby can be one of the best things to happen in life, it seems like a huge distraction at this age. My friends who are not parents can easily focus on themselves and accomplish their goals. I, on the other hand, have to focus on providing for this child and making sure that they are raised the right way.  I want to love the child unconditionally, but time management is going to be extremely difficult.

# data[].attributes.body
The teen pregnancy rate is high in this country because some teens might lack sex education. Teens might not remember to use protection. Others might simply refuse to use protection because they falsely believe that they can avoid the chances of getting pregnant. Some teens might want a baby because they feel they are independent or mature enough to take care of a baby.  They think that they can handle a baby, when in reality, they are not prepared at all for the costs of living. Teens who resort to having a baby might think that a baby--rather than education or a job--is the only thing they have going for them. They could also think that their love for their partner is strong enough to support a child, even though they are still a tad young. They could want a baby simply because babies are cute. Overall, teen pregnancy is high due to ignorance (somewhat) and a desire to grow up.

# data[].attributes.body
When having a child as a teenager, there are a lot of responsibilities that a teenager can’t handle alone. Those who are still in school will require more than just a babysitter or a day care service. They are in desperate need of a main caregiver, possibly a grandmother or grandfather. Teenagers simply don’t have time to commit their entire life to a child. They should feed their child at night and change diapers when home. This is pretty much the same for adults, except they have to manage both a job, rather than school, and a baby at once. One of the main differences between teenagers and adults is that adults are more likely to be married. They have a partner to depend on, making the responsibilities easier to split. You can split responsibilities with a well-composed schedule. Both parents should be prepared for any scenario, whether it be diaper-changing, feeding, or putting the baby to sleep.

# data[].attributes.body
I have never seen the show “Teen Mom” on MTV but I hope it does not glamorize teen pregnancies. A show with such a heavy topic should discourage teens from getting pregnant.  It should accentuate the harsh realities behind taking care of a baby. It should not encourage teen pregnancies because teens will be in for a surprise once they give birth. They will realize that a baby requires a lot of time and dedication. A teen who is still growing and maturing does not necessarily have the amount of time and dedication to devote to a child. A show such as “Teen Mom” has a huge influence on teenage viewers because it is unlike most shows on TV. In other words, you do not normally see shows centered around a group of teen mothers. It is the show’s sole responsibility to accurately portray teen parenting.

# data[].attributes.body
When teenagers become pregnant, they have a number of options to choose from. The first option is to give birth and raise the child. Parenting can be joyful and rewarding, but teens should understand that it is a lifelong commitment that requires a lot of love, time, and dedication. Because of this, teens should be careful in deciding if they truly want to take care of the baby. The second option is to end the pregnancy through abortion. Teens can end the pregnancy with in-clinic abortion or with the abortion pill. This option is most common for unplanned pregnancies: teens do not feel they can raise a child. The third option is to give birth and give the baby up for adoption. This is somewhat like a compromise between the first two options. Teens should be comfortable in giving the child up to the right family. No matter which option teens pick, they must be confident in their decision.

# data[].attributes.body
Pregnancy Needs: $255.11
Delivery Needs: $6,712.00
Baby Clothing: $734.10
Sleeping: $424.89
Diapering: $1,683.99
Bathing: $169.89
Feeding: $1,281.55
Child Care: $12,000.00
Additional Items: $675.13
Total Cost for One Year: $23,936.66

Click below for calculations.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

# data[].attributes.body
1 I thought this experience was fun to witness and take part in. Seeing everyone and their babies provided a lot of laughs. I thought the project served its purpose. Carrying the baby around taught a lot about responsibility and paying attention. I realized that if I wanted to have a kid, I need to devote a lot of time, effort, and dedication to them.

2 The best part of this experience was seeing everyone else and their babies. It was funny to see so many of them at once. It was cool to see people dress their babies up in Halloween costumes.  Taking pictures was another fun aspect of this experience. I felt like a real photographer taking (not-so) professional baby photos.

3 The worst part of this experience was carrying the baby everywhere. On the first day, there was a storm in the morning. Making sure the baby did not get drenched and carrying books and an umbrella at the same time was a challenge. I did not mind carrying the baby around school, but having to walk to school and back home with the baby was annoying. It was certainly an eye opening part of the experience.

4 This experience was like having my own child because I had to go out and buy baby clothes and other necessary supplies for the baby. I had to take pictures of the baby as if I was saving memories for a scrapbook. I had to carry the baby around everywhere I go, as if it were a real baby. In a way, I had to constantly watch the baby and make sure it is safe during class. The weight of the flour helped make the experience more realistic.

5 I am not ready to have a child as a teenager because children require a lot of attention. I am still growing up and focusing on my own life. I am still going to school, meeting people, and getting a job. I simply feel like having a child would be a “distraction” at the moment. In years, when I am old enough, I would consider having a child as an adult.

6 The appropriate time for me to have my first child would be after I have graduated from college. Having a child while still in school seems like a tough responsibility. I do want to get married before I have a child because marriage is a bigger priority than having kids. Also, this way, I know I can have complete trust in my partner. In general, the perfect time to have a child is when both my partner and I are confident in our abilities.