9 Ways To Prevent Your Teen's Pregnancy August 18, 2011

by Mary Beth Sammons

1. Have the Sex Talk

It sounds obvious, but many Circle of Moms members say that they can't emphasize enough the
importance of sitting down with their daughters and sharing all the facts about sex and birth control --
information they need to make important choices about their bodies, their selves and their futures. "I
plan on teaching my children about safe sex and birth control once they start learning about it in
school," says Jen B. "I will let them know that they can come to us when they think they are about to
become sexually active. I know that it's getting harder and harder for teens not to have sex so I plan on
keeping my children fully informed on how to be safe."

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2. Explain Safe Sex

Explaining birth control options is an important part of educating your teen daughter about safe sex,
suggests many Circle of Moms members. "As a mom, I am already teaching my children about safe sex,"
says Christina M. "My 10-year-old knows what terrible diseases sex can cause and how most of them
can be eliminated by just wearing a condom properly. We will keep condoms available in our home at all
times while our children are teenagers because while we don't want our children to be having sex as
teenagers, we know we can't prevent it. We want them to be safe."

The "talk" about safe sex should also include what sleeping with a boyfriend means emotionally to your
daughter, says Dyan B. "I would talk to them about sex and what it involves emotionally and physically,
and how surprised I was myself by the emotional attachment I had to the partner after having sex for
the first time," she says, adding that if her daughter still decides to have sex, she would also explain the
importance of condoms and birth control. "I would completely reiterate the importance of condoms —
even when on the pill. "

3. Teach Her to Respect Herself

Numerous Circle of Moms members say it's a mom's job to inspire her daughter to care about herself
emotionally as well as physically. As Sarah elaborates, "Don't just 'be there;' you have to talk to her, ask
her questions, explain to her how boys her age act and why they seem to always want sex....stuff like
that. I think if girls have good parents and learn to care about themselves, they might not have go
looking for attention in a boyfriend, and maybe they won't make the choice of not being careful during
sex. With my girls, I will teach them (and am currently teaching this to them now) that they can always
come to me with any question about anything. They can always tell me their feelings about anything, no
matter what. I will also teach them how to have self control...and how to say 'no' to any advances they
may get from boys."

4. Encourage Abstinence
Many schools promote abstinence as the best choice, and numerous moms believe in underscoring this
message with their daughters. "I will also emphasize abstinence as an option as we get into more
detailed information," says Jenny C. about how she plans to educate her now seven-year-old daughter
about the "facts of life." Teresa also plans to follow religious teachings on the importance of abstinence
and says she will be "emphasizing how it is God's plan that they wait for marriage."

5. Lay Out the Consequences

It may sound harsh, but many Circle of Moms members say they have had to be very frank with their
daughters and explain that if they get pregnant and have a child, they should not expect their moms to
step up and take on the parenting responsibilities. As Dyan B. explains, "I would offer my support, but
make it clear that I would not be a mother to that child." And Kellie says she would make it a point to
explain the realities of living life as a teen mom. "Of course, teens do realize -- especially once they have
them -- that babies aren't just cool accessories ... When you're 17-years-old, you should be out with your
friends."

And Christina M. says she plans to be candid with her children about what her own life was like as a teen
mom. "When my children hit the ages of 14-15-years-old, I plan on sitting them all down individually and
telling them my story of being a teenage mom. I am going to reveal everything, the grief, the hardships,
the loneliness, everything. I want them to know what I went through so they don't do the same thing I
did."

Emma N. is another mom who suggests laying it on the line. "I would tell her that I would be very
disappointed," she says. "But she would be taking responsibility, and not living in my house if she
chooses to have and keep the baby. You want to act grown up and get pregnant, get your own place. "

6. Encourage Them to Gain Experience Caring for a Baby

Several Circle of Moms members offer the very practical suggestion that parents encourage their
daughters to babysit as a way to prevent unwanted pregnancies. "I did a lot of babysitting and I didn't
have a baby until I was 28, and it was possibly a contributing factor to why I didn't have babies earlier,"
says Nikki S. "I had no life from about 10 to 16 because my mom and dad had three babies during that
time and she was really sick so I did everything for them, including all the house work and dinner, for six
years. I think the reason I had no interest in babies is ... because I wanted my own life and to have some
fun first."

7. Discuss the Options

Some Circle of Moms members say the best way to stave off an unwanted pregnancy is to discuss what
the options would be if their daughters did get pregnant, says Christina M., once a teen mom herself.
Since any choice, whether adoption, teen parenting, or abortion, has consequences, a discussion like
this can be eye-opening for a teen. Christina elaborates, "If she came to me pregnant, after I stopped
yelling, I would present her with her options. Abortion is not a personal option for me, so I would never
suggest it for my child, but I would give her the pros and cons of adoption and parenting. I would make
her check out an adoption agency, and also sit down with another teen mom to talk about teen
parenting."

Heather L. says that though she would be disappointed, she would tell her daughter that if she got
pregnant, she would support her if she wanted have an abortion. "If she wanted to abort, I would help
with that," she says. "If she wants to do adoption, I would help with that. And if she wants to keep the
baby, we as a family would do what it takes to get her through school and on her way to a career so she
could be a successful mom."

8. Realize You Can Only Try

There is only so much you can do to prevent an unwanted pregnancy for your daughter, many of Circle
of Moms members advise. "You can't prevent everything/anything," says Kellie B. "Our children will
make their own decisions, some bad, some good. All I can do is educate her, talk to her and keep the
lines of communication open...and trust her to make the right decisions for her."

9. Don't Make Sex a Taboo Subject

Many Circle of Moms members contend that sex needs to be discussed openly. The worst thing you can
do is say you won't discuss sex with your daughter, says Amber N. "I'm hoping that by talking regularly,
providing information on safety, and never allowing sex to be a taboo in our lives that this won't be a
situation that we have to deal with," she says. "I think making sex NOT A TABOO is probably the most
important part," agrees Kayleigh L. "The more ‘wrong' they think it is, the more anxious they are going
to be to try it. Information is key. "