1) Set Yourself Up For Success As a mother, your little one will only be little once. And while I can't really offer parenting tips that work on everyone, there are few that I think should always stand out as good ideas. Here are 10 tips to get you started as a young parent
2) Take Things One Day At A Time As a mother of a young child who also happens to be a teenager, I know that parenting can present some challanges. Raising children and being young is tough, but here are some tips for mothers like me that may help you out. First off, try to take things one day at a time; it's all too easy to get overwhelmed by big picture thoughts when you're constantly busy. Second, balance your life with the roles you have: parent, school student and friend. Kids need an involved parent who listens and talks to them about their lives, not just someone who yells at them because they broke their sister's toy or said something disrespectful! For your sake as well as theirs, make sure your relationship is nurturing and long-term.
3) Find Support From Friends and Family Don't feel like you are alone - getting through those teen years as a young parent can be a challange. Luckily, there are many supportive adults in your life who want to help you along the way. Involve your parents and trusted friends in your life by asking them to watch over and help with your children while you go to school or work. Trusting other adults in your child's life will not only make things easier on yourself, but will also allow them the opportunity to feel involved with their grandchild too.
4) Stay Active Raising a child is an uphill battle, even if the person has been doing it since they were an infant. While the challenges are new, the best way to raise children is by staying active. Doing different things helps avoid boredom, prevents depression and anxiety and ensures that your child knows you have a life outside of them. Getting regular exercise also helps with obesity rates in mothers who also happen to be teenagers, so be sure to eat healthy too! Remember to love yourself as much as you love your children, we all deserve some happiness too.
5) Choose The Best People To Talk To It can be difficult to find someone to talk to who understands your situation and, as a young mother yourself, you may not always have the best words of advice to offer someone else. It can be helpful to know where you might find a community that can provide both support and advice. It is important to know where you will find people who understand your situation when it comes time for peer-to-peer conversations on parenting. Talking with other teen mothers is one way of getting support and receiving advice from someone who has walked in your shoes already. Additionally, attending local youth group meetings or mom's club functions are also great places to get some encouragement!
6) Use Technology Wisely Since you're so young, it's important that you have a tight grip on your technology. Talk to your parents about any inappropriate videos or conversations you're having. They might not be as easygoing as you are! Finally, don't put the responsibility of parenting solely on yourself. You have lots of time for a life outside of mommyhood.
7) Don't Judge Yourself Too Hard Many mothers are also teenagers. And parenting is one of the most important things you will ever do. Remember to find support. You can also join your local teen moms group, which will help you make friends and feel less alone. This group can help you learn about finances, such as what food to buy when on a tight budget, how to care for younger children while working in school or taking care of the household duties, and understanding the importance of living within your means.
8) Stand Up For Yourself And Your Child There are a lot of things that can be tough about being a young mother, but don't forget to stand up for yourself and your child. If your parents want to know why you're not getting any sleep because you're staying up with your crying infant all night, let them know that you don't have enough sleep because it's literally impossible to put the baby down. And if they expect the father of the baby to take care of things, make sure he does his fair share around the house! All this will help prepare you for parenthood when you're older—whether that is as an eighteen year-old or an eighty year-old woman.
9) Do What You Can, When You Can, Where You Can! The most important thing you can do as a young parent is to be honest and self-aware about your responsibilities and limitations. Here are 10 ways to do what you can, when you can, where you can as a young mother: 1. Build strong relationships with other parents in your life. They will always be able to give helpful advice, an ear to listen, or a supportive shoulder if needed. If someone asks you to babysit their kids or watch them at the playground once in a while – say yes! 2. Remember the power of playing together; invest time in open ended play with toys (even electronic games) like coloring books and crayons instead of screens (TVs, computer games) as much as possible.
10) Be Kind to Yourself It's hard. It's so very hard. You might be struggling to balance the stresses of school, work and parenthood. You're probably feeling alone, like no one understands what you're going through, like you're not enough. And it doesn't help that people are constantly trying to offer you unsolicited advice when they should just be listening instead... That being said, I'm so proud of all of the young mothers who are also teenagers who are breaking barriers and making new strides as trailblazers in society today--young moms that are changing the world while they change diapers!
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