Teen Parents

• Educate yourself by reading pregnancy/parenting books and parenting websites.
• Talk to friends or family members
• Talk to other parents
• Look into resources around your community
• Talk to a social worker

• Keep up with doctor appointments regarding checkups and routine work such as bloodwork, ultrasounds, and screenings to make sure your baby is growing healthily.
• Eat well – your baby eats everything you eat.
• Take a prenatal vitamin daily.
• Avoid alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes – as this can cause a variety of developmental issues and complications.

Building a healthy relationship with your baby is vital for their health and development and also helps with understand your baby’s cues.

Here are some ways you can build a strong relationship with your baby:

• Show your baby tons of love and affection by cuddling, smiling, eye contact, and play.
• Notice your baby’s behaviour and developments and help build more as they progress.
• Get to know your baby’s cues, this will help with understanding what they need from you.
• Talk to your baby – even read to them, this is important in making sure your baby is on track with speech.
• Play with your baby/young child – this builds great relationship skills and helps with learning.

Finishing school is one of the most important things you can do in life. Having a high school or GED diploma gives you so much more opportunities in life.

With the right planning, motivation, and support you can finish school!

A lot of high schools offer childcare for teen parents. Look into what your community has to offer if not look into subsidized daycare to help ease the cost.

Finding out your going to be a parent at a young age can be a scary thing and you are entitled to feel how you feel whether it be excited, unsure, or flat out terrified.

Whether you are ready or not, it is important that you remain supportive while your baby is growing.

 

Still unsure?

• Try talking to other fathers.
• Accept your feelings instead of ignoring them.
• Discuss with your partner that you want to be involved in doctors appointments as this can help you feel closer to the experience that your both going through. 
• Try talking to someone about your feelings such as an Elder, councillor, or a helpline.
• Learn about being a father by reading material.
  • Try: https://raisingchildren.net.au/pregnancy/dads-guide-to-pregnancy/early-pregnancy/thinking-about-being-a-dad

Adjusting to being a father: 

• Try everything once the baby is born from dressing, changing a diaper, playing, bathing, cuddling – this creates a bond between you two.
• Keep trying even when things become tough.
• Spend one-on-one time with your baby – this too creates a healthy bond and also helps out the mother get rest.
• Show affection to your baby
• Talk to your baby
• Play with your baby

For more information on parenting, your baby, and being a father click here for a great resource: https://raisingchildren.net.au/

Northern Region 

KidsFirst NORTH is a program which assists families to become the best parents that they can be and to support the healthy development of children. The program enhances knowledge, provides support, and builds on family strengths through home visiting and community based programming.

Located in in the communities of Sandy Bay, La Ronge, and Pinehouse.

Visit: http://www.kidsfirstnorth.com