| Your daughter has just told you that she is having a | | | | " Visit Lifetime Adoption formore complete |
| baby. After the shock and angersubside, where do | | | | information on adoption |
| you go next? It is going to be a tough road. Your | | | | The best thing you can do for your daughter during |
| daughter has a lot ofdecisions to make and she will | | | | this time is to be supportive of her. |
| probably be coming to you and asking a lot of | | | | She has a lot of decisions to make and may ask you |
| questions. | | | | for your advice. Although youprobably have tons of |
| Although you may not have the answers your | | | | advice to give, try to refrain from giving it to her. |
| daughter is looking for, be open to helpingher find the | | | | This is reallysomething she needs to make her own |
| answers. She may need you to guide her to | | | | decision on. You don't want her to have |
| information or maybe she willjust want you to be | | | | anyresentment towards you for decisions that were |
| there to hold her hand. Let her tell you what she | | | | made. |
| needs from you. Buthere are some things you should | | | | The best way to help her is by guiding her to |
| discuss with your daughter as soon as possible | | | | information and letting her make informeddecisions. |
| toopen up the dialogue on the situation and help her | | | | Then once she has made a decision, do your best to |
| with her decision making: | | | | support her. It may behard, especially if you don't |
| " If your daughter is thinking about abortion | | | | agree with the decision she has made. If she decides |
| " Encourage her to question her reasons behind | | | | toparent, ask her to work on a written plan on how |
| wanting this | | | | she will support her baby. If shedecides on adoption |
| " Is it that she just wants a quick fix? | | | | she might want to look at an open adoption. With an |
| " Discuss the psychological effects of that decision | | | | openadoption, she is able to choose the adoptive |
| " Remind her that it is a permanent decision with | | | | parents for her child and they can remain incontact. |
| long-lasting effects | | | | She can find out more by visiting sites like Open |
| " Encourage her to visit websites like Pregnancy Help | | | | Adoption. |
| to help answer somequestions she might have about | | | | But remember that it is her life and she is trying to |
| her options | | | | make the choice that is best for herand her unborn |
| " If your daughter is thinking about keeping the baby | | | | baby. Keeping open communication between the two |
| and parenting | | | | of you will beuseful for both of you as you are |
| " Discuss the role of the baby's father | | | | transitioning through this part of your lives. |
| " Ask how she thinks it will work for her | | | | This is a very emotional time for both your daughter |
| " Help her look at all that will be involved | | | | and yourself. Do your best to be agood role model |
| " Working | | | | for her. Try to answer the questions you can and |
| " School | | | | guide her toprofessionals for the questions you don't |
| " Daycare | | | | have the answers to. Remember she is now ayoung |
| " Money | | | | person with tremendous responsibility and you can no |
| " If your daughter is thinking about adoption | | | | longer afford to treat herlike your baby. She needs |
| " Discuss how open adoption works | | | | your help and support in her search for answers while |
| " Work with her to find more information on open | | | | she isdeciding her future. |
| adoption | | | | |