Education:

Just because you choose to parent, doesn't mean you can't
complete your education.   You can continue your education
at your current school, or attend a school designed for pregnant
and/or parenting teens.   These schools often provide on-site
daycare services for your child while you attend your classes. 
For a list of schools offering parenting services visit
Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention, and Parenting (MOAPPP) resource directory.

Child Care:

Paying for quality child care is difficult for many families. The Child Care Financing Project offers programs, resources and information for teens and working families to find and afford quality child care and education.

Child Support:

If you become a single parent, you may or may not have the support of your family and friends. However, you are legally entitled to child support even if you are not married. Depending on the state in which you live, if the father/mother who is not parenting the child gives up his/her parental rights, it may be more difficult to get child support. Each state's child support laws are different, so make sure to check with a counselor in your state.

In Minnesota, the Office of Child Support Enforcement has the responsibility for determining paternity (who the father of the child is), locating absent parents, and enforcing child support. There are also child support enforcement offices in every Minnesota county. If you have questions about child support, you can call the state hotline at (651) 296-2542 or visit MN Department of Human Services for more information.

Being a parent can be very rewarding and also very challenging. Many people have idealized images of what it is like to become a parent and are not prepared for all of the challenges that come with parenthood. It is important to seek out the support you need to be a good parent when challenges arise. You may want to join some online communities such as The Young Mommies Help Site or contact your local Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) services so that you can make connections with other teen parents who are also seeking support.

If you are feeling angry, irritable, sad, anxious or hopeless or if you are having thoughts about harming yourself or your baby you may be experiencing postpartum depression and should seek help immediately. United Way's First call for help line (dial 211) or Postpartum Depression Hope Information Center are great resources.

Additionally, Safe Place for Newborns of Minnesota allows mothers to bring their unharmed newborn baby, up to 3 days old, to any hospital in Minnesota. Authorities will not be contacted, and the mother does not have to identify herself. They also have a 24-hour crisis hotline - 877-440-2229.

For more information about your rights as a teen parent, check out the article "The Rights of Teen Parents " on TeenWire. 

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