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From MommyNoire

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare besides losing their child: your 16-year-old daughter is pregnant.  You want to hug her, kill her, yell at her and cry all at the same time.  Depending on her decision, suddenly your family will find themselves thrown into a confusing mixture of emotions: disappointment, excitement, resentment and fear.  Pregnancy affects the whole family and it’s a conflicting situation for a parent to face as they balance being supportive with forcing their child to face challenges that come with life’s ultimate responsibility.

Not only are you expected to keep calm that you’re going be a 40-year-old grandma, but now you’re expected to celebrate it too? Let’s face it: Your daughter’s is already pregnant, so the time for discussing safe sex and what she should’ve done is long gone.  All you can do is present her with her options.  But just because you only have so much say in terms of her choices, doesn’t mean you condone the behavior that brought her to this point.

It’s a situation that has no easy answers.  Some people think that teen baby showers send a message that parents approve of teen pregnancy, but the fact is the baby’s coming and you pouting throughout the entire pregnancy isn’t going to help your daughter be the best parent she can be.  I’ve seen a fair share of teen parents in the classes I teach and what separates those that thrive from those who allow themselves to be defeated by the challenges of teen pregnancy is the presence of a strong support system.

Read more on MommyNoire.com.

I think BET has been listening to the critics who’ve urged the network to develop more quality programing. On Monday, a special edition of “106 & Park” titled, “Young, Single, and Parenting,” will explore the responsibilities and challenges teen parents will face while raising their child.

The episode will show what it’s like to be an expecting parent at an alternative school and what a day in the life of a single teen parent really looks like. In-studio testimonials from members of the 106 audience will also be broadcast and the network will host a live online chat at BET.com/YSPTips for viewers to ask experts parenting questions.

Rapper-actor Tray Chaney and artist Don Trip will also appear on Monday’s show to discuss their experience as young parents. Hopefully the show, which airs Monday, Jan.30 at 6 pm EST, will be a success and 106 will keep using its platform to educate the youth.

Do you think shows like this have potential to strongly effect teens?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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