Considering Parenting

Parenting, whether alone or with a partner, is not an easy thing to do. Like anything else, there are many joys in parenting, and there are many difficulties. Please consider the following while you are making the decision if parenting is right for you.

Did you know…

Teens who choose to parent their child face a large number of social, financial, and emotional challenges in the future:

• Unmarried mothers who parent their children are more likely to repeat an unplanned pregnancy in the future, are more likely to remain unmarried, and have children who experience unplanned pregnancies (GAO report).
• Single mothers who parent their children are more likely to have serious employment and financial problems (Children’s Defense Fund). Nearly 80% of unmarried teen mothers end up on welfare.
• Children of teen mothers have poorer health, lower cognitive development, and higher levels of behavioral problems (CDC).
• Teen mothers are less likely to complete high school and only 1.5% have a college degree by age 30 (National Campaign to End Teen Pregnancy).
• Daughters of teen mothers are more likely to experience unplanned pregnancies themselves (CDC).
• The children of teen mothers have lower birth weights, are more likely to perform poorly in school and are at a greater risk of abuse and neglect (National Campaign to End Teen Pregnancy).

How much will this really cost?

It’s time to consider how expensive parenting can be. Will you have enough money to raise a child?

Here are some monthly costs to consider:

• Housing
• Utilities
• Diapers
• Formula
• Clothing
• Day care
• Transportation
• Miscellaneous items

Planning a Budget

In recent money management articles it is estimated that for one child it will cost approximately $230,000 for food, shelter and other necessities to raise that child over the next 17 years.

Parenting is challenging and exhausting, yet rewarding. Many hope and dream of having a second person there to share in both the joys and the responsibilities of parenting a child, but for many this is not the reality. Many single parents do a wonderful and amazing job raising their child(ren) on their own, but being a single parent takes a lot of courage, time management, planning, and preparation.

If you decide that you are ready to be a parent, with the help of your Pregnancy and Birth Parent Services worker, you can expect to:

• Arrange or apply for all medical care and insurance issues
• If needed, find available financial resources, including WIC, MFIP, & Child Support
• Connect with parenting resources, including Early Childhood Family Education and parenting classes

Nurturing Parents and Children Program

Lutheran Social Service has the Nurturing Parents and Children Program for individuals who have decided parenting is the right choice for them. Nurturing Parents and Children offers parenting groups and classes that provide information, support and resources to help parents build a healthy relationship with their children.

Ongoing classes are held in the LSS Minneapolis Office and are free of charge, thanks to funding support from the United Way and other foundations.

Goals of the Nurturing Parents and Children Program are:

• To help parents develop skills for nurturing themselves and their children
• To strengthen self-esteem and social skills of parents and children
• To provide a supportive environment for parents and their children

We talk about:

• Children's ages and stages
• Parent and child communication
• Community resources
• Decision-making
• Discipline and parenting styles
• Goal-setting
• Healthy choices
• Stress management
• Relationships
• School, careers, and work
• Sexuality
• Understanding anger

Young Moms Group
Tuesdays: 4:30-7:00 p.m.
For young moms, ages 12-21, pregnant or parenting

• Provides support and parent education
• Nurtures relationships through parent/child interaction
• Evening meal is provided
• Transportation provided within south Minneapolis
• Child care is provided on-site

Adult Parent Classes
Wednesdays: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
For moms, dads and caregivers 18 years and older

• 10-week curriculum
• Provides support and parent education
• Child care is provided on-site
• Certificate provided after 10 sessions completed

For more information on parenting classes and other services offered through the Nurturing Parents and Children Program please contact Patty Fahlander at (612) 879-4254 or patty.fahlander@lssmn.org