If the thought of telling your parents about your pregnancy is overwhelming, you have come to the right place! We can help.
The first thing to realize is that you are not alone. We have helped many women in your exact situation. How? By using simple, easy-to-apply communication strategies. We do not promise everything will turn out sunshine and roses, but you will have a better platform for success.
First things first – Make sure you are pregnant.
- You may think, “Wait …I just got a pregnancy test from the store and it said, ‘positive!’” We understand, and while false positive tests are not common, they do happen. You also will need to know how far along you are to know your options.
- I don’t want them to find out and I don’t have insurance. Come into the center for a FREE pregnancy test and ultrasound to confirm gestational age.
- The best part – All of our services are confidential, and you will be able to speak with a nurse or Client Advocate to answer any questions.
Next Steps – Have a plan.
- Learn about your options. Ok, there is a good chance your parents will be overwhelmed (or even angry) at first. Knowing your options on parenting, adoption, and abortion lets them know that you are being responsible and doing your “homework.” We can help you with this during your appointment.
- When is the best time to talk to them? Ambushing and blurting out you’re pregnant is never a good idea. Pick a day or time when they are likely to be calm and relaxed, like after dinner or on the weekend.
- Practice what you want to say. Write it down, rehearse it in front of a mirror or with a friend. This will help you to not trip over your words and feel more confident.
- Stay calm and be respectful. This may seem like a no-brainer but there is a good chance that emotions will run high, and when they do, people tend to go on the offensive. Knowing this in advance allows you to prepare to stay calm and respectful.
- Expect the unexpected. Things do not always go as planned. You may expect your parents to start yelling and they may be stunned silent or vice versa. Strategize on how to handle different emotional responses in advance.
- Give your parents time to process. You have had time to think that you might be pregnant and then find out you actually are pregnant. This is likely the first time your folks are hearing about it, and it may come as a huge shock. Give them time to process the information without expectations. You can even say, “I know this is a lot, but I wanted to be honest and let you know. We can talk later once you have had some time to process.”
- Let them know. The pregnancy wasn’t intentional and you weren’t trying to hurt them. Let them know you love them and would really like their help and support.
Remember – Key points
What you do with your pregnancy is ultimately your decision. No one can force or intimidate you into a choice.
If you are afraid to tell your parents because you think the situation may become physical or abusive, bring a mentor, aunt, or trusted friend.
Help is available. Talk with one of our Client Advocates to see what resources might benefit your situation.
Please call the office if you would like to make an appointment and speak with a Client Advocate one-on-one. 302.998.9000
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