How Will My Dad Take the News?
QUESTION
Dear Mr. Dad,
I am 16 and I have found out am having a baby. How do you think my dad would take the news?
ANSWER
Hi,
Well, I think you've just articulated every father's worst nightmare.
But the question of how your father will take the news isn't nearly as important as the questions you need to ask yourself. For example:
- Are you planning to have the baby?
- If so, do you plan to keep him or will you give him up for adoption?
- What's your relationship like with the baby's father?
- Does he know?
- Is he making a commitment to be involved?
You'll need to spend a lot of time thinking through these questions before telling your parents. Your first conversation should be with the baby's father, who has a right to be part of any decision, whether it's to have or not to have the baby.
You may also be able to get some counseling through your school or a local Planned Parenthood chapter.
Best of luck,
-- "Mr. Dad"
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Armin Brott
A nationally recognized parenting expert, Armin Brott is the author of The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-To-Be, The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year, The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the Toddler Years, Throwaway Dads: The Myths and Barriers That Keep Men from Being the Fathers They Want to Be, and The Single Father: A Dad's Guide to Parenting Without a Partner (New Father Series). He has written on parenting and fatherhood for the New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, Newsweek and dozens of other periodicals. He also hosts "Positive Parenting," a nationally distributed, weekly talk show, and lives with his family in Oakland, California.
