So you’ve taken a pregnancy test - or three. Perhaps you even came into Pregnancy Care Center of Grants Pass for a free ultrasound to confirm. Now you’re faced with one of the hardest challenges of all: telling your parents you’re pregnant. Keep reading for some advice to approach the conversation and then give us a call at (541) 479-6264. We’re here to support you.

No teen or young adult wants to go through this situation, but it still happens to thousands every year. You might feel paralyzed by feelings of guilt, embarrassment, or shame or maybe you’re excited but fearful of their response. However, the longer you put it off, the more difficult the situation can become. Here is some simple advice to help you tell your parents about your pregnancy.

Timing is Important

If there’s one thing you can be sure about, it’s that telling your parents you’re pregnant early on is always better. The longer you wait to tell your parents about your pregnancy, the more complications and difficulties can arise. Often, waiting to tell your family causes anxiety and anticipation - which is exactly what you don’t want in early pregnancy. Besides, in many cases, the reaction you imagine is much worse than the reaction you will actually get. It’s best to tell your parents soon and start working out your next steps. If you’re not sure how to handle that conversation, come to Pregnancy Care Center of Grants Pass where you’ll have a safe place to talk things through with someone that knows exactly what you’re going through.

Telling Others First Can Make it Easier

If you’re worried about how your parents will react, you can choose to confide in others first. Telling a sibling, relative, or close friend can be a good way to “test the waters” and gauge how your parents may react. It can also help relieve some of the stress and anxiety of keeping a huge secret, making the telling itself easier to do.

It might also be a good idea to bring one of these people along as support when you tell your parents. Each situation is different and you can’t know exactly how your parents will react. However, if you feel like your parents might not react well or you don’t feel comfortable telling them by yourself, you should ask someone to accompany you. The less stress you have going into the conversation, the easier it will be to navigate.

Make Sure They’re Prepared

Obviously, very few parents are ready to hear that their child is pregnant unexpectedly. But you can soften the impact by making sure they hear the news in a comfortable setting. Don’t blurt it out in passing or while you’re in a public place, and don’t tell them in anger or out of fear. Think through beforehand what you want to say and where and give them a heads up that you want to sit down and talk. A good way to do this is to write all of your thoughts down on paper. When you write something down, your mind has to slow down and think about each word. By doing this, you can capture everything you want to say and it makes it easier to organize your thoughts and feelings.

Anticipate and Accept Their Feelings

It’s likely that your parents will be angry, disappointed, or confused by the news. This isn’t ideal for you, but should be expected. Remember, your parents are people too, and they have their own plans and goals. They might even say something that is mean or hurtful - and so might you. But it’s important not to let this conversation become an argument and to support and respect each other which will help to avoid adding more stress to the situation.

Don’t Make Any Decisions Yet

Your parents might start talking about getting an abortion or placing the baby for adoption when you tell them. However, it’s important not to make any decisions right away. Time is your friend. Make sure everyone is calm and composed before talking about your options and discussing what you actually want. Furthermore, remember that nobody - not even your parents - can make these decisions for you. If you aren’t comfortable with their choices or reasoning, don’t let them pressure you.

In a time like this, you might be surprised by how well your parents take the news. On the other hand, not all parents will react the same way, and there is always a chance that your parents might react poorly. If you find yourself in a bad situation after you tell your parents, remember that there are other places to get help and support.

If you’re unsure of what to do next, come to Pregnancy Care Center of Grants Pass. We are here to provide a listening ear, support and resources as you make your pregnancy decision. We support you not only during your pregnancy, but afterwards as well. Our Pathways program offers a safe place to come and meet with other women in similar situations and receive education on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, important life skills to have as a parent, and much more. Call (541) 479-6264, make an appointment online, or visit our center at your convenience.