How Do I Tell My Family I'm Pregnant?
Deciding when to tell your family and friends that you are pregnant can be very difficult.
Here some guidelines to help you through this time.
Who do you tell?
It is best to determine who you trust the most and who you believe will respond well to you. You should share the news with someone who truly cares about you and won’t initially react with judgment, frustration, disappointment or anger.
You need the first person you tell to be someone who will think about your feelings.
If you don’t have anyone that you believe will react like what is described above, then it might be best to talk with a counselor first so they can help you decide who to tell first.
When do you tell?
This is actually extremely difficult to answer because it really depends on the options you are considering. If you are seeking advice on what option is best for you and your baby then you probably need to talk to someone sooner rather than later.
Where do you tell them?
It is best to pick a secluded place where you won’t be disturbed. You may want to meet them at a library, a park or just talk in a car. You really want to make sure that you won’t be disturbed as any intrusion on your conversation will be very awkward.
It is also difficult to keep an intruder from knowing something serious is being discussed.
How do you tell them?
It can vary depending who are talking with. In most cases, however, it is best to be honest and tell them that you have something you need to share with them. Tell them that you want them to listen to you and not judge you.
Tell them that you really need them to understand and be there for you, and that is why you trust them with some very private information. You can just tell them that you are facing an unexpected pregnancy and that you are really upset and just need someone to talk to about what to do.
Tell them that you don’t want to figure out everything right away, but you just need to start sorting out your thoughts and feelings.
Don’t know how to tell your parents?
This is tough, not only for many teenagers, but even for many older birth mothers. The reason is parents can offer the harshest judgment of anyone. They often react initially with disappointment and anger, and this can be very devastating.
Understanding that their initial reaction will probably be disappointment or anger does help one prepare and deal with these emotions. It is also helpful to understand why parents typically react with anger or frustration. It is because parents often imagine the very best for their child and facing an unplanned pregnancy is not what any parent imagines. It does not mean, however, that you are bad person.
After their initial reaction, most parents usually realize that they aren’t disappointed in you, they are just disappointed in the choice you made. If you are really concerned about your parent's reaction, you may wish to have a friend or family member with you. It is always better to inform this family member or friend about your pregnancy before you share the news with your parents. By sharing the news with them beforehand, they will then be able to help you think of the best way to break the news to your parents and will also be there to help you and your parents deal with the news at that time.
