NCT's Big Weekend 2010 Young Parents Presented by Jenny McLeish, Strategic Coordinator, National Teenage Pregnancy Midwifery Network

1. Young ParentsJenny McLeishStrategic Coordinator,National Teenage Pregnancy Midwifery Network

2. 15th May 2010 Jenny McLeish National Teenage Pregnancy Midwifery Network tpmidwives@yahoo.co.uk Parenting challenges - Young parents

3. “Although it’s really hard I’m so happy.”

4. “My child...she’s the top of my heart. She makes it keep beating you know?”

6. Poor housing

7. In care or care leaver

8. Physical or sexual abuse in childhood

9. Domestic abuse

10. Involved in crime

11. Educational problems

12. Learning difficulties

13. Mental health problems

14. Low self-esteem

17. Brains still work in progress (until 25!)

18. Emotional response not reasoned decision making

19. Impulsive, dramatic, reactive

20. Understanding others

21. Navigating family relationships

23. Poverty, poor housing

24. Missing out on the fun

25. Losing friends and social life“If you could just keep that maternal ‘I’ve got something to love’ kind of thing, but it’s not like that, it’s like a really long day when you’re stuck inside watching Teletubbies.”

26. Negative messages Public reactions Professional reactions Emphasis on not being a NEET “The midwife said to my partner ‘What pain relief shall we give her? He said ‘I don’t know, ask her,’ and the midwife said, ‘She’s a bit young to make her own decisions.’ It made me feel a bit small.”

27. The under-parented parent Poor experiences of being parented Looked after child Abuse or neglect Estrangement “My mum went mental. She kicked me out.”

28. Under-parented young people may... Lack strong social & emotional skills Lack self-esteem Lack self-efficacy Lack empathy Find it hard to build warm trusting relationships Be at risk of repeating poor patterns of attachment

30. committed

31. hard-working

32. ambitious

33. fun

34. mature

35. happy and... and... and...

36. “It’s the best job. You no longer have extra time to just hang with friends, party, or act irresponsible. You now have a baby to watch over and take care of. I couldn’t be happier, my children make my life complete. My boyfriend and I are doing OK for ourselves; we have a nice flat, steady income, nice things, and we have lots of fun together, and I am only 19 years old.”

37. “It’s the most amazing thing that has ever happened in my life.”