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We recently published an article on the site compiled by legal insurance providers, Law for All, covering everything a parent needs to know when it comes to teenage pregnancy. From the initial shock to schooling options and what to do if your child is not ready for motherhood, we listed ways to protect and empower your teen.
Read the full article here: Our daughter just told us she is pregnant! What do we do now?
One dad wrote in response, "Great article – wish it was available in 2009" before sharing his reaction to finding out his daughter was pregnant in her teens.
"Be careful what you wish for..." he warns ten years later, with the bundle of joy who makes his heart pound harder every time he's with him.
“Be careful what you wish for...” – A dad shares his reaction to finding out his teen daughter was pregnant:
I got home from golf on a Sunday afternoon and was treated to a fantastic lunch and a cold beer. Very unusual, definitely suspicious and the hairs on my neck rose. I just knew what was coming, it was just too obvious. The next five minutes revealed my underlying monstrous personality I had no inkling existed.
My wife and daughter apprehensively sat down sputtering and blurted: “Mirinda is pregnant”. With blood gushing from my brain and senses, THE MONSTER in me screamed that abortion is the only way forward.
I did not sleep for a few days but the first night was the longest, harrowing, truthful voyage of self-discovery. I turned to the Lord for the first time in many years and He was still there to guide me and as a gesture of goodwill He reminded me of a wish I made...
My son and daughter were in Grade 11 with great plans to leave the nest in the next two years leaving ancient mom and dad all alone. With them gone our home would be too quiet a place to go adventuring in our twilight years. I begged, negotiated and finally prayed for one wish - let’s try for a “laat lammetjiel”. Well, there your wish is granted, but not quite how you expected. Understanding this message from God, I become very saddened and still to this day despise myself. I pray every night for forgiveness but still feel like a cold-blooded killer (spoiler alert - my grandson was born very healthy into our loving family with open arms).
This embarrassed coward hid in his office while his wife, the grandmother-to-be, went to face the school. Surprisingly they did not preach, scold or make condescending comments. Instead they offered their full support. Even fellow pupils, friends, acquaintances, enemies and teachers went out of their way to make her feel ‘normal’ and assisted in numerous ways, before and after the birth of my grandson. I thought she would be shunned, ridiculed and humiliated. But the order of every day was support, support and more support, with huge hugs of love.
Also read: Sex education: Why are our teen girls still being shamed?
Mirinda excelled in grade 11 even though missing three months of the year to give birth. She was still promoted to grade 12. The most remarkable aspect of this phase in my daughter’s life is that she was able to pass matric with a university pass. This was 90% her determination and the 10% the school and family support group - I owe them BIG time.
Now this little bundle of joy I wished for is my favorite pleasure and my heart pounds hard with love every time I am with him. It also scares me that I almost killed him and there is no chance in hell I will ever be able to forgive myself. I selfishly thought, ‘What would this teenage pregnancy do to my reputation?’ instead of understanding what my daughter was going through. She is the important one in this debacle and only together was this miracle possible.
My greatest role model is my daughter, she made me see anything is possible. I am very proud of my daughter as she handled this scary adventure with courage no adult can comprehend.
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