The part that scares me to death is raising the child by myself. I've always considered myself a very responsible person but I have only been responsible for myself. Now I am responsible for this human being.
I want to say that because of stories like LDH's aunt, I am pro-choice. I am also pro-life. In other words, I would not want to see this country take a step backwards where highschool principals can take a teenager for a coathanger abortion. Abortion doesn't sit well with me personally, but it's a difficult issue. If fundamentalists insist on an abortion ban, I hope they are well prepared to give support to these mothers, young to older, who find themselves wondering how they will raise the babies by themselves.
You have decided to have the baby. I respect your decision. Please look for a supportive circle of friends and rely on your family if you can. Find surrogate father figures, aunts, uncles, etc. Go to an Episcopal Church and find God Parents to help you. Look for parenting classes and support groups, they have them most communities. Call your department of human resources. Someday you may find a life partner to share in raising your child. Be optimistic.
Stick with your decision to stay where you are. If Dad wants to be part of baby's life badly enough, he'll make amends to his life and do so.
One other thing on adoption: remember that there are different arrangements that can be made. Today with good lawyers, you can come up with a plan to choose the parents and be part of the baby's life as well. I wish more states would offer open and forward thinking adoption relationships. Probably more young ladies would opt for adoption if they and their families could visit the babies and not be strangers to them.
