I’m a teenager. How can I tell my parents I’m pregnant?

Choose the right time

Don’t tell your parents when they’re dashing off to work. Your mum and dad will need time to process the news. Telling them when they’re rushing around will just make it easier for them to get worked up.

If possible, talk to your mum and dad at the same time, so that you’re not asking one parent to keep a secret from the other. If your parents are too busy, or living apart, ask them when would be a good time to talk.

Keep calm and stick to the facts

Giving your parents the big news is bound to be a daunting moment. Especially if they have strong opinions about teen pregnancy or don’t know that you’re sexually active. When it’s time to have the conversation, it’s best to tell them straight. Tell your parents:

• that you’re pregnant and you need their help and advice
• how far along you think you are
• who else you’ve told

It may be tough, but try not to keep back any difficult or painful information. It will probably come out later, and you need to build trust between you and your parents right now.

Don’t beg your mum and dad not get to angry or upset. Just like you, they can’t always control their emotions, and probably won’t appreciate being told how to feel.

See your parents’ side of things

Your parents may have all sorts of complicated feelings about your pregnancy. They may still see you as their little girl, or they may feel too young to be grandparents if you decide to continue with your pregnancy.

It’s quite common for one parent to latch on to all the negative feelings, and the other to focus on all the positive ones. This doesn’t mean that one parent loves you more, or that the other won’t come around. Once they’ve had time for the news to settle in, they’re both likely to arrive at a position somewhere in the middle.

Although telling your parents may be difficult, you’ll soon feel much better than if you’d kept everything to yourself.

The whole experience could even bring you and your family closer. Whether you decide to terminate your pregnancy, or continue with it, you’ll probably find their advice and support invaluable. You may even find yourself wondering why you ever hesitated over telling them!

If one or both of your parents have a history of violence or extreme moods, make sure you have your boyfriend or someone you trust with you when you tell them.

If you’re still not sure how to tell your parents that you’re pregnant, contact the charity

Find out how other BabyCentre

There’s no right way to tell your parents that you’re pregnant. But if you’re scared about their reaction, these tips may make the conversation easier:Don’t tell your parents when they’re dashing off to work. Your mum and dad will need time to process the news. Telling them when they’re rushing around will just make it easier for them to get worked up.If possible, talk to your mum and dad at the same time, so that you’re not asking one parent to keep a secret from the other. If your parents are too busy, or living apart, ask them when would be a good time to talk.Giving your parents the big news is bound to be a daunting moment. Especially if they have strong opinions about teen pregnancy or don’t know that you’re sexually active. When it’s time to have the conversation, it’s best to tell them straight. Tell your parents:It may be tough, but try not to keep back any difficult or painful information. It will probably come out later, and you need to build trust between you and your parents right now.Don’t beg your mum and dad not get to angry or upset. Just like you, they can’t always control their emotions, and probably won’t appreciate being told how to feel.Your parents may have all sorts of complicated feelings about your pregnancy. They may still see you as their little girl, or they may feel too young to be grandparents if you decide to continue with your pregnancy.It’s quite common for one parent to latch on to all the negative feelings, and the other to focus on all the positive ones. This doesn’t mean that one parent loves you more, or that the other won’t come around. Once they’ve had time for the news to settle in, they’re both likely to arrive at a position somewhere in the middle.Although telling your parents may be difficult, you’ll soon feel much better than if you’d kept everything to yourself.The whole experience could even bring you and your family closer. Whether you decide to terminate your pregnancy, or continue with it, you’ll probably find their advice and support invaluable. You may even find yourself wondering why you ever hesitated over telling them!If one or both of your parents have a history of violence or extreme moods, make sure you have your boyfriend or someone you trust with you when you tell them.If you’re still not sure how to tell your parents that you’re pregnant, contact the charity Brook for extra information and support.Find out how other BabyCentre young mums-to-be told their parents they’re pregnant.