Unless you’re planning to turn into a kangaroo, you’ll probably find it’s too much, too so, and too hard to handle having a baby.

The United States pregnancy rate for teenagers 15-19 has dropped almost 30% in the last ten years. That’s the good news! The not so good news is that 84 out of every 1,000 girls are still having babies. For many of these teens, the pregnancy will be unwanted, accidental – real social and emotional trouble.

Large numbers of teenage mothers have to raise their kids alone. The male who fathered the bay is often too irresponsible, too selfish or too young to stick around. Funny how he can find the time to enjoy the short time gain of sex, but he’s nowhere to be found when he’s needed to share some of the long time pain – the 24/7 responsibilities of caring for a newborn. No matter how cute and lovable an infant is, for a teenage mother, the ‘round the clock, day after day, boring and time-consuming job of feeding, diapering, cleaning, comforting, etc. that infant, can be real long time pain. Overworked and overwhelmed, the kid with a kid becomes old before her time. Unless she’s able to turn herself into a kangaroo and carry her baby around in the pouch Mother Nature designed for that purpose, the teen mom must give up her freedom, fun, and chances are – her future.

She is no longer able to go out with friends, do what she wants, or go where she wants without having to think about who will take care of the baby. Mostly on her own, and alone, she has to forget about the fun once found in going to parties and mall shopping. The time she used to spend seeing a movie or just hanging out with friends is limited by the needs of the ever present baby in her life. Money she once had to spend on cosmetics, clothes, CDs, etc. is also limited. The pressure of another mouth to feed, body to clothe, and bill to pay, leave very little for her needs and wants.

There are many things in life over which a teenager like you has no control! You have no choice of the family into which you’re born, the color of skin, the share of your nose or mouth and many other genetic factors like intelligence, height, etc. But whether you’re a female or male, you DO have control over whether or not you either get pregnant or cause someone else to have a baby. This control, this choice is probably the most important one you will ever make. What’s scary about it is you may have to make that life-changing decision in just a few minutes. What’s also frightening is that those few minutes may take place when you’ve allowed alcohol, drugs, depression, or peer pressure to be in control of you!

If you are still lucky enough to be in charge of your own life as far as having an unwanted pregnancy goes, think ahead. Think about the short time gain of having a baby now. Is there one or can you wait until you are older, more established and done with school? Think about the longtime pain in the money, freedom and fun department. Whatever you decide about having a baby, remember this: Good choosers don’t become losers!