Becoming a teenage mom can be exciting, overwhelming and frustrating at the same time. With all of these emotions mixed, it can help to have a plan of action for right now and the future. This can assist in the well-being of both you and your newborn and help you get through the toughest part of teenage motherhood so you can concentrate on the rewards.
Budgeting for the Long-Term
When you have a new baby, it’s important to realize you’ll have to stretch your income for several years until your child becomes an adult. By setting up a long-term budget early, it can help you during this journey. As you begin your budget, look at your monthly income and categorized essential expenses, which may include the following:
- Housing
- Utilities
- Cell phone
- Childcare
- Gas
- Groceries
- Insurance
Determine how much money each of these essential categories is going to cost you and allocate your income towards them. For the first few years, you may be able to find a family member who can provide childcare at a discounted price or swap with a close friend who also has a child to fit each other’s schedule. As your child grows, these essential categories will stay the same. However, you’ll also want to add a category for education and entertainment as you don’t want to stop living your life throughout these years.
Become a Research Expert
Financial support is key to feeling secure and providing you and your child the best care. Become an expert in researching assisted programs that you qualify for and make sure you utilize everything available to you to lower your monthly expenditures. With kids there is always the potential for unexpected emergencies, which means you should pre-vet some alternative financing options should you find yourself short on savings. There are many options like credit accounts, personal loans through your bank, and fast loans online that can help you get cash quickly in order to cover an unexpected family emergency. Just remember that these loans should be used as a last resort when your savings won’t cover your unexpected emergency expense.
Parenting Tips
With any endeavor, lack of experience is one of the hardest things to overcome, but over time, you’ll learn to be a good parent and understand what works and what doesn’t. It helps to have a few parenting tips for both you and your baby to help make each day easier and more efficient.
- Take Care of Yourself: The health of your baby depends on your health. It’s important to focus on good nutrition, which will help you lose weight gradually.
- Maintain a Strong Social Life: It’s easy to become too focused on your newborn, which can lead to feelings of isolation. Be sure to maintain a social life, which can include school or healthy activities, which might even include getting together with other new mothers.
- Take Personal Time: Spending quality time with and away from your child is important. Be sure to nurture yourself by walking, working out or spending time with a close friend. By taking time out, you won’t be running on fumes or feeling stressed out.
Time Management
Another important area to focus on when you’re a new teen mom is your time management. One of the first tips to use is to let go of perfection. Be prepared to readjust your expectations and expect them to be imperfect. Prioritize sleep and try to get 8 to 9 hours each night. It also helps to create a morning routine, which can include breakfast, time for putting on makeup and caring for your baby. Another helpful tip is to meal prep in batches. Food can be a chore to make. By putting together a big batch at once and freezing it, you’ll have more time for other activities.
Finding the Right Support
There are several government programs available offering young mothers financial support. This can assist in providing nutritious food for your child and you. One of the best includes the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which provides health and nutritional services, breastfeeding clinics and food vouchers.
Support from family, groups and your peers is also crucial during the first few years. It can be a stressful adjustment to have a new baby in your life. If you have family members that are supportive and can help, this avenue should be considered.