Parenting Notes
PERSONAL REFLECTION

Write 2 positive characteristics of your parents/guardians that you hope to carry on when you are a parent and
explain why these 2 characteristics are important to you.

Write 2 characteristics about your parents/guardians you hope to not continue when you become a parent and
explain why you do not want to carry on these 2 characteristics.
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PARENT LICENSE
Due to overpopulation, the government of the United States has added a natural chemical to the water supply which
acts as a contraceptive. In order to receive the pill to counteract the contraceptive, a person must obtain a parent
license. Your task, as members of the community, is to set standards which will and in choosing responsible people to
become parents. You will need to consider the following items, and include any of your own.
AGE:
What should be the minimum childbearing age?
What should be the maximum age?
Should age limit be the same for both sexes?
MARITAL STATUS:
Must the couple be married?
Should a single person become a parent?
PHYSICAL / HEALTH ISSUES:
What if one partner is physically disabled?
What if one partner is mentally disabled?
What is a genetic/hereditary illness that could be passed on?
What if a person has a terminal illness?
OTHER:
For how long should the couple have known each other?
Should a homosexual couples become parents?
What about an alcoholic?
What about a drug addict?
If the parents of the potential candidate are divorced?
REASONS FOR HAVING CHILDREN CAN BE GROUPED INTO FOUR CATEGORIES:
1. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
 To have a child who looks like me
 To have a child who will carry on the family name
 To have a child who will inherit the family business, money, or property
2. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
 To save one’s marriage
 To make up for one’s unhappy childhood
 To help one feel more secure as a male or female
3.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
 To please one’s parents/guardians
 To do what one’s peers are doing
 To keep from being criticized for being childless
4. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
 To have satisfaction of loving a child
 To help a child grow and develop
 To teach a child how to be responsible
Being ready for parenthood means ______________________________________ on someone else’s needs in addition
to your own.
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TEEN PARENTHOOD AWARENESS FACT & FICTION
Read the following statements. If you agree with a statement, place an ‘x’ or a check mark to the left of the sentence. If
you disagree with a statement, please briefly write in why you disagree to the right of the statement.
___ Many teen become pregnant because they have set no other goals for themselves.
___ Child abuse is more common among teen parents than older parents.
___ Many teens become pregnant because their want something of their own to love.
___ Teen parents often need to go on welfare to support themselves and their babies.
___ Teen may have poor diets and other poor health habits that can complicate pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
___ Teen parents are more likely than their peers to drop out of school.
___ Teen fathers have a legal responsibility to financially support their children
___ Having my own baby means I will always have someone who loves me.
___ My life won’t change that much.
___ Getting pregnant won’t happen to me.
___ My friends, family, partner will stick by me.
___ Having a baby will bring my partner closer to me.
___ Most pregnant teens made the decision to get pregnant.
___ Babies sleep a lot, and it is not hard to take care of them.
___ Someone who gets pregnant, or gets a girl pregnant, is a bad person.
___ Anyone who gets pregnant is dumb, wasting her life, etc.
___ If I get pregnant, there are agencies that will give me everything I need.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PARENT
Read the following 21 statements carefully. Circle the number of your top five you agree with. At the bottom of the
page, write a statement why you believe those five you choose are the most meaningful to you.
A GOOD PARENT…
1. is concerned about the physical and mental health of the child
2. expresses appreciation
3. give praise and positive reinforcement each and every day (never calls child nasty names or makes fun of
him/her)
4. is patient and understanding
5. is an askable parent
6. is a good listener
7. is supportive
8. shows sensitivity
9. spends quality time with child (plays, reads, talks to child)
10. has realistic expectations of child’s abilities and capabilities
11. gives unconditional love and accepts child as he/she is
12. helps child develop realistic expectations
13. considers child’s needs and safety first (but not at the exclusion of his/her own needs)
14. accepts and respects child’s fear, pain or disappointment (without minimizing or making fun of it)
15. shows love and affection openly and often
16. is a good role model
17. raises both male and female children equally (without placing either in rigid masculine or feminine gender roles)
18. knows that physical violence is NEVER an acceptable form of discipline (and leaves the room or calls for help
when losing control rather than inflicting any pain on child)
19. takes good care of own health
20. chooses friends, date and/or partners carefully (always remembering they will be a reflection of you)
21. allows child to see own relationship with loving partner
Why you believe those 5 you choose are the most meaningful to you? (write 3 sentences)
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RESOURCES FOR PARENTING
How much does it cost to be a parent? On your notes outline BELOW, come up with a list of costs that a new parent
may have during the first year of childrearing.
The financial burden of having a baby is considerable, with the cost of raising a baby estimated
to be $______________ in the first year alone.