When you have kids, you have to think about a monstrous number of issues. It can be mind boggling for most parents, and there are often times we may forget to talk to our children about certain issues. One important issue that you should make a priority is teenage pregnancy. Though talking about drugs and drinking is very important, you cannot leave out this important issue. You have to do more than talk about however, you have to find a way to make it hit home with your kids.
When I was in high school some of the stigma of teenage pregnancy had already begun to wear off. That saddened me, because no matter how people felt about it, it still would wreck havoc on the life of the teens that were involved. It is a sad day when a teenage pregnancy was no longer something that would warrant a second glance. There are many who still look down on those who got pregnant at such a young age, but it was no longer the huge social stigma that it once was. There were at least three girls who were pregnant in my senior year, and I came from a very small school.
Teenage pregnancy is still as damaging as it used to be, and this is the last thing you want for your child. When a teenager has a baby they have negated the chance to have a normal life. They will be parents while still being under the care of their own parents. This means that they will miss out on just being young and free. This will show later in their life. Even worse, a teenage pregnancy often means that you will end up having to rearrange your life to help care for your grandchildren just when you were looking forward to relaxing and living your own life.
When you talk to your children about teenage pregnancy, you can’t just tell them to not have sex and leave it at that. You have to make it real for them or they will simply think it is something that will not happen to them. You have to show them what it does to the lives of people who have to deal with it, and you have to find a strong way to get that message across. There are many resources out there that can help you explain and show your children the effects of teenage pregnancy in a way that will show them that it can happen to them. It may not save them from this fate, but it may make them think twice when engaging in risky behaviors.
June 8th, 2007
Posted by
announcer
General, Health, Pregnancy
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My uncle died young, and we suspected it was a result of a life time of drinking too much and not watching what he ate. Though this is something that happens all the time, there are times when it can be prevented. My dad was a heavy drinker at the time, but when he watched his brother fall over and die in the bar right in front of him, he put down his beer and never returned. He has a drink now and again, but he is now basically a non-drinker. We, as his children, were concerned and sent him for a physical. One of the first things they did was give him a stress test.
I wasn’t really sure what a stress test was, but he told me that it was one of the hardest things that he had ever done. He thought his heart was going to explode while in the middle of it, and I wondered if that was a good idea when someone suspects they might have a heart problem. As it was explained to me, the stress test is hard on the heart, but that is one of the best ways to detect a problem. My mom recently had the same test, and she told me the same thing my dad did.
Apparently, the stress test is nothing more than stressing the heart to see how well it is working and where the problems might be. Most of these are done on a treadmill. The speed of the exercise is increased as the stress test goes on, and they have all types of things hooked up to the body to see what is going on. It seems like a very simple test, but I wonder if that is safe if there are big problems. I guess if you are going to have a problem, the best place to have one is while already in the hospital for the test.
I know I wouldn’t make it very far though the stress test, but I guess it is hard for everyone. I’m not in the best shape of my life, and I know I would be puffing after only a few minutes. I guess I will have to make sure I take better care of my heart and work on my endurance so when the day comes that I must have a stress test I can handle the test, and also, perhaps I won’t be so worried about the results.
June 8th, 2007
Posted by
announcer
General, Health
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