One of the reasons you may be considering adoption could be that you have not finished your schooling. Perhaps you are still in high school and want to graduate or maybe you are currently in college pursuing a degree or about to begin college.

Finishing your education while parenting may seem impossible but in today’s era, it’s not. Of course, it will be difficult and undoubtedly there will be challenges and obstacles, but it is a reachable goal. Nowadays, there are many alternative schools and college programs that will assist young mothers in parenting and finishing their education.

If you choose to parent, it's still important that you pursue and finish your education not only for yourself but in order to provide better for your baby.

High School
For teenage expectant mothers still in high school, they have no idea how they will juggle their classes, parents, jobs, friend times, and a BABY! Studies show that teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of school. So now we are beginning to see alternative schools that allow teenage mothers to bring her baby to school with her and still graduate from high school. Many of these alternative schools offer more than just the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. In some of these schools, students are taught not only academics but parenting skills as well.

Some of the things alternative schools may offer are:

• Parenting skills



• Nutrition information



• Counseling



• A place to connect with other teen moms



• Free or low priced childcare



• Assistance in applying for and receiving help from state agencies



• Family planning

College
If you are in college or college is the direction you are heading, many colleges often have programs for parents such as on campus daycare facilities and parent support programs. These are designed to help college students who are also single parents further their education while still maintaining their priority of child raising. There are also specific scholarships for single parents continuing their education. Studies show that parents who complete college typically raise children who will complete college.

The Raise the Nation Foundation is a program that provides scholarships and grants to single mothers that are continuing their education. In addition to scholarships, they can also provide single mothers with child care assistance and assistance with buying textbooks. They believe you can improve who you are through education.

You may be thinking that you should skip college and just work and in some circumstances, you may have to or you may have to put your education on hold. But if at all possible, obtaining a degree will allow you to provide more for your child. 45% of single mothers have to work two jobs just to make ends meet. 1/3 of the income of a single mother goes to pay child care costs and nearly 38% of single mothers in the United States are living at or below the poverty level. Single mothers who have a college degree are 5 times more likely to live above the poverty level. An education also improves a women’s self esteem and empowers to make better choices. Single mothers who complete college are more likely to raise children who will attend college as well.

So the benefits of obtaining a college degree will affect not only your own future, but the future of your child.

Sources: Pregnant Teenaged Parents: Alternative Schools
Raise the Nation Foundation

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