A surprise pregnancy can be stressful and scary. You’re the only one who can decide what to do, but we are to give you info and support. You’re not alone.

How do I tell my parents that I’m pregnant? Even though it might feel scary, talking with a parent or caregiver can really help. They can talk through your options with you, and help you get the health care you need.

You may worry my parents/caregivers will freak out, but that’s not always what happens. If you can, try to be open and honest. Start by saying that you trust them and need their help and support. Most of the time, they just want to make sure you’re healthy and safe. If your parents/caregivers do get upset, they may just need some time to calm down.

Sometimes parents/caregivers are shocked or angry, and sometimes they're understanding. There’s no way to know how yours will feel unless you talk with them about it. It might help to find a time when you can talk in private and there are no distractions. If you’re feeling nervous or scared, you can always ask a friend or other family member to be there with you during the conversation. That way, you’ll have support no matter what happens.

If you feel like you can’t talk to your parents/caregivers, try talking to another adult who you trust (like an aunt or uncle, grandparent, older sibling, school nurse, or counselor). If you’re worried that telling your parents/caregivers you’re pregnant may put you in danger, tell a teacher, nurse or doctor, or another adult you trust.

There are many different reasons, and below are the most common responses.

• The Reality of New Life.

• A Sense of Responsibility.

• The Thrill of a New Adventure.

• Moral or Religious Beliefs.

• Weighing the reasons to keep an unplanned pregnancy.

Life is unpredictable. One day you might find yourself facing an unplanned pregnancy and it can feel like your whole world has been turned upside down. It’s normal to feel anxious when considering the prospect of being a parent; it’s a big life change and even people with planned pregnancies experience anxiety.

Parenting is challenging and it’s easy to dwell on the reasons why you shouldn’t have a baby. But there are also many ways a baby can bring joy and change your life for the better. It’s important to carefully consider these as well before you decide on what to do next.

Uncovering Inner Strength. Women are a lot stronger and more capable than they sometimes give themselves credit for. The clients we work with often come to realize just how amazing they are while facing the challenges of being a parent, especially with an unplanned pregnancy:

Kids Are Fun. While this isn’t a reason to have a baby, it is a bonus point. We all know kids say and do the darndest things. Children are just simply fun to be around and can be genuinely hilarious. They’ll make your day by doing the silliest things and help you take life less seriously.

Need someone to talk to confidentially?
Contact Alpha Women’s Center at

TEXT: 386-384-8088

https://alphawomencenter.org/

Homelessness can happen to anyone. U.S. homelessness jumps to another record high, amid affordable housing shortage.

More than 770,000 people were living in shelters or outside in January, according to an annual federal report on homelessness by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The number is up 18% from last year's count — which had also jumped from the year before — and is the largest number since HUD started doing this report in 2007.

HUD released its report based on the January "point-in-time" survey incities around the country. The results punctuated a trend advocates for homeless people and affordable housing have been highlighting.

"A lot of families, a lot of households, a lot of individuals are still struggling. I think we're still in — for deeply poor people — a real recovery from the pandemic," says Jeff Olivet, who until recently was executive director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

NPR.ORG, DECEMBER 27, 2024 6:03 PM ET, Jennifer Ludden

https://www.npr.org/2024/12/27/nx-s1-5241115/us-homeless-hud-housing-costs-migrants

Homelessness Resources

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 
Call: (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for free and confidential support 24 hours a day

The National Alliance to End Homelessness
Website: https://endhomelessness.org/
Call: Find your community’s 2-1-1 hotline
https://www.211.org/

National Coalition for the Homeless
2201 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
Email: info@nationalhomeless.org
Website: https://nationalhomeless.org/finding-help/
Call: 202-462-4822

Homeless and Housing Resource Center (HHRC)
Website: https://hhrctraining.org/

Teens which have been abused and beaten so you ran away fro home. Feeling alone? For those with no safe place to go or in need of emergency shelter, and secure place for homeless teens to stay.
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/

National Runaway Safeline 24/7 crisis support 1-800-786-2929

National Coalition for the Homeless
Email: info@nationalhomeless.org
CALL: 202-462-4822
https://nationalhomeless.org/finding-help/

Flagler Sheltering Tree.com
Flagler County, Florida 
386-437-3258

Resources for Assistance
Flaglercares.com 
386-319-9483

Have a problem with alcohol or drugs?
There is a solution.

A.A./N.A. has a simple program that works. It’s based on one alcoholic helping another.

Need help with an alcohol or drug problem? A.A./N.A. has a solution. That isn’t an empty promise. A.A./N.A. has been helping alcoholics recover for more than 80 years. A.A and N.A..’s programs of recovery is built on the simple foundation of one alcoholic sharing with another. If your drinking is out of control, A.A./N.A. can help.

Not sure you have a problem?
Try this self-assessment

Twelve questions only you can answer. Answer YES or NO

Only you can decide whether you want to give A.A/N.A.. a try — whether you think it can help you. Below are some questions we tried to answer honestly. See how you do. There is no disgrace in facing up to the fact that you have a problem.

1. Have you ever decided to stop drinking or drugging for a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of days?

2. Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking and drugging— stop telling you what to do?

3. Have you ever switched from one kind of drink or drug to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting too high?

4. Have you had to have a drink or drug upon awakening during the past year?

5. Do you envy people who can drink or drug without getting into trouble?

6. Have you had problems connected with drinking or drugging during the past year?

7. Has your drinking or drugging caused trouble at home?

8. Do you ever try to get “extra” drinks or drugs at a party because you do not get enough?

9. Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking or drugging any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk or high when you don’t mean to?

10. Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking or drugging?

11. Do you have “blackouts”?

12. Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink or drug?

Did you answer YES four or more times?

If so, you are probably in trouble with alcohol and/or drugs. Why do we say this? Because thousands of people in A.A. /N.A. have said so for many years. They found out the truth about themselves, the hard way.

But again, only you can decide whether you think A.A./N.A. is for you. Try to keep an open mind on the subject. If the answer is YES, we will be glad to show you how we stopped drinking ourselves. Just call.

A.A./N.A. does not promise to solve your life’s problems. But we can show you how we are learning to live without drinking “one day at a time.” We stay away from that “first drink/drug.” If there is no first one, there cannot be a tenth one. And when we got rid of alcohol, we found that life became much more manageable.

Take the next step. You can call a local A.A./N.A. office to ask more questions or to talk to an A.A./N.A. member. You can attend a meeting in person or online.

https://www.aa.org
https://www.na.org

Teen drug addiction help at Recovery Village 24/7 Helpline 877-847-6050

SAMHSA National Helpline, 24/7 Mental and Substance Abuse 1-800-622-4357

Suffering with persistent intimate partner violence. If you are teen in a violent home or an adult with an abusive partner. Help is available. Speak with someone today.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233
https://www.thehotline.org/

Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. Hours: 24/7

Need Help Now? We’re here for you.
Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)
Text “Start” to 88788

Plan for Safety Your safety is our first priority. You are not alone.

You are never to blame for the abusive actions of others. While responsibility for ending abusive behavior is your partner’s and theirs alone, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself on your path to long-term safety.

Remember that you always have options: our advocates are available 24/7 by phone or chat to discuss your situation and help create a personalized safety plan that’s right for you.

Everyone deserves healthy relationships.

Teens have you ran away from home because of violence and abuse?

Childhelp National Child Abuse
Hotline 1-800-422-4453

Love is respect hotlne 1-866-331-9474

Teen Resources
https://www.kidshealth.org/en/teens/abuse.html

Crisis text line: text HELLO to 741741

Human Trafficking
1-888-373-7888
Text for Information or Help 233733
HumanTraffickingHotline.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233
https://www.thehotline.org/

Help is available. Speak with someone today.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Languages: English, Spanish
Hours: Available 24 hours

988 Lifeline
https://988lifeline.org/

If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here.

At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.

What to Expect
The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365. Your conversations are free and confidential.

Find Support for a Friend or Loved One
Take care of a friend, a loved one, or yourself. Call, text, or chat with a 988 Lifeline counselor for help during difficult moments anytime, day or night.

Low self-esteem or body image
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/body-image.html

988 Lifeline
https://988lifeline.org/

Are you being or have you been Bullied or Cyberbullied? (Bullying is a continued form of harassment. Cyberbullying is a continued form of harassment online.)
Are you going through a rough time because of it? Do you Need Help?

https://www.stompoutbullying.org/helpchat

Counselors Available to chat online
Tuesday 7:00PM - 11:00PM EST
Wednesday 7:00PM - 11:00PM EST
Friday 9:00PM - 1:00 AM EST

You are Not Alone We are here to Help!

The goal of the STOMP Out Bullying™ Live HelpChat Crisis Line is to help you reduce the stress, depression and fear you are feeling as a result of being bullied and to empower you to make healthy decisions. Free  &  Confidential for ages 13 - 24 ONLY.

If you think you are in crisis, if this is an emergency, or you need immediate assistance, call 988 or go to your local hospital emergency room.

https://www.napab.org/?form=MG0AV3 Advocates for bullied students and provides education and support.

Workbook for bullying kids by Raychelle Cassada Lohmann–techniques to help ease anxiety, fear, stress associated with bullying.

Social Media Dangers:
https://www.mcmillenhealth.org/tamtalks/danagers-of-social-media?form=MG0AV3

https://www.staysafe.org/teens/?form=MG0AV3