An expert tells us how to explain Jamie Lynn’s pregnancy to our kids
Jamie Lynn Spears surprised many when she announced she was pregnant at age 16.
But many parents — whose children tune in to Spears’ wholesome Nickelodeon show, Zoey 101 — are finding themselves in the awkward position of having to explain the scandal to their kids.
NYC-based psychotherapist Robi Ludwig gave Usmagazine.com these five tips:
1. Ask your children questions
“Find out what your children’s thoughts are: What’s your understanding? What do you think about Jamie Lynn being pregnant at 16 and unmarried?”
2. Be honest
“Parents need to be straight forward and say, ‘This is not a wise choice.’”
3. See if your child knows about birth control
“Do they understand that having [unprotected sex] is not a wise decision? It’s very hard because kids will probably always have facts before their parents are ready to give them. But you have to deal with that kind of discomfort.”
4. Tell them the consequences of having a baby so young
“In general, the statement needs to be, ‘It’s a really sad situation.’ Tell them it’s ideal to have a child when you’re an adult, and you’ve had a whole range of experiences and you’re ready to settle down in your life. It’s not ideal when you’re a teenager.”
5. Help them find a new role model
“I think it’s fair to say, ‘This is not who you want to emulate. You might like her, enjoy her work, but her personal life is not one you want to emulate.’”
December 20th, 2007 at 10:49 am
She looks so pretty in this picture.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:56 am
APPLAUSE!! Finally someone who isn’t patting JLS’s rich butt and telling her what a good role model she is now. I find the situation disappointing.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:03 am
I think it is absurd that people keep assumming they didn’t use protection. If they didn’t that’s dumb but focus on the having sex part. I also think it is crazy that people think if you use protection you can’t get pregnant. No protection is 100% so they need to explain to kids the consequences and that protection doesn’t always work so they need to be prepared for that. Make kids think twice about teen sex.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Tho there isnt ne 100% protection…. i still believe it wasnt protected. If the condom broke… or if it were a complete accident would the possiblity of abortion or adoption even b considered? It seems like maybe she didnt plan it… but now that isnt here…. welcoming it. It does seem like homegirl needs a male figure n her life…. shes lookn 4 it n the wrong places.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Why would you ever encourage your children to have entertainers as role models? Sounds like people are making excuses for not being good parents to begin with.