Nickelodeon isn’t shying away from the news that Zoey 101 star Jamie Lynn Spears is 16 and pregnant. Instead, the kids network that has tackled controversial issues like AIDS, the Columbine shootings and gay-parenting in the past is using the Jamie Lynn story to teach its young viewers a lesson.

Company spokesman Dan Martinsen confirms to the AP that the network is in discussions with frequent Nick News collaborator Linda Ellerbee to host a special about sex and love, and of course, the consequences that follow.

Ellerbee says of the plans, “Right now what Nick is trying to do — and what I am trying to do — is figure out what is the best thing to do for kids.”

While the green-slime slingers are happy to take on the larger issue, they’re keeping quiet on the specifics. Jamie Lynn’s series, Zoey 101, has finished filming (so no need for the costume department to hide its star’s baby bump) and is still scheduled to air as planned. When news of Jamie Lynn’s pregnancy broke on Tuesday, the network offered their support in a statement.

But the question remains: will viewers and advertisers continue to offer their support?

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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.’”

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It’s long, but pretty interesting!

On finding out she was expecting:

It was a shock for both of us, so unexpected. I was in complete and total shock and so was he. I can’t say it was something I was planning to do right now, but now that it’s in my lap and that it’s something I have to deal with, definitely, I’m looking forward to being the best mom I can be.

On deciding to keep the baby:

As soon as I found out for sure from the doctor, I took two weeks to myself where I didn’t tell anybody. Only one of my friends knew because I needed to work out what I would do for myself before I let anyone’s opinion affect my decision. Then I told my parents and my friends. I was scared, but I had to do what was right for me.

I think my whole life I would have to live with knowing what I did or what I didn’t do. I’m trying to do the right thing, I think that this is what is going to make me happy in the end.

Telling Casey:

[I called Casey after the doctor's appointment and met in person the next day.] It was something we couldn’t really talk about over the phone. We met and talked about everything and decided what we wanted to do. He was 100 percent supportive, and we figured it out.

Telling her mother:

[I told my mom right before Thanksgiving.] She was very upset because it wasn’t what she expected at all. A week after, she had time to cope with it and became very supportive.

On her first ultrasound:

[Mom and Casey were there.] I was just kinda sitting there. I didn’t expect to be able to see all that. Again, it was a shock. At first, everything is so shocking and you’re scared. But then when I saw it, I was like ‘It’s going to be okay.’ It’s things like that that make you realize it’ll be okay.

Jamie Lynn believes she’ll be a good mom:

I love babies, and I have my nephews that I love. I have a great mom and she has raised three kids, so if I take lessons from her, I think I’ll be great. All my friends have little brothers or sisters.

On her body:

I think it’s something that you just know how to do. As your body changes and all these things happen, I think it becomes natural to know what to do. I will have to be strong and do what’s right. I’m sure it’ll get hard at times. I’m sure I’ll be grumpy. I have to remember in the end that I have to stand up and be strong.

I’m not showing, but some days I’m like: ‘Wow, I feel like I’m showing today,’ and Mom says: ‘No you’re not. Be quiet.’ It’s great to have her there. She is really supportive of me.

On the sex of the baby:

I want to find out as soon as I can because I’m impatient. I just want a healthy, happy baby, so the whether it’s a boy or a girl really doesn’t matter.

On names:

I haven’t thought about baby names yet. I would have to hear some options!

On morning sickness:

I definitely had sickness, but it’s getting better. It was at its worst a few weeks ago.

No cravings:

I haven’t really got much of an appetite right now. I mean, I eat, but I’m not going crazy or anything.

On preparations such as the nursery:

I haven’t even had time to think about that much yet as I have had so much going on. All you can be is excited now, so definitely, I will be excited.

On marriage and the living situation:

Jamie Lynn wants to make clear that they do not live together — she lives with Lynne, while he lives with his parents.

Right now, we’re just focusing on the baby and having a healthy baby. We’re trying just to think about that right now so we haven’t really talked about that.

On Casey as a father:

He has always been good with babies. He’s like a big teddy bear, especially around babies, so I know he’ll make a good dad.

LOTS MORE AFTER THE JUMP! KEEP READING! (more…)

At 12 weeks pregnant, Jamie Lynn Spears isn’t showing – yet. But how should a high-profile 16-year-old dress for the inevitable “bump watch” to come?

“She’s a young girl, so I would want to keep [her look] innocent,” top maternity designer Liz Lange told People at the Great Debaters premiere in New York Wednesday night. “I think little cute dresses and jeans with tight-fitting tee shirts. … She’s 16, and I’d like to see her look her age.”

As for how her style should differ from big sis Britney Spears, who frequented Lange’s L.A. boutique during her two pregnancies, Lange says, “Britney was into cowboy boots with little dresses. That was her style. I’d like to see Jamie Lynn go a little plainer. [No] belly baring for her!”

Lange continued: “I hope she’s ready for this – It’s definitely a big step. I know that as a mother myself. But if this is what she wants and what their family wants, then mazel tov.”

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Jamie Lynn Spears’ pregnancy, at age 16, has raised legal questions because of Casey Aldridge’s age.

Aldridge is believed to be 18 or 19.

There is still no word on where the sexual intercourse took place.

However, if it happened in Spears’ home state of Louisiana, and if Aldridge was 19 at the time, he could be charged with what the state calls “felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile,” which is defined as “sexual intercourse with consent between someone age 19 or older and someone between age 12 and 17.”

If he was under 19, then he might be charged with a misdemeanor. Laws vary from state-to-state.

A spokeswoman for the local sheriff’s department in Kentwood, Louisiana, told Baton Rouge’s WAFB-TV that no complaint has been filed in the case and “no criminal investigation is currently underway.”

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There’s more baby drama for pregnant Jamie Lynn Spears!

A day after news broke that the 16-year-old is expecting, a Spears family insider tells Life & Style that she and Casey Aldridge, the father of her baby, are not seeing each other!

“Jamie Lynn and Casey are NOT together. They’ve broken up numerous times, but he was her first and she kept taking him back,” says the insider.

“They’re not dating now. He’s really got nothing to offer this baby. He’s a kid himself. They have no plans to get married.”

“At this point, Jamie Lynn has asked her mom — and not Casey — to be in the delivery room with her.”

A rep for Jamie Lynn was not immediately available for comment.

Stay tuned for more on this dramatic story!

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The Spear’s family seems to like Casey Aldridge. According to the family, he has been the ”buffer” between Hollywood and it’s pressures. 

“He took amazing care of Jamie Lynn,” a source close to the family says. “Anything ever went wrong, he always comforted her. He took care of her.” 

Aldridge, who is believed to be 18 or 19, has stayed largely out of the Hollywood spotlight, only occasionally accompanying Jamie Lynn to Hollywood events.

He grew up in Liberty, Miss., about 30 miles from the Spears family home base in Kentwood, La., and played high school baseball and football (he’s listed in a sports directory as a lean 6’1″, 165 lbs).

Recently, he has lived in Southern California and was a fixture at the condo where Jamie Lynn stayed with her mother, Lynne, while filming the Nickelodeon series Zoey 101. Aldridge drove her to the Valencia set, near Los Angeles, every day and stayed there while she worked, impressing Lynne and Jamie Lynn’s father, Jamie.

“Jaime talks about how he really likes Casey because he’s a great guy,” the Spears family source says. “Lynne really likes him, too. He’s a good kid, cares a lot about Jamie Lynn. They both adore Casey.”

The pregnancy, a source close to Aldridge says, was a surprise.

“I’m sure it was a shock to him,” the source says. “He has all sorts of plans for his future. He wants to start his own business, maybe get a degree and make something of himself.”

The source says that Aldridge will take responsibility for his actions.

“He’s a stand-up guy, and he will take care of the baby,” the source says. “He is not the type to let her deal with it on her own. He will be there in any way he can. … I know a baby wasn’t in his plans for right now, but he’ll do what he has to do, and he’ll be a good father. He really will.”