money concerns

[Porj]

I am just wondering how other teen parents support their babies as well as themselves finacially! I am 16 and my boyfriend is 19 and we have recently discovered I am pregnant, which we are thrilled about however..  We currently live seperate, but have been planning to rent our own place out for a while now. I am still at school however that will soon have to stop, and my boyfriend is seeking full time employment. We will be able to receive government funds but that is not enough to support a child and live independantly. My boyfriend reassures me we will be able to cope fine, however being the worrier of the relationship, our financial situation is stressing me out. So I would just like to hear from other teen parents on how they delt with this dilemma.

[xxAlmostxx]

My bf decided to go back to college and when he registered for selective service he got a grant, be cause his household was low income and I was pregnant he was given an extra $1000 or so per semester to help cover costs

[Porj]

Hi TMommie,
I am assuming you are American. I am from Australia and I am not educated on the legal system here but I know so many that move out of hom under the age of 18. A 16 year old can move out of home here and get government payments, not sure if we have a emancipation here. We also have a government funded agency called Centrelink that automatically gives women that are low income earners "baby bonus"and other significant payments to support the child and the amount paid depends on your situation. I am planning on getting myself a job as well as my boyfriend getting a job, after looking into the payments avalaible I think we will have sufficent money to support out child :)

[TMommie]

Just going off my own situation and what we are doing I am gonna suggest the same thing. Finish high school but have a job on weekends or right after school get a good study time in there somewhere. Between the both of you you will have enough money. You can also file for government assistance but it won't get you far. As long as you both have a plan and a good money income coming from both of you and you finish school things should be alright. Oh and if you want to live with him since you aren't 18 yet you mite want to get emancipated if you haven't already it will give you legal rights as an 18 year old would but people would check up on you depending what your state says about it.

[remar]

My husband and I were your ages when our daughter was born. My husband already had his own apartment, car and a job when we got married. After our daughter was born I worked days and he worked nights so we could both be with are daughter and not have her at a baby sitter. It can be done. I'm not saying it's easy but you can do it if you both work together. We never received any kind of government help. No food stamps, WIC, help for child care, and my husband had private insurance. We figured if we were old enough to have sex and get pregnant we were old enough to take care of our daughter all on our own.
I hate that your thinking of quitting school. Does your school have classes for moms that allow you to bring your baby? I know some schools do that these days. A good education will help you get a good job in the future.
I hope your boyfriend finds a job very soon. Babies are so expensive.
I'm always here if you want to talk. I can give you some tips on saving money as far as baby food, diapers and other things your baby will need.