What do you do when your child's friend is pregnant?

Someone emailed me and wanted to know how other parents would handle this problem. Their daughter is 16 and the 16 year old's best friend is pregnant. The 16 year old has accompanied her friend to doctor's visits, to tell her parents that she is pregnant and has offered tons of support in every way.

Is there a point when parents should pull the plug on the friendship? Is there a point where you just want to preserve your daughter's childhood and ask that she continue being an unencumbered 16 year old?

I can't really imagine so I'm asking all of you for your answers.

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[MusicIsMyLife199713]

another one is for parents to stay out of it, if the teens want help, theyll ask for it. otherwise JUST LEAVE THEM BE OR THEY WILL HATE U FOR THE REST OF URE LIfe. im a teen, I know what im talking about!

[JessicaGottlieb]

@MusicIsMyLife199713 this is really helpful, it helps me remember how I felt at 14. So your parents aren't worried that your friend is pregnant? Everyone is supportive and no one is freaking out (or if they are, they're hiding it well)?

[x0lindsey0x]

I'm only 16, I'm not a pregnant but from the few of a 16 year old I would say it's right your parents should step in and tell them no there not an adult they shouldn't even be having sex at such a young age. My mom would kill me if she I have sex. We are only kids we should have fun not take Care of a baby. If your a parent and support YOUR CHILD! having a child at 16 then something is wrong with you. By the way, I love your videos! :)

[JessicaGottlieb]

@x0lindsey0x Kindest words ever. Thank you Lindsey. I know what I hope I'd do, but I'm not sure how I'd behave in reality.

[noirbettie]

I don't have teenagers yet, so this is purely hypothetical. But I can't find any way to feel that it is okay to stop my child from being a good, supportive friend. I hope that I would instead be a supportive parent to my child and help her take care of herself while she supports her friend.

[JessicaGottlieb]

@noirbettie my instinct is to agree, but what if you feel like your daughter has done all the helping she is capable of? Or do you think that there's no limit (obviously reasonably).

[TheBieberNickole]

parents should not get involved, that is what best friends do, they are there through thick and thin, no matter what, it is what best friends are there for, support and to show you care.

[MusicIsMyLife199713]

@JessicaGottlieb they were fine with it, my dad said that its normal around here and my mum just doesn't care (my life is weird)

[MusicIsMyLife199713]

my best mate is the same age as me (14) and shes pregnant, no one where i live freaks out about being a teen mum, the teens or the parents of the teens

[Laura70]

My daughter's friend is pregnant right now, although they are 19, not 16. But, my daughter and all her other friends have been very supportive. I know this girl myself and have talked to her and been very supportive. I told her to let me know if I could help in any way. What else is there to do? Without "condoning" the act, you can still support someone. What's done is already done.

[TheAjsouthern]

Actually had this happen within my family: my sister was the friend that was supportive. Eventually it worked itself out as the pregnancy went further along. The friendship was strained as things just became too much for both parties to handle.

[slackmistress]

Also, I'd like to also mention that plenty of other people will judge her and tell her she's wrong and try to influence her to have or not have the baby. In this instance, be the person to LISTEN, and not TELL.