I've delighted in talking Jamie-Lynn, Juno and even a little For Keeps in a Holly-goss sort of way like any other savvy, (ahem) oh-so-hip parent these last few weeks. But now, the conversation about teenagers having babies needs to open up a bit. And I think it needs to expand beyond the finger-wagging abstainance talks, the head-shaking birth control questions and the so-sad, so-sad what-can-I-possibly-do discussions that go no further. 

Like many, many other parents, I never intended to be a single mother. And yet, here I am on the verge of it. But no matter how freaked out about finances or finding love again or being the only one around when the inevitable vomit tsunami hits some strangely quiet 2 a.m., I am so grateful to have the support and resources and experience in life that I have. And beyond my own self and circumstances, I am so grateful that there are great organizations that offer all of those things and so much more to the many young women facing motherhood alone, homeless or in need of support they've not yet found. The more challenges I face, the more I appreciate those organizations, like New Moms Inc. in my own corner of the world, and what they give over and over to change the course of the lives of teenage mothers and their children.

When my church women's group chose to work with New Moms Inc. here in Chicago, there were skeptics among us. Not every woman wanted to be involved with a group that they feared "encouraged" being young, single and a mother. It was tough for me and tough for them as these women confronted their own fears and judgments. Interestingly, most of that skepticism turned once we were introduced to the young women this organization served. As we heard their stories of where they came from --  heartbreaking stories of being gang raped or fired from their after-school job and kicked out of their home once bosses and parents found out they were pregnant, caught up in circumstance or the system or one simple poor choice --  and where they are -- in a group home with strict schedules and vocational training and book groups and nutritional cooking classes and their plans -- to go back to school or into self-supporting careers or mentoring other young mothers, there was an overwhelming sense of responsiblity, accountability and need to connect with this organization and its participants.

During the holidays, even when too much family time is driving me crazy and too many shopping trips has me exhausted, I'm reminded how fortunate I am to have those specific issues. And I am reminded of the many high school aged women who will be starting from scratch this New Year's, either with children or with babies on the way. My wish is that more parents, especially mothers, will include teenaged moms and the services that aide them in their gifts, prayers, warm thoughts and shifting judgments. With programs that support self-sufficiency and cycle-breaking and minds that embrace empowering young mothers rather than shunning them even more, maybe all of our kids will be having a very different conversation about teenage pregnancy years down the line.