Scared. Nervous. Ashamed. If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy and haven’t told your parents yet, you’re likely feeling all these things and more. Whatever you’re feeling is normal and understandable.
The most important thing you can do right now is to take a deep breath and realize that no matter how you choose to tell your parents, it will be okay. Once you tell your parents, the anxiety you’re feeling over telling them will subside.
Telling your parents can feel scary, which is why we’ve compiled some strategies that can help you prepare.
Think About What You Want to Say
Thinking through what you want to say to your parents can help you feel more in control of the situation, and this can help ease your anxiety.
Consider your answer to these questions:
- How do you want to tell them? Do you want to say you’re pregnant right away? Or do you want to provide context first?
- What details do you want to provide?
- If they ask what you’re thinking about doing next, do you have an answer? Or are you seeking their guidance?
Consider Where You Want to Tell Them
Are you concerned about your safety when you tell your parents the news? If so, telling your parents in a public place is essential. You may also want to bring along a trusted friend or relative who can help protect your well-being.
If you aren’t worried about your safety, then deciding where you feel most comfortable can be another way to ease your mind. Would telling them at home, in private, make you feel most relaxed? Or would you prefer to be in a public setting, around other people? Deciding this factor can give you another element of control over the situation.
Plan the Time
The response someone has to difficult news can often be determined by timing. For example, if you tell your parents the news in the middle of a busy evening, their response might feel more rushed and abrupt than if you had told them over a relaxing weekend.
Try to choose a time when you know your parents will be relaxed and at their best to handle hard news.
You’re Not Alone
Finding out you’re pregnant can make you feel all alone, but you’re not. At First Choice Georgia Pregnancy Center, we’re here for you. We offer a listening ear and free pregnancy resources to help you move forward.
Contact us today for a free, confidential appointment.
