For Preganant & Young Parents

The first thing to do is take a deep breath (you may have already done that!), try to relax and know you are not alone. The next big decision is for you to make with the support of your partner,  loved ones or support people.

Brave does not comment on the choice debate but is available to support you if you choose to continue with your pregnancy. Our site will show you how to find help wherever you are and access education throughout your pregnancy and parenting experience.

You can contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 if you need immediate professional counselling support. Brave Foundation has partnered with Kids Helpline to provide this support to pregnant and parenting young people. Someone is ready to listen on the end of the line right now.

At Brave we all have a personal connection with teenage pregnancy and parenthood. We will walk beside you as we find what support and educational services are available to help you in Australia.

You are going to have a baby! While the focus can often seem to be on the mum-to-be, you are starting your parenting journey too. Many young guys have been in this situation before and created a great future with their child amidst this huge life change!

We have all the support and services available to connect you here at Brave Foundation. Your journey can be a good one that will see you and your new baby in a healthy, happy, skilled family over time. We are here, to provide the support and encouragement you need to equip and enhance your role during this.

Even in a planned pregnancy, people have many questions, let alone the questions you may have when it was an unexpected surprise!

Our interactive pregnancy timeline has month by month information on what to expect. You might like to go through this with your partner, a friend, or support person so you can work towards a plan.

Once reality sets in, talk with your school about a personalised education pathway plan. This will include your new needs as you continue with the pregnancy and into becoming a parent. Make sure you talk about transport, financial and maternity leave planning.

All new mums need maternity leave, and it’s good to get a plan around your education and future. This gives you and your baby countless opportunities for a great life. Things to consider:

• Are my subjects suitable for me to continue during pregnancy?
• When will I start maternity leave from school?
• How long will I be on maternity leave (3, 6 or 12 months)
• Will my current school be able to accommodate me and the baby when I restart my studies as a parent?
• If not, what other opportunities may be available for me? (Contact us if you need help with this one)
• Can I return to school part-time and study flexibly (such as one subject a year to full-time)?

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding and challenging roles we can experience in our lifetime. It’s full of ups and downs, times of total joy and exhilaration, times of despair and complete unknowing. Very few experiences in life hold such diversity, challenge and impact as that of parenting.

Being a parent is an extremely demanding job and most of us come to it with no qualifications and can sometimes have little support, especially if the pregnancy was unplanned. Parenting is a journey, and there is no doubt that we grow as parents and, as our babies grow into children, we learn together.

At Brave Foundation we believe that no matter your situation of pregnancy or parenting, you and your child can thrive.

Spend some time on the Brave Foundation site, read some of the real stories of other young parents and consider if the Supporting Expecting and Parenting Teens Program may be something you would like to do.

You can contact us at any time with any questions you have. At Brave we all have a personal connection with teenage pregnancy and parenthood.