2 words most guys fear to hear - I'm pregnant...

I can say this from experience. Hey ho, it's that time of year again. - PROM - . Back in the day, Prom had a meaning to it, the years ended, people have graduated and are moving on with their lives. Today, I don't think it means that. It's more of a means to an end, if you haven't gotten laid so far, here's a good chance it's going to happen. Now before we generalise, it's not everyone that thinks this way, just a good amount of the North American youth. I know it still happened back in the day but I doubt to the extent it happens today.

If you want some love, use a glove!! Birth control pill is not 100%, my daughter is living proof of that. And girls, it's BOTH people's responsibility, not just one or the other. If your willing to do the deed, be prepared for the consequences of your actions!! I'm not just talking pregnancy here, I mean std's and venereal diseases. Ever heard of The Clap?? You'l most likely know a thing or two after prom if you get too promiscuous, heh.

What to do if you get pregnant? There are options.... live and let live. Keep it. Own up to your mistake. Adoption - there are so many people out there that so desperately want children but can't have, offer them a chance at happiness and your child a better chance at a life you possibly couldn't provide! ..... or there's abortion. I'm not one to judge, I was faced with the choice. My boyfriend at the time tried to force me. Sure, if I kept it I would be sacrificing allot on a financial and personal scale, but if I killed it for the wrong reasons, because I couldn't be responsible, that makes me no better than a monster! Who am I to decide whether or not to take a living beings life in my own hands? I didn't give in to his emotional blackmail and I chose my daughter over him. It was a very hard decision, but after seeing her on ultrasound and feeling her first few kicks, feeling her grow inside me - I have no regrets. I love my daughter with all my heart.

Be smart, think before you act. One nights action can cost you the next 18yrs of your life.

Abortion - don't let you significant other force you into something your going to regret the rest of your life. Don't think you won't - you will ALWAYS have the what if's..... you'll wonder what they would have looked like, what it would have been like to be a mom, what kind of personality they would have had. All my friends that had it done still silently regret it. They did it for the wrong reasons. If you do it, do it for yourself. Know in your heart you are making the best choice for the baby and you, and that you have exhausted all other options and that this was the only way. Your going to live with this decision for the rest of your life!

Having a baby is hard. Emotionally and financially. If you want to know how much, look at it like this >> your looking at a minimum $400+ for maternity clothes to last you 9 months, especially if you are working to support yourself and have a dress code / uniform at work. You have to buy baby stuff for baby before she arrives. If you don't have a baby shower or help, your looking at $2500+. This is just the basics, like onesies, blankets, bedding, prenatal vitamins for yourself, changing table, diapers, cream, etc etc. Then you have too look at things like a crib, car seat, stroller... it all costs a fortune, and sometimes 2nd hand stuff is too damaged or no good. Baby formula if you don't breastfeed, breast-pump and pads if you do, baby bottle etc etc etc. It all adds up.

If your in a province like me, sometimes you'll be lucky and the government helps out alot, but applying for everything is a long process, takes allot of patience and you need money to pull you through until you get assistance. So don't think having a baby is a slice of cake. For sure, it's a love of a child that can't compare to anything and is worth more than the world, but it is a permanent commitment you can't back out of.

Whatever your choice, you need to go get educated. Not by your friends, but by people that have been there done that. People that can council you or offer you the assistance you need. Often the people you count on most won't be there with you and support your decisions, so you need to be strong in yourself to know, either way your going to be happy and able to deal with the outcome. So before you go out and have fun all in the name of "Prom" , think about how that one night of fun can ultimtely change your life, and if it's worth it.