18 year old mom, 17 year old dad..

[crystalkathryn]

I've been with my fiance for over 2 years. We go perfectly together (I know were YOUNG) and are expecting our first baby in June 2011. We live together and it's nice, hoping for a boy). He's super excited about it, but I know he's scared too. I'ts tough cause he's still in school so I'm not sure how he's taking it or if he's just happy about it around me. He constantly wants to go out with friends and it's making the pregnancy tough on me because I have no friends now and I am home alone without him. I plan on college and am trying to get a job, but what place will hire a pregnant teen? Any other 18 year old moms with younger dads? How is pregnancy for you? How is he handling things? Do you have a plan?

[Newmom!]

My sister was 3 or 4mo pregnant when she found a job. An employer cannot discriminate against you due to pregnancy. FYI, you cannot get FMLA (Family Medical Leave) until you have been with a company for a year - so you will want to make sure that when you take a leave to have the baby the company will hold a spot for you to come back to.

I wish you the best.

[crystalkathryn]

That is good to know, so all I must do is make sure they will let me take leave? And let me come back? I only need two weeks off right? Or is it a month?

[Prica]

It depends on the job. If it is hard labor your doctor may not let you go back to work for six weeks depending on how the labor went, c-sec, natural, if you tore or not...etc. if it is an office job, a phone job, etc, then you may be allowed to go back in three to four weeks, maybe even two if you have no problems and heal quickly.
I know of a job in my area where you are taking orders for tv programs that sell jewelry etc, you might be able to get something like that. Taking orders for catalogs that kind of thing, you might be able to get back to work sooner with that type of employment.
Good luck.

[Newmom!]

Having a baby takes a lot out of you. I do know someone who went back to work after only 1 week because her husband was out of work, but she wishes she would have had much more time off. Most people take 6-12 weeks off. Be sure to scrimp and save every penny that you can so you can afford to take more time off.

Money saving ideas :
- Ask the hospitol if they can reduce the fees for birthing classes
- Breastfeed instead of formula - a $300 pump sounds like a lot, but a can of formula is $25, and an older baby can go through 2+ every week.
- Shop second hand stores - see if your area has any stores that specialize in baby and children used items. Those are usually in pretty good condition. See if they have any monthly sales, We have a 25cent sale, all clothes in a certain section go for a quarter a piece.
- Consider governement assistance programs such as WIC
- Don't go out to eat - make your lunches for work
- Don't buy yourself anything you can go without for a while longer yet
-Don't go to movies or other costly entertainment
- Do see what free events the community offers if you get buggy and need to get out of the house
- If you have supportive friends and family, then do a Baby registry. Put only the items you really need so you are more likely to get them.

Best of luck with your job hunting. And remember - you do not need to tell them you are pregnant during the interview. If they offer you the position THEN be sure to tell them you would like to accept it but will need time off around your due date.