If you have younger children in your home, bringing in an instant big sister can present some interesting challenges. Especially when you consider that, the teenager is going to be a role model for your younger children, and they will probably look up to her. Teenagers who are in the foster care system are at high risk for being sexually active and for having unprotected sex. The numbers I found for sexually active teenagers in foster care were between 40 and 86 percent.

When we brought an older sibling group into our home, which included a teenager, we were well aware of this risk. Some friends of ours who only fostered teenagers, sort of made us aware of it, by having all of their teen girls end up pregnant. Another friend who only fostered teen girls insisted that they all be on birth control.

I can’t tell you how proud Super Dad and I were of our daughter that we adopted at the age of 15, when she graduated from high school with honors, two scholarships, and without a child. Realistically, the odds were stacked against her.

It may sound like we set our expectations too low, to someone unfamiliar with teenagers in the foster care system. Take a minute to think about when you were raising your own children. At what age did you have the most influence on establishing their values, morals, and life goals? Now, imagine if you only had three years instead of 18, and you didn’t get to start until your child was 15.

When she was 22 years old, she called me one day and said that she needed to come over to tell me something. She said that she thought I would be angry. Well, that was a dead giveaway.

While she was still on the phone I said, “You’re pregnant.”

“Yes,” she responded, “Are you angry.”

“No, actually I was beginning to wonder if you could conceive.” I stated rather bluntly.

“Me too,” she said honestly, “So you’re not mad?”

“No, you’re an adult and you have a job to support yourself and your child, I think you’ll make a great mom,” I told her, honestly.

“Me too, thanks.” she sounded relieved.


Herpes - Common STDs Your Teenager Should Know About
Immunization for Cervical Cancer
Teen Nicotine Use
When an Adopted Older Child Leaves Home Angry
Photo Credit