| No parent wants to hear the words, "Mom, dad, | | | | definitely contributes to these feelings of the blues |
| I'm pregnant, or I'm going to be a father." Children | | | | or depression. Houston Schools girls who are |
| having children drastically alters everyone's lives - | | | | experiencing these emotions find it difficult to get |
| the teens themselves, their parents, siblings, and | | | | out of bed in the morning and get dressed and |
| other family members. While not a popular | | | | head out the door to school. |
| discussion in regards to education, the Houston | | | | For lots of teen moms, a need for affordable or |
| Independent School District have realized the need | | | | even free childcare stands in the way of them |
| to address the education of these teens, | | | | returning to Houston Schools after their babies |
| especially young mothers. | | | | have been born. Lee High School, and member of |
| Every year, girls attending Houston Independent | | | | the Houston Schools district, has opened a free |
| Schools become pregnant, it's a fact. A great | | | | daycare center for these young mothers who |
| number of them end up dropping out of high | | | | want to return to school but need childcare. All |
| school; they may get a job to support their baby, | | | | mothers, no matter their age, have the well-being |
| or may stay home with their parents to care for | | | | of their children in the forefront of their minds. |
| their child. They may also simply feel ostracized | | | | Houston schools girls whose brains and bodies are |
| by their schools and peers, and no longer have | | | | still maturing who have just had children |
| the desire to attend school. Teen moms who | | | | experience even more of "brain overload". |
| have attended Houston Schools are no exception. | | | | Reaching out to them through the schools and |
| These Houston Schools students are in dire need | | | | other local community organizations is a |
| of continuing their education, even if they don't | | | | necessary and vital step in order to keep these |
| realize it themselves. | | | | girls in school. |
| For women who have just given birth, the "baby | | | | Teaming up with the Houston YMCA, along with |
| blues" or full-blown post-partum depression is a | | | | other local organizations, Houston Schools have |
| dreadful reality. The effects of these conditions | | | | been able to offer childcare in order for the |
| may cause moms to be uninterested in caring for | | | | Houston Schools teens to continue their |
| themselves or their babies in the best ways that | | | | educations. If these young women want to go on |
| they can. Teen moms (even those attending | | | | to college, or enter the workforce right after |
| Houston Schools) may even suffer from this | | | | graduation, they will need to stay in school. |
| even more. The simple lack of sleep one gets (or | | | | Offering quality childcare that is easily available to |
| doesn't get) with a newborn in the house | | | | these young mothers is vital, and admirable. |