How To Survive Your Teen's Pregnancy: Practical Advice for a Christian Family [Paperback]

Linda Ellen Perry (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0972011110 | ISBN-13: 978-0972011112 | Publication Date: January 2003

Over 513,000 teens gave birth in 1995. The Christian community is not immune to the problem of teenage pregnancy. Each year, thousands of church leaders and church-going families suddenly find themselves with a pregnant teen daughter. But you never thought it would happen in your own Christian family.

Wondering what steps to take first? Where to find emotional support? Nervous about the response of family, friends, or the church? Overwhelmed by the options related to housing, finishing school, medical care, parenting, and adoption? There is help and hope even in the midst of your shock and pain!

If you’ve learned of your daughter’s pregnancy, be assured that you are not alone in your pain. Others have been where you are. Designed as a step-by-step guide and workbook to help parents of a pregnant teen or college student, How To Survive Your Teen’s Pregnancy will help you through the shock, disappointment, and anger, and show you how to redeem beauty from the ashes of this crisis.

Written in a devotional workbook format, each chapter of this 192-page book lovingly addresses an issue to discuss, a decision to examine, or an action to take. Read a related portion of Scripture, identify with a real-life story from those who have survived their teen’s pregnancy, and work through journaling exercises and practical action steps. Appendices list dozens of resource books and agencies. You’ll want to keep a spare copy on hand to give to your friend when they call to share the grief that their teen daughter is pregnant.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A valuable resource for parents and daughter to help them face each problem with appropriate, comforting Scripture and spiritual advice. -- Eagle Forum News and Notes, September 27, 2002

A valuable resource to help parents face each problem in sequence with appropriate, comforting Scripture and spiritual advice. -- Eagle Forum News and Notes, September 2002

Takes everyone's feelings into account, going step by step into emotions, choices, decisions, etc. -- Meendy Couture, Co-Director, Pregnancy Helpline, Michigan

The book’s message is loud and clear, don’t condemn and punish, instead offer forgiveness and support, and everyone will survive. -- N.O.E.L News, December-January 2002-03

The message is loud and clear: don’t condemn and punish, instead offer forgiveness and support, and everyone will survive. -- Georgette Forney, N.O.E.L News, December-January, 2002-03

From the Author

You have found yourself in the middle of a crisis: the crisis of your unmarried daughter’s pregnancy. You never expected your family would be involved in a trauma of this magnitude. You are disappointed, angry, and searching for a way out. One often has limited time and a limited attention span in the midst of a crisis. I hope God will use this book to bring hope and some practical suggestions for action.

In the difficult days ahead as your daughter progresses in her pregnancy, she will be making decisions about giving birth vs. abortion, parenting vs. adoption, marriage vs. remaining single, continuing school vs. finding a job, and your involvement (as grandparents) in possibly raising the grandchild.

There are no problems too big for God. I have found over and over again that if I will take time to listen, God will offer direction and a path out of my problems.

Since 1970, I have been concerned with the issues surrounding unplanned pregnancies. Since 1990, I have been the Executive Director of a Crisis Pregnancy Center in the suburbs of Northern Virginia. This opportunity has allowed me to be involved in the lives of pregnant unmarried women, and often I have counseled with their parents.

I will be sharing from the testimonies of parents who have successfully turned the ashes of an unexpected pregnancy into joy and beauty. Pseudonyms are used to protect the identities of their families and some details have been changed.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Chalfont House (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972011110
• ISBN-13: 978-0972011112
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #941,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynellen Perry is President of Chalfont House (www.ChalfontHouse.com), the small publisher of best seller 'How To Survive Your Teen's Pregnancy' (also in Spanish as 'Como Sobrevivir el Embarazo de su Adolescente') and 'Daily Contentment with God'. She loves spending girlfriend time as a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant (www.MaryKay.com/lynellen). Lynellen has a B.S. in Computer Science, an M.S. in Software Systems Engineering, and a PhD in Computer Science.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical and Biblical, June 18, 2004

By 

Brian G Hedges (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Survive Your Teen's Pregnancy: Practical Advice for a Christian Family (Paperback)

This is a wise book full of practical and biblical advice for steering your family through the crisis of a teen pregnancy. There is an emphasis on forgiveness and restoration throughout as the author addresses issue such as secondary virginity, adoption, marriage, etc. Recommended Scripture reading, application questions, guidance for prayer, and helpful checklists for preparing for the baby are also included, as well as personal stories from those who have walked through this situation before.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and helpful, July 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: How To Survive Your Teen's Pregnancy: Practical Advice for a Christian Family (Paperback)

This is not an easy situation to find yourself in - the pregnancy of a teen - but this book really helps you look at the situation and consider steps to take. It also provides encouragment to the parent and gives you a chance to focus on your hurt in the midst of the situation, while still helping you help your daughter make smart choices. A fantastic resource for any parent who is going through this difficult time. Pastors would also benefit from reading and having this book on hand for when the situation arises.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great tool for families seeking answers, January 20, 2004

By 

T. Suzanne Eller (Beautiful Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Survive Your Teen's Pregnancy: Practical Advice for a Christian Family (Paperback)

Linda Ellen Perry has not only written a book, she's written from years of experience from guiding teens who found themselves pregnant before they were ready. Perry gives real-life advice to help parents work through all the issues they will face. The book is practical and Biblical, helping you work through things such as forgiveness, adoption possibilities, your teen parenting alone and what she needs from the adults in her life, welcoming a new baby into your home, and tons of resources. This is only a partial list for Perry has addressed every angle of the challenges faced when your daughter says those words, "Mom, Dad, I'm pregnant".