Look Before You Leap

By Shantel Hield

Imagine your best friend calls to tell you her parents are taking her away for the weekend. Imagine they gave her permission to invite a friend, all expense paid. Imagine she chooses you. Your heart starts to beat faster. You have always wanted to go to Disney World. You begin thinking about all the fun you're going to have with your friend. However, just as the word yes was about to come out of your mouth, you hear a demanding cry. Suddenly reality strikes. You remember, your time isn't your own anymore. Just one time you didn't say no and found yourself pregnant at the age of thirteen and a mother at fourteen. This means your life has change totally. You forgot to look before you leap.

Many teenage girls often become victims of this tragedy, that is a child having a child. Teenage girls must remember to take one step at a time when they begin dating. Your body may blossom suddenly however, your mind takes more time to mature.

Young ladies, take a look at your future before jumping into your present. Do you really want to be a mother before you actually become an adult? Moreover, do you want to be a mother before you become a wife? Just think about what you will miss out on. While your friends are out enjoying their teenage years you will be home taking care of baby. Yes we all have desires, we are only human but we also have a brain so, girlfriend my advice to you is to, use it. Just say no and mean it.

GT Sept/Nov 2000