When I was growing up there was a parenting trend called Tough Love emerging into light. Basically you parent your child with firm direction. Do not let the child take over. If the child errs, let then learn from their mistakes. Do not give the child the ammunition to continue to make the same mistakes over and over. That's the tough part.

Parents have it rough. How can you watch your child go into a stream of self-destruction without feeling the urge to bail them out? That's where the love comes in.

The tough love theory was really about dealing with belligerent, drug addicted, or apathetic teens. But could the same thoughts hold true to dealing with the apparent rise in teens having sex and getting pregnant?

I am the mother of a teenage daughter. So I utilize some of those tough love tactics. I admit I keep her under a tight leash. I do it because I love her and I want to keep her safe. I do not want her to come to me and say, "Mom, I'm pregnant." So in our family, prevention is the best medicine.

In the article Parenting Tips: Teen Dating, Kissing, and Sex, I outlined some of the things I do to help her help herself and keep myself aware. Parents, we must be aware when it comes to our kids. Golden Parenting Rule: Always know Who? What? Where? When? And Why? Yes the old journalism trick applies to your kids too.

When I started dating, I remember my mother's words: "Those that have big bodies still have little minds!" I thought, "Okay Mom, whatever." The reality is yes the body may be growing and maturing, the feelings and urges are sprouting, but the mind cannot comprehend the consequences of the actions.

The best thing we can teach our children is to abstain from sex until they are married or able to take responsibility for the act. I say take responsibility for the act with a heavy heart and much trepidation. Taking responsibility to me means using your head: use common sense, use birth control, and BE FINANCIALLY ABLE AND PREPARED TO TAKE CARE OF ANY ACCIDENTAL PREGNANCY. Sorry to yell, but I felt the need to get the point across.

Please take the time to read through the links here and watch the videos. We parents need to empower ourselves so we can help our kids make something of themselves.

Highlights from Teen Pregnancy-So What?

If a teen has a baby their future prospects will decrease significantly.

Teen are at a greater risk for serious health risks aside from having a baby: Think Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD).

Teen pregnancy is linked to poverty. Most Teem mothers end up being single parents.

Teen mothers are inclined to have low birth weight babies and related health problems.

Due to the lack of insurance, knowledge, and support, the children of teens suffer from insufficient health care.

Not for the lack of trying, teen parents lack parenting skills.

Children of teens are often neglected or abused.

Children of teens often perform poorly in school.

"A new crop of kids becomes teenagers each year. This means that prevention efforts must be constantly renewed and reinvented."

Read more at Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: Why Care?