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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want DSD to have an abortion?

1002 replies

TessoftheDamned · 25/10/2010 00:16

Heavy going stuff but really doubting myself on this.

DSD is 14 and we thought Hmm was a straight-laced girl, very into her studies, hardly ever goes out, etc. Anyway, has fallen pregnant and just had the nerve to tell us (lives with us full-time, her mother is not in the picture). The guy is 'long gone' as she says, refuses to tell us his name or where she met him. To be honest I'm a bit worried there was some pressure and perhaps even date rape thing going on, but I haven't pushed it as she's very vulnerable at the moment (as one might expect).

She is adamant she is keeping her baby. Although I'm sure it will end up looking to us as parents and her as a sister, we don't want another baby and don't want to look after hers. She's not an adult but it is her body, I'm so torn. I feel like she's doing herself and everyone else a great disservice bringing this heartache, but of course a baby is normally a source of joy...

DH is flabbergasted and shocked, he's still trying to find out who the boy is (she told us 3 days ago). She clams up when we suggest anything other than keeping the baby and refuses to speak to us.

AIBU?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 25/10/2010 19:07

thing is, Tess, you and your DH need to have a serious discussion, too.

GivesHeadlessHorseman · 25/10/2010 19:07

OP, I'm sorry I haven't had time to read the entire thread, but I've skimmed most of it. I feel desperately sorry for you and DH, and of course you DSD. Personally, I would feel exactly the same as you about this. There seems to a school of thought that if you lean on her too heavily she will never forgive you, and 'always grieve for the baby she never had'.

But there can, and will be other babies - in better times, with a man who loves her and wants to support her. What about grieving for the life she never had, and all the missed opportunities, if she goes ahead with this? Does she have the foggiest idea of how much she is going to handicap just about every aspect of her future, and her child's, by going ahead with this? Of course she doesn't. Some people believe that you 'punish' a baby to abort it. I'm a bit more pragmatic than that - I'm of the opinion that in certain circumstances you can punish a baby by having it.

If this were me I'd be making no secret of how horrified I was with her decision. You can't force her to have a termination, obviously, but if you come across as too understanding and too 'nice' about the whole thing she's going to get carried away with the idea that it's not such a big inconvenience after all - and it flipping well is. You are prefectly entitled to let her know what you love her very much, but you will not let her choices dominate your life. If she wants to be allowed to make 'adult' choices then she must accept adult responsibility. And where parenthood is concerned that means, quite simply, that her needs and feelings do not come first - ever again.

You should make absolutely no bones about how the whole family dynamic will change, and how you and her Dad will be put under pressure financially, and forced to contribute practically and emotionally to something you have absolutely no desire for right now. She has to be made to realise that her decision may be a selfish one. It affects all of you - not just her. If you feel like bawling your eyes out in front of her because this is a disaster for your life, as well as hers - then do it. Don't hide it from her.

I know I sound heartless, and I don't want to make her feel terrible, but I do want her to realise just how monumental a decision this is, for everyone. Ask her what hopes she has for her child's future, and then show her the harsh realities of what she can expect, statistically, to give her child. What makes her think she'll be different?

Make it clear to her that children require sacrifice, and ask her if she is prepared to sacrifice her education, and her social life? It is not your job to assume responsibility for, or make sacrifices for this child, while she plays catch-up with her peers.

If you live somewhere nice, take her to the grottiest part of town and show her what living in the sort of accommodation supplied by the state to a 16 year old with a baby will be like. And make it clear that as soon as she hits 16 that is where she will be. On her own, dealing with her own choices.

I know plenty of people who have had babies as teenagers will be horrified at this, and they will say they don't regret it for a moment and it all worked out in the end - but honestly, what woman could say anything different, and wish away the existence of her own child once it was there? But have they wished they could have given their child more? Had a better life? More money? More fun? Almost always.

You only have to look at the number of people moaning on here about crap accommodation, no-one to share the burdens of parenthood with, no money, blokes who aren't interesting in you if you've already got a child, how hard it is to get a decent career when you sacrificed your education for a baby, the pressure of trying to study when you have a young family, I could go on all day.

ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 25/10/2010 19:08

tess, have read through thread, no pearls of wisdom to ease your pain - sorry that you are all going through this.
My friend works for this organisation and they really do offer a balanced view on termination, adoption and pregnancy.

they see alot of younger girls and help them with the practical aspects of having a baby but also younger girls who are having to get their heads round having a termination.

They are a Christian organisation who are generally pro=life however the life that they take into account is that of the pregnant person as well as the potential baby.

I hope you have had a constructive meal with your DSD this evening and that she will open up to you. wishing you all the best. x

BitOfFunderthepatio · 25/10/2010 19:13

GivesHeadlessHorseman- couldn't agree more. Very well put.

piscesmoon · 25/10/2010 19:27

' you are not having a baby though, are you? She is. Sounds harsh, but it's not about you.

It is about OP!! The mother to be is a child-she is only 14yrs old and will need parents and so will her baby. I do feel sorry for you-I wouldn't want a baby to be responsible for-I have done it and gone past that stage.
I agree with GivesHeadlessHorseman's post.

Brollyflower · 25/10/2010 19:34

Expat -Sorry, I went out earlier so just coming back to the points you raised now. No of course as an parent of an adult they are not as dependent on you as say a preschool aged child and the relationship is different. However, I think family is a long-lasting concept and generations have responsibilities towards each other for life. This is the fabric that societies are built of. I do not assume that at 18 I will wave bye bye to my kids and will never have any further responsibilities towards them (financial, emotional, practical etc). Yes, they will have lives of their own and our relationship will be very different, but we will hopefully have a relationship and caring responsibilities towards each other for life. That, to me, is part of being a family.

This does not mean that if one of my daughters becomes pregnant as a teenager I would raise her child for her. I might, if the situation necessitated it and that were possible. Or I might be supporting her to parent her own child. But, I would see it as part of my parenting responsibility to her to be there for her and supportive as I can be in any decisions she takes and consequences of them.

I do not doubt if I found myself in that situation there would be shock and horror and strong feelings about what I would think the best way forward, just as the OP is finding. But her life is not my life, it's hers and with parental support they have to find their own way through some tough times.

Anyway, I think the discussion has moved on now Smile.

RunawayPumpkin · 25/10/2010 19:35

YANUB at all.

Explain to her that if she keeps the baby it is HER baby and she needs to find a way to pay for it and somewhere to live as you are not taking on her mistake.

wotnochocs · 25/10/2010 19:47

This seems very much to be about how this is going inconvenience the OP rather than about the teenager and the baby.
But being a parent is often inconvenient expensive and overwhelming.This girl is you and your DHs responsibility.She is only 14 and being a mother herself does not change this fact.

expatinscotland · 25/10/2010 19:51

'This seems very much to be about how this is going inconvenience the OP rather than about the teenager and the baby.'

I doubt she'd have started this thread at all if it were merely an inconvenience. She is being expected to put aside her life to look after her child. That includes compromising her work.

At a time when the cost of everything is going up and she's working towards retirement and on a career she values.

She chose not to have any more children and took responsibility for this by getting sterilised.

Now she's being expected to bring up a child she does not want.

That is what this is about.

Regardless of whether she's a parent or not, no woman should be forced to bring up a child she does not want.

scaleymcnamechange · 25/10/2010 19:53

Erm, hello, yes this thread is indeed about how this is going to impact on the op. She is the one posting, on behalf of herself. Not the 14 y/o dsd.

traceybath · 25/10/2010 19:55

Totally agree with GivesHeadless and Expat.

JoBettany · 25/10/2010 19:55

I absolutely agree with you expat.

I have not read anything from the OP that makes me think that this is just an inconvenience to her.

maryz · 25/10/2010 19:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

maryz · 25/10/2010 20:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Brollyflower · 25/10/2010 20:03

The OP will not be forced to bring up a child she doesn't want. She has many options, just like the DSD. Refusing to be involved is one option. Just as if a 14 year old became disabled and needed round-the-clock care for the rest of their life a parent could choose to walk away. Life doesn't always go to plan and that can be shit. Nevertheless, most parents stick by their kids through tough parts.

ChaoticAngel · 25/10/2010 20:05

"no woman should be forced to bring up a child she does not want."

Totally agree with that.

LoopyLoupGarou · 25/10/2010 20:06

Hope your meal and chat went well. :)

ChaoticAngel · 25/10/2010 20:08

Brollyflower so, if dsd does go ahead and have the baby, you don't think there will be any emotional blackmail, by the dsd/dh to the op, at any of the first few years of the baby's life.

Scruffyhound · 25/10/2010 20:13

Hello sorry to hear of your situation. Can I just be honest I have had a baby who is now nearly 5 and im pregnant with my 2nd. But when I was 21 had an abortion. And can I say that the reason was pressure from my boyfriend (whom I was with since I was 17)and his mother. They both said I should do it and he said he would leave and have nothing to do with it if I did. Im now 33 and regret it everyday of my life and get upest about it. But then I was not 14. Thats the only thing here your DSD age and what the circumstances were to how she got pregnant. See a local doctor and they should refer you to see someone for guidance. Also maybe one of those "dolls" that are like babies for her to try for the next week? Maybe it will make her see its hard?

Litchick · 25/10/2010 20:13

OP, I am so sorry you and your DSD have been put in this position.
Heartbreaking.
For what it's worth I will be secretly praying that she has a termination. Cos despite a million anecdotes the facts and figures show us that the vast majority of teen mums leave school and never return to education.

However, I would present this to your DSD as entirely her choice. A fully informed choice.
Thus she needs to know that you are not willing to bring up her baby and that she will be starting her baby's life in a mother and baby unit. Take her to one asap.

Explain that she will have to leave her current school. Do this matter of factly.

She will either step up to the plate, or she will opt for a termination.

What you must nit do is allow her to believe anything unrealistic, particularly as you do not intend to care for this child and nor does her Father.

Brollyflower · 25/10/2010 20:18

I have no idea CA, I don't know them. But, I do know you can't expect someone else to have a termination because of the potential impact on your life. That is just plain wrong.

Parenting... it's fucking hard and unfair sometimes. It goes with the territory, unfortunately Sad. How is this different than other situations where life doesn't go to plan? What about a grandparent in their 60s who end up bringing up 2 grandchildren because their child and partner are killed in a car accident? Yes, it buggers up their plans. They have the option of letting the kids go into care, or they can just get on with it.

That sounds harsh and the emotions are way more complex of course, but the basic decent way to behave seems clear to me, no matter how hard it might be to accept a decision you dislike.

Quattrocento · 25/10/2010 20:18

So the options are:

  1. Abortion
  2. Adoption
  3. She moves out and has the baby
  4. She carries on living with you and has the baby and you end up de facto caring for it.

I agree with everyone else on this thread that the choices from 1-3 are up to DSD. But option 4 affects everyone, probably the OP most.

The OP has warmly and open-heartedly taken on step children that she never expected to have to care for.

She doesn't deserve this, she didn't vote for it and she has a right for her own wants and needs to be taken into consideration.

So yes, go with all the supportive stuff for your DSD. Do everything that you are able to do to help. But before you agree to option 4, please do work out whether you can cope, and if you think you can cope, whether you actually want to cope. You have to work out if option 4 is something you are prepared to do. And you need to be clear with all concerned on your position.

electra · 25/10/2010 20:21

HeadlessHorseman - you should be ashamed of yourself. I really cannot believe that you would encourage the OP to emotionally manipulate her 14 year old stepdaughter by crying in front of her to influence her decision. We're talking about a child here, whose hormones are probably all over the place.

You say 'there will be other babies'. When someone has a miscarriage they don't think that, they think that they wanted that baby and they grieve for it and it takes a long time for them to get over it. And this is also what would happen to someone who had an abortion they didn't want to have.

Scaredandalone · 25/10/2010 20:23

Personally guilt tripping a grown woman into a few hours baby sitting (who is a grown woman and equiped to say no) verse guilt tripping a scared and frightned child into a termination (who is less equipped to say no and can have a lot more guilt piled on) no competition for me sorry.

traceybath · 25/10/2010 20:24

Whatever decision the 14 year old makes well its going to be a bit shit isn't it - thats unfortunately what happens when you're pregnant aged 14.

Having a termination will be horrid but equally having a baby will not be great will it - unsupported, no father on the scene and just 14.

I do think headless spoke sense.

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