They find themselves having to grow up overnight and becoming a parent while their peers are still experiencing their teen years. This is part of being a teen parent. They have so much growing up to do in a short time and so much to learn.

Learning household responsibilities is a very important step in this process. Learning how to cook will be a necessity since they will most likely not have the extra monies for fast food and eating out. Along with cooking comes, food safety (how long to keep food before it ruins, how long to cook things, cleaning and preparing food), shopping while staying on a budget, cleaning, etc. Learning how to do laundry and other household cleaning is a major part of being a parent.

Budgeting is probably the foundation of the household. Most teens do not have the first idea how to pay monthly bills or what will happen if they do not pay them. A foster teen mom will not have to keep a household budget but they do need to learn the skill by learning to budget and managing their monies. This could be the teen mother budgeting and keeping up with the expense of her baby even though you, as the foster mother, are providing for them. If they are not given the opportunity to work on these skills with your guidance, they surly will face some major money issues when they become independent.

Learning to manage mishaps is another area they need to experience with your help. It can be a situation as simple as what to do when they burn dinner or as major as when their baby gets sick. They have to learn that they can handle a problem or at least how to call for help if they need to with you guiding them through the situation. Running and be responsible for a home is a major effort for an adult, let alone a teen mother.

More reading:

Foster Parents Parenting Pregnant Teens or Teen Moms

Foster Teen Moms: Responsibilities

Foster Teen Moms: Child Care