Yvonnie Bailey- Davidson
Dear Counsellor:
I have a teenage daughter who is pregnant and so has dropped out of school. I am very disappointed in her behaviour and I don't know what to do about her.
Jennifer
Dear Jennifer:
Teenage pregnancy is a disappointment to parents and teenagers alike. Some teenagers deliberately get pregnant while others are caught unprepared. Teenagers need an education so that they can get a career. I would encourage you to plan to send your daughter to school after she has the baby. She will have to commit herself to abstinence (no sex) until she has finished her education. You will have to take the baby as if she was your own and support your daughter in her educational endeavours. It is a bitter disappointment when our children fall prey to early sexual activity.
Teenagers need to practise abstinence so that there are no unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases or abortions. Many teenagers do not realise the dangers facing them when they become sexually active. Teenagers don't understand the major responsibility that comes with sexual activity. Many teenagers have had their education interrupted because of unwanted pregnancy.
Adults will tell tales of unfulfilled dreams and lost visions because of an unwanted pregnancy. Many parents invested in their children's education so that they will not be as poor as the parents. When the children's lives are disrupted because of early sexual activity the cycle of poverty continues.
Parents need to warn their teenagers of the perils of early sexual activity and we need programmes that emphasise abstinence and the severe consequences of early sexual activity.
Caregiving
is difficult
Dear Counsellor:
I am working with an elderly woman who has Alzeihemers disease. I find the job to be very difficult and I am thinking of quitting. Do you have any suggestion?
Enid
Dear Enid:
Any job is difficult and things seem easy to a few. Work is arduous and taxing as every working individual knows. You need to put certain stress management processes in place to help yourself to cope. An individual needs to have supportive friends and family to weather the stresses of life.
Meditation and relaxation exercises help a great deal. It is a good idea to attend church and learn to pray and seek prayers from your congregation. Nutrition and exercise are essential as well as getting a good night's rest. Nutritional supplements are important, so you should take them. An annual medical examination is vital to your care.
Alzeihemers is a medical condition in which the mind of an individual deteriorates in such a way that the individual is beyond being a baby. It is sad to see the plight of these individuals and their care is very taxing on their caregivers. Caregivers need respite care as they will suffer behaviour problems from over work.
The relatives and friends of the patient need to be supportive of each other. There have to be several caregivers for an individual to give the caregivers a break from time to time. It is difficult to be a caregiver because of the physical and emotional stress associated with the work. Caregivers have to take good care of them and replenish their strength on a daily basis.
In some countries they have caregivers' conferences and seminars as well as magazines and newsletter to keep the caregivers informed and supported. You can get support from other caregivers and even think of forming an association.
Dr. Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson; El Shaddai Medical Centre; 9274824; yvonniebd@Hotmail.Com
