Talking to our kids is the best way to cut teen pregnancies

“Becoming a parent is the most fulfilling thing ever. But not before you have lived and learned.”

It’s the news any parent would dread to learn that your 12-year-old daughter is pregnant.

Last week the father of the girl who is said to be Britain’s youngest mum, spoke about his reaction when he found out his daughter was pregnant by her 13-year-old boyfriend. The baby was born last Sunday.

“I’m not ashamed of my daughter,” her father said. “Shame doesn’t come into it. She has brought something beautiful into the world and we’re all going to stand by her.”

The new mum was in her last year at primary school when she became pregnant.

Now, you could look at this and say it’s clearly a sign of broken Britain when a 12 and 13-year-old are parents.

You could ask where we’ve gone wrong? You could blame schools for not telling pupils how to protect themselves if they are having sex.

And you might well wonder what the right age is to give advice about contraception.

Back in the day it was generally accepted that these “talks” began at secondary school by someone trained to do so or your mum. Big embarrassment all round!

My mother left a book on my bed explaining menstruation. I read it and when she asked me if I had any questions I hastily mumbled ‘no’.

I tried my own version of “the talk” with my daughter when she was 13. She put her hands over her ears and said “yuk”. Conversation over.

But it has to be done. And clearly the sooner the better.

At 12 and 13 what can these new parents offer their baby? They may love their child and each other but it’s heartbreaking to think of a pre-teen mum coping with a new baby.

What of the parents’ future? Where do they fit education around having a baby? Or ever having a chance to do all the normal teenage things like going to a disco, hanging out with pals, planning a holiday, travelling.

This story is a warning to every parent of teenagers we must give them the sex education they need.

Becoming a parent is the most fulfilling thing ever. But not before you have lived and learned.

Having a baby to love may sound a great idea as a plot in a soap, but the reality is much harder.

I wish this new little family all the luck in the world. They’ll need it.