According to the CDC, a total of 229,715 babies were born in 2015 with mothers 15-19 years old. To help ease these teens into parenthood, parent educator Wendy Keele runs a program here at Hastings High that helps pregnant and parenting teens in more ways than imaginable, ranging from finances to helping the teens develop into responsible young parents.
Keele is currently working with seven dads, twelve moms, and thirteen babies with ages ranging from two weeks to two and a half years. She organizes and runs events every few weeks to teach the parents new skills such as cooking and child safety. These events also help improve the bonds amongst the families.
“I hope that the teen parents are learning how important their role is as parents. They are their child’s first teacher. We really stress the importance of bonding and attachment for the parents and children. A strongly bonded parent and child is a huge asset for a child all through their life,” Keele said.
Former HHS student Iris Apodaca agrees with Keele that this program and these events help fortify her relationship with her child and teach her how to improve her parenting skills. These skills also apply to the children. Analaya, Iris’s daughter, has made new friends and improved socially because of these events.
Although, something Keele always puts emphasis on is to make sure the parents take care of themselves along with their children.
“At the monthly group meetings we always start with dinner, then there is a short educational piece, followed by a group activity with or without the children. For example, once we talked about the importance of self-care for parents and what they do for relaxation, the babies went into another room with a babysitter while the parents took turns getting a back massage by a licensed massage therapist,”
Both Apodaca and her partner, Tanner Farris, agree with Keele’s ideology. Sixpence has taught them that it is important to focus on themselves along side their daughter.
Sixpence is important because it provides help and education in their time of need. Sixpence is meant to help young adults get back on their feet and to become prepared for a bright future.
