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Teen ParentingHaving a Baby and Becoming a ParentIf you decide to have the baby and become a parent, you are NOT automatically emancipated from your parents. This means that while you have full parental rights over your baby, your parents still have parental rights over you and are still responsible for your financial support, housing, food, clothing, education and health. If you choose to become a parent, you are responsible for raising your child. Texas provides many programs that help support you as a parent and provide for your child: Texas Women's Health Program, CHIP Perinatal Coverage, Nurse-Family Partnership, WIC Nutrition Program, Early Childhood Intervention. You can also get child support from the baby's father. This includes both fathers who decide to help raise the child and fathers who do not want to be involved. You can find more information on how to get child support at the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Services site. The Texas Baby Moses LawIf you find that you cannot handle the task of parenting, Texas provides the “Baby Moses/Safe Haven” law. If your baby is under 60 days old, this law allows you to leave your baby at a designated safe location and not return. Your baby will be taken care of and you will not face any legal penalty. Safe places include hospitals, emergency clinics and fire stations. Finding Support
There are also other groups that will provide help and support for you as a teen parent: Girlmom |