Should be Required for All

My legs are swollen and I am feeling exhausted. So, I grabbed a Klondike bar, a blanket, my laptop and my remote. I tuned into a new show on MTV that is getting a lot of buzz. It's called 16 & Pregnant. Have you seen it yet?


When I first heard about it I thought it would be light hearted and might encourage teenagers to want to be parents. I thought oh great, that's just what we need in the United States. But, I started to see some ads and realized that it is a different kind of reality program. It. Is. Real. So real, that even though I am a mom of two, I am starting to freak out seeing how much work a newborn really is for the young mom. I have been there but this show brings it all back.


This weekend, my family was laughing about Lamaze and what a joke the child birth and preparation classes are. They should skip the breathing instructions and just ask who is planning on getting an epidural. That would save a lot of time. They could really skip the BS and focus on what you really need to know.


They should say:

You will get no sleep. You will learn to function on such a small amount of sleep that you'll be amazed. You will find out why sleep deprivation is a form of torture. You will soon not be able to eat at restaurants for a few years. Go out now and eat while you can take your time. Go to movies that are not rated G. Go to a mall or a bookstore and take your time. Browse. You will soon wonder where you spent your time.


They should also add:

You will learn how tough you are. You will amaze yourself. You will learn how to love unconditionally. You thought you could multitask before you had kids. You are now the MASTER of multitasking. You will be a great planner. You will soon run a tight ship. You will learn to laugh and enjoy your children. They will teach you. You will enjoy holidays more and experience your own childhood again. It will be the toughest job you have ever had but you will love it.


MTV's 16 & Pregnant should be required viewing for all new parents whether they are 16 or not. It is real. I once heard Will Smith say in an interview that once you have a baby you have to realize that you can't go back to your old life. Once you understand that, you can move on and enjoy being a parent. This program may help people better choices and prevent pregnancy. It may also help educate people so that they realize that parenting is hard work and continuous. And on top of that, 16 & Pregnant it is pretty entertaining. Set your DVR's and catch at least one episode for yourself.