It can be a tough job…
The hours are long and you have to be on call 24 hours a day, pretty much for the rest of your life.
So it’s fair to say that for a young person, the prospect of becoming a parent could be a daunting one.
The up-side of course is that parenthood is probably the most life fulfilling thing that anyone could ever do. Wigan Council’s Teenage Pregnancy Team is showing young parents and parents-to-be exactly how rewarding it can be through a series of events that mix the business of parenthood with pleasure.
The Time 4 U events are already proving popular with young parents and parents-to-be and more are planned, soon.
Organiser and Teenage Pregnancy reintegration officer Michelle Davies says:
“There’s no doubt being a parent can be stressful and Time 4 U is a great chance for everyone to relax, let their hair down and have some fun.
“We offer a range of activities for teen parents, parents-to-be and, of course, the children. These include everything from beauty treatments, baby massage, biscuit decorating and face-painting.
“We also have people on hand to offer help and advice with parent and child issues such as play, sleep and behaviour.”
Michelle adds: “It’s not just for mums and mums-to-be as well because we have plenty of activities that would suit dad as well.”
As well as the fun there’s a chance for young people to consider their futures by meeting with and talking to professionals from a range of local services including Sure Start, the Connexions careers service and Wigan and Leigh College.
Michelle says: “Parents and parents-to-be are entitled to spoil themselves every now and again and we’ll have plenty going on to keep the kids occupied.”
She adds: “For our part we want to improve teenagers’ awareness of the range of services available to them. It’s a great day and is aimed at teenage parents and parents-to-be across the borough.
“The only other thing to mention is that all the events and activities that make up Time 4 U are free!”
- The next Time 4 U event will be held at the Sure Start Children’s Centre on Mornington Road, Hindley, between 11am and 3pm on Saturday July 7.
- For more information contact Wigan’s Teenage Pregnancy Team on 01942 828918.
