Title: Teen Mothers: Designing a Fabulous Life
Author: Dr. Michelle Swann
Publisher: Amazon
ISBN: 0978-3-907432-74-7
Genre: Self-Help
Pages: 148
Reviewed by: Allison Walker
Pacific Book Review
“Parenthood is the number one reason teenage girls drop out of high school, and less than 2% of teen mothers get college degrees,” author Michelle Swann informs readers in her book Teen Mothers: Designing a Fabulous Life. However, if you want to provide a good life for your child, you must first create a good life for yourself. Having experienced teenage pregnancy herself, Swann is in a unique position to mentor young women going through the same experience. Her book is a combination of extensive research, priceless personal experience and invaluable encouragement.
Swann’s done a lot of research, so is able to deliver hard truths without sounding pessimistic. Her advice focuses on balancing personal health and career development with the challenges of being a mother. “Children are a gift, yet they also bring great responsibility, and you need to have a realistic view of those responsibilities,” Swann reminders readers. “Think of your pregnancy as a catalyst for a new mission in your life: to be the best parent you can be while pursuing your dream career.” Both her life advice and health advice are trustworthy. Swann goes heavily into what to expect during labor, birth and the newborn phase. Her information about caring for a newborn is probably comforting for new mothers. Swann reiterates that everyone’s experience is different, so you must become confident about standing up for yourself. One of her great regrets, she recalls, is not knowing how to stand up for herself during her pregnancy. How much easier her experience would have been if she spoke up!
Swann covers every topic imaginable but in an abbreviated way. Teen Mothers would be a much, much longer book if Swann was more thorough in her chapters. However, she definitely prompts thought into a variety of concerns teen mothers should be aware of, even if there is sometimes precious little advice on how to navigate them.
Teen Mothers is for teenagers who have already discussed and made the decision to both complete their pregnancy and keep the child. Keep in mind before picking up Teen Mothers that the book is for people who have decided both against an abortion and against adoption. While Swann mentions the options women have to make decisions about their reproductive health, it wasn’t her experience; she knew immediately she would give birth, so she doesn’t speak to that decision process.
Even though Swann asks readers early in the book to forgive her bad jokes, she’s really rather funny. It sounds like she’s worked to find humor in some hard situations. Swann recalls that her own experience as a teen mom was difficult, that she often lacked support and didn’t know how to ask for help. Teen Mothers is her way of mentoring and encouraging young women so they have an easier time navigating the challenges than she did. Her book is honest and respectful council for young women going through an exceptionally stressful and confusing time.
