Britney's sister pregnant

[70707Bride]

I just saw this on Yahoo and thought I would share!

Jamie Lynn Spears says she's pregnant

NEW YORK - Another Spears baby is reportedly on the way and it's not Britney's. Jamie Lynn Spears (http://omg.yahoo.com/jamie-lynn-spears/celebs/270), the 16-year-old "Zoey 101" star and sister of Britney, told OK! magazine that she's pregnant and that the father is her boyfriend, Casey Aldridge.

"It was a shock for both of us, so unexpected," she said. "I was in complete and total shock and so was he."

Spears is 12 weeks along and initially kept the news to herself when she learned of the pregnancy from an at-home test and subsequent doctor visit, she told the celebrity magazine, which hits stands in New York on Wednesday and the rest of the country by Friday.

What message does she want to send to other teens about premarital sex? "I definitely don't think it's something you should do; it's better to wait," she told the magazine. "But I can't be judgmental because it's a position I put myself in."

After she found out from a doctor that she was pregnant, she said, "I took two weeks to myself where I didn't tell anybody."

"Only one of my friends knew because I needed to work out what I would do for myself before I let anyone's opinion affect my decision. Then I told my parents and my friends. I was scared, but I had to do what was right for me," she said.

Spears broke the news to her mother, Lynne, just before Thanksgiving, the magazine reported.

"She was very upset because it wasn't what she expected at all," Spears said. "A week after, she had time to cope with it and became very supportive."

Lynne Spears, already grandmother to Britney's young sons, told the magazine: "I didn't believe it because Jamie Lynn's always been so conscientious. She's never late for her curfew. I was in shock. I mean, this is my 16-year-old baby."

She said her actress daughter, the telegenic heroine of her popular Nickelodeon series, has known Aldridge for years and began dating him in high school.

But in a recent interview with The Associated Press, Spears said she had no steady boyfriend. "I kind of just keep my options open," she said. "I have a bunch of friends that I always hang out with, a bunch of guy friends." She declined to talk about her older sister.

Spears spoke to the AP shortly before Thanksgiving, the day she told OK! she informed her mother about the pregnancy.

Jamie Lynn plans to raise the baby in her home state of Louisiana "so it can have a normal family life."

Nickelodeon released a statement: "We respect Jamie Lynn's decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation. We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn's well being."

A publicist for the network did not immediately respond to phone and e-mail requests for additional comment.

"Zoey 101" is scheduled to conclude its third season Jan. 4 with a cliffhanger episode in which Spears' character must decide whether to leave her fictional Pacific Coast Academy boarding school in California to join her parents in London.

The show is scheduled to resume in February, and its producer, Dan Schneider, has said filming on the fourth season has already been completed.

[sjk1431]

I just ready that on people. :purplex:

[nic1124]

omg. i mean wow.

[s_r_d3]

Yeah I cant say anything but WOW on this one.

[frenchie]

She actually sounds like a responsible young girl - unlike her sister.
She has a very good attitude about all this and I'm glad she wants to raise her baby to have a normal family life.

[TangoWedding]

She doesn't sound that responsible to me! :purplex:

I think it's downright hilarious that their mother is in the process of writing a book on how to be a good parent. With Britney and now Jamie Lynn as daughters? HA!!

It's sad. Very sad. So many young girls look up to these kids!

:rain:

[StarCoveter]

I heard about it this morning on the radio. I couldn't believe it either! She is so young, no matter how "responsible" people think she is being. Hopefully she will be able to provide a good life. Thankfully she's earned a bit of money so that will help.

[70707Bride]

I think that no matter how good of a parent you think you are, you can't stop your kids from doing stuff like this. But at least she's going to raise it normally.

[bichonlvr]

She actually sounds like a responsible young girl - unlike her sister.
She has a very good attitude about all this and I'm glad she wants to raise her baby to have a normal family life.

Ummm how responsible can you truly be??????

She wants to raise her kid in Louisiana to have a "normal" life PUHLEASE!

She should be placed in Foster care because her parents are complete IDIOTS to have raised two such morons baffles me, I can see ONE, but TWO idiots!!!!

The worst part of ALL is that SOOO many young girls look up to both hoes!

[septemberbride06]

okay, who is this Casey Aldridge fella? lol I even googled him and still no pictures lol

[bichonlvr]

He is a smart cookie...set for life with $$$$...it is her BF from HS I think

[70707Bride]

okay, who is this Casey Aldridge fella? lol I even googled him and still no pictures lol

Its her bf. I don't think he's famous.

[Nekochanpurr]

Thats sad. Haha, i agree Megan, the mom sure as heck don't have a good track record! That book is going to be a train wreck... I won't lie, my first thought was 'way to show the kids how to get knocked up!' >.< Seriously, do they not have any GOOD role models?

[TangoWedding]

Hopefully she will be able to provide a good life. Thankfully she's earned a bit of money so that will help.


Britney has a lot more money than her sister does and look how she's doing with her kids. (And I hear she's preggers for a third time?)

Hopefully, the little 16-year-old will do better. MAN, that's a sad case.

[70707Bride]

Britney has a lot more money than her sister does and look how she's doing with her kids. (And I hear she's preggers for a third time?)

Hopefully, the little 16-year-old will do better. MAN, that's a sad case.

I haven't heard that she's pregnant again. But who knows!

[bichonlvr]

I heard that she was knocked up again...but I think it is all of the booze! HEE HEE!!!

[NicksBride]

I really thought she would bypass this whole life that britney has for herself. I just hope that she gets the help she needs early on and figures out how to raise this baby properly.
I also heard that her boyfriend is 19 and that is considered illegal for a 16 year old to have relations with a 19 year old

[WBandMe]

Do you guys remember, what, 9 years ago when Britney's first album came out, and she was always so cute in interviews with her little accent and perfect hair? Man, WHAT happened? When she posed for that magazine cover in lingerie people acted like it was the end of the world--if only they knew what was coming! I do admire that Jamie Lynn is planning on keeping her baby, but I hope it's not the same as Britney where she's able to financially support the kid but that's about it.

[tootsie]

It's sad but I'm not surprised! There are lots of girls on my both of my parent's sides who got pregnant between 16 and 20 years old. I was lucky because my mom drilled into my head not to get pregnant that young. She was 16 when she had me and her parents practically raised me when I was little. When I was 16 she told me that she didn't know a penis could get you pregnant; I was in shock. She also showed me a brochure of sexually transmitted diseases! Yeah, I was scared to have sex after seeing herpes on a penis, hahah! My mom also told me I should get on the pill when I was ready to have sex. I'm thankful my mom and I had talks because if I got pregnant as a teenager, I'd be miserable! Oh well, you live and you learn.

[Steffie1100]

I know its very hard to believe!! Well, I wish her well thats all I can say at this time.

[frenchie]

Well I have to admit that I feel for her a little - just because she's a celeb, she's getting judged. But she is keeping the baby - as opposed to aborting it, and seriously those of you who haven't ever done anything stupid start throwing stones at her, ok.

Lots of teen girls have babies at 16 - it's sad, it's hard for them, but in a sense I admire them because you have to be pretty brave to take on the "mom" job so young instead of going the "easy" route.

And Britney - did you ever consider that if she wasn't in show-biz she might be a perfectly reasonable, good, person?
I think showbiz is sick - it really does something to you. Girls are constantly pressured to act like sl*ts and so that's what they end up becoming.

At least Jamie here isn't acting like her sister - it's a normal-person mistake she made here - heck maybe it was a one-time slipup which explains the absence of BC, because they wanted to wait or something.

[FLAteacher]

That mom must be thinking she has failed as a parent.
First, there's Britney.....'nuff said.
Now, her 16 yr. old daughter is having a baby with an 18 yr. old.

She raised 'em well!!

[frenchie]

That mom must be thinking she has failed as a parent.
First, there's Britney.....'nuff said.
Now, her 16 yr. old daughter is having a baby with an 18 yr. old.

She raised 'em well!!

A little bit of context - the guy wasn't a random hookup but her boyfriend of 3 years.

I'm waiting til my wedding night, I've been with my FH for 3 years and I know waiting is hard - and being 16 doesn't change that - it's still hard.
What she did is not right, but I don't think that anyone has the right to judge her. I certainly am not.

[FLAteacher]

A little bit of context - the guy wasn't a random hookup but her boyfriend of 3 years.

I'm waiting til my wedding night, I've been with my FH for 3 years and I know waiting is hard - and being 16 doesn't change that - it's still hard.
What she did is not right, but I don't think that anyone has the right to judge her. I certainly am not.

She is supposed to me someone who little girls and young tweens look upon. They might even idolize her like some did when Brit Brit hit Hollywood. Now she is frowned upon. Disney is not happy what this "idol" did. It hurt her career doing Zoey 101 and even a future in Nick.

Her BF of 2 yrs....not 3 yrs. (E! and Access Hollywood)

[Krimangel]

I heard this and didnt know what to think, I am sad for her because she has no clue as to how this is going to change her life. I think about when she is my age 25 she will have a 8/9 year old, thats huge. I know people do it all the time and there is a chance she can pull it off, but its a struggle no young person needs.

Side note I read where he might be facing charges because she is so young, but if the parents dont file them, then the state probally wont pick them up. Its just sad.

Another side note, not that it compares, but I heard jessica alba is also preggers. She is so cute, I am happy for her, but I kinda have a feeling it was unexpected.

Good luck to both of them.

[rainbowtreat]

While she is only 16 yes it is a good thing that she is keeping it. But yet i would not want my daughter in 8 yrs time have an idol of 16 yrs old and see she gets pregnant. I can see where ever one is coming from.

As for her sister.... I heard that becuase she had not had any news on her lately that she stole a $1 lighter just to get attention. Now she needs help.

I don't know much about Jaime and I can say I have not seen her in the media and such. So I am sure this was a mistake. But it is hard being in the lime light. She was a model for alot of little girls who are not even 16 yet. Just comign from a mom with a daughter who will be there very soon.

I know that we as parents are responsible for our children. But you can raise a child with morals and a good back ground but they can still make mistakes. My ex seems to think that I will let my son turn into a terro and he will have to take him to straighten him out. As I was speaking with my friend about this she informed me that her and her borther were raised with the same parents, same morals, always going to church, they were treated the same. Yet she is a big church going, on her feet with a good job, good marriage, a new home and so on. Her brother has just got out of prison where he has been in and out for the last 5 yrs. Tell me that that was the parents falt. Yes I am sure that the Spears' mom feels like she failed some where. But kids make mistakes no matter what they were taught and how they are raised.

[BrideInCuffs21]

As ridiculous as this sounds, I think Jamie Spears will be a better mother than Brit. I mean you haven't heard or seen Jamie in the bars or alcohol rehab already so maybe this baby has a chance!!!

[frenchie]

About girls looking up to her as a role model, sure that complicates things.
But I think it's much harder on a little girl to see this happen to someone she actually knows, like a sister, or the pastor's daughter, or even some random older girl at school or at church that she might have looked up to, than to some random actress in a show.
I used to really look up to Britney when I was like 10, and when she started getting messed up did I lose my identity, and become a sl*t? Nope!
Because there were other role models in my life I could look up to, including my parents and older kids at youth group.
I think Britney's debacle actually helped me talk to my parents and opened up some communication with my mom about modesty, sex, waiting, etc... we had talked before, but after that I was a bit more open to talk, maybe. Can't say I remember very well - at any rate having a star mess up does NOT change a kid's life permanently. It might just dissapoint them.
No-one is saying what she's doing is awesome.In fact so many people are being harsh on her that I think kids will get the message : preggers at 16 is NOT cool.

[70707Bride]

I heard about the lighter too. That is so stupid...like she can't afford $1?

[crazycatlady]

i agree with the people who said we can't judge her. what if this were your sister or your daughter? would you be shouting and screaming at them? hopefully you would be supportive. my sister got pregnant at 17 and accidents happen. even with condoms and birth control and the rhythm method - stuff happens. at least she is being upfront about it, not hiding it or, like someone else said, going in and out of rehab.

Like anyone in here has never had that invinciblility feeling before? we all have. every kid does, its in our nature. and at least she is mature enough to have a plan before going to the media. at least shes not hiding it then putting it in a dumpster. i think that keeping teen pregnancy out of the eye of teens is the worst thing you can do. someone will watch her struggle and see "i dont want that". even with my sister having a kid i still lost my virginity at 15 and luckily i dodged several bullets in my life from not being safe.

i think its too easy for people over the age of say 21 to forget what its like to be 15 or 16. we all say we remember but do we really? if we did we wouldnt be saying things like this. i like to remember that until you walk a day in someone elses shoes, can you really judge them? i dont think anyone can judge anyone because we never know anyone's circumstances. at any rate, hiding real problems like this does not do anything. we need to publicize it and come out with it to let girls know that this happens everyday. then maybe when it happens to them they wont be so scared. its not going to stop happening so just be thankful it happened to a girl who has the means to support it.

and who cares if it was 2 years, not 3 years? thats still longer than most relationships it seems like now a days. seems like thats longer than most marriages anymore lol

[HisMuse]

I don't think parent's have a lot of say in the stupid things their children do so it's not that which makes me curious. It's the fact that they always seem to act so religious and all about virginity. I think we all know now that it was a lot of preaching and it was more about making their children look better in Hollywood.

[frenchie]

I don't think parent's have a lot of say in the stupid things their children do so it's not that which makes me curious. It's the fact that they always seem to act so religious and all about virginity. I think we all know now that it was a lot of preaching and it was more about making their children look better in Hollywood.

For Britney I tend to agree with you, but for her sister, from what I've gathered about what she's like, sounds like she genuinely held it as an ideal, much as many of the girls on this board do and encourage those of us who wait, while not choosing to apply it to themselves, which is a personal choice I'm not judging. So I don't see why we should hold stars to any different standard.

I've lived my life in a (minor) limelight, and I know I've done stupid things. Maybe not THAT big, but still stupid. And I'm glad it didn't get out necessarily to everyone I know, let alone the entire world. It takes courage to face it, and I think that if people were more supportive stars would care more about not dissapointing them.
I know that if a person disses me no matter WHAT I do, my attitude in the end is : "Who freakin cares? I'll do whatever I please - and if it ticks that person off, woohoo to me!"

And it seems to me all the judging is about the pregnancy when for me, the issue is not so much the pregnancy but the sex. Like no one CARES about whether or not she's sleeping with her boyfriend, when they moved in together i didn't hear anything about it like no big deal.
Well getting pregnant is a possible natural consequence of sex, no matter how careful you are, it can happen to you. And for that reason, if I judge her for anything, it's for not waiting until she had her wedding band on her finger. But if I start judging people who don't wait until their wedding night, and if y'all do too, well sounds like some of you are in trouble! Thankfully I'm humble enough to say that we're all human and it's not easy - in fact it's awful hard to wait. And boy! am I glad I only have 1 month, 3 weeks and 5 days left!

[HisMuse]

I didn't mean to sound I was judging the girl I mean I kind of smirk at the parents who tried to make it out like their daughters were virginal or whatever. The sister seems fine, I have no problem with her. I did stupid things at her age too and I feel bad for her and her situation especially being in the public eye like that. I just think parents need to stop being so naive about their teenagers. Kids will find a way to do whatever they want.

[bichonlvr]

I think what gets me is the holier then though attitude of the MOM!!!! I mean come on writing that book published by CHRISTIANS and having two of your daughters be such a mess. I mean Brittney is a WAY BIG MESS!!!

I get that you raise your kids one way blah blah blah...but they were NOT raised. I truly feel this mom pimped out her daughters and then was "using" them for her stardom!

THERAPY!!!!

[crazycatlady]

frenchie - what kind of "minor" limelight?

lets not bring religion into the discussion cause i think we all know where that leads. christians can be just as messed up and corrupt as atheists and buddhists and muslims etc. there is no boundary saying that christians never make mistakes or do anything bad. i think that is part of the problem is people assuming that when a person is christian that means they wont slip up so then that person gets even more **** when christians are people just like everyone else. i grew up in an irish catholic household and went to church every sunday, went to CCD, got confirmed, did my first communion etc... but i still lost my virginity at 15, started smoking at 14, got arrested etc... someone being christian does not exempt someone from being human. not trying to attack you, just my opinion.

[EarlyBird]

not really sure if that book deal will go through now. i know if i was funding a project for someone like that i would pull it---My real feelings on this is that this girl is supposed to be a role model, yet in her press release she stated she HID this from her parents, etc etc.. Doesnt sound like she is too far behind britney

[bichonlvr]

not really sure if that book deal will go through now. i know if i was funding a project for someone like that i would pull it---My real feelings on this is that this girl is supposed to be a role model, yet in her press release she stated she HID this from her parents, etc etc.. Doesnt sound like she is too far behind britney

DITTTTOOOOOOO

[EarlyBird]

and is it just me or did her press release incinuate that she may have been considering abortion?? Now im sure ill gett "booed" for this but im pro choice... but still if i was famous, i wouldnt make it known or not if i was considering abortion -- esp at 16... she needs to learn that sometimes releasing less info if better...

The incinuation im referring to is where she said she took two weeks to "thnk about what she was going to do" after she found out and before she told her parents..

[crazycatlady]

im sure that could have included adoption as well as abortion. and once again i think its better to be open about these things as they are real issues. roe v. wade was passed for a reason and, like you earlybird, i am pro choice. i think if i were famous i would use my publicity to spread the word that the things they teach in school about abortion and sex ed are basically just scare tactics.

you shouldnt get booed for being pro choice, everyone here is voicing their opinions. :) i couldnt tell you how many times ive been called a "baby killer" or someone has tried to run me off the road (no joke) for my political views so i will never boo someone for that! lol

[Measha]

I think it's just silly how much publicity any of this is getting. As others ahve pointed out it is just far too easy for most to forget that they are human beings, just like the rest of us. There are -far- worse parents out there than Brittney or her mother...they just don't get as much attention.

I don't know, I've just never gotten the deal with the big "celebrity" thing. People are people, we all F' up. How well worded and poised would you stay with millions of people watching your every move?

[frenchie]

frenchie - what kind of "minor" limelight?

lets not bring religion into the discussion cause i think we all know where that leads. christians can be just as messed up and corrupt as atheists and buddhists and muslims etc. there is no boundary saying that christians never make mistakes or do anything bad. i think that is part of the problem is people assuming that when a person is christian that means they wont slip up so then that person gets even more **** when christians are people just like everyone else. i grew up in an irish catholic household and went to church every sunday, went to CCD, got confirmed, did my first communion etc... but i still lost my virginity at 15, started smoking at 14, got arrested etc... someone being christian does not exempt someone from being human. not trying to attack you, just my opinion.

That was kinda my point actually. Minor limelight being pastor's daughter. I always knew that if I messed up bigtime I'd be in BIG trouble and it wasn't always HUGE pressure but at times was frustrating still.
Yes people do have larger expectations, but you're still human.
And in case you didn't notice, I've been defending Jamie Lynn. I've been saying "don't judge her", "she's only human" - all along! And trying to show the hypocrisy of the media and of people's comments on the internet (and not necessarily on this board, where people are generally pretty understanding and kind), people who on average, are having sex at age 17 (in the USA that's the average) which objectively ISN'T much older or much more mature than 16, and so WHY is she being judged so harshly?

[frenchie]

not really sure if that book deal will go through now. i know if i was funding a project for someone like that i would pull it---My real feelings on this is that this girl is supposed to be a role model, yet in her press release she stated she HID this from her parents, etc etc.. Doesnt sound like she is too far behind britney

c'mon. If I got pregnant now, even I would probably hide it from my parents a couple weeks! Does that make me Britney Spears or just a human who gets scared and doesn't know what to do!
When something this big happens to you, you need time to think.

[cameron]

I heard this news 2 days ago in our local t.v station here in my country, and wow, I simply can't believe it. Shes still 16 and shes already pregnant. But then again, I was glad that she handled her situation well, unlike her older sister, Britney.

[soontobemrs]

I'm kind of torn with this situation. As the mother of a 7 year old daughter, it scares the hell out of me. As mentioned earlier in the post, no matter what type of parent you are, our children are going to have a mind of their own and make their own decisions - unfortunately, we have to allow them to live and learn. I was pregnant at 16 and at that time I thought it was the most wonderful thing - looking back now, there is no way I would have made to where I am now and it is scary (I miscarried) - It's scary now being 33 with a 7 yr old - it scares me that I have to allow her to think for herself and make her own decisions - as much as I don't want to, I have to let her have a mind of her own one day. I can beat things like don't do drugs and don't have sex in her head until I'm blue in the face but in the end, I know she's going to do what she wants to do. She too young right now to discuss sex with her but I constantly talk to her about drugs and what they can do to you. I just pray that when she is older she will remember what I told her.

But on the flip side, Spears is supposed to be a role model - things happen, I know this. I don't think she was being rebellious, or it was done purposely but there are so many children that were looking up to her and it just doesn't send a good message.

Like I said, I'm torn - this is a tough one.

[Measha]

But on the flip side, Spears is supposed to be a role model - things happen, I know this. I don't think she was being rebellious, or it was done purposely but there are so many children that were looking up to her and it just doesn't send a good message.

I think she should be removed from her series most likely. Because yes it's a kid's network.

However, I still maintain that the whole celebrity thing is rediculous.

[WendyNC]

I don't see how the Spears sisters or any of these other celebrities are "role models" for little kids. Just b/c someone is famous does not make them a role model. I would hope that parents would use "real life" people as role models for their kids - themselves, other family members, friends, etc - people they KNOW to be sane and stable. It's one thing to let your kids watch the tv shows, it is another to let them idolize the stars. I know that the networks try to push that role model thing, but as parents you have to try to prevent that.

[crazycatlady]

frenchie - i wasnt trying to say that i was arguing with you or anything. i was agreeing with you. sorry if it came across that way, wasn't trying to attack you or anyone else.

[frenchie]

frenchie - i wasnt trying to say that i was arguing with you or anything. i was agreeing with you. sorry if it came across that way, wasn't trying to attack you or anyone else.

oh ok :)
I feel better now! thanks for clarifying... I guess it was the punctuation that seemed aggressive for some reason. On internet you can't see a person's facial expressions, so you tend to assume a lot with punctuation I think. Sorry!

[tootsie]

I don't see how the Spears sisters or any of these other celebrities are "role models" for little kids. Just b/c someone is famous does not make them a role model. I would hope that parents would use "real life" people as role models for their kids - themselves, other family members, friends, etc - people they KNOW to be sane and stable. It's one thing to let your kids watch the tv shows, it is another to let them idolize the stars. I know that the networks try to push that role model thing, but as parents you have to try to prevent that.

I agree with you. I saw a clip from Britney's sister's show and the guy in it said, "Want to make out?" Now, if my kids were watching that, I'd turn it off and have them watch something else. I guess it depends on the age of the kids, but that is not appropriate and I can't believe Nickelodeon would allow that. When I was 7 to 13 years old, I watched Nickelodoen a lot and I don't remember hearing things like that, it just tells you that things have really changed. It's scary to me; I just want to protect my future kids from stuff like that as long as I can. She and Britney are definitely not role models.

[lizardbnorton]

I don't see how the Spears sisters or any of these other celebrities are "role models" for little kids. Just b/c someone is famous does not make them a role model. I would hope that parents would use "real life" people as role models for their kids - themselves, other family members, friends, etc - people they KNOW to be sane and stable. It's one thing to let your kids watch the tv shows, it is another to let them idolize the stars. I know that the networks try to push that role model thing, but as parents you have to try to prevent that.

Are you telling me you never looked up to an actress while you were growing up? I don't think it's so much that the networks are pushing the role model thing, it's that kids have dreams and they see these people with all this money and they're famous and popular and want to be like them. I agree that parents should try to prevent it, but that's not always possible. Kids with idolize who they want, and it will change constantly.

I definitely think she needed to be more careful. She was a role model for many young adults and children. At that age she shouldn't have been sexually active, but like others have said the average is 17 and lots of people have lost their virginity by then. It's done with now. She's pregnant and she's going to have the baby and hopefully raise it better than her sister has been doing. Let's get over it now.

[crazycatlady]

not to be attacking or anything, but hasnt anyone else noticed that when kids are "protected" those are the kids that go overboard? my parents let me do just about anything i wanted growing up. i learned about sex and drugs and watched r rated movies. compared to my friends who were "protected" i have a much better head on my shoulders and have not made half the mistakes they have. 7 is plenty old to talk about sex. instead of trying to shelter your children, you should allow them to experience things as they come along. if sex comes up at age 7, then talk about it. y'know? i just know a lot my friends wish their parents wouldnt have sheltered them so much because now that theyre in the "real world" theyre lost and im fine. take it how you like. just my opinion.

[tootsie]

not to be attacking or anything, but hasnt anyone else noticed that when kids are "protected" those are the kids that go overboard? my parents let me do just about anything i wanted growing up. i learned about sex and drugs and watched r rated movies. compared to my friends who were "protected" i have a much better head on my shoulders and have not made half the mistakes they have. 7 is plenty old to talk about sex. instead of trying to shelter your children, you should allow them to experience things as they come along. if sex comes up at age 7, then talk about it. y'know? i just know a lot my friends wish their parents wouldnt have sheltered them so much because now that theyre in the "real world" theyre lost and im fine. take it how you like. just my opinion.

I think it doesn't matter if you're sheltered or not. My husband's parents were very protective of him as a teen. Once when I came over, I saw an abstinence book and movie. His parents wanted him to know about sex and the consequences. They cared about him and he has turned out very good today. They also wanted him to call them a lot when he was out. I didn't understand it because my parents were a little more lenient on me, but now I do understand. They cared very much about him and wanted the best for him, but yes only he could make his own decisions. He has not gone overboard; he is aware of things. One of my cousins grew up in a strict household but her parents did not stress education and never talked to her about sex. She did not get her high school diploma and she now has 3 kids at 25 and she had a hysterectomy.

I think parents should educate their kids about sex but also let them live their lives. Parents need to be involved in their lives and care about what they do. It's imporant to guide kids in the right direction.