TEENAGE MOMS LEARN PARENTING SKILLS

When Angila Tripp graduated from high school she had a plan for her life: college, a career, marriage and then a family. But an unplanned teenage pregnancy changed those plans.

"I never thought it could happen to me," said Tripp, now 20. "I was taking precautions against it. Well, it didn't work."

Her daughter, Winter Ann, is 10 months old.

Tripp is among more than 1 million teens who become pregnant each year in this country. Southeast Missouri and St. Louis City have the highest rate of teenage births in the state.

Concerns about these statistics prompted formation of the Teen Pregnancy and Responsibility Network in Cape Girardeau County in 1986. The network works toward prevention and education.

However, about two years ago representatives of that group realized that teens were still getting pregnant. A teen parenting course was developed to give young mothers and fathers information about raising a child and to help prevent repeat teen pregnancies.

"Statistics show that within the first year 50 percent are pregnant again, and about 75 percent are pregnant within two years," said Molly Strickland of Lutheran Children Family Services, one of the agencies supporting the parenting course.

A six-week session of the parenting preparation class starts Jan. 4. The class meets Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 at the Cape County Health Department, 1121 Linden. Transportation is available. To attend, call 335-4330.

"I was pregnant before I graduated from high school but didn't find out until in the summer," said Tripp. "I went to college one semester while I was pregnant.

"I couldn't believe it at first. Then I started thinking about what I would have to give up," Tripp recalled. "I knew I would have to find a job after she was born and build up finances. I knew I would have to apply for some assistance."

The baby's father has seen his daughter but does not pay child support, she said.

Tripp has been working, saving her money, and plans to re-enter college in January. Tripp hopes to work in a day-care or preschool.

Tripp said she had experience babysitting other children, but that experience didn't prepare her for the demands of full-time parenting.

"I still get concerned if I'm doing the right things, if I'm making the right decisions," said Tripp. "She is mine all the time. This is no temporary babysitting job."

Without the support of her mother, Tripp said she isn't sure what would have happened. "I still live with my mother," she explained. "Actually, my mother took it better than I did. I cried for a day and a half. She's been real supportive, and that's been a relief."

Tripp has spoken to high school classes about her experiences as a teen parent. "I never scorned a teen being pregnant. I felt sorry for them. Now I'm dealing with it. I was lucky enough to be out of high school before I had her. But it's not just having a baby. There is a lot more to it and a teen shouldn't have to go through it.

"It's not total hardship or torture, but not exactly easy. I don't see it as fun; I see it as a maturing process that happened just a little bit too soon.

"I wouldn't trade her in for the world, but I always will wish I had had her three or four years later. I had planned to have graduated and established a career and hopefully be married," Tripp said. "I am concerned about that -- not being married."

Lynne Cairns, children's service social worker with the Division of Family Services, is leading the parent classes starting in January.

"The goal is always education and prevention," Cairns said. "But the reality is that there are teens parenting."

Strickland said: "Over the past 10 years, the rate of teen pregnancy has increased about 10 percent. It's increased in all sectors -- black, white, all income levels."

In 1990 in Cape Girardeau County, 202 babies were born to wed and unwed mothers age 19 and younger. One of those babies was to a 12-year-old mother.

The classes cover topics including baby care; child support; balancing work, school, parenting and fun; and relationships.

"It is an awesome responsibility to care for a child," said Cairns. "I have found these teen mothers to be eager. They want to be good parents, but they need some support."

Both Cairns and Strickland also deal with adoption at their respective agencies. But they said by the time pregnant teens enroll in these classes most have decided to keep their babies.

In addition to the six-week preparation course, two on-going support groups are available for teen mothers. One is for teens under age 19; the other for single parents over age 19.

Tripp participated in the six-week parenting class and now attends a support group for single parents.

"The parent classes are great," she said. "You have a chance to talk to other teen mothers. Seeing other teen mothers and their babies helped me believe everything is not going to turn out awful."

The support groups also serve as clearinghouses directing teen parents to existing programs for job training, budgeting, and financial assistance.

Strickland also leads a three-part session for parents of pregnant teens. The next course begins Jan. 10.

"We have all this sexual freedom, but a pregnant daughter is still a hard blow to a family," Strickland said.

The course deals with topics that include the father's rights and responsibilities, child-support enforcement, and allowing a pregnant daughter to finish school or work part time.

"We hope to encourage parents to work as a back-up system to help their daughter be responsible and to keep the family ties connected," said Strickland. "We need to help them with family support so they can stay in school and eventually be responsible parents."

For information on the parenting class, call the health department at 335-4330. For information on the support group for single parents over age 19 or the parents of parenting teens class, call 334-5866.