Baby Ready or Not

Baby…Ready or Not program consists of five hours of classroom sessions. It introduces youth to the world of parenting, assists them in developing life skills and encourages them to defer parenting until marriage. Our goal is to develop healthy, happy teens who become mature responsible adults who are capable of becoming good parents. All youth take a pre-test regarding their attitudes toward raising children and then are prepared to take home a baby simulator. This baby simulator cries, coos, burps and requires a diaper change throughout the day and night. The youth is responsible for providing proper care, as though this were a real baby and they are to be with the baby at all times. Following the youths' baby care experience, they take a post-test, review journals and discuss their experiences.

The parent is asked to support the youth by helping to monitor the student's participation. The youth is completely responsible for the care of the baby. This impresses upon them the tremendous demands a baby places on a parent's time, energy and social life.

If you or your group is interested in implementing this free program in your organization, please contact: North Star.

"She was crying all night last night and I didn't get an hour of sleep.  I guess I'm kind of glad I'm giving her back tomorrow."

"You don't get as much freedom when you take care of a baby and you have to take care of it every hour."

"Having a baby changes your life.  You have to take care of a baby and so you don't have time for yourself and your social life."