The length of time a girl remains in the shepherding
home after the birth of the baby is up to the family or the guiding organization. Whatever
time period is chosen, the same problem seems to arise - where does the girl go from here?
Some girls have definite plans, but we have found that the majority do not. This problem
should be anticipated well in advance of the baby’s due date.
We have found that many girls have unrealistic plans for their
future. For example, they might talk of moving to the city, getting a well-paying job,
going to college, etc. When faced with such questions as "where will you live",
"how will you pay for tuition", "who will watch the baby"; they have
no answer. It is the job of the shepherding family, not only to shelter the girl during
her pregnancy, but also to help prepare her for the future. When the time comes for the
girl to leave, she needs to have a place to go, a plan of action, and some type of income.
Because each situation will be different, it is difficult to even
offer suggestions. We recommend the Loving and Caring workbooks mentioned earlier. These
are excellent tools usable to help a girl realistically anticipate the demands of living
on her own. Many states offer jobs and housing for low income individuals. Aide for
Dependent Children (AFDC) varies from state to state, but is a good starting point.
The future is a subject that should be discussed from the start of a
girl’s stay in the home. She should know from the beginning when she is expected to
leave. This knowledge helps prevent her from putting off these hard questions until after
the baby is born. Definite, workable plans will give her a sense of direction and a
"new Life" to look forward to.
