Good Beginnings Conference

If your teen-age daughter is raising a child in your home, you're probably eager to share what you've learned about parenting with her. But before you speak up, consider this message to parents from a group of teen mothers who participated in a recent workshop on three-generational living: Don't give advice unless you're asked.

Jesus Garcia was in the ninth grade when he learned that his girlfriend was pregnant. "At first, I didn't believe her," said Garcia, who, at 15, is now the father of a 2-month-old baby. "I never thought I would end up being a dad so young." Mark Fausto, 17, is looking for a job that will allow him to stay in high school while supporting his teen-age girlfriend, who is five months pregnant and lives with Fausto and his mother.

Jesus Garcia was in the ninth grade when he learned that his girlfriend was pregnant. "At first, I didn't believe her," said Garcia, who, at 15, is now the father of a 2-month-old baby. "I never thought I would end up being a dad so young." Mark Fausto, 17, is looking for a job that will allow him to stay in high school while supporting his teen-age girlfriend, who is five months pregnant and lives with Fausto and his mother.

At first, Norma was thrilled when she found out she was pregnant at 15. Having a child seemed like the perfect way to escape her own unhappy childhood. "I felt that nobody loved me, and I needed somebody to love who would love me back," she said. "I thought, 'The baby will be so cute. I'll dress him up, and he'll be like my doll, and when I want him to shut up, he'll shut up.'

At first, Norma was thrilled when she found out she was pregnant at 15. Having a child seemed like the perfect way to escape her own unhappy childhood. "I felt that nobody loved me, and I needed somebody to love who would love me back," she said. "I thought, 'The baby will be so cute. I'll dress him up, and he'll be like my doll, and when I want him to shut up, he'll shut up.'

Reflecting the growing number of teen-age pregnancies in Orange County, about 400 teens turned out Wednesday for a pregnancy and parenting conference, more than double the number at a similar event last year. Some were under age 14. Sponsors of the conference said they were alarmed at reports that more teens are becoming sexually active at younger ages. In addition, they cited continuing high teen birthrates despite widespread acknowledgment of the social and financial problems that ensue.

For many of the 400 pregnant and parenting teen-agers attending the recent Good Beginnings conference at the Pan Pacific Hotel, the day turned out to offer much more than a succession of formal seminars. Belen Zaragoza, 17, who has a 15-month-old daughter, said the conference gave her a chance to learn about male and female feelings.

If your teen-age daughter is raising a child in your home, you're probably eager to share what you've learned about parenting with her. But before you speak up, consider this message to parents from a group of teen mothers who participated in a recent workshop on three-generational living: Don't give advice unless you're asked.

Reflecting the growing number of teen-age pregnancies in Orange County, about 400 teens turned out Wednesday for a pregnancy and parenting conference, more than double the number at a similar event last year. Some were under age 14. Sponsors of the conference said they were alarmed at reports that more teens are becoming sexually active at younger ages. In addition, they cited continuing high teen birthrates despite widespread acknowledgment of the social and financial problems that ensue.