We are here to help you and your daughter through this difficult time. 

Based on our experience with other parents who have "been down this road", we can anticipate the thoughts that may be on your mind.  And how you may be feeling toward your daughter at this time.  If you are angry, hurt, wondering what people will think about you, and just positive that you can't face your neighbors, relatives and friends- relax.  You are reacting quite normally.  Almost everyone faced with this circumstance feels exactly the same, at first.

We believe that it will help you to know that these feelings will pass in a very short time.  Soon you will be able to look at your daughter and feel the same love you felt before all of this happened.  You will have compassion for her because she is not in a very happy frame of mind herself.  You will want to do everything in your power to help her through this time and ease her burden.  In short, you will rise to the occasion and help her build a new life for herself.  She needs your support now, and we are confident that you will not let her down.

Members of our staff have had considerable experience in understanding and helping young women, just like your daughter.  They can help her resolve many of the problems that have suddenly been thrust upon her.  Solutions to her difficulties will be found with help.  She will be put in touch with the medical care she will surely need to bring a healthy child into this world.  She will receive free, professional counseling on planning for her own future and the future of her baby, and on any worries that may be uppermost in her mind.  If needed, she will be referred to an appropriate agency for additional services.  After exploring the pros and cons of choosing to parent her baby or releasing the baby for someone else to parent through adoption, she alone will make the final decision about what is best for the baby and herself.  All options will be made known to her.  All of this will be accomplished with complete confidentiality and with loving concern.

The understanding which you have for your daughter in this traumatic situation is of utmost importance to her.  Be assured that the heartaches that all of you are experiencing will fade away with time.  You and your daughter will most likely end up closer than before. Please know we are here for you and that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

The board, staff and volunteers at Lois' Lodge