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Download Discussion Guide Episode 103 Here.

SUMMARY

The teen couples are taking care of toddlers this time - which means tantrums, timeouts, and potty training. There's a birthday party to plan, poop to clean up, and arguments about the frustrating nature of being a family. Again, the couples have to figure out who is going to work and who is staying home with the kids. As the teens soon find out, caring for toddlers is a lot different than parenting babies.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR TEENS

• Potty training is one of the most important and challenging times for the parent of a toddler. What did you think of the way the teens dealt with this responsibility? Did they understand its importance in the child's life? Why do you think Kelsey said her own self-esteem improved after Benjamin used the toilet? Who did a good job with potty training? Who didn't? What would you have done?
• Austin wasn't happy when Kelly decided to go to work, leaving him home with Miles and Finn. What is the best way for couples to decide who does what in a relationship? Should they have talked about that before the arrival of the children? What are some other issues that couples need to talk about before there's a baby? If you are in a relationship, are there things you share responsibility for? How do you decide? Give examples of the ways that your parents divide their responsibilities. Who does what in the household? Do you think it works well? Why or why not?
• Sasha and Jordan had a pretty easy time with the baby in Episodes 1 & 2. Why do you think a toddler was more challenging for them? Why do you think Sasha lost her temper at the end? Have you ever babysat for a toddler? If so, describe some of the things you did to take care of him or her. How did you feel when it was time to go home? Did you see yourself in Sasha or Jordan?
• When Daton and Morgan moved the birthday party to Kelly and Austin's backyard, Kelly said she thought Morgan was a slacker who took advantage of the neighbors. But later on, when Austin was in the shower and the twins were trying to nap, Kelly left the house with the kids unattended. Why is it easy to judge others' parenting behavior and at the same time not realize the potential consequences of your own actions? If you could have stepped in and talked to Kelly, what would you have said?
• While watching the teens struggle to care for toddlers, real mom Natalie said, "This is where they run screaming for the condom aisle!" How has watching The Baby Borrowers changed how you feel about relationships, sex, birth control or pregnancy prevention?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS

When Alicea was homesick and on the phone with her own mother, toddler Isaiah tried to comfort her. What do you think about that role reversal? Are there times in your family when you know your teen needs you, but you don't know how to help them? What are some examples? What are some ways as a parent that you can show your teen you're open to talking about things, even if it's really difficult or embarrassing?

• Sasha was so frustrated and upset when Luke's real mom came to pick him up that she yelled at her and stormed out of the room. Could Barbara (the real mom) have done anything differently when talking to Sasha and Jordan about her assessment of their parenting skills? If you could have stepped in, what would you have said? Do you see similarities between your son or daughter and any of the teens on this show? How?
• When Mati and John came to pick up their twin toddlers from Kelly and Austin they encouraged them to work on their communication skills. Teens say the #1 most important element of a healthy relationship is trust. Have you talked with your teen about how to develop trust and good communication in a romantic relationship? How do you think your teen might define "trust" in a relationship? Ask them and see if you're on the same page.
• One of the contributing factors to Sasha's frustration throughout this episode is that she actually has experience working with and living with children. What are some of the differences between simply caring for children and actually parenting them? If you are watching this show with your teens, ask them to name three things they've learned about what it takes to parent a toddler. Share a story with them about something they did as a toddler and what it taught you about parenting.

KEY FACTS

• 2/3 of teen mothers never finish high school.
• 8 out of 10 fathers of babies born to teens don't marry the teenage mothers of their children.
• Babies born to teens are more likely to have health problems, developmental delays, and educational problems.
• The daughters of teen mothers are more likely to become teen moms themselves.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Preventing teen pregnancy isn't just about teaching information about sex, abstinence and contraception. It's also about teaching teens to have healthy relationships, how to know the difference between sex and love, and how to have ongoing communication between parents and teens.

For information by and for teens about developing healthy relationships, visit stayteen.org and go to http://stayteen.org/whats-your-relationship-reality/kiss/default.aspx for a free downloadable guide, polling data and more.