| A chapter of National Assistance League® |
Baby Real Deal
Our newest program started in the fall of
2006. We purchased 22 "babies" which we
will loan Oceanside and Carlsbad high
schools (Vista schools already have the
dolls.) The schools will incorporate the care
of these "infants" into their curriculum to help
students understand the challenges and
demands of parenting. The dolls have
computer chips that cause them to cry at all
hours of the day or night and the students
must figure out if they need to be changed,
fed, burped or loved. The dolls also give a
computerized report of how long they cried
and if they were ignored or abused.
Statistics have shown that these dolls really
help teens to better understand the reality of
having and caring for a baby and make them
want to wait to become parents when they
are older. We spent $10,000 and
purchased 22 dolls, including two that are
drug and alcohol affected babies and
behave that way.
2006. We purchased 22 "babies" which we
will loan Oceanside and Carlsbad high
schools (Vista schools already have the
dolls.) The schools will incorporate the care
of these "infants" into their curriculum to help
students understand the challenges and
demands of parenting. The dolls have
computer chips that cause them to cry at all
hours of the day or night and the students
must figure out if they need to be changed,
fed, burped or loved. The dolls also give a
computerized report of how long they cried
and if they were ignored or abused.
Statistics have shown that these dolls really
help teens to better understand the reality of
having and caring for a baby and make them
want to wait to become parents when they
are older. We spent $10,000 and
purchased 22 dolls, including two that are
drug and alcohol affected babies and
behave that way.
| Assistance League North Coast |
| San Diego County volunteers reaching out to the communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista |
The testimonials below speak highly of the effectiveness of the "babies."
From a high school teacher - “Six years ago, I knew of 23 girls who were
pregnant at the end of the first semester. Last year that figure had plummeted to
just two. I truly believe that the Baby Think It Over® Program is one of the most
important experiences our school offers to help deter teen pregnancy.”
From a student in Illinois - “Baby Think It Over® showed me that I don't have
the time, money or patience to care for a baby. Babysitting is fine, but having my
own baby is another story.”
From a parent - “Wow! What an incredible product. My 13 year old daughter
just handed back in her Baby Think It Over® and I must say that this experience
not only has made an impact on her but also on her two brothers and sister.
Before she had BTIO, she wanted a baby and couldn't wait to get old enough to
have her own. I as a parent was desperate to impart to her how important it is to
wait. I was a teen mother and have had very many rough years. I was one of the
fortunate ones who ended up fighting my way out of the welfare race and worked
myself through college, but it is rare. However, my daughter always said how
much fun I seemed to have as a mother and she wants to be one too. Well, she
had BTIO for 5 days and by the 4th day she was writing in her diary how much
she did not like the baby and that she was not going to have a baby until she was
in her 30’s if ever. She was talking about how important college is and she
doesn't have time to take care of a baby. She was exhausted! I think this product
should be mandatory in all schools from middle school up through high school.
Every child should have to take the class at least once and some twice. Soon I will
be moving to another school district and they do not participate in this program. It
is a must that I get this started there. Thank you again for such a wonderful
product!”
An infant simulator doll allows teens
to experience the many demands
of being responsible for a baby.
to experience the many demands
of being responsible for a baby.