Since we were introduced to Maci on 16 &Pregnant, she has always described herself as an overachiever. However, when she registers for classes, she realizes that she might be trying to bite off more than she can chew. Take it from a college kid who’s seen a few too many sunrises from pulling all-nighters in the library; college is a huge time commitment. 

Maci already has the full time responsibility of taking care of Bentley and her advisors don’t know if she can handle taking five classes on top of that. Maci admits that since she became a mom she hasn’t made it through a semester without dropping classes. Maci’s not alone in this. Twenty-seven percent of female community college students with children reported that they reduced their course hours or quit school because they had problems with childcare. Maci switches from trying to get a 4-year degree to pursuing a 2-year degree. At first Maci feels like a loser for only taking three classes but after talking to the head of the journalism department she realizes it’s what best for her. “At least I haven’t quit yet” she tells her friends. I like the girl’s determination.

Farrah spends the weekend with her parents so she can celebrate her birthday with them and so they can see Sophia. I don’t know about you but I’m certainly tired of her parents asking her to leave Sophia with them. Farrah better keep a close eye on her daughter and make sure her mom doesn’t sneak Sophia back to Iowa when she goes to visit them. Farrah is feeling overwhelmed after her month in Florida with Sophia and their new dog. She’s trying to juggle everything and even her mom has to admit that she has matured in the past month. Farrah wasn’t feeling confident when she talked to her therapist about her decision to move but after a weekend at home she decides that she wouldn’t move back for anything. Do you think Farrah will be able to handle Sophia and a new dog once her classes start? Or is she in over her head?    

Catelynn’s adoption agent invites her to speak at a birth mother’s retreat. Catelynn and her grandmother along with Catelynn’s friend go to share their experiences and offer support for birth mothers and some parents and grandparents of birth mothers. This support group looked like a great way for everyone to share their feelings and express some of their emotions about being separated from their children. Catelynn’s grandmother said it was hard for her to say goodbye to her great granddaughter after holding her in the hospital but she’s happy with Catelynn’s decision. Catelynn has big dreams. She promised Carly that she would get a teaching degree and a social work degree and wants to ultimately help other girls. Adoption is a great option for a pregnant teen that is not ready to be a mother, but the best way for sexually active teens to avoid teen motherhood is to use protection. Only 61% of high school students reported using a condom the last time they had sex and 20% used birth control the last time they had sex.

Amber gets to spend more time with Gary and Leah but worries about being apart from both of them again. Amber’s therapist helps her and Gary work through some of their issues. Do you think their relationship can survive without a mediator? They both realize that they need to work together instead of always trying to get revenge on each other and destroying their relationship. “It’s the relationship that wins, not the individual,” Amber’s therapist says. That seems like great advice that could apply to any relationship. Being a young parent is extremely difficult for both the mother and the father. Do you think you’d be able to handle the responsibility of being a parent on top of everything else in your life?  

Bisi is an intern for The National Campaign. She is an undergrad at Georgetown University studying Economics and is an avid reader who loves experimenting with different fashion trends. One day she hopes to be considered a decent cook.