Sonny was two years old when his little sister Alicia was born. His mom was only 15. Sonny's mom, Leah, had a rough life. Abandoned by her parents, raped when she was twelve, and abused by the aunt who was her guardian, she fought back by getting pregnant again. Finally the abuse from her aunt was too hard to bear, and she called Child Protective Services herself.

The young family arrived at our children’s emergency shelter in physical and emotional shreds. Leah’s aunt had never allowed Leah to parent the children, or even to be alone with them. As a result, Leah had no idea how to manage her son’s aggressive misbehavior.

Sonny, Leah’s three-year old son, would have been a challenge for even an experienced parent. He was mean and aggressive, copying the behavior he had learned from Leah’s aunt at home. He called the staff names and hurt other kids. The staff had to restrain him often from running outside to escape. But consistent, loving guidance works wonders with troubled children, and after a few weeks, Sonny began to quiet down. Leah enrolled him in a Head Start childcare program while at the shelter, and the staff dropped him off and picked him up daily while Leah was in school.

Meanwhile, Leah was learning about child development and appropriate discipline in the parenting group. With the help of the staff, she began practicing the parenting skills she and the other parents discussed every week. She learned how to have fun with her children and how to make them mind. Even Sonny responded well to his mom’s attention and instructions.

Leah and her children were in the children’s shelter for six months while they stabilized their family relationships. They were placed with an older foster couple who agreed to take them, but only if Leah would be totally responsible for the children. It was an excellent arrangement for everyone. Leah stayed in school, Sonny continued with HeadStart, and Alicia went to a childcare center while her mom was gone. Because the foster parents had quiet time during the day, they enjoyed the children when they returned.

Leah, now barely 17, has a solid foundation and strong parenting role models to follow. She and the children still attend our Positive Parenting Group every week, and they call it their “Family Night.” Leah plans to finish high school, and she made a promise to herself that she would not get pregnant again, at least until she is married.

It’s a promise for her kids.