The History of BTIO Program in Hillsdale County

The Baby Think It Over program began in Hillsdale County in 1995 when the Hillsdale County Community Foundation provided funding for the purchase of twelve Baby Think It Over dolls.  At that time CAPA had two dolls and later purchased an additional six dolls through various other fundraising efforts for a total of 20 dolls.

 Baby Think It Over

As any parent knows, dealing with a newborn baby can be difficult, time-consuming and exhausting.  The late-night feeding, the inexplicable crying, the inconvenient diaper changes, the around-the-clock care that is required. . . These are the realities of parenting.  The Baby Think It Over (BTIO) program is designed to provide a simulated experience to teenager to help them to understand the responsibilities of being a parent.

This summer CAPA received a grant from the Hillsdale County Community Foundation to purchase 20 new BTIO dolls and  accessories including car seats and a Fetal Alcohol Baby, a Drug Affected Baby and a Shaken Baby Syndrome simulator.  CAPA purchased an additional  5 BTIO dolls with funds raised through local fund raising events.  These BTIO dolls are available to any Hillsdale county school that would like to use them and are provided at no charge.

Kaitlyn Parker:  “It made me realize I don’t want kids until I am a lot older!”

Ruth Sanford:  “It was terrible!”

Tessa Pridgeon:  “Nights were the worst!”

Emily Sigler:  “Babies are all fun and games until you have to take care of one!”

Jerry Helton:  “I just didn’t like it!”

Andrew Sanford:  “I hated it and I know I will be waiting!”

Alicia Filip:  “Early mornings were not fun!”

READING HIGH SCHOOL PARENTING CLASS

Mrs. Price’s Parenting Classes had the opportunity to carry a “Baby Think It Over” doll for a weekend in October, 2008.  Twenty-five new babies were provided by Maxine Vanlerberg through the Child Abuse Prevention Awareness (C.A.P.A.) program in Hillsdale.  At different times throughout the day the babies cried when they had to be fed, changed, rocked, burped or just needed attention.  After covering the importance of parenthood readiness in class the students were able to see the challenges of caring for a baby.   Below are quotes from students in the class about their experience: