Many parents will tell you that no matter
what you do to get ready for a baby, you will still never be fully
prepared for the wonder that enters your life. Most of the surprises
are ones that you would not change for the world. But they’ll
also remind you that you have just accepted the most important change
in your life.
Much of the work, care and juggling that
goes with parenting needs to be sorted through. Mothers and fathers
work together more now to balance jobs with child raising. And even
though fathers are taking on a greater role than dads of the past,
women still carry most of the family load. Couples still pondering
family life are weighing the ups and downs of what could lie ahead.
From the time you learn about a pregnancy until your baby is 18 months
old, you can expect to face some tough times in your relationship.
Planning and thinking through the idea of parenting before pregnancy
may be the healthiest way to make sure you are as ready as you can
be.
Yours, mine & hours
Newborns feed about 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period. Do you know how your days
and minutes will be filled with schedules that are so demanding? Have you talked
to your partner about how you will share the work?
Keep in mind that, for the
first 6 weeks after delivery, the mother is often very busy with important
roles such as:
•
Recovering from
pregnancy, labour & delivery
•
Attaching & bonding with the
baby
•
Establishing
breastfeeding
Beyond time… what babies
really mean to you
Now put aside your mental picture of the demands a new family member can place
on your household and think about the big picture.
On a scale of 1 to 10 rate how a baby might affect your happiness:
On a scale of 1 to 10, rate the amount of conflict you have in your relationship
now:
