Having a baby is a unique experience in every way. With the birth of our baby, we too are born anew. After having a baby, our priorities, values, dreams and goals in life change.
This major change in our lives comes with no trial run and is an experience full of challenges, as exhausting as it is joyful.
As we strive to be better parents to our baby and build a good future for them, we forget to talk to our partner and make an effort to maintain our friendship.
Planning to have a baby
For a happier and more fulfilling relationship, both when planning to have a baby and after the birth, ask your partner questions:
- How will having a baby affect our relationship?
- What similarities do you see between your own parenting and the way your mother/father parented you?
- What differences do you see between your own parenting and the way your mother/father parented you?
- What do you find most challenging about being a mother/father?
- What are your dreams now?
- Are there things you miss these days (about your life before having a child)?
What can you do to nurture your relationship?
At the end of each day, set aside twenty minutes with your partner to ask each other open-ended questions. Doing this regularly will help you nurture your relationship and keep your friendship skills strong.
Dear couples! Remember that parenting brings us both great happiness and new challenges in our relationships.
You can consult a qualified couples therapist for support in adapting to the changes that come with having a baby and learning how to stay connected with your partner on this challenging journey.
