I recently gave a talk to expecting parents at Mediclinic, Newcastle. It is clear that falling pregnant and bringing a child into your ‘we’ has implications to a couple’s relationship.
Couples often underestimate how real and multi-layered these changes can be. Many couples neglect to talk about these changes during pregnancy and through the course of their children’s lives. It is obvious that a couple’s routine and how they manage their time will have to change.
Children take up a lot of time. The delegation of tasks will need to change, and where some expectations remain constant, others will change. In the face of huge demands from their children, many couples fail to make time for each other, which can lead to feelings of rejection, loss, and increased miscommunication.
Feeling over-burdened, under-supported and as if their partner-expectations are not being met, leads to spoken and silent conflict (fighting and resentment).
As a couple, always keep in mind that first and foremost you are the team that brought this child into the world. You need to constantly work on your relationship, making joint plans and supporting each other.
For so many couples, your child will leave home at 18 years old – leaving you and your partner.
Make sure you still know, support and feel understood and supported by the person sitting across the table from you when that day comes.
