Making decisions about parenting are hard. There are a lot of ideas around, but how do you know which are right? Once your baby arrives, family, friends, magazines, parenting gurus and even the lady on the bus has something to say.
It’s normal to feel confused and out of your depth when issues with your children come up. You’ll be influenced by others, but also by your own experiences as a child. The important thing is that you and your partner are able to work things out together and have a shared understanding of each other’s values and what you want for your children.
Make sure that you value each other’s opinions and ideas. Research shows that when dads are more involved in caring for their children there are major benefits for everyone. Often dads take on a new lease of life as they feel valued in their new parenting role, and mums relate better to their partner when they feel supported. When this happens children get the best of both their parents.
Think about your own family in relation to the following:
- Where are the pressures coming from?
- How can you sort through all the ideas to find what is best for your family?
- Are there ways that as a dad you can be more involved with the children?
- As a mum is there a way you can be more supportive and appreciate your partner more?
