Having a baby can be one of the most exciting times in the life of a couple. It can also be one of the most stressful, frightening and overwhelming. In just one hour, a new parent can experience:

  • Fear
  • Elation
  • Panic
  • Helplessness
  • Joy
  • Love
  • Regret
  • Anticipation
  • Anxiety

As each partner experiences these feelings, he or she may feel guilty and overwhelmed and chose not to discuss them with their significant other. This can lead to a complete breakdown in communication and can create emotional isolation, just when you need your partner most. Or, couples may attempt to share these big feelings with each other, but without the correct skills to do so, the conversation will end time and again in an argument. 

Most parents feel extremely relieved to finally share these feelings with one another and a therapist, because they see they are not alone in their experience. It is perfectly normal to feel negative as well as positive emotions when becoming a new parent. Unfortunately there is not enough information out there as to how difficult new parenting can really be. Peers can seem perfectly happy and content, advertisements show happy parents and happier babies, family will tell you that it is the best time of life. All of these messages can be frustrating to hear.

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If you are the primary care giver of your infant, you may feel resentful and exhausted. You need the help from your partner, yet nothing he or she does is good enough. He/she doesn't change a diaper the way you would, he/she doesn't respond quickly enough, he/she doesn't feed the baby properly. Couples may begin to argue over such matters and without the necessary tools  required to do so in a safe and productive way, it can easily turn into a very heated argument. Toss in a dose of sleep deprivation, and the situation can quickly become disastrous.

Worse yet, some new parents chose to keep their frustration to themselves creating emotional distance between themselves and their partner. Every missed opportunity for learning, sharing and intimacy increases the growing gap between partners. Your relationship, the relationship between mom and dad is the backbone of the family. Without this relationship intact and healthy, the new family crumbles. The best and most generous gift you can give to your new baby  is not a new toy, it is happy parents.

New parent counselling offers the skills, techniques and awareness new parents need to survive and thrive during this remarkable time.

 

 

**Baby sitting may be available on the premises depending on day and time of appointment. Please inquire at time of booking.**

 

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