TGIF!!

Happy Friday and Father's Day Weekend! Roles and relationships often change when couples have a baby. Often times, the woman is given most of the responsibility when it comes to handling the newborn and feels like the primary parent. However, it can be advantageous to have both partners involved and allow eachother to tackle the challanges of parenthood as a united front. Here are some of our favorite ways to encourage dad's involvement:

*If you are breastfeeding, it might be tough to have the father handle feedings. However, he can share in intimate caregiving in other ways like bathing the baby, changing the baby or rocking the baby to sleep.

* Give your partner credit for being competent. Many woman of fearful of letting others hold or care for the baby including their loved ones. While it might not seem insulting, this can be frustrating to the father. Be careful of his feelings and trust that the baby will be okay in his care without being a "helicopter" mom.

*Each parent should be given alone time with the baby. This will permit the parent to bond with the baby and will give the other parent time to do an activity, run an errand or catch up on some much needed zzz's.

*Discuss your childhood and your own parents roles with your partner. Just because you grew up in a household with an absentee parent, doens't mean your child has to. Each person comes to this new experience with their own ideas of what parenthood should mean. Having an open discussion allows for you to talk out your differences before an argument arises and allows for you to create common goals.


Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo,
The Moody Mamas