Family & Parenting
13 guides · 2 articles
Becoming Parents
GuideTestBecoming parents as a coupleMany couples find satisfaction dips after a first baby, though some feel closer. Tiredness and an uneven workload tend to go with it. Talk and plan before the birth, share the nights and the chores as equals, and watch for low mood in either of you.GuideTestDeciding about childrenMost couples decide together, weighing the relationship, how home life would be shared, time and freedom, and what family and friends expect. Talk openly about what each of you wants and why, and treat a disagreement as the start of a conversation, not the end of one.GuideTestFertility problems and pregnancy lossInfertility is stressful for both partners and tends to weigh on wellbeing and your sex life, though its effect on the relationship itself varies. After a miscarriage, partners often grieve differently, and making room to talk, with both people's grief counting, is a good place to start.
Parenting Together
GuideTestBlended families and stepparentingBlended families tend to come together when the adults work as a team: agreeing rules and roles, keeping children out of adult disagreements, and making time for everyday talk. Early on, parents usually lead on rules while stepparents build their own bond. Closeness, including between step-siblings, takes time.GuideTestKeeping your relationship strong as parentsRelationships often get a little strained after children arrive, but small, regular habits help. Give each other a few moments of attention each day, share the load, and protect short breaks and time together. Choose things you both want to do, and don't wait for a perfect evening out.GuideTestParenting a child with additional needsPartners raising a child with additional needs tend to support each other through honest talk without judgement, by accepting that you may cope differently, and by sharing the load. Beyond the two of you, other parents, online forums and short breaks can help. Local options differ, so ask what's available near you.GuideTestParenting as a teamWorking as a team matters more than agreeing on everything: back each other up, sort out disagreements calmly, and agree a few shared rules before the tricky moment arrives. Different styles are normal. What's risky is frequent, heated, unresolved conflict, so talk early, listen, and pause when tempers rise.GuideTestParenting through the stagesParenting shifts as children grow. With teenagers, it moves from supervising towards supporting their independence, staying warm but firm. When the children leave home, many couples feel closer, though some feel loss too. How much you enjoy your time together matters more than how much of it you have.GuideTestSharing parenting fairlyThere's no single formula for a fair split: it's whatever you two agree, rather than whatever happens by default. List every job, planning included, share them in a way you both feel is fair, review it after big changes, and keep small regular moments for each other.
Extended Family
GuideTestCaring for ageing parents togetherCouples rarely share parent care perfectly evenly, and fairness tends to matter more than the total amount of care. Talk about who does what for each set of parents, ask how supported each of you feels, and bring in other family, friends and local services.GuideTestFamily conflictBack each other up by treating a family conflict as a problem you two tackle together: listen calmly, talk respectfully and look for common ground. If a relative asks you to take sides, you can hear them out without agreeing, and keep the problem separate from the person.GuideTestHolidays and splitting time between familiesThere's no single best way to split holidays, so decide together, early, and write down what you agree. Each say what matters most, list the options and be ready to compromise. Blend traditions by keeping some from each side, adding one of your own, and making room for missing old ones.GuideTestIn-laws and family boundariesStart with each other: talk through what bothers you each, then tell family plainly what help, contact and advice you'd welcome. Listen to their side, use 'I' statements, and aim for a compromise or for agreeing to disagree. Keep chats and calls as a supplement to time in person.
Articles
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