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Parents, Lovers or Partners?
How to Have It All By Carma Haley Shoemaker
- Remember that your health and well-being matter. Your children need you to take good care of yourself; plus, you have a right to enjoy this special time.
- Keep the needle of your stress meter out of the "red zone." Do little things throughout your day, like splashing cool water on your face or simply taking a deep breath, and it will make a big difference.
- Take in good experiences. Notice the good moments, savor them and let them sink in.
- Do something routinely that's calming and restorative. Examples include walking the dog, reading inspirational literature, playing music, meditating, doing an art or craft or yoga.
For Your Body:
- Eat well. This means protein with every meal, lots of fresh vegetables and fewer refined ingredients like sugar.
- Take high-quality supplements. Either continue your prenatal vitamins or get a good brand from a health food store; be sure to supplement essential fatty acids.
- Make sleep a top priority. For example, nap when the baby does instead of doing housework, and ask your partner for lots of help at night.
- Get some exercise several times a week. You could push your child vigorously in a stroller, join a gym with good childcare or hook up with moms who go on regular walks.
Many experts recommend that couples attend parenting classes prior to the birth of their first child. Many classes, offered by the hospital where the baby will be born, offer information on how to nurture the relationship after the baby arrives. Sometimes being informed is the first step in prevention.
"There are countless books on the subject that can be most helpful in assisting new parents with ways and means to fortify their relationship through such a stressful time," Blum says. "Preparation and communication are key aspects to keeping a marriage wonderfully intact while working through the life-altering event of welcoming a permanent and new member to the household."
