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Beyond Balloons and Bouquets

What Dads Need to Know About Gifts for the New Mom

By Mark Stackpole

Every new dad has the best intentions when shopping for these kinds of gifts, but he needs to be sensitive to the (new family-oriented) big picture, and the adjustments that his partner is making. "A weekend getaway can seem great for Dad, but a new mom will be having bonding feelings with her new child," says Masini. "She may see a weekend in a gorgeous hotel with just her husband as a separation from her new baby, which she might not be ready to have."

The same is true for a babysitter and a "gift certificate" for a night out. Masini also suggests that sexy clothes not be at the top of the list for a new mom. "Most new moms don't feel sexy for a while," she says. "Keep the tone on 'beautiful' and 'elegant' rather than 'sexy.' For now." Timing is everything, and there will be time for these things again a little bit later.

A new mother has already been through a lot, and the challenges continue once the baby arrives. "New moms are under a lot of stress," says Karen Sherman, a psychologist and the author of Marriage Magic! Find It, Keep It, Make It Last (Authorhouse, 2004). "They are tired from giving birth, and hormones are shifting, making an impact on their physical and psychological health. As a new mom, there is likely to be a lot of confusion and a sense of being overwhelmed. For both Mom and Dad, the arrival of a child, as much of a blessing as it is, will put stress on their relationship."

Want to see more?

• Showers of Blue: Giving Dads-to-be a Day of Their Own
• Romance During Pregnancy: Take Time for Each Other Before Baby Arrives
• A Day to Impress: Ways for New Dads to Make Her Mother's Day Special
• Talk about it!

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