Psychological Fitness Training for Parenthood

I. SO WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!

• What are your expectations? Positive and Negative
• Fear / Guilt / Shame about worrying
• Wondering how my spouse really feels about all this
• Work / Career / Life Changes Ahead.

II. HOW WILL BABY CHANGE THE COUPLE RELATIONSHIP?

• How do you relate to each other now?
• How did you relate before marriage?
• Did marriage change the relationship? How? Positive and Negative.
• Is this your first child?
• How did the 1st child change things?
• What about Romance and Sex?

III. EXTENDED FAMILY

• How will extended family members be involved?
• Children from Previous Marriages?
• Blended Families
• Help Schedules

IV. RAISING AN EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY CHILD

• Your childhood AND your parent’s childhood
• How to improve on the past
• Readings, theories, classes
• Maintaining open communications between Mom and Dad
• Blame and Criticism
• Empathy – Importance of empathy in a loving and caring family