And baby makes…more
You’re Pregnant!
Maybe a doctor told you or maybe your partner shared the exciting news.
Maybe you saw the word pregnant on that stick or maybe it was a second line.
However, you learned the exciting news, you found out you were expecting a baby. Congratulations! Life will never be same. If this happens to be baby number two or three…Congratulations! Life will never be the same.
Studying ‘How-to’
I’d bet money you are reading the books and listening to your doctors. Who doesn’t want the best for their family?
Some news you may not have come across: Research shows that within three years after the birth of a baby, approximately two-thirds of couples will experience a significant drop in relationship quality and have a dramatic increase in conflict and hostility. The purpose of sharing this upsetting news is to make you aware of a program that addresses this international social problem.
There are steps you can take to minimize the likelihood that you and your partner will fall into that disturbing statistic.
Bringing Baby Home
Many years ago, some smart people worked tirelessly to create a program that would address this problem.
About the Program: Bringing Baby Home is an educational program for pregnant couples and families with children up to three years of age. It was designed and created by relationship experts, Drs. John and Julie Gottman, at The Relationship Research Institute in Seattle, Washington. The goal of the program is to improve the quality of life for babies and children by strengthening the parental relationship.
The Gottman’s research demonstrates that when couples become parents, there is a significant decrease in their relationship satisfaction. Further research has shown that relationship discord and conflict have a profound negative effect on the couple’s infants and toddlers. This is on top of the distress the couple is experiencing.
Results of the Program
The Bringing Baby Home Program was developed to support families during this challenging, transitional time. Dr. Gottman’s research shows that couples who have participated in the program experience:
- A significantly lower rate of postpartum mood disorders and depression
- A decrease in relationship hostility
- A higher level of relationship satisfaction
- A decreased likelihood of divorce
The content of the program evolved from Dr. Gottman’s 40 years of marriage and family research, and is designed to teach parents to:
- Increase friendship in their relationship
- Deal effectively with conflict
- Keep dads involved in infant care and parenting
- Improve the quality of parent–infant interaction
- Recognize the psychological and emotional needs of their child
- Co-parent effectively
The Program also teaches ways to nurture the family environment through the toddler and preschool years. By supporting couples as they become parents, children benefit. By teaching couples how to build a strong emotional foundation in their family during the very early stages of a child’s life, children are raised in healthier environments.
These benefits result in positive changes for families. Once this foundation is established in a family, research shows that children do better in school, adapt better socially, and are physically and emotionally healthier. (Cowan & Cowan, 1995; Gottman, 1999)
How I Can Help
I am a certified Bringing Baby Home Educator and plan to offer the workshop in our community. Dates have yet to be determined, but I am creating an interest list and will contact you as soon as I have the dates set up. Please use the contact form here or send me an email to be added to the interest list. If you want one-on-one (or one-on-couple) coaching based on this program, please do not hesitate to call, and we can discuss this option.