A recent survey found 48 per cent of parents claim that, on most days, their stress level is “overwhelming”. No wonder the US Surgeon General recently declared parental wellbeing a “critical health priority”, due to the numerous stressors involved. Even to a new parent, this should come as no revelation.
You were forewarned to expect the sleep disruption, loss of “me time”, financial and numerous other challenges. Grandparents can sometimes be judgmental. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto You may, however, be surprised at the impact of having a child on you and your sometime lover, now known less amorously as your “co-parent”.
Sure, you knew sex would be off the table for a while, but research shows most couples report a decrease in relationship satisfaction for up to three years after childbirth. Yikes! For many new parents, however, the big eye-opener involves twists to how they perceive their own parents. Many of these new realisations are positive.
For instance, in a blinding flash you appreciate how much your folks sacrificed for you. You’ve had aha moments when you understood that many of their parenting decisions (which you thought were boo-boos) were actually spot on. You may also feel more empathy for them and their backstories.
Gaining perspective, you’ll likely recognise the “cascade of parenting”, which chronicles the way they were raised that, in turn, influenced how they brought you up. And, fight it as you may, this will probably influenc.
