Working as a team with your partner

Essential information to remember

The support of family and friends can be extremely helpful while you’re adapting to your new situation.

One of the challenges of fatherhood is working together with another parent on a daily basis (see Parenting together). Exploring this new reality together, supporting each other through the difficult moments, and sharing in the joys and sorrows that come with the birth of a child isn’t always easy.

Try to be open, present, and attentive to your partner. This can help you adapt to the changes in your relationship and work through this period of transition together.

It’s also important to try to find time for intimacy. This is often easier said than done in the weeks and months after the arrival of a baby. Give yourselves time and you’ll find ways to adjust your private life and your sexuality to your new reality (see Sexuality after birth).

If people offer to help, accept. You can also ask them to give you a hand. If possible, delegate household chores and some of your meal preparation to family and friends.

However, if you feel like your space is being invaded, you can always say no to visitors to protect your privacy as a couple and family.