Diary Of A Pregnancy

Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

The arrival of a new baby dramatically changes the dynamics within the family. In years gone by, families lived in close-knit communities and everyone helped everyone else. Grandparents often lived nearby and were available to help with childcare on the odd occasion that the parents were occupied elsewhere. Nowadays, of course, many women work in full-time employment, at least until the birth of their first baby, but they often live some distance away from other family members, and some new parents have very little readily available, local help.

Grandparents can be a help or a hindrance, depending on how far away you live from them, your relationship with them prior to and during your pregnancy and how much help they want to give and you wish to accept. If your mother or mother-in-law offers advice only when you ask for it, you will welcome her involvement, and older women have much to offer in the way of personal life experiences. Read the rest of this entry »