10 Essential Topics to Discuss During Pregnancy
As a couple or co-parenting pair, you will want to be well prepared for the beginning of your parenting journey. Before discussing which pram to buy or what colour to paint the nursery, consider discussing these ten essential topics:
Parenting Style - What kind of parent do you both want to be? How do you want your child to experience you as their parent?
Traditions - What traditions and rituals do you want to share together as a family? e.g. Christmas, Santa, birthday rituals, tooth fairy, etc.
Division of Responsibility - How will you divide duties and responsibilities around the house, paid work and baby to ensure a load that is manageable for both parents?
Support Network - Who will be in your support network and how will you communicate the support you need?
Beliefs &Values – Which beliefs and values (e.g. religion and culture) are important to both of you and how will this influence the way you raise your child?
Healthcare - How do you both feel about vaccinations and health care options for your child?
Boundaries - What boundaries (e.g. co-sleeping, sleepovers, technology) do you each feel are necessary for your child?
Communication & Conflict - During a period of significant change or stress how will you both communicate and manage conflict in a constructive way
Self-Care - Parenting can be a challenging time and communication regarding self-care and how you can support each other is important.
Relationship Maintenance - As a couple, how will you maintain and prioritise your relaitonships amid the demands of parenting? As a co-parenting pair, how will you navigate complexities and maintain a co-parenting realtionship focused on prioritising what is best for your little one?
Remember, these discussions should be ongoing and adaptable as your circumstances and the needs of your child evolve. It is essential to maintain open lines of communication and to support each other throughout the parenting journey.
