Have you and your partner discussed what having kids really means

Relationships start out exactly how we like them, we’re smitten and crazy about each other. It very sensual and physical. Its fun and exciting, everything is new and you feel like your connection is cohesive enough to be able to handle anything that the world throws at you.

Planned or unplanned, having kids can dissolve that cohesive glue you both thought was impenetrable, why? Because you went into having children unprepared or failed to discuss the things that can trip you up. It’s challenging, demanding, thankless, tiring and lasts for the first 10-12 years before you get reprieve.

I recently spoke to a man who was expecting his first baby with his partner. I asked him have you discussed how you will help each other and handle the tough times when they come? He said, Nah! its not something we discuss, things are ok and we will just deal with what ever happens…eeeek! I think this is common, sadly.

The things that can be important to know & talk through (but not limited too, if you can think of more, discuss)

• Pregnancy is a long time and can be messy
• You may not automatically love your child day 1
• A diminished social life can make life feel boring
• Loss of freedom and also loss of time together can feel like a disconnect
• When sleep becomes more important than sex, is the norm
• Disagreeing on  how to raise your child, remember there is more than one way
• Weekend sleep-ins was your previous life
• Work is relatively easy compared to raising a baby, how can you lighten your partners load
• Life changes and so do you and your partner
• Hobbies and sports need to take a back seat for quiet a while
• You are no longer “Joe” the carefree guy, you are “Joe” with responsibilities
• Your own routine now becomes your babies routine
• Expect both you and your partner to have ups and down feelings of happiness
• You baby/child needs things NOW, there is no more of …”I’ll do it later”
• Your stress levels increase and you feel edgy often
• Your money is now all accounted for and you need to save for emergencies
• Your friends look at your differently now, you have 1 or 2 beers not 10 anymore
• If baby is crying all night, it might be easier to have the baby sleep in your bed so you all can sleep
• Babies poo is smelling and messy and someone has to change it often
• Sometimes babies cry for long periods for know reason
• There are some mothers who refuse to even leave their baby with a safe family member so you can go out and have a break, how would you cope with that
• Learn to cook and make lots of meals to freeze, sometimes it is just easier
• Facebook life is BS, raising kids is hard work and you both need to work as a team
• Keep an eye out if either of you need help, don’t be afraid to ask
• Sleep when your baby sleeps, you need it
• It’s exhausting, make sure you both get time to rest
• Eating together becomes a thing of the past
• This is a 12 year commitment to work as a team, after that it becomes easier and you should have mutual respect for the road traveled together
• What if you feel like nothing you do is good enough

With all the ups and downs its an incredible feeling to raise a child. It has enormous amounts of joy and satisfaction but its extremely important you go into it with eyes wide open. You need to look after your partner and carry equal amounts of the workload and sometimes more when she needs it. Talk about when times get tough and how you will get through those times together. Its important, it could be the difference between ending up a single Dad or at home with your family. Go the later!!

Whats been your experience? any tips?