Conflict and new parents
Last updated:Bringing a new person into the world brings so much happiness and joy. But it can also create strain and challenges for relationships. New parents will have dreams and aspirations for their new child. But for many parents, the arrival of a new baby brings the reality of:
- sleepless nights
- post-natal depression
- wider family interference
- economic pressures.
Fathers’ depression can also play a part in conflict. Research found an average 10.4% of fathers become depressed both pre- and postnatally. The peak time for fathers’ depression is between three and six months after birth (Paulson & Bazemore, 2010). Research has also identified that 67% of new parents report a sharp drop in relationship satisfaction in the first three years of a child’s life (Gottman 2005).
The Early Intervention Foundation Supporting Healthy Relationships guide supports new parents in conflict. It offers:
- guidance
- research
- evidence-based strategies
Supporting parents at the early stages of conflict will help to reduce:
- the impact and risk of conflict increasing
- relationships breaking down
The My Week, Your Week questionnaire developed by the Race Equality Foundation can help parents to:
- Work out what they are doing and how they might use their time in a way that helps themselves. For example, feeling happier, calmer and more valued.
- See the other’s perspective
- Acknowledge each other’s feelings
- Re-evaluate roles if necessary