Want to Know More About Yourself as a Parent? Ask Your Partner These Questions
1. How do you think I’ve changed as a person in our relationship?
It’s not a leading question, but it opens things up to both the positive (“You’re more patient and expressive”) and the negative (“You’re less of those things.”). It also might elicit, “You used to be so into playing basketball and I can see that’s missing.” The problem and solution have been identified, and there’s buy-in from your spouse to carve out time to get you reignited.
2. Can you tell from my behavior how important you are to me?
Couples get into a groove, but that also can be a rut. “The brain doesn’t process familiarity. It only processes novelty,” says Steven Stosny, a relationship expert and author, adding that this question is a pure wakeup call. It says, “You are important to me, and I need to show that. It starts a dialogue.”
There’s a strong case for getting peer reviewed by your partner. Here are some more questions to ask.
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Where’s the road map for new parents? Glad you asked! Fatherhood, by the editors of Fatherly, is a comprehensive parenting guide that walks dads through everything they need to know over the course of the first year of a baby’s life and beyond. It’s full of practical tips (everything you need), as well as work-life balance guidance (this is crucial), relationship advice (doubly crucial!), and as well as tons of expert-driven analysis that will help guide parents through a truly disorienting time. Pre-order it now and get the first copies on November 9.
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The Flu Season Is About to Get Really, Really Bad
There’s no way to know how the upcoming flu season will turn out. But if we had to take a guess? It’s not going to be easy.
How to Keep an Infant Safe from the Flu
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Two Months Old and Younger: Take extra care with very small babies; the diagnostic workup for a fever can be invasive.
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Avoid Crowds and Daycare: Too many people – particularly too many toddlers – can introduce some very nasty bugs to a newborn’s very new immune system.
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Hygiene for Everyone!: Parents, grandparents, siblings, visitors – everybody washes hands, everybody takes shoes off, everybody changes clothes if practical, and nobody kisses the baby. Wearing masks can also help prevent the spread of the flu.
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Keep Symptoms Away: If family members or guests present symptoms, keep them away from the baby.
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Get Vaccinated: Anyone in the household who is old enough for the flu shot should get it. Babies can get the flu shot starting at six months of age.
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Boost the Baby’s Immune System: Breastfeed if possible. If not, go all in on skin-to-skin contact.
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When Concerned, Talk to a Doctor: Calling them on the phone works, but parents needn’t be shy about going in.
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Have a question? Comment? Want to tell us a no-good terrible story? Or a helpful parenting tip? We want to hear from you (and yes, we may publish your response in an article or forthcoming newsletter).
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