How to prepare your relationship for a baby
Bringing a baby home is a life changing event
Bringing a baby home is a life changing event, even for the strongest relationships. Life will change forever. And it’s going to be absolutely wonderful.
But with the wonder will come a lot of challenges and obstacles.
All relationships have tricky moments – it’s how they are experienced and resolved that matters.
This website pulls together information for all parents who want to find ways to improve their relationship and get along better.
Scroll down to read on or download our 2 page handout.
Disagreements are normal, but if they are getting in the way of family life support is at hand
Advice and tools
Some couples may argue more frequently and intensely. If these arguments and struggles are left unresolved, they can develop and grow which can change your relationships from healthy to unhealthy and even to abusive. Long-term parental conflict isn’t just unpleasant and stressful for the adults involved – it can also negatively impact children in a variety of ways.
Relationship Though Prompt cards
Our Relationship Thought Prompt cards are designed to be used as a set or individually. The cards focus on communication and tips for families to help them deal with conflict.
Alternatively, download the full toolkit
Starting with a quiz that fits your situation,
there are different activities to help you think through any issues that you have identified, and then identify the solution.
The full toolkit guide includes all the quizzes, information and activities.
Feedback from our families
There is no change quite like going from a couple, to a couple with a newborn baby. The Relationship Thought Prompt cards helped me reflect on my communication.
During a tense moment or conflict, a small criticism can escalate. We used positive and negative acts activity to help us focus on strengths and positives in our relationship.
I was surprised to learn that children’s wellbeing and life outcomes are affected by conflict between their parents from the womb.
You and your baby support and advice
Children’s Public Health Service
Looking after your newborn can be both challenging and rewarding. Always talk to your health visitor or GP if you have any concerns.
The Bromley 0 to 19 Children’s Public Health Service has a dedicated website full of useful information as well as clinic details and an online chat function.
Children and Families Centres
Children and Family Centres offer a range of services to meet the needs of children under five and support their families.
The types of services and support: baby clinics, developmental health checks, infant feeding support, support from Health Visitors, Midwives and young mum groups.
Please contact Bromley Children Project on 020 8461 7259.
Mindful Mums and Being Dad
Mindful Mums or Being Dad groups will help you navigate the path of new parenthood.
The groups offer emotional and wellbeing support, as well as the opportunity to connect with other new parents in your area.
Please call Bromley Mind on 020 3328 0365
New at Parenting Course
This course aims to develop and build confidence in parenting so that parents can be the parent they need to be for their child.
Please email parenting.courses@bromley.gov.uk