Nothing tests a dual-income marriage like a new baby
Parenthood creates a new relationship: co-parenting. Without preparing for it, even strong marriages can come under strain.
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One misconception is that couples who have strong relationships before having children will naturally adjust well afterwards, says the writer.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Yeow Ming Zhen
Cheryl and Hyden (not their real names) had huge difficulty finding a common slot to come to counselling together. Despite the availability of evening appointments, the earliest they could both make it was in four months. The only solution was for me to see them separately.
As the sessions went by, it became clear that differences in parenting priorities were driving Cheryl and Hyden apart, even though both wanted the best for their child. Focused on meeting their child’s developmental milestones, Cheryl could not find affirmation from Hyden when she expressed concerns over the child’s progress.