Five Fights All New Parents Have

They can be avoided, says Sarah Ivens

- Sarah Ivens

The heightened emotion and lack of sleep of new parenthood leaves many of us on edge and grumpy. Inevitably, we take it out on our partners. Believe me, I know. When I wasn’t staring lovingly at the beautiful baby we’d created together, I spent my first six months as a new mum glaring at my husband Rahul, daring him to breathe. I turned into an eye-rolling, sarcasm- dripping monster. Was it my hormones or had Rahul become the most irritating person on the planet? I felt horribly mean, but totally justified in my constant nit-picking. With hindsight, I can see there were five areas of conflict that fast became the cornerstones of our day-to-day life. If they’re a familiar part of your relationship too, here’s how to resolve them quickly and calmly.

“I want to do it my own way”

THE PROBLEM

You were brought up with one style of parenting by your parents, while your husband was raised by your inlaws in a different way. Breast-fed or bottle-raised, strict or laid-back, over-protective or independent—there’s a clash of cultures and you both think you’re the one in the right.

THE SOLUTION