Do your family's expectations of the first few weeks align with yours?

If you're pregnant or a new parent, have you had a chat with your family about how expectations about their involvement in the first few days and weeks?

It can be really tricky if your family expect to come round and visit the baby every day as soon as they’re born, and you think you might want some time to yourselves to adjust to life as a new family. Or you might want them to come and help you, but they might assume you want your own space!

In lots of cases you might be happy for them to come round and support you, but you’re worried about them overstepping boundaries, or having to have an uncomfortable conversation if they stay for longer than you want.

It's always hard to predict how you're going to feel when you're in the thick of it, but there are lots of things you can think about in advance to help minimise any awkwardness in those early days.

Think about:

• Having a conversation with your partner about who you might want in your space in the first few days, and when. If you can agree between you it can make things easier

  
  

• Talking about what kind of support you might want in the early days - how might your family and friends be able to help? Do you feel comfortable asking them?

• If you need visitors to leave, or you want to take the baby back, how will you communicate that, and is your partner happy to have that conversation?

  
  

• Be brave, and have the conversation with your family in the best way you think possible

  
  

A potentially uncomfortable conversation now can save a lot of resentment in the future ❤️

Katie x

P.S. If you and your partner would like to put some thought into what the early days and weeks after your baby's birth might look, and how you can navigate it with as much ease and joy as possible, have you considered a postpartum planning session? Find out more here