If you come from a background where women are expected to be entirely responsible for caring for children, you may find the idea of ‘sharing parenting’ challenging. Gender roles may differ greatly to what you’ve been used to. Make an effort to make changes that will support your partner such as learning to do a few chores at home, learning to cook a few dishes and looking after your child and sharing responsibilities.
Discuss the role you each want to have, common goals and how you plan to achieve them. This may include planning how you will pass on traditions, morals, language and values from your background. Clarify what these are for both of you, as a couple.
Children learn how to behave from watching the way their parents, carers and families interact with each other. Stress related to financial worries, work pressures, illness, death in the family, moving, adjusting to life in a new country and being new parents is expected, with or without extended family and community support. But remember that it takes time to adjust to becoming a parent. If anxiety and stress continue and start affecting your relationship with your partner, it is okay to seek support from counselling and relationship helplines.
For a safe and private conversation about any relationship struggles and strategies to help you overcome them, call 1300 789 978 or find support online at MensLine Australia.