8 Fights Every Couple Has In The First Three Months Of Parenting
byKristi Pahr
Let me just start by saying that I don't have any answers. I don't have how-to-solve-the-problem anecdotes. Instead, I have yeah-I've-been-there-and-it-sucks comments of solidarity to offer. I have two kids and every time we brought a baby home from the hospital, my husband and I fought. And fought. And fought. I'm positive every couple fights when they bring a newborn home, and I'm quick to assume those fights are similar. In fact, I'd be willing to say there are some fights that every couple has in the first three months of parenting a new baby.
The struggle is real and universal and one we can all attempt to survive, together. As parents, we're tired, we're strung out, we're hormonal and we're emotional (and, yes, I'm talking about all parents, here). Tempers flare and everyone gets pissed and what usually wouldn't bug you, becomes nothing short of infuriating. Couples try to settle in and figure out what their new "normal" is going to be like, while simultaneously figuring out how to care for a newborn (neither of which is a simple task).
In other words, the first few months of parenthood are hard. The good news, though, is that it's temporary. While you're in the trenches, it seems like the stress and the anger will go on forever, but eventually you figure it out and your life settles. Sure, you'll never go back to "normal," but you'll establish new routines, new expectations, and new standards that will help both you and your parenting partner feel like your affectionate, not-wanting-to-scream-at-one-another-every-two-days selves.
So, with that in mind, here's what I'm going to assume damn near every single couple has fought about in the first three (or more, I'm sure) months of parenting.