Becoming a parent creates a period of change and instability for men and women who have children.
This occurs whether parenthood is biologic or adoptive and whether they marry the parent's husband-wife couples, cohabiting couples, single mothers, and single fathers.
I may describe parenting as a process of role attainment and role transition that begins during pregnancy.
The transition ends when the parent develops a sense of comfort and confidence in performing the parental role.
Definition
Is a dynamic developmental process that begins with the knowledge of pregnancy and continues throughout after birth period as the couple takes on their new or expanded roles of mother and father?
Whether this is the first child or tenth child, this transition is a major life event that is both exciting and stressful and produces developmental challenges for the individual, the couple’s relationship, and family members.
This occurs whether parenthood is biologic or adoptive and whether they marry the parent's husband-wife couples, cohabiting couples, single mothers, and single fathers.
I may describe parenting as a process of role attainment and role transition that begins during pregnancy.
The transition ends when the parent develops a sense of comfort and confidence in performing the parental role.
Definition
Is a dynamic developmental process that begins with the knowledge of pregnancy and continues throughout after birth period as the couple takes on their new or expanded roles of mother and father?
Whether this is the first child or tenth child, this transition is a major life event that is both exciting and stressful and produces developmental challenges for the individual, the couple’s relationship, and family members.
Parental
Tasks and Responsibilitie
Parents need to reconcile the actual child with the fantasy and dream child.
Parents need to reconcile the actual child with the fantasy and dream child.
This means coming to terms with the infant’s physical appearance, sex, innate, temperament, and physical status.
If the real child differs from the fantasy child, parents may delay in accepting the child.
Sometimes, they may never accept the child.
Parents need to become adept in the care of the infant, including caregiving activities, noting the communication cues given by the infant to show needs, and responding to the infant’s needs.
Must Read: REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
BECOMING A MOTHER
Dependent behaviour- This occurs after the baby is born when the mother depends on others for the care of herself and the baby.
Dependent-independent behaviour, - This occurs a few days after the birth of the baby, here the mother is learning skills needed in caring for herself and the baby
Interdependent behaviour- Here the mother has gotten the mastery of the caring behaviour for the baby and herself
FACTORS INFLUENCING MOTHERHOOD
Woman’s childhood experiences.
Her life experiences.
Her unique characteristics.
The pregnancy experience.The birth experience.
Support from a partner, family, and friends.
The woman’s willingness to assume the role of mother.
The infant’s characteristics such as appearance and temperament.
- Age [Adolescent mother, Adolescent father, Maternal age greater than 35 years Paternal age older than 35 years.
- Culture.
- Socioeconomic Conditions.
- Personal Aspirations.
- Parental sensory impairment
- Sibling Adaptation
- Grandparent Adaptation
- Length and strength of the relationship between partners
- Social support
STAGES OF BECOMING A FATHER
- At this stage, the father thick of or expect what life will be like after the baby comes home. I also know this as Expectation Stage
- They also know this as Reality Stage. Here, the Father realizes that expectations are not common feelings.
- Transition to mastery Father makes a conscious decision to take control and become more involved with infant
- There could be a change in hierarchy, the behaviour of the existing siblings.
- Some older siblings may be jealous as manifest by being sick.
- Some things that could be done to reduce/prevent older siblings from becoming jealous include
- Inform older siblings on the coming of the new baby especially when they start asking questions
- Get the baby close to the older siblings
- Get the existing sibling to engage in the care of the new baby
Tags
FAMILY