Guest Author - Paula Petrie

A new mom can be nervous about handing over responsibilities to Dad. But if you want true relaxing down time take this to heart: Just because an idea is not something that you would think of, doesn’t make it wrong.

What I have witnessed time and again is that kids survive and thrive from the unique personalities and parenting styles of both parents. There have been times I believed my husband’s way of communicating, and caring for our kids was possibly detrimental and certainly not at all helpful. But what I discovered by biting my tongue and holding my breath was our family being blessed with new interests, directions, and ideas.

Conversations and pastimes that my kids adored, and would not have gotten to experience, if I had insisted on directing my husbands actions or stayed with the belief that “I knew what was best” for our children. I have also grown in an understanding of the many times my husband has bitten his own tongue for my benefit.

Sometimes our personalities get in the way of letting loose or chilling out! And sometimes, moms just can’t help but feel that things have to be done one (her) way. You just may be the type who has a difficult time sharing responsibility. You may believe you are the only one who gives special consideration to what your baby needs. You could be afraid your husband would overlook what you feel is important for the baby’s well being.
True, a mother has a special touch. But a dad’s touch is unique and interesting to a child as well. An experience that I assure you the whole family will benefit from.

Marriage is like blending personalities and ideas in a big pot. Raising children requires adding ingredients to the marriage “base” until together you create something hearty and healthy. I hope you can be open to and appreciative of the warmth and interesting flavor choices a husband adds in the making of family soup.

Adding to our family warmth, I give my hard working husband credit for things he never thought of: little gifts or cards, things he may have done if he had the time. I also build up the things that he does say and do for the kids. This way his children get an understanding of how much they mean to him, when he’s too busy to show them. My perspective is this bridges the gap of shyness and uncertainty; helping my family “share the love.” Sometimes I over-hear my husband talking to our children and doing the same for me.