In this episode of The Pulling Curls Podcast: Pregnancy & Parenting Untangled, Hilary Erickson, RN, and guest Stephanie Straub from CNY Therapy Solutions dive into the complexities of changes in marital roles, especially after the arrival of a new baby. They explore how these shifts can impact relationships and offer practical advice on how couples can adjust to these changes. Listen as they discuss the mental load, the importance of communication, and strategies like the "Sunday sit down" to help untangle the various roles within a marriage. This episode is packed with insights for navigating life changes and maintaining a healthy partnership.

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Today's guest: Stephanie Straub is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Group Private Practice Owner in Syracuse, New York. She specializes in reproductive and maternal mental health, supporting women and families throughout their perinatal journey. When she’s not working she spends her time outdoors, watching junk reality TV, or reluctantly exercising. She is also the proud mother of two beautiful and active daughters. Find here here: www.cnytherapysolutions.com

Stephanie's other episode (110) : https://www.pullingcurls.com/podcast-110-postpartum/

Timestamps:

00:00 "Bridging Parenthood Preparedness Gaps"

03:19 Inclusive Parenting Dynamics

06:49 Parental Shifts and Responsibilities

11:11 Navigating Partnership Dynamics

15:09 "Sunday Sit-Down: Weekly Planning"

17:45 "Prepping Kids for Vacation"

19:54 "Fair Play: Household Task Strategy"

23:02 "Weekly Meal and Relationship Check-In"

28:34 Navigating Life's Changing Roles

30:57 Traditional Male Provider Stress

34:46 Empowering Others Through Support

38:54 "Teaching Kids 'Notice and Do'"

42:13 Postpartum Challenges and Encouragement

43:48 "Sunday Sit Down Reflections"

Keypoints:

• The episode mainly focuses on changes in marital roles, particularly after a new baby is born and through various life changes.
• Hilary Erickson and Stephanie Straub discuss how marital roles are defined differently for each couple, emphasizing their responsibilities and tasks.
• There's recognition of how support shifts postpartum, with Stephanie highlighting how things like taking a shower become major accomplishments.
• A focus was placed on how partners, especially new dads, also experience significant role changes during postpartum periods.
• Hilary shared insights from her birth class creation, emphasizing the importance of partners understanding and getting on the same page.
• They delve into the concept of the mental load, specifying how it's often invisible but heavily carried by one partner, usually women.
• The "Sunday sit down" was introduced as a strategy for couples to plan the week and share responsibilities to balance the mental load.
• Hilary pointed out how roles naturally shift over time with children growing up, like when they start driving or start going to school.
• The discussion included how societal expectations shape gender roles and how they affect parenting dynamics.
• They emphasize the importance of communication and being on the same page to handle changes in family dynamics and reduce potential conflicts.

Producer: Drew Erickson

Keywords:

Marital roles, changes in relationship, mental load, postpartum, parenting, collaboration, Sunday sit down, task delegation, communication, partnership, life event changes, relationship dynamics, support system, emotional support, role adjustment, family routines, gender roles, household responsibilities, emotional check-in, mental health, parenting challenges, time management, calendar coordination, division of labor, problem-solving, relationship strategies, therapy, life balance, relationship growth, division of tasks.