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	<title>Better Relationships &#187; first time dads</title>
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	<link>https://www.better-relationships.com</link>
	<description>Marriage &#38; Couples Counseling, Psychotherapy, Premarital Counseling</description>
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		<title>New Fathers Emotional Struggles</title>
		<link>https://www.better-relationships.com/new-fathers-emotions/</link>
		<comments>https://www.better-relationships.com/new-fathers-emotions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2016 03:13:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jim Swaniger]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[MEN'S ISSUES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RELATIONSHIPS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WOMEN'S ISSUES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[first time dads]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pregnancy]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[“We’re pregnant!” A first pregnancy is a significant psychological and emotional milestone in the lives of the new parents and often in their families’ lives. But a new arrival can have a “good news – bad news” effect. For instance, the news of a pregnancy can afford family members an opportunity to reconnect and strengthen family bonds if they live far apart. Or, if family relationships are strained, perhaps differences can be temporarily put aside. Plus members of one or both families have a chance to join in a sense of purpose or if they need to have a reason for being together, now they do. While many new dads can experience this event in emotionally healthy ways there may be times when a new father  struggles with emotionally adjusting to his new role and  the changes that can happen in the relationship. Finding time alone can be difficult and  having sex may be the last thing on the new mom&#8217;s mind.  I During the pregnancy a new father naturally begins to emotionally bond with the fetus. He starts to imagine himself as a father and the concept of being “dad” gradually takes shape in his mind. While this can be easy and fun to do, some new dads can struggle adapting to this change. For a few others, bonding with the fetus can be a deep psychological struggle. One example of how this could happen would be if the new dad’s father left the family early in his life. Since he did not have the experience of bonding with his father, now there’s no loving male role model for him to call upon in his mind. Among his many possible struggles, he may lose his self-confidence about his new responsibility and be left with only a wish that he could attach to the baby when it arrives. If his partner sensed his struggle, depending on the strength of their relationship there could be an exchange of warm understanding and support or ongoing conflict. Some new dads can begin to physically withdraw from their partner and from the families during [&#8230;]]]></description>
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