The truth is that most relationships where one parent chooses to stay home, and the other continues to work outside of the home will face some sort of change. That’s only natural when your day consists of dishes, nappies and crying babies, and your partner’s of suits, lunch meetings and office politics. What’s important is how you plan for, and handle the change in your relationship dynamic.
 
There’s a good chance that having to shoulder more, or all, of the responsibility for household tasks, and raising your child will make you resentful. At the same time, while your partner’s life may not change much, he or she is likely to feel excluded from your child’s life. Neither are healthy, although both are justified.
 
The most important thing to remember is that it’s crucial that you and your partner make the decision that you will be a stay-at-home parent together. Speak to each other about the financial implications, about how you will manage different aspects of your life, and what you will do if you decide it’s not for you. Also remember that while it’s your choice to be a stay-at-home parent, it’s also your choice not to be, so don’t be forced into anything.
 
Proper planning, continuing to discuss relationship issues and tackling problems together as a couple are what will make the difference between your success and failure as a stay-at-home parent. Making sure that you still spend time together as a couple is important too. The good news is that couples who get it right often report that their home life is more relaxed, since they don’t both have to rush to get to work and to complete household tasks when they return.

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