Expectations of Parenting

Abstract

This chapter describes how to deliver the first unit of the Couple CARE for Parents (CPP) program, which aims to help expectant couples prepare for the major changes that will occur after the birth. This chapter explains how educators can structure CPP to enhance its effectiveness and provides some example icebreakers to facilitate a successful start to the program. The content of CPP then moves to introducing the importance of shared and realistic expectations of parenting, and provides a number of activities that educators can use to facilitate couple discussion of infant care expectations, expectations of gender roles, and preferred parenting practices. The expectations and activities then lead into a review of individual support needs, which the participants discuss as couples in order to develop a shared plan for what support they will use in the early phases of parenthood.