Managing Relationships In Early Parenthood

It’s not uncommon to have relationship problems after having a baby – having a baby can put strain on any relationship! On this episode of the Learn With Less podcast, Ayelet sits down with Julia Wenegrat, a licensed marriage and family therapist. We spoke about Julia’s journey into her work with families, the ways in which her experience as a mother of two young children has changed her practice as a marriage and family therapist, Julia’s favorite tips for new parents and caregivers trying to manage relationships (with a partner and with additional primary caregivers) during those early infant and toddler years, and additional resources she recommends to families who are seeking information. Julia’s work integrates the entire family, and she believes that we are all deeply impacted by the people that surround us. Our conversation centered around tips and strategies to manage partner relationships, but applies to anyone co-parenting in any sense of the word. Quick links from the episode: The Gottman Institute “And Baby Makes Three” by John and Julie Gottman (affiliate link) Learn With Less podcast episode, “Emotional Regulation in Young Children” Learn With Less podcast episode, “Labelling Emotions” Learn With Less podcast episode, “Happiness and Relationships” Learn With Less podcast episode, “Using the Language of Listening with Infants and Toddlers” Text transcript of this episode: Ayelet: Welcome to episode 56 of the Learn With Less Podcast. Today, I’m speaking with Julia Wenegrat, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Julia enjoys providing therapy with a focus on anxiety and excessive worry. As a therapist, she believes it is important to create a space where clients can feel safe to explore the changes that they would like to see in their own lives. Her area of particular expertise is working with the entire family during the therapy process, with the understanding that we are all deeply impacted by the people that surround us. Julia is also the mother of two young boys, and navigates the stresses of parenthood and partnership on a daily basis! So, welcome, Julia, we are so happy to have you, here! Welcome to Learn With Less. Julia: Thank you, thanks for inviting me. Ayelet: I asked you to come onto the show today to speak about the ways that we as parents and caregivers can manage the relationships that we have with others during these very sensitive, often overwhelming years of early parenting. But first, let’s just hear a little bit about you and what brought you to the work that you’re doing today! Julia: Absolutely. So, I received my degree in marriage and family therapy up in Seattle, Washington, and after I received my degree, I went into private practice with somebody who specializ...