Therapy For Dealing With Parents And In-Laws

A New Baby Often Means More Time With Parents And In-Laws

When a new baby joins the family, your parents, in-laws, and extended family frequently become a bigger presence in your life. Family members can be difficult, and they can also be wonderful and helpful in a time of need. 

In therapy in our Tribeca offices, as well as online therapy, we help parents navigate new family roles. Together we’ll also unpack how your extended family operates so their increased presence—even remotely—doesn’t disrupt your new family system. 

When Family Members Are Helpful, Celebrate and Use Their Strengths

When the new baby comes, you’ll be the one calling the shots and directing parents, in-laws, and other extended family on how to be most helpful. Each person has their own individual strengths. Some family members may be better at holding and cuddling the baby, while others are skilled at cooking and organizing. We help new parents figure out what each family member can provide, and how to get the best help from them while still respecting their limits. 

When Family Members Aren’t Helpful, We’ll Help You Lead

Sometimes family members aren’t so helpful, even if they’re only operating remotely. If this is the case, your role as a leader and director becomes more important. Leading effectively often means deciding and voicing what you do (and don’t) need from the people around you. 

It’s okay to be honest about what isn’t working, but doing so can be difficult. At Tribeca Maternity, we’ll help you decide what needs to happen in your family and develop ways to make your family’s operation helpful, not harmful, to you.

Couples Need To Talk Rather Than Fight About Family

Issues with family surface quickly after the arrival of a new baby. Dealing with your respective families doesn’t have to be a “he said/she said”-style debate or a “my Mom vs. your Mom” battle. In couples therapy, we help couples who are struggling with family put aside the argument and talk together about what’s working and what’s not. You are your own family now; we’ll help you protect that by navigating extended family members effectively as a unit.