The Transition to Parenthood

I bought this book for .25 at a library sale with low expectations. IT's out of print, etc... but I was so pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to read and how captivated I was by the content. It's not a how-to book, but an interesting report on how the study results turned out. I found the author's language completely understandable, his examples were numerous and analysis seemed incredibly insightful. I agree with the other reviewer, I found myself and our marriage described in various places in the book. I was inspired to make some small changes in my behavior based on things I had read in the book and the atmosphere has really lightened up around here after 10 months with the new baby. I will pass this book to anyone I know who is contemplating children... and I will re-read it every once in awhile for further inspiration.

I first read this book 7 yrs. ago when my husband and I were expecting our first child. We now have a 2 yr. old girl as well. I had actually all but forgotten about this book but accidentally came across it the other day as we have been preparing for a move. I have not been able to put it down since. The authors have made an amazing discovery through their experiment on 250 couples that is amazingly accurate in assessing the health of one's marriage post-baby. Going from a couple to becoming parents is the hugest adjustment most couples will go through, and this book illustrates which marriages are most likely to end in divorce and which are most likely to survive this difficult adjustment/transition. I have been astounded to find myself, my marriage, and my parenting and relating styles on these pages. I just ordered another copy to my best friend, who's a newlywed, contemplating having their first child! I highly recommend it to all first-time parents, and even if you've been a parent a while and want your marriage to be better, it will help point out things you can change and ways to improve your marriage.

I highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to enter parenthood. Extremely incitive, even a bit scary at times. While it is written as a case study, it is still easy to read. This book has passed through my entire circle of friends.

The book focuses on the most important relationship to a baby--how the parent's relate to each other after the first child is born. The stability and love (or lack thereof) in the parental relationship creates the environment in which the child is raised. Men and women have different expectations and reactions to the birth of a child. This book is a long-term case study of what types of marriages grow stronger, stay the same or get weaker as a result of the birth of a child. The insights I gained helped me to modify and be aware of issues in my marriage that having children creates. I believe my marriage has grown stronger after children and part of the reason was the insight gained from this book.