Teach English in Xinshi Zhen - Jingmen Shi

The birth of a child creates new set of roles, relationships, responsibilities and emotions among family. This happening affects all the member of the family. The mental readiness of the family members helps them to get over the difficulties and the new changes. It is possible to examine a newborn’s effect on each family member. The reaction of the newborn depends upon the quality of family itself. If the family gives the necessary importance to pregnancy that has imperative effect on the development, the baby will have better mental and healthy conditions. According to Puckett and Puckett (2009, p.103) reactions of the newborns vary according to quality of their prenatal existence and the extent to which optimal development was achieved, the labor and delivery experience, the nature of their parents’ responses to them, and the infant’s personality and temperament. This fact that ensures the link between the families, especially between the mothers, is bonding. Bonding is defined by Klauss&Kennel; (1982) as the establishment of a complex psychological connection between parent and infant. The process of bonding begins to occur perhaps during pregnancy, but most profoundly during those first few moment when the newborn is placed into the arms of eager and emotionally ready parents and the early days and weeks of the infant’s introduction into their lives.(Puckett & Puckett, 2009) Since the most changes in both physical and emotional situations occur in mother’s body and mood, the most effected member of the family can be considered to be the mother. This can lead to some mental disorders such as depression as well. In the case of having the first delivery, the unknown and inexperienced conditions may be overwhelming. Prospective fathers might have stress about being a good father or not and about financial situations. If the father is new, as in being new mother, the situation may be more overwhelming. However, it can be considered that the father will have least effect compared to other members of the family. When it comes to siblings, the firstborn child may have the feeling of ignorance against him or her because of the increase interest to newborn by the elder family members. This situation can be exceeded by explaining the newborn’s needs and behaviors and by establishing healthy communication among the family members. Reactions of extended family can vary and also affect the immediate family of the newborn.(Puckett & Puckett, 2009, p.109). The grandparents may feel that they are getting older. However, this situation wouldn’t last long. Most grandparents, who have healthy relationships among its members, become happy since they feel that they established a good example of a family. The birth knowledge of the prospective family, in most cases, can be considered more than the grandparents since they attend childbirth classes. While this situation may ease the stress level of prospective family, it may lead to create pressure for the grandparents. The aunts or the uncles may feel jealous at all the attention the new parents are receiving (Puckett & Puckett, 2009). However, in most cases, they become happy and share their experiences with the new parents. Being aware of the dynamic of the family and child development prepare the family to take necessary precautions. As said, since the most effected members may be considered to be mothers and the siblings much of the care and importance should be given to newborn, mother and the siblings. REFERENCES Klaus M.H. and John H.Kennell. (1982). Parent-Infant Bonding (2nd ed.). St.Louis, MO: The C.V. Mosby Company . Puckett, M. B., & Puckett, M. B. (2009). The young child : development from prebirth through age eight (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Merrill/Pearson.