What About Us?: A New Parents Guide to Safeguarding Your Over-Anxious, Over-Extended, Sleep-Deprived Relationship

by Karen Kleiman, Molly McIntyre (Illustrator)

The demands of a new baby can test a couple’s relationship like nothing else! When we factor in sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, depression and anxiety, and different personalities, life with a newborn can feel a bit CRAZY. Couples tend to misinterpret this rough patch as a sign that something is wrong with the relationship, but when couples take steps toward open communication and safeguard their relationship, they can face everything new parenthood throws at them together. From the team behind the bestselling Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts comes a new guidebook of short essays, comics, and quick journal prompts about the stressful newborn stage, the struggles that so many new parents face, and the skills you need to tap into your strength as a couple.

Genres: Parenting, Relationships, Nonfiction, Childrens, Counselling, Psychology, Self Help

128 pages, Hardcover

Published September 14, 2021

About the author

Karen Kleiman is well known as an international expert on postpartum depression. Her work has been featured on the Internet and within the mental health community for decades. In 1988, Karen founded The Postpartum Stress Center, LLC, a treatment and training facility for prenatal and postpartum depression/anxiety disorders where she treats individuals and couples experiencing perinatal mood & anxiety disorders.

Karen has been interviewed for, featured in, and reviewed by local and national TV, magazines, radio shows and health websites. Her national television appearances include Inside Edition, The Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw and The Katie Couric Show. A few popular magazines that have featured her work or interviewed her include: Self Magazine, Fit Pregnancy, Parenting, Working Mother, Star, and Mothering Magazine. Karen is featured as an expert on PsychologyToday.com as a “Best Voice in Psychology” as author of her blog, “This Isn’t What I Expected: Notes on Healing Postpartum Depression”.

Reviews

[Sanjida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is better than Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts. It's more comprehensive, with a focus on the primary partner relationship. Most of us in long term relationships, especially with children or wanting children, will find scenarios that are relatable. These range from anxieties around fertility, conception, and pregnancy, to division of labor, to guilt and pressure from extended family. I especially loved the diversity of gender/ethnicity in the couples depicted, and the effort made to eschew heteronormality and gender roles (something that is still difficult to find in parenting books). Anyway, we're finding this helpful, and hope you will too.

[Clancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved how the author made such tricky concepts about being a new parent comfortable to talk about. Having a baby is a jolt to the system, and this book helped us have open dialogue about all the new! The short graphic novel style felt totally digestible throughout the first seven months of parenting.

[Angelica Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that should be read prior to having a baby. There are some great conversation starters for big feelings. I like the portion for dads too. It gave a good view from their struggles as well.

[Vijaya Bodach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know several new and young parents and thought it an excellent book for the many questions they might have. The format is engaging and the tone helpful.

[Madison Kopeck · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine? The text was hard to read, and it wasn't particularly insightful? It just kinda scratched the surface and didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know

[Christina McCleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A validating book in a digestible format.

[Rachelle Mouton · Rating 5 out of 5]

My therapist recommended this book in the newborn phase. My husband and I looked forward to reading it together and opening up conversations we were too exhausted and busy to initiate (or even identify) without these comics prompting us. When we entered the challenges of new parenthood, this book helped us feel like the strong team we've always been. It's an easy read with very short segments. Each page is its own comic addressing an issue. The issues were relevant, and the advice didn't feel like fluff. I've already recommended this book to pregnant friends.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kind, and sometimes very relatable, book. I like how quick and easy it is to read, with the comics, though the handwriting-like font on the non-comic pages can be a little hard to take seriously. I especially like the specific, actionable suggestions, like ways to compliment things you appreciate about your partner (e.g. "I feel especially taken care of when you _____.").

[Amanda Harman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love how the author has made uncomfortable topics so easily digestible in this book and in "Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts".
The writing style and illustrations make everything feel approachable and relatable.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little book that's easy to read! It's broken up into very small chunks, so you can read through it even with caring for a newborn. It basically boils down to this: keep talking to each other. Keep sharing your feelings and being encouraging to the other, and things will turn out okay

[Faez Normarsya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving how this book helps to navigate and manage our expectation after welcoming a new member in the family. It sets boundary, make us think from the other’s perspective and to remind us it is not me against u but us against the world. Highly recommended!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A companion book to New Moms Have Scary Thoughts, with a focus on the parent relationship. Like the other book, there's an astounding amount of relatable content in this book. They should hand this out in pre-natal classes. I still wish the font was easier to read.

[Stephanie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book with the information presented in an entertaining and clear way. Definitely a great resource for new parents.

[Genevieve Grier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, simple, and actionable advice for new parents. The graphic format is great - having lots of information in small digestible chunks is incredibly sleep-deprivation-friendly.

[Jessica Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read that I highly recommend for life after baby! 💯

[Samantha Remilong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super quick read. Very relatable. Will read again. Good affirmations.

[Sydney Melchert]

I think all parents can benefit from reading this! Life comes at you fast when you have 2 young children.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is required reading for parents & parents to be. I loved the first illustrated book so much and this second one with new topics was equally as fantastic. A cherished gift I plan to pass onto other mommas. 💕