Having a child is a joyous yet extremely stressful experience for most couples. So, this week I’m talking to Nikki Lively, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) about some of the conversations couples should begin having years before starting a family.

We cover a wide range of topics including:

• Deciding if and when to have children
• Fertility issues
• Considerations for how many kids to have
• Gender & personality preferences
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Parental roles & expectations
• Division of labor
• Boundaries with extended family
• Culture, religion & community
• Childcare choices

Nikki Lively, LCSW is the Clinical Director of the Transitions to Parenthood Program at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. To learn more about Nikki's work, visit:

• NikkiLively.com
• Nikki Lively at The Family Institute

Additional resources:

• The Family Institute Resource Library
• The Fair Play Method
• Get Ready to Say "I Do" (the FREE Practically Married mini-course)

If you like what you heard...

• Follow Practically Married with Paula Holt on your favorite podcast platform to get every episode!
• Visit PracticallyMarried.net/Newsletter to sign up and receive even more relationship info and resources!
• Follow @getpracticallymarried on Instagram to tell us about your experiences using the strategies you hear on the show!

Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Sage Holt-Hall