To help couples navigate extended family involvement and cultural expectations during pregnancy, these exercises provide real-life scenarios, role-playing opportunities, and guided discussions to strengthen communication, set boundaries, and foster a supportive family environment.

Exercise 1: Identifying Family Expectations and Cultural Influences

Many couples are unaware of the depth of family expectations surrounding pregnancy until conflicts arise. This exercise helps couples identify potential areas of conflict before they become overwhelming.

Instructions:

1️⃣ Individually, list five expectations you believe your family or in-laws have regarding your pregnancy and childbirth (e.g., birthing traditions, diet restrictions, involvement in baby care, religious ceremonies).
2️⃣ Discuss your lists with your partner and compare similarities or differences.
3️⃣ Answer the following questions together:

• Which expectations are we comfortable with?
• Which expectations conflict with our personal values or medical advice?
• How do we plan to handle disagreements with family members?

💡 Goal: To recognize potential areas of tension before conflicts arise, allowing couples to create a united approach to managing family expectations.

Exercise 2: Role-Playing Boundary-Setting Conversations

Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially with family members who feel entitled to have a say in pregnancy-related decisions. This exercise helps couples practice assertive yet respectful communication.

Instructions:

1️⃣ Choose a scenario where boundary-setting is necessary:

• A mother-in-law insists on being present during labor.
• A family member is pressuring you to follow a traditional postpartum confinement period.
• Relatives want to name the baby without the couple’s consent.
  2️⃣ One partner plays the family member, and the other plays themselves.
  3️⃣ Practice responding in a firm but respectful manner. Use phrases like:
• "We appreciate your advice, but we have decided to do it differently."
• "We love that you want to be involved, but we need to make this decision as a couple."
• "We respect tradition, but we are adapting it to fit our personal values."
  4️⃣ Switch roles and try another scenario.

💡 Goal: To build confidence in setting boundaries without guilt or unnecessary conflict, reinforcing mutual respect and couple unity.

Exercise 3: Drafting a United Front Statement

Presenting a united decision as a couple prevents external influences from creating divisions or conflicts between partners.

Instructions:

1️⃣ Together, draft a clear, concise statement about an important pregnancy decision (e.g., birthing choices, visitors after birth, baby naming).
2️⃣ Ensure the statement reflects both partners’ views.
3️⃣ Practice delivering it together, reinforcing that it is a mutual decision, not just one partner’s preference.

💡 Example Statement:
"We’ve decided to have only medical professionals in the delivery room. We appreciate your love and support, and we will keep you updated throughout the process."

💡 Goal: To prepare couples to handle family discussions assertively and as a team, preventing one partner from feeling pressured or isolated.

Exercise 4: Respecting Tradition Without Losing Autonomy

Not all cultural traditions need to be rejected—some can be adapted to fit the couple’s lifestyle. This exercise helps couples find a middle ground between tradition and personal values.

Instructions:

1️⃣ List three cultural traditions that family members expect you to follow (e.g., postpartum confinement, religious ceremonies, baby rituals).
2️⃣ Discuss:

• What aspects of these traditions resonate with us?
• Are there elements that feel unnecessary or outdated?
• How can we adapt the tradition to fit our beliefs and lifestyle?
  3️⃣ Write down a compromise or alternative approach.

💡 Example:
Tradition: Mother must stay indoors for 40 days postpartum.
Compromise: Limit outings for the first 14 days, but allow short walks for fresh air.

💡 Goal: To honor family heritage while ensuring the couple’s autonomy and comfort.

Exercise 5: Creating a “Who’s Involved” Plan

Too much external involvement can be overwhelming—this exercise helps couples decide who will be included in different parts of the pregnancy and parenting journey.

Instructions:

1️⃣ Make a list of key pregnancy and parenting milestones, such as:

• Attending doctor’s appointments
• Being present during labor
• Staying at the house postpartum
• Giving baby care advice
• Babysitting the child
  2️⃣ Categorize each milestone as:
• ✅ Private (Just the couple)
• 🤝 Shared (Family involved with limits)
• 💡 Open (Family freely involved)
  3️⃣ Discuss expectations with each other and adjust based on what feels comfortable.

💡 Goal: To create a clear plan for family involvement, reducing misunderstandings and setting expectations in advance.

Final Thought: Building a Healthy Relationship with Family While Protecting Your Independence

💡 Extended family involvement can be both a blessing and a challenge. The key to managing expectations is clear communication, mutual agreement as a couple, and assertive boundary-setting.

By practicing these exercises, couples can:

✅ Strengthen communication and conflict resolution skills.
✅ Ensure that decisions reflect their values, not external pressure.
✅ Balance honoring traditions with modern preferences.
✅ Reduce stress and anxiety caused by family over-involvement.

💡 When couples approach family expectations with unity, understanding, and preparedness, they can maintain both family harmony and personal autonomy, leading to a joyful and stress-free pregnancy experience.