Ten Keys to avoid your new baby driving you apart

1. 'The greatest thing that parents can do for their children is love each other' - Benjamin Salk

2. While giving your baby as much love as you can, be careful about protecting your own privacy

3. Develop conversation that is not dominate by the latest in baby foods and teething rings.

4. Realise how easy it is for the father to feel both unneeded and excluded.

5. Share as many tasks as possible even if this means they are not done to perfection.  The baby will survive with a nappy half around his head.

6. Recognises how physically shattered many womer are with the sheer effort of looking after a small baby.

7. If sex is not top of the agenda for a while, make sure this is not confused with rejection, and try to show intimacy in other ways.

8. Don't lose touch with your friends.

9. Don't refuse to let anyone else look after your child for a few hours.  Some parents wouldn't allow Mary Poppins to baby-sit.

10. As the child grows, keep a ssense of moderation in terms of the activities your child is involved in.