Becoming Us: 8 Steps to Grow a Family That Thrives

When couples start thinking ahead about their 'transition into parenthood', they picture the family of their dreams.

But 'transition' doesn't describe the reality for most new parents. 'Adventure into the unknown' is more like it. And, like any adventure, there's bound to be some rivers to cross and mountains to climb.

If you're a new parent, you'll be discovering this for yourself. Your baby is beyond adorable, but some of the learning curves are probably steeper than you'd expected. Breastfeeding doesn't necessarily come naturally at first. Settling your baby can leave you with frayed nerves. Negotiating visits from your in-laws can cause conflict and your partner just doesn't understand. Some days you're ahead and others you're feeling snowed under. You may wonder what's happening and why it's happening to you, when everyone on Instagram seems to be doing just fine.

If this sounds like you, don't worry, you're not alone Forget Instagram. Most new parents struggle at some stage. Chances are you just weren't prepared for it all. You had regular check-ups during pregnancy, a team for your birth and then nothing, nada, zip. You and your partner have to figure out all the 'after you get the baby home stuff' on your own.

But what if you could both plan now for the next river or mountain or snow day? Even if you have older children? What if you could have foresight for the normal and common parenthood challenges that life's likely to throw at you over the next few years? What if, no matter where you were in your parenthood adventure, there was a way, not only to cope with the challenges, but to pull closer as a couple through them and become the best parenting team possible at the same time?

There is a way. It's never too late to create the family you dream about. AND you don't have to figure it all out on your own. You may just need some direction to get you to the next stage.

Based on 15 years of research, Becoming Us describes the normal stages that mothers, fathers, and partners go through as they raise a family, and ways to navigate each stage. People say nothing can prepare parents for parenthood, but Becoming Us gives you the knowledge, practical skills and guidance to love, learn and grow - step by step - into a family that thrives.

A couples counsellor and new mother at the same time, Elly Taylor began researching the transition into parenthood after noticing stretch marks in her relationship with her partner as they were becoming a family.

Fast forward 20 years and Elly is now teaching the Becoming Us approach to professionals worldwide.

Elly lives in a Sydney with her firefighter husband, their three children and a bunch of pets.