Dads often feel they have a bigger role to play in a second or later pregnancy as the bulk of child care falls to them while mom deals with pregnancy symptoms. This is a great opportunity for you to spend time doing things with your kids that your spouse normally gets to handle and to help them adjust to baby's upcoming arrival.

Of course, all this “together time” can have its pitfalls. While you may find yourself appreciating your wife even more when you have to take on tasks she seems to handle effortlessly on a daily basis, that awe may sour to resentment as you realize that the situation won't change back to the old way anytime soon. If you feel burdened, ignoring the problem is not the solution. Stress is bad for both of you, but particularly for the growing baby that's the focus of all these changes. Don't let any hard feelings get the better of your family.

Get help from nearby family members, or hire sitters and household help if necessary. Even a neighborhood high school student can be useful to your spouse as a mother's helper. And remember that your older kids may be ready and willing to take on new responsibilities in the family. The key is to communicate how you're feeling, without blame, and work on a way to resolve together any problem.

Don't forget that your significant other also has more to cope with this time around. It's harder to find the time for pampering when you have kids who need your attention, but get creative. Giving her a little time to herself is really essential, even just for an evening walk or a fifteen-minute adult conversation with a close friend.