APPENDIX A
 INFORMED CONSENT LETTER

 Informed Consent Letter Internet-Based Survey

Thank you for your help in this study of couples who have recently become parents. This
study is part of my dissertation research project I am completing as a doctoral candidate
in the Department of Counselor Education at the University of Florida. As a parent of a
toddler, I certainly remember how valuable your time is to you during that first year after
your baby's arrival. Therefore I greatly appreciate your taking the time to help with my
research.

I am contacting couples to ask them about how they are adjusting to parenthood, how
they complete various tasks related to caring for their baby and their household, and how
they handle conflicts. Participation in the study involves completing the survey that
begins after clicking the "I agree to participate" button on this screen, and takes about
15 to 20 minutes.

Caring for a baby is often both fulfilling and stressful for new parents, and many family
professionals and specialists have been working to help ease the transition to parenthood.
Unfortunately, we still have little information about how couples (both mothers and
fathers) cope with the changes that come along with becoming a parent. Results from this
survey will show us more about what helps couples with these changes, so we can find
ways for this transition to be less stressful for couples.

If you agree to participate, your answers will be kept confidential to the extent provided
by law and will be released only as summaries in which no individual's answers can be
identified. This survey is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time. However, you
can help me very much by taking a few minutes to share your experiences and opinions
about your relationship and new parenthood. I will be able to use your responses to the
survey only if your spouse completes the survey as well. Couples' surveys will be
matched based on their wedding date and their child's birth date. If you take part in this
study, please do not discuss your responses with your spouse until both surveys have
been submitted.

Before completing the survey, please make sure you are eligible to participate by
checking the boxes next to the following questions if the answer is "yes":

O Are you married and sharing a household with your spouse?

O Do you and your spouse have one child between the ages of 2 months and 13 months?

O Is this your first and only child? (i.e., neither you nor your partner has any other
 children?)