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This paper considers the attainment of parenthood from the perspective of the mother-father-child triad and discusses the complex and interactive dynamics involved in becoming a parent in which each of the three partners influences the other two. This paper first focuses on the shift from the imaginary child to the real child in the triad. Then, it describes the father’s impact on motherhood and the mother’s impact on fatherhood. Lastly, it discusses the way in which the child influences parenthood in both the mother and the father.