At a seminar held at the Australian Institute of Family Studies in March 1999 which focused on a variety of issues at the interface of the family and education, the author addressed the need for education for family life. She also took the opportunity to respond to the Institute's Research Plan 1999 - 2001 which sets out the research directions being adopted by the Institute for the next three years. This article is an edited version of her comments in which she suggests two possible directions for consideration: preparing for parenthood; and enhancing communication and relationship skills.