View
308
Download
14
Category
Tags:
Preview:
Citation preview
Family ConnectionsFamily Life Cycle
**Handout - Family Life Cycle
Family Life Cycle
• Families continue to change throughout the Family Life Cycle.
• Right now you are in your parents' Family Life Cycle in ______________ stage.
• When you marry you will begin your own Cycle.
• Cycle of Family Life ends when one partner dies as the widow or widower returns to single living.
Newly Married StageTake on new roles of husband and wife. They need to work together to establish their own family.
Newly Married
New roles
Common interests
Common activities
Providers of income/finances
Own housekeeping/chores
Learn to resolve differences
Set new goals
Plan for future
When to start family
Do we want children?
Compromises of living together
Clean freak?
Lazy
Pet peeves? Divide house chores/duties
Rewards• Life partner, someone to share “forever”
with.• Security – Financially and you are no longer
dating.
Early ParenthoodBirth of the first child marks this stage.
Early Parenthood
Personal social life
ActivitiesTaxi Driver
Sleep
Flexibility
Child is completely dependant on you
Caring for another member Less
couple QTRole Adjustments
Complex relationship Couple becomes
child centered
Food, diapers, clothes, formula
Child care?
Dual income?
Finances are being stretched
House duties
Activities, teachers, peers
Child goes to school
Best if you’re a team
Rewards• It is satisfying to see your children grow:
• Laugh• Crawl• Walk• First word• School achievements
• Love and affection from extended family.
Later ParenthoodChildren reach adolescence
Cost more $$
Later Parenthood
EMPATHYFashionable wants
Activities, outings
Performance at school
Later parenthood can extend past 18 yrs
Parents ease up on responsibilities
Clothing
More Freedom?
Parents still legally responsible until 18 yrs
Teen takes on more responsibility
Conflicts occur
Child becomes more adult-like
FashionTattoos
Dating stress
Piercings
Rewards• Shaping your adolescent so he/she can make
adult-like informed decisions and joint decisions and conflict resolution.• Teaches independence.
• Seeing children reach goals is rewarding.• Drivers License• Good Job• Athletics/Music
Empty NestWhen the last child is independent and living on his/her own parental roles change
Empty Nest
Children are responsible for self
own families
own costs
More money since children are no longer financially dependent
Must find new goals/hobbies
Parents may feel lonely
stay at homes are usually most sad
Children are no longer dependent
parents become confidants or advisors
Parents may be involved in grand parenting
Rewards• Couples/parents can re-kindle their own close
relationship.• May have grown apart during child rearing.• Back to honeymoon phase.
• More Money.
Retirement StageBoth spouses retire from their career
Retirement Stage
Leisure activities
new goals
volunteertravel snowbird
couples had to plan ahead to retire financially
one or both spouses retire from career
age varies
early retirement if financially stable
some can not retire - no savings
financial/health problems??
Some are unable to adjust to new freedom
Can be more devoted to extended family
some friends/spouse may not yet be retired...bored
main purpose (financial provider) has ended
low self esteem
Rewards• Free time with family, friends, hobbies.• Able to enjoy life's accomplishments.
Recommended