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.