2. Growth in Marriage

3. Do now: In a paragraph describe what you would consider an ideal family type or situation. Traditional type family Mother and father who live together and raise the children together Not the only kind of family that is wonderful to grow up in Most teens identify it as the ideal

4. Write a paragraph about the last 7 years of your life…how have you developed? Share your ideas with your neighbor. What things do you share in common? Answer the question: Does this growth and development continue as you grow older? A couple will continue to develop in their relationship, roles as parents, and in their individual lives

5. Seasons of Marriage Not the same for everyone There is a general pattern

6. Blissful Beginnings Years 1-2 “Honeymoon” Lots of hope Everything is new Acceptance and loyalty Adjust to “we & us” Interdependence Support, affection Learn how to compromise and adjust

7. Becoming Domestic Years 3-7 Making a home Welcoming children Physical and emotional fatigue Expand sharing to new roles Who will be the primary child care giver Will one person cease to work outside the home Will both parents be involved in child rearing…how? Not a couple but a family How do you adjust?

8. Time of Decision Years 7-14 Can be the most challenging Growing professionally, personally, parentally Sexual fervor may end Change jobs Children become independent Re-accept vows- “Life After Marriage” Less time together Aspects of life begin to feel more oppressive Are you going to hang in there?

9. Strength and Renewal Years 14-21 Children adolescent Learn from children May be frustrating as well More time together New roles Joy of seeing growth

10. Midlife Transitions College for kids More job/less job May want a career change May be laid off and be forced to deal with unemployment More home centered Less expensive Empty nest Can be difficult Children go from being dependent to independent

11. On their own again Years 28-40 Retirement Deeper bonds if already there Grandchildren Travel Hobbies Volunteering

12. Growing Old Illness Taking care of each other New roles New home

13. Ongoing Adjustments From “I” to “We” Changes in sexual expression Financial issues Changing roles Coping with crisis

14. 3 Stances Toward Relationship  Faithfulness to Each Other Development of the relationship is #1  Hospitality toward new life Children are honored guests  Openness to Community Need to create family of support in community

15. If one of the partners in a marriage is not faithful, I feel that A married couple learn to trust each other by If my spouse had close other-sex friends, I would feel If I marr, I hope that my spouse and I will have the kind of friends who Mutaul affirmation in marriage is If I marry, I want to have (number) of children Most young couples I know look upon having children as About NFP I feel

16. The Healthy Family Ideal environment for an individual to into a happy, caring, self-respecting person

17. Open Communication Feel listened to Able to listen Share honestly Reconcile conflicts in fair ways

18. Affirmation Give compliments generously Active interest in others Attend events Celebrate accomplishments

19. Trust Believe in each other Children grow without fear of making mistakes Builds self-esteem

20. A Sense of Tradition Binds a family together Sharing rituals and traditions May be family reunions, holidays Gives a sense of roots

21. Shared Leisure Time Fosters talk and appreciation of one another Allows members to lower their guard and be together without stress Shared meals Play games

22. A Sense of Right and Wrong Responsible for behavior Confront wrong behavior directly School in honesty, respect for other people and service to those in need

23. A Sense of Responsibility Contribute to a sense of common good for the family Share in chose Pick up after one’s self Enhances self-esteem Feel that they have an influence on the world of their family Empowered

24. A Shared Religious Vision United by a common set of beliefs and religious practices Values about the meaning of life Participation in a religious community sustains a family Deepens faith