“In a united family, happiness springs of itself.” Chinese Proverb Is your family united? How can you help unite and strengthen your family?

What is your definition of the stereotypical family? Working dad Stay-at-home mom 2 or 3 children Called a Nuclear Family Only 10% of all U.S. households are in this family form.

American Family Forms 1. Single People 1 of 24 adults remain single throughout their life. 1 of 24 adults remain single throughout their life. 66% of single people are women. 66% of single people are women. Single individuals may turn to friends to fulfill needs normally met by family. Single individuals may turn to friends to fulfill needs normally met by family.

2. Couples Couple relationship with no children in the home. Couple relationship with no children in the home. Time is used developing a close bond, interests and careers. Time is used developing a close bond, interests and careers.

3. Nuclear Families (“Traditional Family”) Consists of mother, father and their children. Consists of mother, father and their children.

4. Single-Parent Families One parent and his or her children. One parent and his or her children. Can be very challenging because of all the responsibilities that must be juggled alone. Can be very challenging because of all the responsibilities that must be juggled alone. About 1 in 4 children live with only one parent. About 1 in 4 children live with only one parent. The number of single-parent homes has more than doubled in the past 20 years The number of single-parent homes has more than doubled in the past 20 years Divorced women’s standard of living drops 73%, while divorced men jumps 42%. Divorced women’s standard of living drops 73%, while divorced men jumps 42%. Working mothers have 15 fewer hours of leisure a week than fathers. Working mothers have 15 fewer hours of leisure a week than fathers. Day care for these children can cost up to ¼ the family budget. Day care for these children can cost up to ¼ the family budget.

5. Blended Families (“Step-Families”) Consists of a husband and wife, one or both of whom has children from a previous relationship. Consists of a husband and wife, one or both of whom has children from a previous relationship. Blended families can include the children of both spouses as well as new children born to the couple. Blended families can include the children of both spouses as well as new children born to the couple.

6. Extended Families Includes relatives other than parents and children. Includes relatives other than parents and children. Grandparents, aunts uncles and cousins are all part of your extended family, whether you live with them or not. Grandparents, aunts uncles and cousins are all part of your extended family, whether you live with them or not.

7. Adoptive Families Adopted children are not biologically linked to their parents. Adopted children are not biologically linked to their parents. The parents have gone through a legal process to make the children part of the family. The parents have gone through a legal process to make the children part of the family. Adopted children are protected by all the same rights that a birth child has. Adopted children are protected by all the same rights that a birth child has.

8. Legal Guardians A person financially and legally responsible for the care of a child. A person financially and legally responsible for the care of a child. Legal guardians are usually relatives or close family friends. Legal guardians are usually relatives or close family friends.

9. Foster Families A foster family takes care of children on a temporary basis. A foster family takes care of children on a temporary basis. Foster children may be waiting for adoption or need a place to live while family problems are solved. Foster children may be waiting for adoption or need a place to live while family problems are solved. Foster parents must be licensed by the state and are screened by social workers. Foster parents must be licensed by the state and are screened by social workers.

Family Life Cycle Stage 1: Beginning Family The married couple establish their home but do not yet have children. The married couple establish their home but do not yet have children.

Stage 2: Childbearing Family From the birth of the first child until that child is 2 ½ years old. From the birth of the first child until that child is 2 ½ years old.

Stage 3: Family with Preschoolers When the oldest child is between the ages of 2 ½ and 6. When the oldest child is between the ages of 2 ½ and 6.

Stage 4: Family with School Children When the oldest child is between the ages of 6 and 13. When the oldest child is between the ages of 6 and 13.

Stage 5: Family with Teenagers When the oldest child is between the ages of 13 and 19. When the oldest child is between the ages of 13 and 19.

Stage 6: Launching Center From the time the oldest child leaves the family for independent adult life till the time the last child leaves. From the time the oldest child leaves the family for independent adult life till the time the last child leaves.

Stage 7: Empty Nest From the time the children are gone till the marital couple retires from employment. From the time the children are gone till the marital couple retires from employment.

Stage 8: Aging Family From retirement till the death of the surviving marriage partner. From retirement till the death of the surviving marriage partner.

“The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the heart of my family.” Thomas Jefferson What have been the happiest memories with your family? (At least one.)

Family Relationships What is a relationship? An interaction between two or more people. An interaction between two or more people. Who does a family relationship involve? Parents, siblings, peers, spouse, grandparents Parents, siblings, peers, spouse, grandparents The family relationship is constantly changing. It is important to remember that an individual is going through various stages of his/her life cycle while the family is going through its own cycle.

What are the Secrets of a Strong Family?

Give it Frequently Be Appreciative of “Invisible Work” Behavior is Contagious! Don’t Give Up Too Quickly

Small touches, hugs & kisses Use verbal affection often (appreciation, compliments, etc.) Develops bonding Don’t assume they “already know it”

Go with each other when one of you has an activity. Share daily experiences. Show that you are in it for long haul. (You won’t give up on family easily.)

Quality time is better than quantity time. Family Experiences Vacations Vacations Camping Camping Daily Experiences Eating together!!!! Eating together!!!! Chores Chores Doing homework Doing homework The purpose of the experience is to strengthen the relationship.

Strong families can solve problems in creative ways. Happy families have the same number of arguments, but they focus on happy times. It is ok to have problems, but the key is to solve them quickly. The longer you are in an argument, the harder it is to get out. Why? The longer you are in an argument, the harder it is to get out. Why?

Communication is the key! Be willing to share daily events and experiences often to foster communication. Without communication, the family unit falls apart. Is there a member of your family that you have not talked to for a long time because of a conflict? How does this lack of communication make you feel?

Flexibility, adaptability and tolerance for change are helpful skills for making any family form succeed!

How well do you know your parents/family? Student Survey

Family Traditions Why are family traditions so important? What are some family traditions around the world?

Family Traditions Brochure We are going to use the computer lab and research family traditions from all over the world. You are to follow the rubric and create a brochure that explains this family tradition. It has to be a culture different from yours. I want you to learn more about families across the world!!

Ideas Include: Flags that represent the countries your families came from Pictures of foods that are common to your ethnicity Pictures that represent your first or last name Drawings that depict favorite family events, celebrations or traditions Be Creative and Use Color!