What are relationships? Family Relationships What are relationships? The way in which two or more people or things are connected

What is a family life cycle? The emotional and intellectual stages you pass through from childhood to your retirement years as a member of a family are called the family life cycle. In each stage, you face challenges in your family life that allow you to build or gain new skills. Gaining these skills helps you work through the changes that nearly every family goes through.

The Family Life Cycle Independent person Couple-POSSLQ Couple with Child - Early Parenthood C(od Launching - One or more children prepare to leave home Empty Nest - All children have launched Retirement/Senior Years Independent person Couple-POSSLQ Retirement/Senior Years Couple with Child-Early Parenthood Empty Nest- All children have left home Launching-One or more children prepare to leave home Couple with Child(ren)-Middle Parenthood

Stereotypical Family? A typical family would be husband and wife ( or a man and woman living as married couple), and 2.4 children. In this day and age is there such a thing as a typical family? Only 19% of families in 2013 were “typical”!

Seven Secrets to Strong Families They put the time in Love and acceptance are unconditional, and individuality is prized Parents treat one another and their children at least as well as the dinner guests

Seven Secrets to Strong Families Everybody has input but parents remain in charge Everyone pitches in Expressing affection and appreciation are everyday affairs Humor and laughter abound

Family Placement Activity Students who are: The oldest child go to the NE corner of room. The youngest child go to the SE corner. The middle child go to the SW corner. The only child go to the NW corner. Each group is to list the advantages and disadvantages of their birth order on the butcher paper. Each group will present their findings.

Journal What position are you in your family in relationship to your siblings? Describe that position.

Birth Order The order in which children are born into a family influences the development of the children. Oldest children bear the burden of the parents’ heaviest expectations and also of the parents’ inexperience in raising children. Second or third children are generally treated in a more relaxed way by the parents. Youngest children often have a more difficult time in making the transition to adulthood.

Oldest Child Usually set up as an example to the other children. Treated more like an adult by his/her parents. A high achiever. Given and accepts more responsibility than the other children. Usually college-bound. Independent. Affectionate.

Middle Child May work extra-hard to get recognition. Is usually a peacemaker. Is somewhat average in schoolwork, but is an all-around good student. Is usually a calm, even-tempered adult.

Youngest Child Gets a lot of attention, along with a lot of bossing. May be spoiled. Usually matures quickly. May be undisciplined and irresponsible. Is easy-going about school. Likes to associate with someone who takes charge of situations.

Only Child Overtly confident Sensitive to criticism Well spoken (due to time spent with adults) Pay attention to detail Good in school Difficulty sharing Overly critical of self and others

Toothpaste Activity Once we have said something, Student draws a line on the black paper with the toothpaste for every degrading thing I say and a circle for every positive comment. Give the paper to another students. Have this student put the toothpaste back into the tube of toothpaste. Once we have said something, we can never take the words back – they have left their mark!

Sibling Rivalry Competition among children of the same family for their parents’ affections or for dominance. It can occur at any age, even into adult life. Next to the parent-child relationship, the sibling relationship is probably the strongest.