The Transition to Parenthood

Major Normative Event Family life cycle theory – Several Developmental Tasks: Family life cycle theory – Several Developmental Tasks: Adjust and accept a new member into the system Adjust and accept a new member into the system Couple must alter their relationship as a couple to make room for a child Couple must alter their relationship as a couple to make room for a child Couple moves ‘up’ a generation by becoming parents Couple moves ‘up’ a generation by becoming parents Change in self –image Change in self –image

More Issues… Make changes in ways they organize their personal, family and work routines to fit in new demands of child care Make changes in ways they organize their personal, family and work routines to fit in new demands of child care Need to work through issues of childrearing: how will child be raised, how will child be cared for?, what roles will each play Need to work through issues of childrearing: how will child be raised, how will child be cared for?, what roles will each play Division of household chores will be different Division of household chores will be different

Decrease in marital satisfaction Many couples experience a decrease in maritial satisfaction once a baby is born Many couples experience a decrease in maritial satisfaction once a baby is born Each couple has less time to spend with each other Each couple has less time to spend with each other Lack of time with each other and for each other Lack of time with each other and for each other

The Finances Raising a child is expensive! Raising a child is expensive! Have a look at the charts on page 305 and 306. Have a look at the charts on page 305 and 306. Answer the questions on p. 306 Answer the questions on p. 306 The stats are from 2001, so what do you think they would be now? The stats are from 2001, so what do you think they would be now?

Parent-Child Relationships Of course, one of the most fundamental relationships a child will ever have is with his or her parents Of course, one of the most fundamental relationships a child will ever have is with his or her parents This is incredibly important in the physical, emotional, and spiritual development of a child This is incredibly important in the physical, emotional, and spiritual development of a child Read the section from p. 308 to 313 Read the section from p. 308 to 313 Answer the following questions Answer the following questions

Questions 1. What are the characteristics of securely attached and insecurely attached children? 2. What is the role of love in attachment? How is brain development related to attachment?