A source of roles, responsibilities and challenges for families! THE FAMILY LIFECYCLE A source of roles, responsibilities and challenges for families!

What is a lifecycle? A lifecycle is a series of stages families go through as the structure of the family changes. Not every family follows the life cycle in order or description because each family is unique.

STAGE 1: Beginning Stage Get married. Leave your original family unit No children in this stage

STAGE 2: Parenting / Expanding Stage During this stage, children are added to the family.

Stage 3: Developing Stage Begins when the first child starts school

STAGE 4: Launching Stage Begins with the departure of the oldest child and ends with the departure of the youngest child from the family unit.

STAGE 5: Mid-years Stage Called the “empty nest” stage Sandwich Generation - Care for Parents and supports older children

STAGE 6: Aging/Retirement Stage No longer working, increased leisure time with good health