Ch 3 Building strong families

Everyone needs food, clothing, and shelter. -It is the family’s responsibility to meet these needs. -Strong families also meet the emotional, intellectual and social needs too. -The family should be the child’s first teacher; they should love one another, as well as show how to take turns, share, and work toward common goals. -By living with others in the family, children are prepared to live with others in society.

Family Structure- Nuclear family- includes a mother and father and at least one child. There are two parents to help raise the children Single-parent families: includes either a mother or a father and at least one child. The absent parent might have died or left after a divorce Custodial parent: is the one in which the child resides, a necessary break from the challenges of single parenthood Blended families: is formed when a single parent marries another person, who may or may not have children. This new parent becomes the child step parent

Extended families: includes a parent or parents, at least one child, and relatives other than a parent or child who live with them. Legal guardian: is a person who is designated by a legal process to assume responsibility for raising a child Adoption is a legal process in which a child may enter a family they weren’t born into, they have the same legal rights as biological children

Family life cycles: Beginning stage: a couple works to establish a home and their marriage relationship Stage 1: expanding stage: prepares and adjusts to parenthood stage 2: developing stage: as children grow, parents work to meet childrens challenging needs to help them develop independence Stage 3: launching stage: children gradually leave home to support themselves Middle age: a couple renews their relationship and prepares for retirement. Retirement: the couple stops full time work and adjusts to having more free time

Trends affecting families: Mobility: Families being spread out all over and try to maintain strong ties Aging population: People living longer, advances in medicine; thus people are not only caring for their children but also their parents Intergenerational: relationships between older and younger age groups Economic changes Primary concern as to why both parents are employed. Major impact because families are smaller then they used to be and having children later in life Workplace changes People getting laid off and finding new careers; and a higher number people who work out of their homes Technology Makes life easier and more complicated. The more technology the higher effects of people being more isolated from one another

Sources of Family Support- With all the stresses and demands anymore in life, it is important that family members be there for each other. If they are not, or if the problem is serious it is important to seek professional help Building a Strong Family- Families are not just a group of individuals who happen to be related, they are a group where all members should feel accepted and safe. As families spend more time together they form stronger bonds and traditions, which are all very important

Traditions provide a sense of continuity, understanding, and appreciation that brings a family together. There are 3 types of traditions: 1.Celebration Traditions- events that are centered on special occasions such as birthdays and holidays. 2.Family Traditions- events and special activities created to fit a family’s lifestyle such as vacations or family reunions 3. Patterned Family Interactions- actions centered on daily routines in life such as dinnertime and bedtime

Shared values: beliefs that are held by an individual, family , community or society. Acceptable behavior in respect to honesty, respect, responsibility, friendliness, kindness, and tolerance. Things that help shape values include: Society Family Religious affiliations if there are any Friends School

Handling family conflict: Understand each others view points Learn to resolve differences Understand each others feelings Tips to handle them effectively: Keep cool Be an active listener Use positive body language

Chapter 3.2 Effective parenting skills

Meeting childrens needs Physical needs: Food, clothing and shelter Emotional and social needs: Feel safe, loved and cared for Intellectual needs: Minds are stimulated and given the opportunity to learn When parents don’t or cant meet their childs basic needs it can lead to deprivation which is the lack of critical needs and an encouraging environment

Physical needs Under law parents must fulfill a child's needs Parents are also responsible for their child's health and safety They are responsible to make sure that: They are in a car seat suited for their age Eliminating hazards in the home Know where their children are at all times

Emotional and social needs Parents must Nurture their children so they become: Socially ready Emotionally read and independent Remove barriers Show love and support Communicating and giving them time and attention A parent can show to much love and support that can prevent the child from learning how to deal with the ups and downs of life

Intellectual needs: Children begin learning at birth They learn from: touching, tasting, and playing with objects around them Parents can nurture early learning through: Playing with their children Filling their environment with interesting sounds, smells, sights and things to touch Parents need to continue to provide opportunities for play and learning such as playing ball, borrowing books from the library

Parenting styles: Parenting style: How parents and other caregivers care for and discipline children Authoritarian: believes children should obey their parents without question Assertive-democratic: children have more input into the rules and limits of the home. They learn to take responsibility Permissive: parents give children a wide range of freedom. Children set their own rules and are encouraged to think for themselves.