Family Forms & Communication

Family Life Cycle Childbearing Family 0-2 1/2 years old Leaving Home Family with Preschoolers 2 ½ - 6 yrs Empty Nest Launching Center marriage Parenting Retirement Independence Family with School Children 6 -13 yrs old Parenting adolescents 14-20 yr old Family Life Cycle

Family Life Cycle Stage 1: Beginning Family 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. Stage 3: Family with Preschoolers 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.

Family Life Cycle Continued... Stage 5: Family with Teenagers When the oldest child is between the ages of 13 and 20. Stage 6: Launching Center 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. Stage 8: Aging Family From retirement till the death of the surviving marriage partner.

Independence Most critical stage Support yourself emotionally, physically, socially, and financially Learn who you are outside of your family Develop intimate relationships Responsible for your own health Establish yourself in your career Qualities developed: Trust, morals, work ethic, identity

Coupling Stage Finances Lifestyle Recreational activities or hobbies Relationships with in-laws Friendships Putting another person’s needs before your own Qualities developed: advanced interpersonal communication, problem-solving skills

Parenting: Babies through Adolescents Qualities Developed: caring for another person, balancing time and finances Young Children: Qualities Developed: adjusting space to make room for children, taking on parenting roles, caring for young children cuts the amount of time you have to spend with your spouse down. School Age & Adolescents: Qualities Developed: positive growth and creative exploration for your entire family, good communication, problem solving, mutual caring, support and trust.

Empty Nest: Launching Adult Children Qualities Developed: Adult relationships with your children Refocusing on your marriage without children Developing adult relationships with your grown children Realigning relationships to include in-laws and grandchildren when your children have begun their own families

Retirement/Aging Stage of Life Qualities Developed: Maintaining your own interests and physical functioning Exploring new family and social roles Providing emotional support for your adult children and extended family members Making room in the family system for the wisdom and experience of older adults Reviewing your life and reflecting on all you have learned and experienced during your life cycle

Activity: Paper Plate Project Be prepared to share with the class. Please use the rubric to score yourself before turning in your project! 

What is communication? The process of exchanging thoughts, messages or information between two or more people.

Effective Communication Criteria Eye contact Active listening Responding/feedback Clear message

Effective Communication How easy is it to communicate effectively? What can go wrong? Video 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr1uS8KZbto Video 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhe0KSGoUgc Did these video clips show effective communication?

Communication DO’s Listen Look person in the eyes Ask questions Hear a person out Resist distractions Be open-minded Assume Responsibility in a dialogue

Communication DON’Ts Interrupt Raise your Voice or Yell Call Names or Label Blame Force or Threaten Laugh at People Assume you Understand Make Snap Judgements Offer advice when not asked for

Review Game Play Kahoot to practice identifying the communication Dos & Don’ts. https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/06dadb39- 9c69-45cc-b6c7-899cd1fe99a9