The Family Life Cycle Young Adulthood Beginning Family – New Couple Childbearing Family – Preschool Children Family with School Age Children Family with Adolescents Launching Family – Young Adults Family in Later Life
Young Adulthood Leaving home Intimate relationships with peers Establishing self in worklife, career, vocation Explore faith on own and with peers
Beginning Family – New Couple Adjusting to roles of husband and wife Realigning relationships with family of origin & friends to include spouse Learning to worship, pray together
Childbearing Family – Preschool Children Accepting new members and adjusting the marital relationship Spouses become parents Beginning family traditions and faith rituals
Family with School Age Children Adjust roles and responsibilities as children enter school Relating to other families and differing ideas Developing faith traditions, passing on values
Family with Adolescents Maintaining structure while allowing greater independence Teens give more time, significance to peers Deeper questioning of faith, church
Launching Family – Young Adults Developing adult-adult relationships Exits and entries into family system New relationships as children establish families
Family in Later Life Empty nest through retirement Loss of relatives and friends Adjusting to physical limitations New opportunities in society and church
Diverse Paths in the Family Life Cycle Divorce and separated families Death of family member Single parenthood Remarriage and blended family Poverty and hardship Immigration and migration
Ministry and the Family Life Cycle Families at each stage have different needs and challenges Transitions in family life are occasions for stress, re-negotiation, learning, and grace As families negotiate the tasks of each stage, opportunities for faith growth open up
The Family Life Cycle Young Adulthood Beginning Family – New Couple Childbearing Family – Preschool Children Family with School Age Children Family with Adolescents Launching Family – Young Adults Family in Later Life