Individuals, families and communities Year 10 – Living environments

Beginning family Marriage Children are born Expanding family Crowded years – children at school Peak years – teenagers in the house Contracting family Children leave home – for work or marriage Retirement – parents alone Old age – widow or widower Family Life Cycle

Married couple without children  Live in a fairly small home  Saving for a larger home  Often entertain young married friends

Children aged from birth to 30 months Needs:  Extra bedroom  Outdoor area for children to play in  Larger bathroom  Good supply of hot water

Oldest child aged 30 months to 6 years Needs:  Playing area  Access to school, transport  Family, craft or hobbies room

Oldest from 6 to 13 years Needs:  Study area  Own bedroom  Room for friends  Space for pets, hobbies, pool

Oldest from 13 to 20 years Needs:  Privacy / own room  Accommodation for another car  Entertainment, barbeque area  Access to entertainment  Self contained area including bathroom / toilet

First child gone to last child leaving home Adjustments:  Space for grandchildren  Change spare room to suit own needs (crafts, painting, etc)  Move to smaller house  Move to country or beach  Take in boarders  Need for larger garden as a hobby

Empty nest to retirement Adjustments:  Move to country or beach or smaller house  Aged parent problems  Need for easy care materials  Some luxuries possible  Some entertaining  Space for grandchildren

Retirement to death of both spouses  Need for care by others, e.g. ‘Meals on wheels’, home help, move to aged persons facility  Extended Overseas trip

 What special needs arise at each stage of the ‘Family life cycle’? 1. Beginning 2. Expanding 3. Contracting Consider the previous points (refer to your handout) and consider the ideas within.