“The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.” Thomas Jefferson What have been the happiest memories with your family? (In your head!!)

Millions of Kids Children living in blended families, including either a step-parent or step-sibling. Children living with both natural parents and full brothers or sisters. Children living in extended families including other people such as uncles, cousins, aunts or grandparents. Children living in one-parent families. 8 million 10 million 15 million 33 million Family Type Number of Children Worldwide Statistics

Flexibility, adaptability and tolerance for change are helpful skills for making any family form succeed!

Family Relationships What is a relationship? An interaction between two or more people. An interaction between two or more people. Who does a family relationship involve? Parents, siblings, peers, spouse, grandparents Parents, siblings, peers, spouse, grandparents The family relationship is constantly changing. It is important to remember that an individual is going through various stages of his/her life cycle while the family is going through its own cycle.

Family Life Cycle Stage 1: Beginning Family Stage 2: Childbearing Family Stage 3: Parenting Stage 4: Launching Stage 5: Mid Years Stage 6: Aging

What is your definition of the stereotypical family? Working dad Stay-at-home mom 2 or 3 children Only 10% of all U.S. households are in this family form.

Types of Families NuclearExtended Single parent Blendedchildless

American Family Forms 1. Living Alone 1 of 24 adults remain single throughout their life. 1 of 24 adults remain single throughout their life. 66% of single people are women. 66% of single people are women. 2. Cohabitation Persons of the opposite sex sharing living quarters. Persons of the opposite sex sharing living quarters. Couples who live together before marriage, divorce just as often as those who marry first. Couples who live together before marriage, divorce just as often as those who marry first. 3. Marrying Later in Life Average age to marry: men , women Average age to marry: men , women More young people are not marrying or are marrying later. More young people are not marrying or are marrying later.

4. Couples Having Children Later in Life More couples are waiting to become parents until their careers are established. More couples are waiting to become parents until their careers are established. Estimated cost to raise child is $200,000 Estimated cost to raise child is $200, Couples With Fewer Children The average number of children has dropped from 3.6 in 1957 to 1.8. The average number of children has dropped from 3.6 in 1957 to Couples With No Children Due to career commitments, fertility problems or just because they enjoy their childless lifestyles, many couples are remaining “Double Income, No Kids” couples. Due to career commitments, fertility problems or just because they enjoy their childless lifestyles, many couples are remaining “Double Income, No Kids” couples. American Family Forms

7. Divorced Adults Approximately 60% of all divorces involve couples with children in the home. Approximately 60% of all divorces involve couples with children in the home. 8. Single-Parent Families About 1 in 4 children live with only one parent. About 1 in 4 children live with only one parent. The number of single-parent homes has more than doubled in the past 20 years The number of single-parent homes has more than doubled in the past 20 years Divorced women’s standard of living drops 73%, while divorced men jumps 42%. Divorced women’s standard of living drops 73%, while divorced men jumps 42%. About 50% of the children in divorced families report having not seen their father in the last year and only 1 of 6 see him once a week. About 50% of the children in divorced families report having not seen their father in the last year and only 1 of 6 see him once a week. American Family Forms

9. Grown Children Moving In With Their Parents Families with two children and young parents living at home with their parents has doubled in 25 years. Families with two children and young parents living at home with their parents has doubled in 25 years. 10. Grandparents Living With Families With greater longevity, there are more elderly people. With greater longevity, there are more elderly people. 11. Blended Families Divorced parents, especially fathers are likely to remarry. Divorced parents, especially fathers are likely to remarry. 13% of today’s children are stepchildren 13% of today’s children are stepchildren Flexibility and humor will assist in the adjustment. Flexibility and humor will assist in the adjustment.

12. Working Mothers The fastest growing segment of the work force is women with children under the age of three. The fastest growing segment of the work force is women with children under the age of three. More than half of American mothers with infants less than a year old are working outside the home. More than half of American mothers with infants less than a year old are working outside the home. Day care for these children can cost up to ¼ the family budget. Day care for these children can cost up to ¼ the family budget. Working mothers have 15 fewer hours of leisure a week than fathers. Working mothers have 15 fewer hours of leisure a week than fathers. American Family Forms

“In a united family, happiness springs of itself.” Chinese Proverb Is your family united? How can you help unite and strengthen your family?

What are the Secrets of a Strong Family?

Give it Frequently Be Appreciative of “Invisible Work” Behavior is Contagious! Don’t Give Up Too Quickly

Small touches, hugs & kisses Use verbal affection often (appreciation, compliments, etc.) Develops bonding Don’t assume they “already know it”

Go with each other when one of you has an activity. Share daily experiences. Show that you are in it for long haul. (You won’t give up on family easily.)

Quality time is better than quantity time. Family Experiences Vacations Vacations Camping Camping Daily Experiences Eating together!!!! Eating together!!!! Chores Chores Doing homework Doing homework The purpose of the experience is to strengthen the relationship.

Strong families can solve problems in creative ways. Happy families have the same number of arguments, but they focus on happy times. It is ok to have problems, but the key is to solve them quickly. The longer you are in an argument, the harder it is to get out. Why? The longer you are in an argument, the harder it is to get out. Why?

Communication is the key! Be willing to share daily events and experiences often to foster communication. Without communication, the family unit falls apart. Is there a member of your family that you have not talked to for a long time because of a conflict? How does this lack of communication make you feel?