Family Change How do children have to adjust to living with family change?

Single/Joint Custody Families  Single-Custody Families A family in which a child(ren) live with one parent who has custody A family in which a child(ren) live with one parent who has custody A child may have two parents who are active in their lives, but only one parent has custody A child may have two parents who are active in their lives, but only one parent has custody  Joint-Custody Families Both parents share the living arrangement and legal responsibility for their child(ren) Both parents share the living arrangement and legal responsibility for their child(ren)

How to adjust to living in a single custody family  Changes in standard of living Generally when divorce occurs a single parent’s income is dropped by 40% Generally when divorce occurs a single parent’s income is dropped by 40% How might this change in standard of living affect a child?  Change in contact with role models Some kids after a divorce have little or no contact with their non- custodial parent Some kids after a divorce have little or no contact with their non- custodial parent  Change in parental supervision 1 parent = more time away from home working 1 parent = more time away from home working = Child unsupervised more = Child unsupervised more = Possibility of getting into more trouble = Possibility of getting into more trouble

Family Budget  Family Budget Total Monthly Income $4600 Total Monthly Income $4600 Expenses: Rent/Mortgage, Utilities (Heat, Water, Electric, Cable/Internet), Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Cell Phone/Home Phone, Entertainment, Gas, Food, Clothing Expenses: Rent/Mortgage, Utilities (Heat, Water, Electric, Cable/Internet), Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Cell Phone/Home Phone, Entertainment, Gas, Food, Clothing  After a divorce income reduces by about 40%...how will that effect expenses???

Family Budget Activity  Take away 40% of this income…what types of things do you need to cut down on?  Family Budget (Family of 4) - $4600  Rent/Mortgage - $1200  Utilities - $350  Auto Loan - $200  Auto Insurance - $150  Cell/Home Phone - $100  Entertainment - $200  Gas - $150  Food - $600  Clothing - $100

Stepfamilies  Remarriage – when a previously married person remarries  Stepfamily – a family consisting of the marriage partners, children that one or both brought into the marriage and any children they have

How to adjust to living in a stepfamily  Changes in family rules/relationships When a step family is formed rules may change for one or both sets of children When a step family is formed rules may change for one or both sets of children Things that were previously acceptable may not be or vice versa Things that were previously acceptable may not be or vice versa This requires adjustment This requires adjustment What problems could arise from changes in family rules?What problems could arise from changes in family rules? “You can’t tell me what to do, you’re not my mother/father” etc. “You can’t tell me what to do, you’re not my mother/father” etc.

Suggestions for teens whose parents remarry  Respect the new guidelines for your behavior.  Help your family follow a budget  Interact in healthful ways with your stepparent and stepsiblings

Changes if a parent goes to jail  Loss of family income and change in living arrangements A child may wind up in foster care A child may wind up in foster care Children may be split up from each other Children may be split up from each other  Critcism from society  Reduced Contact  Symptoms of anxiety and or depression Teens whose parent/guardian commits a crime is more likely to commit a crime themselves. Teens whose parent/guardian commits a crime is more likely to commit a crime themselves.

Suggestions for teens who have a parent in jail  Ask questions: Will there be any changes in where I live? Will there be any changes in where I live? Will my family’s financial situation change? Will my family’s financial situation change? What kind of contact am I allowed to have? What kind of contact am I allowed to have?  Do not accept blame for the illegal actions of the parent/guardian

Review  What are ways that the divorce of parents might affect teens?  What are suggestions to help teens adjust to divorce?  What are suggestions to help teens adjust to single-custody families?  What are ways having a step family might affect teens?  How might having a parent in jail affect teens?