Family Stress Minor occurrences : Getting under your skin, what show to watch, & eating the rest of the food. Major occurrences: New baby- rival to young siblings, more demands on older siblings, diverts parents attention from older children's needs Having an older relative move in Limited space &puts more demands on the household

Major Occurrences  Separation o A decision between married individuals to live apart from each other o Couples may live apart from each other until they resolve a conflict  Divorce o If couples can’t resolve their problems then it may result in a legal end to a marriage contract o Can cause stress to the children (acting out)  Custody o A legal decision about who has the right to make decisions affecting the children in a family and who has the responsibility to care for them o Sometimes a long drawn out court battle between parents o Sole Custody or Dual custody

How do you cope with the absence of a parent? -Lower standard of living -Adjust to “blended family” (step parent) Surviving a break up - Remember-Parents divorce each other (not children) -Children often blame themselves -Seldom the cause o Children may experience the stages of grief -Denial, anger, depression, acceptance

Major Occurrences  Remarriage: o Stepparents and children need time to adjust to one another (often takes a lot of time) o Stepparents may have children from another marriage which may cause conflict  Death of a Family Member can cause Grief, the sorrow caused by the loss of a loved one o Each family member needs time to grieve o Focus on happy memories, Accept your feelings, Join a support group or counselor

Major Changes  Moving: Adjustments -New neighborhood, miss friends, new rules  Financial problems: -Over-due bills, loss of job, impulsive buying and over use of credit card  Illness/Disability: -Worry a lot, loose sleep, performance level drops, financial burden, schedules change

Major Changes  Substance Abuse: -Very destructive -Can affect the entire family -Neglect responsibilities -Become irritable -May abuse family members  Need to know where to get help (DCFS)

Major Changes  Domestic Violence Any act of violence involving family members Usually happens at home Physical, sexual, or emotional Criminal act-prosecuted by law 1. Spousal Abuse: 2-8 million women battered by male partner Domestic abuse directed at spouse 35% of women in the ER have symptoms of ongoing abuse

Major Changes  Child abuse: Domestic abuse against a child Between 500,000-2 million teens runaway from home 1. Emotional abuse Pattern of behavior that attacks a child Emotional development & sense of self worth Can be as damaging a physical or sexual abuse

2. Neglect Failure to provide a child’s physical and emotional needs 3. Running away Prime targets for porn and prostitution Exploitation used for someone else's benefit

 A release valve is needed Suggestions: 1. Talk to family members 2. Parent (s), teacher, guidance counselor, social worker 3. Money problem-Get a job-Do more chores to help reduce stress/load will make everybody feel better (even yourself) 4. Read materials concerning the problem-talk to someone who has experienced similar issues