HECMA Program Understanding family relationships Ms. Sandra Gorman

Everyone is part of a family  Family: is the basic unit of society  It gives people a place to belong to. Your family is part of a community and a country  Your family teaches you values, beliefs and expectations  Tell your partner about your family

Different types of families 1. Nuclear Family: husband, wife and their child / children 2. Blended Family: One stepparent, one parent and one or more children 3. Single-parent Family: one parent and one or more children 4. Extended Family: parents, children and other family members such as grandparents living together.

How families help their members  Physical needs: food, water & shelter  Mental needs: teaches life skills, answers questions & helps expand knowledge  Emotional needs: love, acceptance, trust & security  Social needs: teaches how to get along with each other and with people outside the family  Nurtures: to fulfill physical, mental/emotional and social needs

Develop Values & Beliefs  Family’s way of life  Traditions  Culture  Religious beliefs

Values & Beliefs  Your values & beliefs influence the decisions you make, even as an adult.  Influence the types of activities you participate in  The foods you eat  The type of healthcare you choose  Choose to NOT participate in risky behaviours  e.g. smoking, alcohol, drugs

Roles & Responsibilities  Every family member has one or more roles such as parent, child or sibling.  There are responsibilities that come with each role  AS you get older, your roles and responsibilities change as your family needs change.  Roles help families deal with the challenges of daily life and can help build strong family relationships.

Building family relationships  People in strong families feel connected  They enjoy spending time together

Strengthen family relationships  Show appreciation for each other – thank you  Support other family members  Spend quality time together – mealtimes  Communicate effectively – openly  Show responsibility – house tasks / jobs  Show respect  Follow family rules

Positive ways to coping with change in the family  Moving to a new home  Separation, divorce or remarriage of parents  Job change or job loss  Birth of a new sibling  Illness or injury  Death, loss and grief Change affects ALL family members

Positive Coping with change  Changes and challenges are a normal part of family life.  Keep up normal routines  Talk opening  Get outside help if needed Counsellors, healthcare workers, religious leaders, police and legal help

Families work together  For most people, the family stands at the center of their lives.  People who enjoy healthy family relationships are more likely to enjoy healthy relationships with others.

Vocabulary  Family: is the basic unit of society  Nurtures: to fulfill physical, mental/emotional and social needs