Relationship Expectations Scenario Emily tries to talk to Heather, her new friend, about the same things she has always discussed with Jackie, her life-long best friend. Is this an appropriate expectation in this new relationship? Why? Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.

Relationship Expectations Scenario Jessica wants Robert to play tea party with their daughter. Robert is uncomfortable playing imaginary games with children. He tells Jessica that he will be more involved in their daughter’s life when she gets older and can go with him to do things. Jessica assumes that he must not love their child because he never wants to spend time with her. Are Jessica’s expectations of Robert appropriate? Why? What expectations does Robert have for his relationship with his daughter? Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.

Sam’s mother has always brought him a soft drink and dinner when he watches TV. Marsha, Sam’s girlfriend, and Sam are hanging out and watching movies. Sam gets thirsty and tells Marsha. Marsha responds, “Me too.” After several minutes, Sam becomes angry. Marsha cannot understand why Sam is mad. Relationship Expectations Scenario What was Sam’s expectation in this relationship? How does Sam’s expectation impact his relationship with Marsha? Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.

Relationship Expectations Scenario Kimmie and Joel are newly married. The first Sunday morning Kimmie gets up and makes herself a cup of coffee and sits down to read her favorite book. Joel gets up excited because he knows that Kimmie is preparing his favorite pancake breakfast. As Joel comes in the room, Kimmie looks up and tells him she would like at least three pancakes for breakfast. Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.

Relationship Expectations Scenario Joel is sure Kimmie is trying to start a fight. Kimmie returns to reading her book and does not notice Joel’s silent anger. After several minutes, she looks up and notices that he is sitting and watching TV. She begins to become angry and tells Joel that this is Sunday morning and she likes pancakes for breakfast. What are Kimmie’s expectations? What are Joel’s expectations? How can they resolve the conflicting expectations? Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.

Relationship Expectations Scenario Jane and Jackie have been friends their whole lives. They have been together almost every day since they were five years old. They are getting ready to begin their senior year when Jane falls in love with David. Jane wants to spend all of her time with David. Jackie does not like David and refuses to include him in any of her and Jane’s plans. Jane decides that if she must choose between the two, she will choose to be with David. After several weeks, Jane begins to miss doing the things she and Jackie used to do. Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.

Relationship Expectations Scenario She tries to talk to David about the things she could talk to Jackie about, but he becomes bored and really does not listen. She decides to spend an evening shopping at the mall with David, but this turns out bad because he hates all the stores she and Jackie had always liked and hates having to wait while she tries on clothes. He finds some friends and goes off with them, leaving her alone. Jane is hurt and decides that he must really not want to be with her. Why do Jane and David have problems talking about the same things Jane and Jackie could always talk about? Are Jane’s expectations of her relationship with David appropriate? Why? Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.