Families

Families

By:Michele Lingwall

Wh

at is a

fam

ily?

• I believe a family consists of the people that you love. This can include married couples, married couples with children, single parents with children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren, or a circle of friends. The common tie that binds all these groups together is the love that they have for each other. This is what makes them a family.

Fam

ily S

yste

ms T

heory

Family systems theory focuses on the families behavior rather than the individual behavior. It can explain why members of a family behave the way they do in certain situations. As an early childhood educator there are six characteristics of the family that are especially relevant. These include boundaries, roles, rules, hierarchy, climate, and equilibrium. Becoming an informational advocate, so to speak, is imperative in being able to support and nurture each family.

SIX CHARACTERISTICS

•Boundaries – avoid stereotypes, recognize need for control•Roles – observe children, allow role play•Rules – watch for unspoken rules, ask for families’ input

SIX CHARACTERISTICS CONT.

•Hierarchy – Careful and keen observation•Climate – Safe classroom environment•Equilibrium – Provide consistency

Fam

ily Life

Cycle

s

You pass through many emotional and intellectual stages as you move from childhood to your retirement years. This is what is referred to as the family life cycle. As you move through the family life cycle you gain life skills, which will help you in moving from one stage to the next stage. This is important as there will be many struggles and challenges along the way.

Fam

ily L

ife C

ycle

s

The stages include

Independence Marriage Parenting Launching adult children Retirement

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE FAMILY LIFE CYCLE?

When you are able to successfully master the skills in one stage of the cycle you are more apt to make a smooth transition to the next stage. Furthermore, you are less likely to struggle with future relationships and transitions.

WHAT CAN DISRUPT THE NORMAL CYCLE?

There are number of things that can disrupt the cycle. An ongoing medical crisis, daily stress, or other chronic condition can all make it difficult to transition to the next stage successfully.

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR LIFE CYCLE?

Through self-examination, education and counseling you can improve your life cycles. Getting support from those people that love and care for you is also extremely important during times of struggle.

My Life Cycle Experience

I have had many challenges during my own life cycle. My first husband took his life when I was twenty-seven years old. My second husband, and father of my only child, was killed when I was thirty-six years old. Being a single parent is difficult at times, especially with no family in the area, but I know that my life cycle is what has shaped me into the person I am today. I am blessed beyond words.

Works C

ited

• http://www.peacehealth.org/xhtml/content/special/ty6171.html

• http://www.support4change.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=110&Itemid=151