Family RELATIONSHIPS FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT Family is

Family RELATIONSHIPS

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT Family is… Webster: parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not. Meeks, Heit, and Page: a group of people who are related by blood, adoption, marriage, or a desire for mutual support.

WHY ARE FAMILIES IMPORTANT? They provide: Structure Physical support Emotional support

NUCLEAR �Consists of a mother, father and one or more biological or adopted children. TYPES OF FAMILIES

BLENDED The biological mother or father, a stepparent, and the children of one or both parents. TYPES OF FAMILIES

SINGLE PARENT A single mother and her children or a single father and his children. TYPES OF FAMILIES

EXTENDED FAMILY � People outside the nuclear family but are related to the family: aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins. TYPES OF FAMILIES

ADOPTIVE FAMILY Sometimes parents are unable to continue parenting. Children are put up for adoption (a legal process through which adults are given permanent guardianship of children who are not their biological children. ) TYPES OF FAMILIES

FOSTER FAMILY A person or married couple who is not related to the children agrees to house and raise the children for a period of time. Foster families are arranged through government agencies. TYPES OF FAMILIES

CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEALTHY FAMILY 1) Effective Communication – the purpose is to prevent misunderstandings, build healthy relationships, and to express yourself.

2) Respect – reframing from verbally or physically hurting another person; honoring each other’s privacy, and treating each other’s possessions with care; demands self-control and discipline

3) Commitment – being dedicated to recognizing and achieving what is best for family members.

4) Love – the feeling we receive when others in the family express affection and unconditional support to us; the effort we expend to build better relationships with our siblings (brother/sister) and parents.

BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Improve how you behave toward your parents by being mature. Show your family love, compassion, and respect. Being considerate of others. Listen to what parents ask to be done. Helping others with chores or projects.

TIPS FOR COPING WITH FAMILY PROBLEMS 1. 2. 3. 4. Confront the problem. Evaluate the problem as best you can. Take action. Don’t give up.

FAMILY COUNSELING Involves counseling discussions that are led by a third party to resolve conflict among family members.