Developmental Tasks Over the Family Life Cycle

1
Developmental Tasks Over the Family Life Cycle

• Just as individuals have tasks at different
  stages of the human life cycle, family groups
  have tasks typical of different stages of the
  family life cycle.

2
Couple Stage

• Couples establish a home
• Couple decide on single or dual career marriage.
• Couple negotiate relationships with each others
  family and friends.
• Couple agree on their independent interests.
• Couple agree on becoming parents or not becoming
  parents.

3
Expanding Family Stage

• Parents prepare for first child.
• Parents invest in equipment for first child.
• Parents agree on shared care for child.
• Parents agree on participation of other in care
  of child.

4
Preschool

• Parents arrange for companionship for child.
• Parents prepare child for school.
• Parents prepare child for younger sibling.

5
School-age

• Parents agree on type of school for child.
• Parents work childs school schedule in with
  their own work schedule.
• Parents supervise childs contacts with
  schoolmates and teachers.

6
Teen Stage

• Parents begin to let go of teenage child.
• Parents welcome teens peers to their home.
• Teens show new needs with parents.
• Teen initiate discussion on special concerns.
• Parents and teens revise self-images as teens
  become more independent.

7
Launching Stage

• Parents recognize child as young adult.
• Teens share plans with parents and siblings.
• Teens show new needs with parents.
• Parents and teens revise self-images as teens
  become more independent.

8
Contracting Stage

• Parents adjust to empty nest.
• Parents begin to plan for retirement.
• Parents may become grandparents.
• Young adult may re-enter nest on a new basis.
• Parents and children adjust to parental aging.