This fact sheet explores marital challenges adults may face when their adult children leave the home, including feelings of depression, sadness, and grief. Symptoms of Empty Nest Syndrome are described, as well as the challenges faced by the Sandwich Generation that is taking care of their own children while taking care of their aging parents, challenges related to boomerang kids, and the challenge of forced retirement. The impact of these challenges on marriage is noted and the need for couples to feel connected to overcome the challenges is emphasized. 9 references.
It is exciting to get married. Marriage offers the opportunity to create a new family and new traditions. However, getting married when there are children involved can bring with it a new set of challenges and anxieties about making your relationship work successfully for a lifetime. Stepfamilies are very common, but creating one can be challenging. In the United States, more than 1,300 stepfamilies are formed every day. It is a great responsibility to model healthy relationships for your children, and now is the perfect time to show them your best stuff! This tip sheet is designed to help…
When one person in a couple is affected by a chronic illness, the other person lives with it as well--chronic illness is a family affair. The challenge lies in finding ways to address the illness as a team so that neither of you feels as if you are alone. Here are some tips to help you strengthen your teamwork. (Author abstract)
This fact sheet explores unique stepfamily characteristics and stepfamily dynamics. Data is shared on the number of stepfamilies, different types of stepfamilies, and nonresidential and cohabiting stepfamilies. It is estimated that between 10 and 20% of U.S. children reside in stepfamilies, and data is reported that indicates between 1997 and 2002, the percentage of stepfamilies did not increase significantly for any racial group except for Hispanics. Compared to children living with both biological parents, the fact sheet states children in stepfamilies tend to have more struggles with…
Other, Fact Sheet
Divorce can be a big challenge for both children and parents. Though times may be difficult, children can emerge feeling loved and supported. You can all grow through these family changes and discover just how strong you really are. You are not alone. Family, friends, neighbors, and others are there to offer support. Here are some tools to help your child through your divorce.(Author abstract)
This tip sheet provides specific guidelines for healthcare providers to start and facilitate conversations with parents and children on core relationship skills such as communication, conflict resolution, parenting, and financial literacy. (Author abstract)
This tip sheet provides suggestions to help safety-net service providers raise consciousness and help couples start off on the path to improving their health and wellbeing, benefitting individuals and promoting stability for couples and families. (Author abstract)
Training Materials, Other
Designed to be used in conjunction with the Getting Real parent and youth training component of the Creating Lasting Family Connections (CLFC) curriculum, this 17-minute DVD presentation describes how each person has a shared, hidden, and lost component of the self. It discusses the critical role that trust plays in human relationships and the 'safe and alone' versus 'vulnerable and intimate' paradox faced in these relationships. A card is also included that explains the CLFC curriculum series. (Author abstract modified)
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Training Materials Designed for trainers, this manual presents the Developing Independence and Responsibility youth training component of the Creating Lasting Family Connections Curriculum, a curriculum for promoting the healthy development of youth at risk for alcohol and other drug abuse. After providing information on the Council on Prevention and Education: Substances, Inc. (COPES) and research findings on the effectiveness of the Creating Lasting Connections project, the manual outlines the individual training components that make up the Creating Lasting Family Connections prevention program model and…
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Training Materials Designed for youth, this notebook includes exercises for the Developing Independence and Responsibility youth training component of the Creating Lasting Family Connections Curriculum, a curriculum for promoting the healthy development of youth at risk for alcohol and other drug abuse. After providing information on the Council on Prevention and Education: Substances, Inc. (COPES), the notebook outlines the individual training components that make up the Creating Lasting Family Connections prevention program model and provides an overview of the Developing Independence and Responsibility.…
