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.
Infertility can negatively impact couple relationships. This fact sheet provides statistics related to the incidence of infertility and the available treatment options. In addition, the impacts of infertility on marriages and couple dynamics are briefly discussed. (Author abstract)
Intended for biological fathers, this information sheet discusses the positive impact stepfathers can have on children and how a parenting partnership with the other father can benefit children. Biological fathers are urged to communicate with stepfathers, work together on school and homework issues, and take a genuine interest in their children. Discussion questions are included, as well as a list of recommended books.
"Gatekeeping" is the term used in this infosheet to describe the mother's behaviors that act as a gate to open or close the door to father involvement. Gatekeeping is not always a bad thing. It can occur for positive reasons (to protect the safety of the child, for example) but it may also happen for reasons unrelated to the child (to punish a father after a break-up, for example).This infosheet is intended to help professionals engage mothers to engage the fathers of their children in healthy ways. This document provides ideas for working with families to recognize and eliminate or reduce…
This infosheet is intended to help professionals engage mothers to engage the fathers of theirchildren in healthy ways. It focuses on the active role professionals can take in talking with mothers about fathers and includes suggestions on the language we use to talk about fathers. The focus here on the mother's role in father involvement is not intended to diminish the father's responsibility to participate in the child's upbringing. Nor are we suggesting thatprofessionals limit attempts to engage fathersdirectly. Here, we are recognizing that professionals who work with mothers have a…
Dirigida a los padres biológicos, esta hoja informativa habla del impacto positivo que los padrastros pueden tener en los niños y de cómo una asociación de paternidad con el otro padre puede beneficiar a los niños. Se insta a los padres biológicos a que se comuniquen con los padrastros, trabajen juntos en cuestiones escolares y de deberes, y se interesen de verdad por sus hijos. Se incluyen preguntas para el debate, así como una lista de libros recomendados.
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)
Too often, Father's Day is recognized with a greeting card or a less than flattering tie?neither of which has real meaning or adequately expresses the thanks dads deserve for all they do throughout the year. This year, take the initiative to make your Father's Day meaningful and memorable by spending time with your children. Thank them for letting you be part of their lives and giving you so much happiness by just being their dad. (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…
