Family ChangeFamily Change

How do children have to adjust to How do children have to adjust to living with family change?living with family change?

Single/Joint Custody FamiliesSingle/Joint Custody Families

Single-Custody FamiliesSingle-Custody Families A family in which a child(ren) live with one A family in which a child(ren) live with one

parent who has custodyparent who has custody A child may have two parents who are active A child may have two parents who are active

in their lives, but only one parent has custody in their lives, but only one parent has custody Joint-Custody FamiliesJoint-Custody Families

Both parents share the living arrangement Both parents share the living arrangement and legal responsibility for their child(ren)and legal responsibility for their child(ren)

How to adjust to living in a single How to adjust to living in a single custody familycustody family

Changes in standard of livingChanges in standard of living Generally when divorce occurs a single parent’s income is Generally when divorce occurs a single parent’s income is

dropped by 40%dropped by 40%

How might this change in standard of living affect a child?How might this change in standard of living affect a child? Change in contact with role modelsChange in contact with role models

Some kids after a divorce have little or no contact with their non-Some kids after a divorce have little or no contact with their non-custodial parentcustodial parent

Change in parental supervisionChange in parental supervision 1 parent = more time away from home working1 parent = more time away from home working = Child unsupervised more= Child unsupervised more = Possibility of getting into more trouble= Possibility of getting into more trouble

Family BudgetFamily Budget

Family BudgetFamily Budget Total Monthly Income $4600Total Monthly Income $4600 Expenses: Rent/Mortgage, Utilities (Heat, Expenses: Rent/Mortgage, Utilities (Heat,

Water, Electric, Cable/Internet), Auto Water, Electric, Cable/Internet), Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Cell Phone/Home Loans, Auto Insurance, Cell Phone/Home Phone, Entertainment, Gas, Food, ClothingPhone, Entertainment, Gas, Food, Clothing

After a divorce income reduces by about After a divorce income reduces by about 40%...how will that effect expenses???40%...how will that effect expenses???

Family Budget ActivityFamily Budget Activity Take away 40% of this income…what types of things do you Take away 40% of this income…what types of things do you

need to cut down on?need to cut down on? Family Budget (Family of 4) - $4600Family Budget (Family of 4) - $4600 Rent/Mortgage - $1200Rent/Mortgage - $1200 Utilities - $350Utilities - $350 Auto Loan - $200Auto Loan - $200 Auto Insurance - $150Auto Insurance - $150 Cell/Home Phone - $100Cell/Home Phone - $100 Entertainment - $200Entertainment - $200 Gas - $150Gas - $150 Food - $600Food - $600 Clothing - $100Clothing - $100

StepfamiliesStepfamilies

Remarriage – when a previously married Remarriage – when a previously married person remarriesperson remarries

Stepfamily – a family consisting of the Stepfamily – a family consisting of the marriage partners, children that one or marriage partners, children that one or both brought into the marriage and any both brought into the marriage and any children they havechildren they have

How to adjust to living in a How to adjust to living in a stepfamilystepfamily

Changes in family rules/relationshipsChanges in family rules/relationships When a step family is formed rules may When a step family is formed rules may

change for one or both sets of childrenchange for one or both sets of children Things that were previously acceptable may Things that were previously acceptable may

not be or vice versa not be or vice versa This requires adjustmentThis requires adjustment

• What problems could arise from changes in family What problems could arise from changes in family rules?rules?

““You can’t tell me what to do, you’re not my You can’t tell me what to do, you’re not my mother/father” etc.mother/father” etc.

Suggestions for teens whose Suggestions for teens whose parents remarryparents remarry

Respect the new guidelines for your Respect the new guidelines for your behavior.behavior.

Help your family follow a budgetHelp your family follow a budget Interact in healthful ways with your Interact in healthful ways with your

stepparent and stepsiblingsstepparent and stepsiblings

Changes if a parent goes to jailChanges if a parent goes to jail

Loss of family income and change in living Loss of family income and change in living arrangementsarrangements A child may wind up in foster careA child may wind up in foster care Children may be split up from each otherChildren may be split up from each other

Critcism from societyCritcism from society Reduced ContactReduced Contact Symptoms of anxiety and or depressionSymptoms of anxiety and or depression

Teens whose parent/guardian commits a crime is Teens whose parent/guardian commits a crime is more likely to commit a crime themselves.more likely to commit a crime themselves.

Suggestions for teens who have a Suggestions for teens who have a parent in jailparent in jail

Ask questions: Ask questions: Will there be any changes in where I live?Will there be any changes in where I live? Will my family’s financial situation change?Will my family’s financial situation change? What kind of contact am I allowed to have?What kind of contact am I allowed to have?

Do not accept blame for the illegal actions Do not accept blame for the illegal actions of the parent/guardianof the parent/guardian

ReviewReview

What are ways that the divorce of parents might What are ways that the divorce of parents might affect teens?affect teens?

What are suggestions to help teens adjust to What are suggestions to help teens adjust to divorce?divorce?

What are suggestions to help teens adjust to What are suggestions to help teens adjust to single-custody families?single-custody families?

What are ways having a step family might affect What are ways having a step family might affect teens?teens?

How might having a parent in jail affect teens?How might having a parent in jail affect teens?