FAMILY DYNAMICS

KATE'S SISTERS ARE MARRIED WITH KIDS AND SHE IS NOT

As we all look into our future, we may have thoughts about if one day we will ever need to care for our parents or grandparents. There can be many challenges and inconveniences when and if this decision takes place. Currently, my husband and I share a two-bedroom home with two bathrooms with our two little dogs. We have become accustomed to each having our own bathroom except during the few times a year when we have family or friends stay with us. We also like having the extra bedroom as our workout room doubling as a guest bedroom. To have our parent or parents live with us permanently, we would have to give up both conveniences. Our privacy would also be taken away and our schedules may have to be changed.



Family structures vary across the United States and other countries. The Nuclear Family structure use to be the most common but throughout time that has changed. Nuclear family is the structure I had for my own family growing up and later in life with my own children. The Generational family has become more popular and single-family households. Nuclear family consists of traditional parents and children, generational families include the parents, children and the grandparents, and the single family is one parent and children (Hodge & Wickle, 
2022). Tri parenting is another family structure that has come about. It consists of the parents and the children and then a third person is allowed to enter the relationship in a monogamous setting. Even though unique to some of us, it has become more popular due to costs, time, and the ability to have the extra hands to assist in child rearing (Yancura et al., 2021).

 

Life will change adding an older adult to the household and there are many things to consider. The textbook, Ebersole & Hess’s Toward Health Aging: Human Needs and Nursing Response, includes a box listing tips for best practice. If we ask ourselves the questions, we may be able to discuss and consider some ways to alleviate some of the stress or burden. What are their needs, how do they sleep, how much space do they need, and can we set this aside? Familiarize yourself with some of these questions and do your best to answer them. Consider any modifications needed to give each family member their own space and time for privacy. Set aside times for visitors that work for all parties involved. Discuss any belonging they want to bring with them and if they are capable to help with household chores or finances this should be set up in advance. Periodic family meetings should be planned to discuss what is working and what is not. This can prevent the buildup of resentment and any explosive events.

 

Hodge, C. J., & Wikle, J. (2022). Parent–Child Leisure and Parent Affect: The Role of Family Structure. Journal of Family Issues, 43(4), 1090–1116. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X211010856

 

Jett, K. F., Touhy, T. A. (2020). Ebersole & Hess’s toward health aging: Human needs and nursing response (10th ed.). Elsevier.

 

Yancura, L., Walsh, B. A., Barnett, M. A., & Hoover, M. (2021). Tri-parenting or Try Parenting? Online Posts About a Potentially Stigmatized Family Structure. Journal of Family Issues, 42(2), 474–498. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X20942827

 

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