Marriage/Parenting Objectives: TSWBAT to define relationship, marriage and parenting terms. TSWBAT to identify the responsibilities of parenthood. TSWBAT to evaluate what to consider before becoming a parent. Relationship Rights: A healthy relationship allows you to: The right to be treated with respect. The right to live without fear of abuse. The right not to be perfect. The right to constructively express your feelings and opinions. The right to fulfill your own needs. The right to reject stereotypes and set your own standards. The right to participate in decision making and to change your mind. The right to privacy and time alone. The right to maintain old friendships and make new ones. The right to say no or to disagree. The right to leave or end a relationship. What are YOU looking for in a partner? Love and Intimacy Love Strong feeling of affection and liking for another Involves behaviors which show commitment Involves expression of one’s inner most thoughts and feelings Intimacy Deep and meaningful sharing between two people Monogamous Partners are intimate with only each other Building a strong relationship before marriage The three C’s: Communication, Compromise, and Commitment Communication of feelings, thoughts, desires, and expectations to your partner If you want your needs met, then be responsible for expressing them Commitment = a decision to make a promise to another person How to predict success in a marriage… Age Reasons for marriage Length of the relationship and engagement Similar attitudes about children & child-raising Similar interests Committed to sexual fidelity Good character Parents success at marriage Parental attitudes towards the potential marriage partner Careful selection of the marriage partner Intimacy For marriage to sustain itself over the year’s four types of intimacy must be present: Philosophical – • 1. ▫ sharing beliefs & values ( particular important when raising kids) Psychological – 2. ▫ sharing of needs, emotions, weaknesses and strengths, individual success, show support in disappointment Creative – 3. ▫ sharing of efforts to accomplish task and projects, each partner must do his or her share of the work with a willing attitude Physical – 4. ▫ wide range of behaviors that express warmth and closeness, physical affection, marriage partners should be physically attracted to one another Parenthood is a commitment with no guaranteed outcome. Being ready for parenthood means being ready to focus on someone else’s needs in addition to your own. A baby will demand attention 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and then take another 18+ years to raise. Personal Reflection Write two positive characteristics of your parents/guardians that you hope to carry on when you are a parent. Explain why these 2 characteristics are important to you. Write two characteristics about your parents/guardians you hope to not continue when you are a parent. Explain why you do not want to carry on these 2 characteristics. Characteristics of a good parent In your notes outline: Read the 21 characteristics of a good parent. Circle the numbers of the top five you agree with. Next to the five characteristics that you chose, write a statement why you believe the five characteristics you choose are the most meaningful to you. Resources needed for Parenthood Brainstorm a list of costs that a new parent may have during the first year of childrearing. How much do you think it will approximately cost in the first year of parenthood? Resources needed for Parenthood in the first year: Health Insurance Delivery and postpartum care for mother and baby Pediatricians visits, regular baby checkups Immunizations, sick visits, medications Nursery furnishings Clothing for baby Diapers Formula, food and vitamins Baby supplies, bottles, swabs, baby wipes, powder etc. Developmental toys, books, etc. Stroller, car seat, swing, highchair, etc. Possible child care, day care Cost of Raising a Baby in the First Year: The average cost of raising a baby in the first year is estimated to be approximately $11,000 . Resources needed for Parenthood Brainstorm a list of costs that a parent may have while raising a child (0-18 years). How much do you think it will approximately cost each year to raise a child? Grand total? Resources needed for raising a child: Health Insurance Health care (doctor visits, dentist, etc.) Immunizations and medications Housing/Room furnishings Clothing, shoes, coats Food Developmental toys, books, etc. Stroller, car seat Possible child care, day care Technology (phones, computers, etc) Transportation Education Activities (sports, music, camps, etc) Cost of Raising a Child: The average cost of raising a child is estimated to be approximately $230,000 . This is approximately $14,000 a year. Child Care Latch-Key Children & Dual Working Parents A latchkey kid or latchkey child is a child who returns from school to an empty home because his or her parent or parents are away at work, or a child who is often left at home with little or no parental supervision. Were you a latch-key child? Did one or both of your parents work when you were younger?