The document outlines the developmental tasks that families typically experience at different stages of the family life cycle. It discusses the tasks of couples establishing a home and deciding on careers and children, parents preparing for and caring for young children, negotiating school schedules and activities for school-aged children, granting independence to teenagers and launching young adults, and adjusting to an empty nest and becoming grandparents in later stages.

1. Developmental Tasks OverDevelopmental Tasks Over
the Family Life Cyclethe Family Life Cycle
Just as individuals have tasks atJust as individuals have tasks at
different stages of the human life cycle,different stages of the human life cycle,
family groups have tasks typical offamily groups have tasks typical of
different stages of the family life cycle.different stages of the family life cycle.

2. Couple StageCouple Stage
Couples establish a homeCouples establish a home
Couple decide on single or dual careerCouple decide on single or dual career
marriage.marriage.
Couple negotiate relationships with eachCouple negotiate relationships with each
other’s family and friends.other’s family and friends.
Couple agree on their independentCouple agree on their independent
interests.interests.
Couple agree on becoming parents or notCouple agree on becoming parents or not
becoming parents.becoming parents.

3. Expanding Family StageExpanding Family Stage
Parents prepare for first child.Parents prepare for first child.
Parents invest in equipment for first child.Parents invest in equipment for first child.
Parents agree on shared care for child.Parents agree on shared care for child.
Parents agree on participation of other inParents agree on participation of other in
care of child.care of child.

4. PreschoolPreschool
Parents arrange for companionship forParents arrange for companionship for
child.child.
Parents prepare child for school.Parents prepare child for school.
Parents prepare child for younger sibling.Parents prepare child for younger sibling.

5. School-ageSchool-age
Parents agree on type of school for child.Parents agree on type of school for child.
Parents work child’s school schedule inParents work child’s school schedule in
with their own work schedule.with their own work schedule.
Parents supervise child’s contacts withParents supervise child’s contacts with
schoolmates and teachers.schoolmates and teachers.

6. Teen StageTeen Stage
Parents begin to ‘let go’ of teenage child.Parents begin to ‘let go’ of teenage child.
Parents welcome teen’s peers to theirParents welcome teen’s peers to their
home.home.
Teens show new needs with parents.Teens show new needs with parents.
Teen initiate discussion on specialTeen initiate discussion on special
concerns.concerns.
Parents and teens revise self-images asParents and teens revise self-images as
teens become more independent.teens become more independent.

7. Launching StageLaunching Stage
Parents recognize child as young adult.Parents recognize child as young adult.
Teens share plans with parents andTeens share plans with parents and
siblings.siblings.
Teens show new needs with parents.Teens show new needs with parents.
Parents and teens revise self-images asParents and teens revise self-images as
teens become more independent.teens become more independent.

8. Contracting StageContracting Stage
Parents adjust to “empty nest”.Parents adjust to “empty nest”.
Parents begin to plan for retirement.Parents begin to plan for retirement.
Parents may become grandparents.Parents may become grandparents.
Young adult may re-enter ‘nest’ on a newYoung adult may re-enter ‘nest’ on a new
basis.basis.
Parents and children adjust to parentalParents and children adjust to parental
aging.aging.