Families progress through different stages in their life cycle from marriage through retirement. There are 8 stages in the family life cycle: 1) Newlywed, 2) Expectant, 3) Preschool, 4) School Age, 5) Teenage, 6) Launching, 7) Empty Nest, and 8) Aging and Retirement. The stages from 2 through 6 are defined by the age of the oldest child in the family. The stages describe the typical transitions families experience as children are born, grow up, and leave the home.

1. Unit 2: Building Stronger Families
Part 2: Family Life Cycle
© Jenison International Academy
Melissa Rodgers

2. Family Life Cycle
• Families go through different stages as
they grow, from marriage through
retirement.
• When studying the Family Life Cycle,
note the cycle changes based on the
age of the oldest child in stages 2 – 6.

3. • The married couple
established their
home, but do not yet
have children
Stage 1 - Newlywed
Me and my
husband in 2009

4. • From birth of the
first child until that
child is 2 ½ years
old.
Stage 2 - Expectant

5. • When the oldest
child is between the
ages of 2 ½ - 6
years old.
Stage 3 - Preschool

6. • When the oldest
child is between the
ages of 6 and 13
years old.
Stage 4 – School Age

7. • When the oldest
child is between the
ages of 13 and 20
years old.
Stage 5 - Teenage

8. • From the time the
oldest child leaves
the family for
independent adult
life until the time the
youngest child
leaves.
Stage 6 - Launching

9. • From the time the
children are gone
until the couple
retires from
employment.
Stage 7 – Empty Nest

10. • From retirement until
the death of the
surviving marriage
partner.
Stage 8 – Aging and
Retirement