Roadblocks
Chapter 12
New Family Members
 New additions to the family can include a
new sibling, a cousin who has come to
live with you, a grand parent, new step
parents, etc. All of these can be
wonderful things but they can also come
with challenges.
 Sometimes these additions can add
stress, insecurity, and resentment.
New Family Members
 It is YOUR option as to how you view this
addition. What are some positves to the
following:
 New Sibling
 College aged sibling returning home
 Grandparents
 Cousin
 New parental figure
Teenage Pregnancy
 Having a child is a life-changing
experience.
 This is especially true when the
pregnancy is unplanned and the parents
are teenagers
 With parenthood comes many
responsibilities.
Challenges of Teen
Pregnancy
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Financial
Child care
Education
Housing
Moving
 How many of you have ever had to
move, either a school or home?
 How did that make you feel?
Moving
 Moving can be both challenging and
exciting.
 What are some ways one could make the
transition of moving easier?
Unemployment
 Sometimes you may have to deal with a parent
or guardian losing a job.
 Layoffs and other unemployment can be
difficult for many families.
 When someone loses a job they can
experience low self esteem, anger and
frustration
 Stress is also included in these struggles
 How could a teenager help?
Financial
 Financial or money related problems are
often triggered by the loss of a job,
natural disaster, serious illness, or even a
death.
 Many families struggle financially
because their incomes simply doesn’t
stretch enough.
Dealing with financial
problems
 Create a bill-paying plan: most creditors are
willing to schedule new arrangements for
paying. They can protect your credit rating.
 Find Help: Most communities offer consumer
credit counseling.
 Tighten your spending: entertainment and
clothing
 Be understanding: put other family members
needs ahead of yours
Natural Disasters
 Families all over the world experience
natural disasters.
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Earthquakes
Hurricanes
tornadoes,
Floods
Fires
Homelessness
 What is homelessness?
 Homelessness has increased over the
past few years due to the economy.
 Many communities have agencies that
can help such as the Salvation Army and
the Red Cross.
 These agencies can provide temporary
shelter for people who lose their home.
Death
 A death is a crisis and is life altering.
 When death strikes it is natural to
experience grief, the closer you are to
someone the more it affects you.
 People handle grief differently.
 Most people need sometime of closure.
Suicide
 Death by suicide is caused by a person taking
their own life.
 Family members may feel as if the death was
their fault. It is important to remember that no
one is to blame.
 Sometimes there are warning signs such as
depression, mood swings, giving away of
personal items, or talk of death.
 If you suspect someone is contemplating
suicide don’t be afraid to seek help and show
you care.
Separation and Divorce
 When parents separate or divorce,
usually one parent moves out of the
family home.
 Some couple separate and get back
together
 Others choose to divorce.
Separation and Divorce
 Kids dealing with separation and divorce
can struggle with many different
emotions.
 Some may blame themselves
 They may feel isolated and lonely.
Separation and Divorce
 Sometime parents involve bitter feelings
and try to make negative comments
about the other.
 It is easy to feel torn between, it is
important to spend time with both parents
and share your feelings.
 Adjusting to divorcé takes a lot of time,
emotional healing, and special effort.
Substance Abuse and
Addiction
 Substance abuse can often put a family on the
fast track to a crisis.
 People who use drugs can develop an
addiction. Or a physical or psychological
dependence on drugs.
 Alcohol is the most commonly abused
substance.
 Alcoholism is the physical and mental
dependence on alcohol.
 People who are addicted to alcohol are call
alcoholics
Effects of Substance
abuse on the family
 Substance abuse effects all involved.
Violence in the Home
 Sometimes a family member harms or
threatens to harm another’s physical or mental
health.
 Abuse can take many forms.
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Emotional
Physical
Sexual
Neglect
 Abuse almost always comes in cycle and is usually
repeated. This makes for low self esteem.
Crime
 Victims of crime can be emotionally
scarred. Family and friends need to show
support.
 If a family member commits the crime all
members of that family are affected.
Get Help
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Extended family
Trusted adults
Friends
Support group
Community organizations
Law enforcement