500 Words
Hey classmates! This question is very intriguing to me. Growing up I had a different
childhood because I was born into a family where my parents were older. My dad was 45 when I
was born, and my mom was 39. When my brother and I came alone, my dad had two sons that
were adults from his first marriage. When my dad was reentering a stage of life, my mom was
experiencing it for the first time. I also had the oldest parents out of all of my friends, and my
oldest brother was the same age as some of their parents.
I will say that having older parents effects the family cycle stage a little bit. Both of my
parents are technically in the retirement stage, but I am still living at home. I moved home a few
years ago when my dad started to have health issues. After this time period, I decided to start
my master’s degree, and my parents and I decided me living at home is mutually beneficial. On
top of my dad’s health issues, my dad started his own company two years ago. Living at home
has allowed me to help them out in many different ways.
My family is a little different because we are not following the normal stages. My parents
and I are on a mix of two different stages. When I left for college, my parents had become
empty nesters, but due to the current situations we are facing, this has changed. There are two
stages that stuck out to me as stages that represent my family. These stages are reorganization
of generational boundaries and the retirement stage.
I would say the first stage I think represents my family is the reorganization of
generational boundaries stage. Although the book viewed this stage as between parents when
they become empty nesters, it has a different meaning for us. I believe this is the right stage to
describe us because we are in a stage where we need to reshape our relationships with one
another to fit in our new roles (Goldenberg, Staton, & Goldenberg, 2017). I will say that this has
been difficult because sometimes my parents are still trying to parent me, even though I’m an
adult. When I first moved in, there was lots of tension that stemmed from us learning our new
roles. Needless to say, my family is still on this journey of redefining our relationships three
years in.
My parents are in the retirement stage of life. As I stated before, my dad has struggles
with health issues in recent years. I will have to say that although both of my parents are on
social security, my dad’s new business has given my parents a new life. My dad and mom
started a professional Santa business. They have found something they can do together that
brings them both immense pleasure. I am so blessed that I have been a part of this new venture
since I live at home.
Goldenberg, I., Stanton, M., & Goldenberg, H. (2017). Family therapy: An overview (9th ed.). Belmont,
CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
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