The+Changing+Family

**The Changing Family ** The family dynamic has drastically changed over the past several decades. With the changes in the roles of family members, student learning is impacted. There are many different types of family dynamics today. The different types of families include:
 * By: Nicole Lee & Brandy Adams **
 * 1) Extended Family- Children live with a grandparent or other family member.
 * 2) Single-parent Family- Children live with only one parent in the home.
 * 3) Blended Family- Children who live with two parents and one or more children from a previous relationship.
 * 4) Nuclear Family- Children have a mom, dad, and one or more biological or adopted children.
 * 5) Gay/Lesbian Family- Children live with same-sex parents.

Since families are very different, it is important to have various types of literature that is representative of these differences. Some of these families struggle with similar challenges. These include lack of education and socio-economic status. A federally-funded program that tries to alleviate these differences is the Even Start Program. According to an article entitled ‘//Changing lives one family at a time: The Even Start Family Literacy Model’ (2010),// their primary focus is to assist at-risk families, regardless of their family type, to enhance lifelong learning. Programs offered by the Even Start program provide assistance to families in getting a G.E.D., offering English as a Second Language classes, and in some cases enrollment of their 3 and 4 year olds in a public preschool program. One of the most important components of the Even Start Family Literacy Model is the ‘PACT’, Parent and Child Time. In this way, families are provided the literacy based resources in a setting to enhance engagement with their child. Another set of children, those that are in and out of foster care, could often be overlooked in terms of literature selection. At our local public library, I found a few books relating to foster families. Many of these children have family experiences that are very different from other children. Having literature that puts their emotions and feelings into practice can provide them with an outlet and also lets them know they are not alone. The books selected for the topic(s) family relationships, divorce and single parent families and the uninvolved parent provided an opportunity to take a look at different types of literature and find those that best 1.) Fit into the category selected and 2.) Provided a variety of types of literature about families in different contexts.

The uninvolved parent could include a range of examples. This could mean parents that work too much, grandparents raising children because of uninvolved parents, parents who just don’t care about their child for selfish reasons, or single-parent homes where one parent has neglected the child. The uninvolved parent can be emotionally disconnected from their child in a variety of degrees. According to Strine et al. (2012) “Studies also suggests that ACEs such as sexual and physical abuse, neglect, witnessing of domestic violence, early parental loss, parental divorce, and out-of-home-placement are often associated with subsequent psychological distress and mood disorders.” It is important that students know that they are not the only ones in the world that have to deal with parents that are uninvolved in any form. I believe that literature will help a child to cope with their problems and allow them to see solutions to problems that they may not have seen on their own. __A New Year’s Reunion__ by Yu Li-Qiong can show children that even if a parent is not involved all the time, that they still love them and miss them.
 * __Uninvolved Adult/Parent __**

Sibling rivalry is in essence the competition and fighting between brothers and sisters. Any child who has a sibling will encounter rivalry in their home. Usually the rivalry will begin after the second child is born and will continue on through childhood, even into adulthood. There are many causes of sibling rivalry, but here are a few that stand out to me. The first factor could be that the siblings want to define who they are apart from their sibling which causes friction. Also children may feel as though they receive unequal time with their parents and may feel threatened by this. Children may also react to each other because of how their parents handle conflict or stress and mimic their parent’s reactions with their sibling. Allowing children to experience sibling rivalry through other characters may impact how they react toward their sibling. The story __Rules__ by Cynthia Lord is a great example of how some siblings may get more attention and how it can cause stress on their relationships, but the solutions offered by this book are priceless lessons for children to learn about their siblings.
 * __Sibling Rivalry __**

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The conflict between parents and children cannot be avoided. However, there are appropriate ways and inappropriate ways to handle this conflict. There are many children’s books that highlight the conflict between children and parents and I chose to include two of my favorites in this review. My favorite book that I read was __Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild!__ I enjoyed this book so much because it shows that parents as well as children make mistakes. Some parents try very hard to be patient with their children and are patient, until they reach a breaking point. This book shows the reader this breaking point. The mother in the story loses her cool and yells at her daughter. Every parent yells at their child at some point and should feel badly about it afterwards. This story shows that we are all human and should be able to make mistakes.
 * __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Parent-Child Conflict __**

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This topic is very difficult to research. There are many mixed feelings about literature for same sex parenting, but this subject is a topic that needs to be addressed for the changing families. Educators have the opportunity to teach acceptance of differences and the acceptance of same sex families should not be an exception. I did not find a large selection of material from the United States, but I had a lot of luck in finding titles from overseas. I know that it is important that literature in this category should be more accessible, but it just isn’t. I really appreciate the authors that have taken a step from the norm to write books that can help children become more aware of different family types and more sensitive to their feelings. I especially liked the book by Bronny Fallens called __My Two Super Dads__. This story helps children to see a glimpse of family life for a child raised in a home with parents of the same sex. This book highlights the obvious theme that this family is just the same as every other family that is built by love. Literature like this will really promote acceptance among all children from all different family types.
 * __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Same Sex Parenting __**

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Spinelli, E. (2001). //Night shift daddy//. New York, NY: Hyperion Books. 0439221382 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a story of a girl and her daddy. Her daddy works at night while she sleeps in her bed. She and her daddy have a nighttime routine of story time in a chair, he tucks her in and tells her goodnight. When he arrives home in the morning, she and her daddy have the same routine! She reads to him, tucks him in and tells him goodnight. It is a sweet story about little girls and the positive relationship they can have with their father. This book was reviewed in a school library media center.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">1.) ****<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Family Relationships **
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Smith, L. (2011). // Grandpa Green //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">978-1-5964-3607-7 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">**Review:** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a story of a boy recalling the life of his grandfather. It begins with ‘He was born a really long time ago’ and goes through different phases of his grandfather’s life. The illustrations are beautifully designed as the greenery and landscape transform into images of the story. The boy’s grandfather was a gardener and artist, which are displayed in the illustrations. Some of the stories the boy tells are of his grandfather growing up before cell phones, going off to war, getting married and having children and grandchildren. This book was reviewed in a school library media center.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Dorros, A. (1997). //Abuela//. New York, NY: Penguin Books. 0140562257 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a story of a girl and her grandmother (//abuela//) and their adventures in the city of Manhattan. While she rides on a bus with her grandmother, she imagines that they are carried away up into the sky and see all the sites of New York City. The story has a beautiful blend of Spanish and English and describes the strong bond of Spanish families to their relatives. There are few stories available for Spanish students regarding family relationships. Even though this one is more than ten years old, it is relevant to many children in our school population. This book was reviewed in a school library media center.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Furlaud, S. (2003). //Families: Around the world one kid at a time.// New York, NY: Universe. 0789310090 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This book offers a quick glimpse into lives of children all over the world. There are simple, yet colorful maps of each child’s family. Although the text gives little information about the families, the pictures tell a compelling story of differences in families and cultures. The large-format book has been adapted from photographer Uwe Ommer’s exhibition in //1,000 Families// (2000). This book provides students with varying backgrounds to compare and contrast their family dynamic. This book was reviewed at the public library.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Blume, J. (2010). //It’s not the end of the world.// New York, NY: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group. 0385739834. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Karen Newman feels that the divorce of her parents is going to be the end of the world! Karen’s dad has moved out and he and her mom are talking about divorce. Her older brother has locked himself in his room to get away and her baby sister is a mess. She has decided she’ll never get married because all married couples do is fight. She feels like there is no one she can talk to and she sets out to reunite her parents. Although this story was written several years ago, the feelings and emotions described in the story are the same that all children of divorced parents face. This book was reviewed in a school library media center.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">2. Divorce and Single Parent Families **
 * Review: **

Cleary, B. (1983). //Dear Mr. Henshaw//. New York, NY: Morrow Junior Books. 0-688-02405-X <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">While Leigh has met his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, and begins a journey of writing him letters throughout his life, Leigh’s parents are getting a divorce. His father moves out, leaving him to be uncertain of his future. Mr. Henshaw eventually writes back and suggests that he keep a journal. Leigh enters his writings into a contest and receives an Honorable Mention. Leigh’s difficulties are those that many children can relate to as they group up with parents who are divorced. Although this story is older than ten years, it’s classic tale of divorced parents is still relevant today. This book was reviewed in a school library media center.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Masurel, C. (2003). //Two homes//. Somerville, MA: Candlewick. 0763619841 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This children’s book is a delightful illustration of how a young child perceives their different homes when their parents are divorced. He has a soft chair at his mommy’s house and a rocking chair at his daddy’s house. The story is written from a positive perspective for young children to learn that although they do have more than one home, there are many positive things that can come of it. The story ends by emphasizing that both parents love him and that never changes. This book was reviewed in a public library.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Dahl, R. (2007).//Matilda.// New York, NY: Penguin Group. 01424103730 Matilda is the perfect example of the uninvolved parent. Her mother and father have no idea what Matilda does, nor do they seem to ever care in the story. Matilda is a very smart and patient girl who is learning to go through her life depending on her own inner resources for survival. This book was reviewed in a school library media center.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">3. Adult Irresponsibility **
 * Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Nelson, J. (2006). //Families Change: A book for children experiencing termination of parent’s rights//. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing. 1575422093 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Families changes over time. Sometimes changes are positive and sometimes they are not. This story describes the challenges facing foster children as their parents become less involved in their care and the children are about to be placed for adoption. There are very few available resources for foster children and this book would be a great asset for a library media center, especially in impoverished areas where foster care is prevalent. This book was reviewed in a public library.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Holmes, M. (2011). //A terrible thing happened//. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, Magination Press. 1557987017 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a story about a boy who witnessed violence in his home and his struggles dealing with the emotions surrounding the event. He first tries to forget it, but soon begins have feelings of nervousness and anger which eventually gets him into trouble at school. He meets an adult that helps him work through his emotions and gives him a way to express how he feels in a positive manner. This book was reviewed in a public library.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Li-Qiong, Y. (2011). //A new year’s reunion//. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. 9780763658816 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This story is about a little girl that lives in China and her father only comes home for Chinese New Year. Little Maomao hardly recognizes her father at first, but soon they are having so much fun together. The story takes us through the father and daughter spending time doing simple things together that they can’t do throughout the year. He gives her a fortune coin and she loves her coin. When Papa has to leave, Maomao is so sad, but she gives him her coin and tells him to come back soon so that they can bury the coin in the sticky rice again. This is a story that any child who misses a parent would love to read. This book was reviewed in a school library media center.
 * __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">4. The Uninvolved Adult/Parent __**
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Helldorfer, M.C. (2003). //Anne of Green Gables//. Decorah, IA: Dragonfly Books. 978-0440416142 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a story about an orphan girl born in Nova Scotia who lost both of her parents at the age of three months. Anne grew up in many household, never staying anywhere long. She is adopted by Matthew and Marilla who are looking for a boy to help on their farm. Anne spends a lot of energy trying to convince them to keep her. Matthew and Anne end up bonding and they decide to keep her. This story will win every heart, but will be especially helpful for children that grow up without their real parents. This book was reviewed in a school library media center.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Holmberg, B. R. (2008). //A day with dad//. Somerville, MA: Candlewick. 978-0763632212 __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A Day with Dad __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> tells a story about a father who lives far away from his son. The father rides a train to spend the day with his son and they do everything they can think of in one day, like going to the movies, eating pizza, going to the library. Everyone they meet, Tim tells the people, “This is my dad!” At the end of the story, the sad father must leave his son, but he knows that he will have another day with Dad. This is a great book about absent parents that still love their children very much. This book was reviewed at the public library.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Kinney, J. (2008). //Diary of a wimpy kid: Rodrick rules//. New York, NY: Amulet Books. 9780810994737 __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Diary of a Wimpy Kid; Rodrick Rules __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> is the second book in a collection of six books. In this story, Greg is bullied by his older brother and the tension rises when a secret is threatened to be let out. The comedy of sibling rivalry is hilarious told through the “journal” of Greg. He refuses to call it diary. This book was reviewed in a school library media center.
 * __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5. Sibling Rivalry __**
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Lord, C. (2006). //Rules//. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. 0439443822 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Catherine just wants her brother to follow the rules. David has autism and doesn’t always behave “normally”. Catherine hates all of David’s rules and has made her own set of rules for her brother to follow. She is very jealous of the time that David gets with their father and it affects her relationship with her brother. When Catherine meets new friends, she begins to question what “normal” really means. This book was reviewed in a school library media center.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Pennypacker, S. (2011). //Clementine and the family meeting//. New York, NY: Hyperion Books. 9781423123569 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Clementine is a young girl with a younger brother and there has been a “Family Meeting” sign posted in her house. This most definitely means that Clementine has done something wrong. However, she finds out that her parents are having a baby. Clementine begins to become more and more upset about bringing another child into their family and they aren’t even concerned about how she feels. This book was reviewed in a school library media center.
 * __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">6. __**__<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **Parent-Child Conflict** __
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Fox, M. (2003). //Harriet, you’ll drive me wild!// Orlando, FL: Harcourt. 978-0152045982 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Harriet seems to get into trouble with everything she does, but her mom doesn’t like to yell. Instead her mother gently says, “Harriet, my //darling// child.” As the story progresses, Mom becomes more aggravated with Harriet. Until, there is silence and Mom yells at Harriet. Harriet begins to cry and her mother holds her and the both apologize. This is a great example of parent and child conflict and how it can be resolved with love and acceptance. This book was reviewed in a public library.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Fallens, B. (2011). //My two super dads.// Australia: BG Fallens Consulting. ASIN: B005Q68YX8 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a story about a girl that lives happily with her two dads. She narrates the story so that we may see all of the fun, interesting activities that she does with her family. The narrator never discloses her name so that many children can picture themselves in the story. I learned many new words in this story that I had never heard before, like <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">babyccino which is a drink for children at coffee shops. This is a great story for children to see that all families are different, but still the same! This book was reviewed in Kindle Book format.
 * __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">7. <range type="comment" id="428664">Same Sex Parenting __**
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bryan, J. (2006). //The different dragon.// Ridley Park, PA: Two Lives Publishing. 978-0967446868 __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Different Dragon __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> is a story about a young boy, Noah, that has two mothers. The mothers tuck him in and join him on an imaginative bedtime story that leads to magical places with his cat, Diva. The dragon decides that he doesn’t want to be fierce anymore and Noah tells him that is okay. This is a wonderful book for teaching tolerance and that it is okay to be who you are. This book was reviewed at a public library.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Oelschlager, V. (2011). //A tale of two mommies.// Akron, OH: Vanita Books. 978-0982636664 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This is a story about a young boy with two mommies. His friends at the beach playing with him are curious about having two mommies and begin asking questions “Who fixes dinner? Who fixes the car?” The boy quickly answers all of the questions without even having to think about the answer. This story shows that even though families may look differently, it is love and bonding that makes them all the same. This book was reviewed at the public library.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Crawford, H. (n.d.) The magazine for youth with lgbt parents [review of the book //My two super dads,// by <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bronny Fallens]. Retrieved from []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">References: **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Smith, J., Dube, S. R., Edwards, V. J., Witt Prehn, A., Rasmussen, S., Wagenfeld, M., … Croft, J. B. (2010). //Changing lives one family at a time: The Even Start Family Literacy Model.// Retrieved on April 28, 2012 from Academic Search Premier Database. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, Summer 2010, Vol. 76 Issue 4, p26-29.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Strine, T. (2012). Associations between adverse childhood experiences, psychological distress, and adult alcohol problems. //Academic Search Premier American Journal of Health Behavior//, 36(3), 408-423. Retrieved from [|http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=2&hid=11&sid=fd098df5-0127-426d-8b47-3b52ebf00168%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPXVpZCxpcCxjcGlkLHVybCZjdXN0aWQ9czExNzYxOTImc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZl#db=aph&AN=72384112]