“Families should be authentic communities of love & life in which the flame of faith may be handed down from generation to generation.”
-Pope Benedict XVI, July 2, 2006

The family life cycle follows a couple through their lifetime. From courtship to aging, the church can be a resource to marriages and families. Mastering the skills and milestones of each stage allows you to successfully move from one stage of development to the next. If you don't master the skills, you may still move on to the next phase of the cycle, but you are more likely to have difficulty with relationships and future transitions.

The more you understand about the challenges of each stage of the cycle, the more likely you are to successfully move on. Be assured, you can learn missed skills and improve your and your family's quality of life at any stage. Self-examination, education, and perhaps counseling are ways to improve yourself and your family life.

View Family Lifecycle Map