Rationale: This task is designed to help you develop the skills of reflective analysis and deepen your understanding of the different phases of change in people’s lives
Task: You are asked to write a report on the case study you have been given. The report requires you to address the following, in ESSAY format:
- 1. Identify the lifespan developmental stage of the Cameron family.
- 2. Your answer must include a justification for your determined stage using a recognised family lifespan model (e.g. Duvall (1957) , Carter & Mc Goldrick (1980) or Rogers (1964), in addition to evidence from the case study. Please include:
– a discussion of the development tasks and health care concerns
– whether the family are meeting their developmental tasks
– what are the Cameron’s resiliency factors (as a unit and individual members)
– a discussion on the nursing practice implications
– all discussions must have supporting research literature ( up to 7 references)
- Construct the Cameron family’s genogram illustrating the family across the three generations
Jane and Michael Cameron are the parents of 3 children; Maureen (12), Millie (5) and Melanie (18 months). Jane and Michael married when they were 19 years old, despite Jane’s mother Joanie’s prophesies of a short marriage due to their age. The marriage, while having its ups and downs, has been a successful and happy one. Jane and Michael describe themselves as happy with family life and were delighted when they found out Jane was pregnant with Maureen after 12 months of marriage. They both felt ready to add another member at that time. The pregnancy was celebrated by both sets of in-laws. Joanie, again, was the exception who thought they should have waited until they brought a home and established themselves properly.
Their marital relationship had settled into a routine and was going well. The arrival of the new baby though an unexpected pregnancy was a happy event. Michael and Jane noted they lost their date nights, spare income and sleep. Initially they found the additional finances needed for their growing family a burden. They try not to be too irritable with each other, and when angry tend to separate until the heat has died down then find a mutual way through. They have also been able to communicate well, mutually problem solve and after 13 years of marriage can cue into each other very quickly. They decided with family including their girls that relocation might assist them with the financial burden and their growing family.
Recently, the family moved to a regional country town to seek a better quality of life. Jane and Michael stated this was for financial and social reasons. Maureen would be entering high school next year and Millie starting school. They wanted to get away from the risks of capital city living. When a position came up for Michael as a school district librarian they jumped at the opportunity and decided to make the move. The extended family thought them brave as they didn’t know anyone in the region.
Since relocating, the family has been establishing itself through a few networks. Michael’s work as a librarian servicing the regional school networks has helped with making new friends, along with joining the “Mighty Maroons” rugby league club. He reckons the bloke’s company keeps him sane with living in a house full of females. However, he is always on the sideline for Maureen’s netball games, and Millie’s ballet. Michael, through the sporting clubs, gets to spend Friday night at the local pub selling raffle tickets. Jane and the 3 children go with him as a social outing and have dinner out. The girls love their Friday nights as they get to order treat meals and meet other children. This activity has allowed the family to meet other members of the community.
Jane has found it a little more challenging. She and Michael decided it was best for her to focus on the home and resettling the children. Jane has loved this period, but the downside has been less opportunity to make friends. She misses her mates from the city. However, now the family is all unpacked and somewhat settled Jane has joined a mother’s group and the local Country Women’s’ Association (CWA). The surprise with the CWA group was it was more of her contemporaries as well as some older women. Jane is enjoying the political activity of the CWA along with improving her baking skills. Michael and the kids love CWA night as they get baked goods, but Jane is very careful to make sure their diet is balanced.
Jane’s parents are Joanie and Roy. Joanie (63) and Roy (65) married 40 years ago, and raised four children, Ronnie (38), Ruben (36) Janet (34) and Jane (32). Ronnie is married to Robyn (35) and has 3 children, the elder two are boys, (11, 9) and the youngest is Maude (6). Ruben is single, living in the UK. Janet’s partner is Joseph (40) they have one child Matilda (8). The family are close with the cousins all getting on and seeing each other regularly. Joanie has a long-established anxiety disorder, and gives advice constantly to Robyn on how to manage Ronnie and the kids. This makes Joanie and Robyn’s relationship very fractious, with Robyn tending to avoid her and let Ronnie interact with his mother. Roy, 10 years ago had a stroke but has completely recovered. He is a retired school teacher, who does a lot of social work with children who have ADHD.
Michael’s parents Margaret and James, married 45 years ago. They lost a child Mark who died at 3years though whooping cough. Michael is an only child, with Margaret having had 4 miscarriages before Michael’s healthy birth. Both parents now in their 70’s are fit and healthy, and active members of their community. They miss Michael, Jane and the grandchildren but have a two-week holiday planned to visit them in a months’ time. All family members are excited and counting the days.
Millie Cameron is looking forward to her Grandma Margie and Pa James coming, and has missed them, and her other grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Also, she is starting school shortly and knows a few children from ballet and can’t wait to play with her new friends. They all love Frozen and getting dressed up. Millie watched her big sister Maureen go off to school and make friends and do fun things and can’t wait to go with her. Millie feels that she is too big now she is five to play with her little sister Melanie. Melanie is only 18 months and can’t play proper games such as skipping or sorting through her Frozen card collection. Maureen had her school friends Anna and Emily sleep over. Millie’s parents Jane and Michael told her when she is at big school she will be able to have
sleep overs as well. She hates her 19:00 bedtime and wants to be able to stay up with Maureen until 20:30. Millie also likes to play on her iPad but her parents only allow 2 hours per day.
Since the move to the new house she loves that mum is at tuckshop and comes to her school activities – dad comes if it’s on the week-end and was an enthusiastic helper with the school fete. So, all in all Millie is a happy 5-year-old.
Maureen at 12 is juggling wanting to be a seen as her own person and still being with the family on outings. She wants to make her own decisions (friends, clothes and activities, bedtimes). This is becoming a point of conflict with her parents, but they are trying to negotiate their way through. Jane, Michael and the girls have a Thursday night family meeting to plot out the commitments, activities and plan menus etc. They realise that Maureen is close to becoming a teenager. Despite becoming a teenager, Maureen and her sisters have a close relationship. They still have their fights over ‘taking or touching their stuff’ but generally it settles down quickly with Jane or Michael’s early intervention. Maureen particularly loves Melanie, and has been fascinated with her growth.
Melanie when little would love to cuddle with everyone, but seems to find Jane, Michael and Maureen the ‘go to’ people when she is distressed. Melanie, at 18 months, is walking and has little two or three word conversations. Melanie has always been an easy child, quickly establishing routines, unlike Millie who was a little slow to get into a routine. But both children are outgoing and happy to explore their world.
