MAIN Home Life Family Relationships

Some folks think that the nuclear family was named after the bomb of the same name, but the reality is that the family unit forms the nucleus — the center — of most societies.

Most family groups are connected by a genetic heritage, but it takes a bit of work to create other bonds.

Many families deal with sibling rivalry. Sharing the limited resources of the parents' attention as well as toys, friends and space — children often need help sorting through all of the emotional ups and downs this can cause. Introducing step-siblings adds a whole new dimension to the emotional mix.

Couples trying to nurture an intimate relationship amid the stress of financial issues and different personality styles find peaks and valleys that often causes instability in the home.

Parenting, of course, makes for a new set of constantly changing needs that have to be met. If all of that is managed well, the children grow and leave the nest... and then there is empty nest syndrome, mid-life crisis and adapting to growing older together.

As amazing as it may be, many families do get through all of this and hold on to healthy, warm relationships that are strengthened by challenges. It isn't easy, but it is possible. In the best cases, the support and caring that the family provides outweighs all of the negatives. Finding ways to help your family work through problems to reach a positive outcome is complicated. Each person brings an individual point of view to the table and blending everyone into one harmonious family is an ongoing process.

More about parenting and family relationships around the Web:

Couples, parents, siblings, stepkids, in-laws, single again... Find advice here at some of the best sites for family relationship issue discussions, forums, news, opinion and feature story articles...

APA - American Psychological Association site with a variety of articles on family relationship issues including teens and stress, step families, communication tips, anger management, and lots more.

MochaSofa - Pages of articles on family relationships form the core of this section of an overall excellent site.

Relationships Au - Australian portal with articles and resources for couples, individuals and families to "help enhance and support relationships."

Dr. Spock.com - The family guru's philosophy and an entire site devoted to it with answers to parenting, childcare and relationship issues, news, feature story articles and a forum.

CelebrateLove.com - Focus on couples from relationship expert Larry James.

InnerSelf.com - Articles on improving all relationships, whether they be husband and wife, parents and children, co-workers, lovers, or any type of intimate relationship.

Romanceopedia - Online magazine dealing with relationships and for single, married, divorced, alternative and single again people.

Whole Family - Family issues for all ages are covered here. Real families - real issues.

Families Like Ours - Focuses on legal and relationship issues in non-traditional adoptive families. Focuses on Washington State, but relationship articles are universal.

also see --> Children | Family Health | Marriage Counseling

Family Reunions | Teens | Grandparents

Early Childhood Development | Child Adoption

Child Custody & Support