Family
Adoption
The legal process of taking another person’s child into one’s family as a permanent member.
Birth Parent
The biological mother or father of a child.
Blended Family
A family unit where one or both parents have children from previous relationships.
Caregiver
A person who provides direct care to children, elderly family members, or others in need.
Child Custody
A legal term regarding the responsibility for a child’s care and decision-making after separation or divorce.
Childcare
The supervision and care of children, especially during working hours.
Discipline
Methods of teaching and guiding children toward appropriate behavior.
Elder Care
Support and services provided to meet the needs of aging family members.
Extended Family
Relatives beyond the nuclear family, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Fatherhood
The state of being a father and the responsibilities involved in raising children.
Foster Care
A temporary arrangement where a child is placed with a family other than their own due to safety concerns.
Guardianship
A legal relationship where an adult is given authority to care for a child or incapacitated adult.
Household
All the people living in a single dwelling unit, often considered a family unit.
Kinship
The social bonds and relationships formed through blood, marriage, or adoption.
Motherhood
The state of being a mother and the roles involved in nurturing and raising children.
Nuclear Family
A family group consisting of two parents and their children living in one household.
Parenting
The activities, responsibilities, and decisions involved in raising children.
Parental Rights
The legal rights and responsibilities that parents have over their children.
Sibling
A brother or sister; someone who shares at least one biological or legal parent.
Stepfamily
A family where at least one parent has children from a previous relationship.
Want to explore more? Stay tuned for new terms and updates!