Today's families aren't always easy to recognize. The relationships among the family members change when there are changes in living arrangements.

Some families have a mom and a dad and one or more children who all live together in one house.

Other families have a grandmother or grandfather or other relative living with them.

Some families have no children living in the house, just a couple of adults. Some adult children have moved back into their parent's house to live because of financial or personal reasons.

A lot of families have mom and dad living in separate houses with other people who also have children that need to understand these new relationships.

Trying to explain the complex connections to children so that they feel a part of a healthy relationship isn't easy.

One of the ways to illustrate these connections has traditionally been through the use of a family tree. In a number of situations, however, the conventional family tree structure is not useful. Modifications are necessary. However, it graphically outlines these new family relationships.

Using a large piece of paper, a ruler and some markers, try to develop your own unique family tree. If the relationships within your family are complicated, use coloured markers to identify the various family components. Remember to blend the various colours wherever they overlap in your family.