Currently, he is a full-time employee but under temporary
status; he is expected to have a permanent position
soon (date is not sure) that provides benefits and covers
health insurance. Eleanor has a full-time position as an
elementary-school teacher. She wants to be a stay-athome
mother but is afraid of losing health insurance and
family income if she quits now, so she wants to wait until
James gets a permanent full-time position with benefits.
The couple married 3 years ago; they recently
moved from an apartment to a house because the
family needs additional space for the new baby.
Although the house is spacious, it is old and needs
some renovation.
This is the first marriage for Eleanor and second marriage
for James (James divorced 5 years ago). Eleanor
stated that the family has been successfully going
through the remarriage cycle, and Hanna and Eleanor
have a pretty good relationship. Hanna is usually withdrawn
after visiting her biological mother (summer
and winter school vacations, and several holidays—
generally five times a year), who is also married and
gave Hanna a new stepbrother (age 2) from her current
marriage. Hanna is attending an after-school program at
the same school where Eleanor works and returns home
with Eleanor. On the way home, Eleanor picks up Dustin
from the daycare where Dustin attends from 7:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. during the weekdays. Hanna attends a piano
lesson on Tuesdays and ballet class on Thursday.
Because of the family’s busy schedule, they often eat
at fast-food restaurants during the evenings (at leasttwice a week), and meals at home are usually rushed
and often eaten in front of the television. Although the
family tries to eat meals together, they cannot do so because
James’s job requires frequent traveling, so they often
end up eating meals without James. When James is
at home, he does outdoor chores, whereas Eleanor usually
does indoor chores. The children usually watch television
and play video games when the couple is working
at home. The couple tries to do family activities on each
Sunday, and all family members attend a local Presbyterian
church. But James is generally not home one Sunday
for each month because of the travel requirements for
his job. With the exception of family vacations, holidays,
and Sundays, the Budds rarely spend time together enjoying
each other’s company.