What stage comes directly after raising school-age children in the family life cycle?

The stage that comes directly after raising school-age children in the family life cycle is raising adolescents. This phase involves the developmental transitions that occur as children enter their teenage years, where significant emotional, social, and developmental changes take place. During this time, parents often face new challenges and adjustments as adolescents develop their independence, face peer pressures, and explore their identities.

Raising young children precedes this stage, focusing primarily on the early developmental needs and milestones of infants and toddlers. The empty nesters stage comes later, typically after children have grown up and left the family home, leading to a period where parents adjust to life without their children in the household. Launching refers to the transition into adulthood as children leave home, generally marking the end of the adolescent phase. Understanding the sequence of these stages is crucial in recognizing the evolving dynamics within families as children grow and develop.