In the Olson family, time was critical to the development of their lives. As time passed, the Olsons' family situation worsened. John couldn't find a job; Susan didn't like the way John took care of the house, John's unemployment benefits were running out, and the death of his youngest son occurred. Smith and Hamon (2012) explain that unexpected life events can place pressure on families, especially when those life events do not unfold in accordance with their life cycle. Smith and Hamon (2012) state that when two events occur at the same time or are close to each other, family development encounters some difficulties. In the Olson family, John's job loss and Patty's death compromised their development because two drastic events happened too close to each other.