Based on a large-scale qualitative longitudinal study of the life course conducted in the UK (Timescapes Study), this unique collection reveals close-up--and in their own words--the experiences of children and young people, parents, and older generations. The participants' lives and times are explored through multiple accounts of their changing trajectories. Collectively, the contributions examine family and generational relationships in all their complexity as they change and develop. Tackling a diverse group of people from varied backgrounds and geographical locations, each individual chapter is concerned with particular stages of the life course, delivering policy-relevant findings to address individual and family lives over time. "Understanding Families Over Time" also has a methodological twist: change and continuity through biographical, historical and generational time are integral aspects of the overall study.