Why relationships matter and online resources for relationship support for parents and co-parents

Why relationships matter

Relationship quality is an important factor in all families whether you are an extended family, adopted family, step family, same sex family or grandparent family.

Conflict in relationships is part of everyday life but conflict which is frequent, intense and poorly resolved can lead to distressed relationships and have harmful effects on children. 

pdf Parenting together: positive communication to build stronger relationship resources(3.77 MB) .

Family hub: parent courses

Additional online parent courses aimed at parents of all ages including material for children and young people and a course on understanding your relationships can be found in the catalogue on the family hub website Parent courses.

Understanding your relationships is for you if you are:

  • Feeling like you are constantly arguing and not being heard
  • Hoping to enhance your parenting and family relationships
  • Seeking a change in your personal or professional relationships
  • Interested in emotional wellbeing and deepening your understanding of yourself and others

Information cards

See it Differently

See it Differently Go to https://www.seeitdifferently.org/ (opens new window) has videos that highlight the damaging impact parental conflict can have on children. 

Relate

Relate offer help and advice, including the free AI tool chat to the RelateBot to facilitate clearer communication for couples and co-parents.

Advice on handling arguments

Advice on handling arguments Go to https://www.relate.org.uk/get-help?theme[38]=38 (opens new window)includes bite size information, videos and tools to help you think about how and why arguments start, dealing with the moment and after.

Relationships and caring for a child with special educational needs or disabilities 

Contact is a charity that runs a free advice and information helpline for parents and carers with disabled children aged from birth to 25, living in any part of the UK.

Contact has produced a page on the website Looking after your relationship to offer guidance to parents and carers on healthy relationships and the impact caring for a child with SEND can have on family harmony.

There is also a useful guide accessible on the Contact website: free relationships and caring for a disabled child guide Go to https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontact.org.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F03%2Frelationships_guide.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C801884fcd0b6473ec8f708db0db627fe%7C6378a7a50f214482aee0897eb7de331f%7C0%7C0%7C638118848260466316%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ySzu%2BZlCVkS3SIcX2wVqwKm1HJuvPMGhIrPJJH5LqBk%3D&reserved=0 (opens new window).

Useful apps

Further information and support