Help with your relationship

Conflict is a normal part of any parent relationship. It only starts to become a problem when the conflict is frequent, intense and not resolved well. When this happens, it's harmful to children and can affect their wellbeing, mental health, behaviour and success at school.

Getting On Better cards

The Getting On Better cards can help you think about how to improve communication and reduce conflict. You can look through the online Getting On Better cards either together or separately. Find our more about Getting On Better Cards and apply for a pack to be sent to you.

One Plus One online help

We have three online relationship courses to support parents:

• Arguing Better - for anyone who wants to learn how to cope better with stress and deal with arguments in a healthy way
• Me, You and Baby Too – to help new and expectant parents navigate the changes that happen in their relationship when a baby arrives
• Getting it Right for Children – to help separated or separating parents learn to manage conflict and minimise the impact it has on their children

There's also some helpful advice about the impact of debt on relationships, featuring animated stories from real couples.

To access the online courses register for a free account.

These resources are not suitable for situations where there is or has been domestic abuse.

Parent relationship courses

We offer some courses in the Best Start Family Hubs to help parents improve their relationship. These are for expectant or new parents, couples and separated parents.

• Relationship Essentials: Couples – 1 to 1 course over 6 sessions for parents who are together, offering practical tools and resources to those affected by everyday relationship challenges
• Family Transitions – a group course for parents in the process of separating, or parents who have separated but are struggling to work together parenting their children
• Relationship Essentials: Parenting Apart – 1 to 1 course over 6 sessions offering practical tools and resources for those struggling with co-parenting and the relationships that surround it

To find out more, contact Best Start Family Hubs. The helpline is open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4pm.

Useful websites

• When parents argue, they don’t always see how it affects their children. Get help to see family arguments from the children’s point of view and get alternative ways of handling disagreements on the See it Differently website
• Get help from trained experts including ongoing relationship counselling, 30 minute web and phone chats, one session therapy and mediation on the Relate website
• Get advice on whether to split up or stay together on the Family Lives website