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Relationships Matter

Relationships are an important part of a healthy lifestyle for both our physical and mental health.

The relationships we have with those around us make a big difference to how happy we are, how our children thrive and how we get through the challenges in life we sometimes face.

We all have disagreements and fall out with people, it's a natural part of relationships. Disagreements can be big and small, whether it's how we want to bring up our children, to who spends the most money, to who last did the washing up! Not all disagreements are damaging, it's how we deal with them that is important.

When disagreements are not resolved, happen frequently or there are long periods of the 'silent treatment' they can turn into conflict. Whether parents are together or separated, the way you and your partner communicate can impact on your children.

Parental conflict is not the same as domestic abuse – if you are afraid of your partner or feeling that they control your life then this is more likely to be domestic abuse and support is available for you. Please seek help by:

Parental Conflict

Do you recognise any of these signs?

  • Are you arguing, having rows, shouting all the time with each other about things like money, how you parent or housework?
  • Are you worried about splitting up?
  • Is there sulking, silent treatment, slamming doors or walking away from each other?
  • Are you anxious or worried and is this getting in the way of managing everyday life?
  • Are you not able to say sorry after an argument and move on?
  • Are you using hurtful texts, emails or social media against each other?

Free courses to support you

Bradford Children and Families Trust have worked with One Plus One to provide the following FREE online courses (click on the images or the links underneath them for more details).

Arguing better course image

Arguing Better - to help parents communicate better with each other

Getting it right for children course image

Getting it right for children - is for separated or separating parents to help manage conflict and minimise the impact on children.

Me you and baby too course image

Me, you and baby too - to help new and expectant parents.

Having a baby is an exciting time, often you will experience lots of different emotions, sometimes you may feel tired or stressed and you may argue more.  It is normal for babies to cry, sometimes this can be upsetting, ICON supports parents and carers to understand crying is normal, comfort methods and how to cope. Have a look at our coping with my baby crying page for more information on ICON.

See it differently

Take some time to watch these videos from See It Differently which highlight how these issues affect children and their families.

Jag's and Chloe's families

Mahmoud's and Maddie's families

Little book of Relationship Tips

We’re really pleased to share with you "The Little Book of Relationship Tips"

This book has been put together to help you if you're facing challenges that are affecting your relationship with your partner. Maybe you're arguing more often, or your arguments are getting worse?

This guide will provide some practical support and tips to help you get through this stressful time, and support you to make your relationship stronger for the future.

(Click the image or on this text to download)

If required, the booklet can be read aloud using our accessibility function at the top of the page. If you need any further help to access the booklet or experience any issues, please do get in contact with us.

Stronger relationships programmes

Would you like to reduce the arguments and disagreements in your family and cope better with stress? Would you like to enhance your relationship with your current partner, or improve communication with your ex or the other people helping to raise your children?

Stronger relationships logo/banner

Strengthening Families have two free online courses available, one explores relationships between co-parents living together (that could be two biological parents or it could include another key adult who helps bring up children like a grandparents or step-parent); and a second where co-parents live apart in different homes but still share children. Features of both courses include:

  • Help for parents and carers to recognise, understand and resolve conflict
  • Weekly online sessions
  • Weekly live group class
  • Certificate after completion

To find out more about what the difference is between the two types of course and what you can expect,  take a look here.

Click below to enrol. You will be choosing the online course relevant to your circumstances, then the day and time for your weekly group discussions.

📝 Enrol Now

Other online resources

Debt and relationships - due to the cost-of-living crisis and because around 55% of couples list debt and money troubles in their top 3 issues, we have added another online course to support you. Throughout the course you will hear real couples telling their stories of being in debt, the impact this had on their relationships, and the steps they took to get things back on track.

Relationship Matters Website - This is a new partnership between 15 councils across Yorkshire and the Humber Region helping families who may be having relationship difficulties. It has been created to provide advice, tips, and support to help keep our relationships positive and to support parents and carers.

If you need to talk to someone

Family Lives provide targeted early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling.  The issues they support families with include family breakdown, challenging relationships and behaviour, debt, and emotional and mental well-being.

You can call Family Lives on freephone 0808 800 2222 (Open Monday to Friday 9am - 9pm and 10am - 3pm at weekends).

Gingerbread are a charity that help single parent families to live secure, happy and fulfilling lives. They give free and confidential support and expert advice on anything from dealing with a breakup to going back to work or sorting out child maintenance, benefit or tax credit issues. If you plan to use the helpline, mornings tend to be busy, so sometimes calling in the afternoon can help.

You can speak to Gingerbread using their live chat service (click on the 'Chat to an adviser' button at the bottom of the page) or call them on freephone 0808 802 0925. They are open Mondays 10am - 12 noon and 2pm - 7pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am - 4pm; and Wednesdays 10am - 1pm and 4pm - 7pm.

Local support available for you

Relate Bradford & Leeds are the UK’s largest provider of relationship counselling support. Relate offer a range of specialist systemic counselling, including with young people and families across the district, in schools or at the Bradford Centre.

You can call Relate on 01274 726096 or send them an email at info@relatebradfordandleeds.org

Relate also offer free online AI tools - "chatbots" - that can help you communicate and problem solve with a parent or co-parent, to make things calmer at home:

  • The Relate Bot: Share what you're going through and get answers, support and advice to help you get through conflicts with your partner or co-parent.
  • The 'in the middle' bot: a chatbot trained on how your child experiences your relationship. With a small amount of information and no judgement, you can get insight into how your child might be feeling.
  • The 'sounding board' bot: helps you write a response to a WhatsApp or text message. Write what you want to say and it helps to frame it in a less conflictual manner.

Give the chatbots a try at We can relate to parents and co-parents.

Bradford Children and Families Trust offer FREE parenting Programmes both virtually and face to face. These include:

  • courses which focus on developing communication and social skills
  • teaching positive ways to resolve conflict
  • proven strategies to encourage cooperation
  • raising self esteem
  • specific courses for dads/male carers

You can request a place using our simple and secure online form - Click here to find out more

The Wellbeing Network provides an open door to anyone who needs advice and support with housing, benefits, unemployment, budgeting, loneliness/isolation or mental wellbeing. They have hubs in Thornbury, Manningham and Tong.

People who've used the Wellbeing Network say they have regained their hope, rebuilt trust and through the sustained support found they are able to face life’s challenges again.

Visit the Wellbeing network website for more information or to self-refer.

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