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Be You uses the term ‘family’ to encompass parents, carers, extended family members and other adults responsible for children and young people’s care. Family members may not necessarily be biologically related or even live with the child or young person all the time. Some individuals may have one or several parents or carers, including grandparents, step-parents, same-sex parents, aunts and uncles, foster parents or adoptive parents. A family can be made up of anyone a person considers to be their familyFor most individuals, the family environment and family relationships have the biggest impact on life outcomes. Positive family relationships can help children and young people flourish, but adverse experiences can negatively impact their wellbeing and subsequent development. All families are unique. Supporting families involves recognising that they come in all shapes and sizes, with different needs and circumstances. Research shows the quality of family relationships is more important than their size or composition. Whoever the family is made up of, they can build strong, positive relationships that promote wellbeing and support children and young people’s mental health.
Last updated: November, 2019
Healthy relationships with your partner and family members can enhance your life and make everyone feel good about themselves. They don’t just happen though; healthy relationships take time to build and need work to keep them healthy. The more positive effort you put into a relationship, the healthier it should be. What are the signs of a healthy relationship?People in healthy relationships love and support each other. They help each other practically as well as emotionally. They are there for each other in the good times and the bad times. Healthy relationships are commonly based on:
What are the benefits of healthy relationships?People who have healthy relationships are more likely to feel happier and satisfied with their lives. They are less likely to have physical and mental health problems. Healthy relationships can:
Communication in a healthy relationshipPeople who are in a healthy relationship talk to each other regularly and listen to each other too. Misunderstandings can happen, and that can lead to people being upset, hurt or confused. It is best to be clear about what you want to say. Making a real effort to understand what the other person is saying also helps. Double checking that you have understood correctly can avoid misunderstandings. Just because you love each other doesn’t mean you will be able to communicate well or know what the other is thinking. To encourage more open communication in your relationship:
Communication is not just talking; non-verbal communication — your posture, tone of voice, facial expressions — can tell the other person how you feel. Non-verbal communication can even undermine what you’re saying if your behaviour doesn’t match your words. How can I maintain healthy relationships?Building healthy relationships with partners, friends and family is good for you. It improves your mood, your mental health and your wellbeing. Maintaining them is important. It takes time and commitment. No relationship is perfect, but it is important that it brings you more happiness than stress. Here are some tips for a healthy relationship. Be clear about what you wantAssertive communication helps make your point more clearly than passive or aggressive communication. It means you make your point clearly and honestly, while respecting the other person's point of view. Try using ‘I’ statements instead of accusatory ‘you’ statements. For example, say "I really hate it when you don't clean up the dishes" rather than "You never help me in the kitchen". Say sorry when you’re wrongThis is really important as it helps heal relationship breakdowns that inevitably occur. Be affectionate and show appreciationRelationships can become routine after a while. Make special time together and continue to show your affection. Even just snuggling on the couch after work helps show intimacy. Make the relationship a priorityIt can be hard to balance relationships, work, family and friends. You can help establish a work-life balance by setting limits at work and learning to say no – this will ensure you make time for your relationship. Develop shared interestsFinding hobbies you both enjoy allows you to spend time together. This could be as simple as doing a night class together or taking up a new sport. Work on feeling good about yourselfFeeling good about yourself allows you to give the best to your relationships. Taking time to do what you enjoy can help. Healthy friendships maintain your happiness and self-esteem, so it is important that you stay in touch with your friends when you are in a relationship. One of the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship is when you quit activities you used to enjoy because of your partner. Find solutions that work for both of youConflict is a part of any relationship. It is essential that you both respect and accept your differences and similarities. Finding solutions that work for both of you will probably require compromise at different times. Make plans for the futureBy making plans for the future together, you both show you are in the relationship for the long term. Family timeFinding time together as a family can be difficult, but there are many benefits to regularly sharing family meals. Even one family meal a week gives everyone a chance to catch up, connect and communicate with each other. Having relationship issues?It is normal to have ups and downs in a relationship. It is also normal to have different opinions. Relationships, and people, change over time. Your relationship is not healthy if one person has more power than another, or if that person is abusive or violent. When a relationship endsThe end of a relationship can be a very painful time. It may take 2 or 3 years for people whose long-term relationship has ended to recover and to put their lives together again. Some people develop serious health and emotional problems during this time. Resources and supportIf you would like to talk to someone, here are some organisations that can help:
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