Resolutions and Moving Forward
Frequent or unresolved parental conflict can impact the emotional wellbeing of the entire household, especially children who are highly sensitive to tension, even when it is not openly shown.
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Resolutions and Moving Forward
You Matter: Caring for Your Wellbeing
When parents care for themselves, children feel more secure and emotionally supported. Support is available to you, so please reach out to your local Family Hub for advice and support.
Family hubs in Devon – Devon County Council
Contact NHS Talking Therapies if you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling with anxiety or low mood:
Find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression – NHS
The Power of Relationships: Building a Brighter Future Together
Relationships shape who we are and support our wellbeing. Strong relationships help us grow, communicate, and build resilience, especially in co-parenting, where children learn from how adults treat each other.
Even during separation, empathy and respect help children adjust and thrive. Research shows they do better when conflict is low and communication is clear. This applies to all families; same-sex, adoptive, blended, and culturally diverse. Every family deserves support. That’s why we’ve created a toolkit with practical resources to help co-parents manage conflict, communicate well, and prioritise children’s wellbeing.
Improved Communication
The following video shows us the importance of empathy and what it actually is:
Video: RSA Short: Empathy – Brené Brown
Sometimes the best support is simply listening with respect. Empathy and compromise strengthens co-parenting and reduces tension.
The following video shows us the importance of empathy and what it actually is:
Good communication is key to a strong relationship. Whether you’re talking about daily life or working through challenges, these steps can help you feel more connected and understood:
- Pick the Right Place
Choose a calm, neutral space, especially for serious talks. - Be Present
Put away phones and distractions. - Make Eye Contact
Look at each other with respect. It builds trust and shows you care. - Use “I” Statements
Talk about how you feel instead of blaming. Say “I feel…” instead of “You always…” - Ask Open Questions
Encourage sharing. Try asking, “How did that make you feel?” or “What do you
think?” - Listen Without Interrupting
Let your partner speak without jumping in, listening shows respect. - Repeat and Check Understanding
Say things like, “So you’re saying…” to make sure you understand each other. - Use Team Language
Talk about “we” and “us.” It reminds you both that you’re in this together. - Suggest Solutions Gently
Offer ideas with care: “Maybe we could try…” or “What might help?” - Keep Talking Communication takes time. Be open to revisiting topics and learning together.
Good communication is key to a strong relationship. Whether you’re talking about daily life or working through challenges, these steps can help you feel more connected and understood:
Pick the Right Place
Choose a calm, neutral space, especially for serious talks.
Be Present
Put away phones and distractions.
Make Eye Contact
Look at each other with respect. It builds trust and shows you care.
Use “I” Statements
Talk about how you feel instead of blaming. Say “I feel…” instead of “You always…”
Ask Open Questions
Encourage sharing. Try asking, “How did that make you feel?” or “What do you think?”
Listen Without Interrupting
Let your partner speak without jumping in, listening shows respect.
Repeat and Check Understanding
Say things like, “So you’re saying…” to make sure you understand each other.
Use Team Language
Talk about “we” and “us.” It reminds you both that you’re in this together.
Suggest Solutions Gently
Offer ideas with care: “Maybe we could try…” or “What might help?”
Keep Talking
Communication takes time. Be open to revisiting topics and learning together.
Every conversation is a chance to grow closer. With patience and care, you can build a relationship based on trust and respect. New habits take time, but every effort counts.
Next we revisit the recording ‘ Past, Present & Future’ we listened to earlier, which explained how the past can affect our current and future relationships, but this time using some of the simple strategies illustrated in this guide including I statements, empathy, listening and talking with honesty and openness:
Past, Present and Future
This recording gives an account of a pattern of communication that is learnt.
These strategies may feel awkward at first, but growth takes practice. Staying calm and consistent helps avoid conflict and models healthy communication. It will take time to embed new habits of communication between you and to feel the positive improvements, give yourselves that time.
Ways to Build a Stronger Relationship
Give What You Want to Get
Relationships flourish when we lead with kindness and compassion. Healing and connection start with open hearts and honest words.
Find Your Own Happiness
Look within, take care of yourself, and build a life that feels good from the inside out.
Be Supportive
Support each other as co-parents. Doing so nurtures the well-being of you, your co-parent, and most importantly your child.
Let Go of Anger
Anger can block connection. Take time to cool off, agree a time to come back and talk. Holding on to anger only hurts you and your relationship.
Show Appreciation
Give a compliment or do something kind. Small gestures help with the relationship whether you are co-parenting together or as a separated couple.
Celebrate Your Differences
Every person is unique. Instead of trying to be exactly the same, enjoy what makes you different and how this can be beneficial for your child.
Check In With Yourself First
Ask yourself: What’s really going on inside me? Many arguments come from our own stress or fears. Understanding yourself helps you respond more calmly.
Share What You Need
Express your needs clearly. Being honest helps both of you grow and feel more connected as co-parents.