Talking with families about parental relationships

Practical tips and guiding questions from the Early Intervention Foundation

Parental conflict can be a sensitive topic for families. We know that conflict between parents is a normal part of relationships, and seeing conflict resolved in a loving or constructive way is important for children’s understanding of relationships. However, parents who are experiencing relationship difficulties can find it difficult to ask for help when they need it, because they feel ashamed and are worried about being misunderstood or judged.

This guide provides practitioners and leads in local areas with practical tips on how to talk to parents about parental conflict, and how to alleviate negative feelings about relationship support. Ultimately, the aim is to increase families’ engagement with support and reduce the risk of parental conflict negatively impacting child outcomes.

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