Falling out and making up

Falling out and making up: skills for life

For all parents navigating the inevitable ups and downs of their relationships

Arguing is normal in every relationship – it is also a life skill we learn throughout childhood and adolescence through our close relationships.

A couple sit on a sofa having a conversation.

“Parents don’t just teach their children skills and behaviour with friends by instructing or encouraging them, they also model behaviours, teaching them through their own words and behaviours with others that children will observe and learn from.”

Dr Rebecca Johnson

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Building a stronger relationship together

Navigating tough times as parents together or separately can be hard. Parenting is not easy, and the pressures of everyday life can easily, and understandably, mount up and even overwhelm the closest couples.

If you’re not sure the way you are arguing with your partner is healthy or find some things too hard to talk about, we’re here to support you with key skills that can help you in relationships with your partner, other relatives and your children. The Solihull Approach model behind Togetherness is proven to help people more confidently manage areas of disagreement and strengthen relationships: it brings together psychological theory with practice and people for real resilience and happier lives.

Two adults, a man and a woman, hug each other outside.

Video diaries

We spoke to children and parents about falling out and how they make up. Watch to see what they say:

Falling out and making up: developing skills for life

Falling out and making up: working through conflict for your family’s wellbeing

Understanding your relationships: an online learning pathway review

Parenting is one of the most transformational and significant changes we experience as humans, bringing new depths to our relationships – both at times a source of great happiness and also an incredible challenge.

We each bring potentially different expectations, family histories and ways of resolving conflict to the table. Whether parenting together or separately, learning how to handle conflict in healthy ways is important for your child’s longer-term wellbeing, as well as your own. Children learn these key skills from their parents. Modelling how to resolve conflict in healthy ways will help shape your child’s approach when they encounter conflict within their own friendships and relationships.

Find what you need in our bitesize e-learning and blogs

A smiling couple sit on a sofa together.

Understanding your relationships

Online learning to support you to thrive in all your close relationship and understand emotional wellbeing.

Healthier ways to argue: When you need to rock the boat

Many parents find themselves in this difficult situation. Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Dr Rebecca Johnson, shares some thoughts about having difficult conversations.

Positive co-parenting: handling conflict when you’re no longer with your children’s other parent

Even if you’re no longer together, positive co-parenting is important for children and their longer term wellbeing. Clinical Psychologist and Child Psychotherapist, Dr Hazel Douglas MBE, shares her advice on resolving conflict when you live separately.