There’s no magic wand you can wave to build a good relationship with your child. But the good news is, there are lots of things you can do to strengthen your bond, from the day they’re born through to the teenage years. And whether they’re fighting with their siblings or falling in love for the first time, we’ve got tips to help you help them form happy, healthy relationships. We also have advice about adult relationships too, including how to cope if you and your partner split up, and information on children’s rights.

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Bonding and attachment

Welcoming a new baby into your family is such an exciting time. At times you may feel like you’ll never stop cuddling them. At other times, you may feel dazed and overwhelmed. That’s perfectly normal. The good news is, holding and snuggling your wee one will really help them feel secure and help you to bond. So our advice is – do it as much as you can – it really helps with the baby’s brain development!

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Building a good relationship with your child

Building a good relationship with your child can take time and patience – and sometimes both are in short supply! There’s no magic wand you can wave – but little day-to-day actions add up. Here are some practical tips to help you encourage them to confide in you and help them grow up into happy, confident young people and adults.

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Brothers and sisters

The arrival of a wee baby brother or sister is bound to be a bit of a shock to your other children. Here we share some tips for helping the introduction of a new wee one go more smoothly, and some ideas for keeping the peace if you have multiple children.

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Building a good relationship with your teen

Sometimes your teenager may feel like your new best friend. But sometimes it can feel like you’re living on different planets. But the more time you spend talking to them, the more you may find that, while you may never agree on fashion and music, you do still have a lot in common. And the more you talk to them, the more likely they are to open up to you about any problems or worries they may be having.

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Teen friendships

As your child grows up, their friends become more and more important to them, and they may start caring more about what they think than what you and your family think. This is a perfectly normal part of growing up and becoming more independent. But your teen still needs you – even if they don’t show it! Here we look at how you can help your teen manage the challenges and changes of friendships and relationships at this age.

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Sex and relationships

It might be the last thing you want to discuss with your teenager, but talking about sex, relationships and consent is important. Being open about it lets your teen know they can talk to you if they have questions or worries, and makes it a bit easier for you to tell if there’s anything wrong. Here are some tips for starting the conversation, and advice on what to do if you have any concerns.

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Relationships and shared parenting

Raising a family can be a difficult thing for any couple, and it can be really tough when a relationship breaks down. But it is possible to continue parenting together, so your children can continue to have a good relationship with both of you. The most important thing is that they know that you love them, and always will. And remember, whatever your situation, there’s lots of support out there.

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Children’s rights

Everybody has rights, including children. But what are children’s rights and how can we as parents and carers help support them? These rights are set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). You can find out more about the children's rights and the UNCRC here.

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