Healthy relationships
As your child grows up, they will meet lots of different people. Some of these people will become friends and later on they may even have romantic partners. But not all relationships are easy and it’s normal for your child to meet people they don’t get along with.
What does a healthy relationship look like?
- Being yourself and celebrating what makes you different and unique
- Communicating well - being able to say how you feel without being judged, and also being a good listener
- Trusting each other - feeling safe, being able to rely on one another and being kind and supportive while still being honest
- Respecting each other and each other’s boundaries - giving each other space, and being able to enjoy time with other people too
What does an unhealthy relationship look like?
All relationships are different, but some warning signs to look out for include:
- not spending much time with family or friends - they might be told who they can and can’t see
- not wanting to go to school
- doing things they feel uncomfortable with - this could be going to places they don’t want to go or feeling pressured into things like drinking, drugs or sex
The NSPCC website has helpful advice about healthy relationships, including how to talk to your child about them.
Bullying
Bullying is when someone intentionally tries to hurt another person, usually again and again over a long time. Bullying can include:
- physical bullying – like pushing, hitting or hurting someone
- verbal bullying – like name-calling, threats or spreading rumours
- emotional bullying – like trying to embarrass someone on purpose or making them feel scared
- online bullying – like sending nasty messages, sharing embarrassing photos or videos or sending inappropriate messages or images
- targeting someone because of their race, sexuality or disability – this is called a hate crime
Your child might not always tell you if they are being bullied, so it’s important to talk about it openly. Some signs that your child might be being bullied include:
- physical injuries, like bruises they can’t explain
- being scared to go to school, pretending to be ill each morning or skipping school
- changes in behaviour, such as, feeling nervous, losing confidence or becoming upset and withdrawn
- bullying other people
Some top tips for dealing with bullying:
- Avoid the bully and try to use a buddy system so they are not alone
- Act brave and walk away - don’t let the bully see you angry or upset, as this is often what they want
- Talk to your parents, your school or another trusted adult
- Build confidence by spending time with positive friends who make you feel good about yourself
The NSPCC website has lots more information about bullying and what to do if you think your child is being bullied.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance website also has helpful information and advice about bullying.
LGBTQ+
LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The + sign includes other identities in the community, such as asexual or non-binary.
It is really important to be accepting and supportive of people in the LGBTQ+ community. But it can sometimes be hard to know how to feel or what to say if your child identifies as LGBTQ+.
Just Like Us is a charity that has a very helpful guide for all parents, whether or not their child identifies as LGBTQ+: LGBT+ Guide for Parents.
Stonewall is a charity that offers support and advice for LGBTQ+ people and their parents.
People who identify as LGBTQ+ are at a higher risk of abuse, bullying, and hate crimes. Galop is a charity that supports people who have been victims of these kinds of harm.