These videos can help you understand more about what happens when parents argue poorly, how it impacts children and includes ways to help you communicate better.
On this page
- Are your children experiencing parental conflict?
- Kids talk: How arguing poorly impacts children
- See it Differently: How to communicate better
- Reducing parental conflict really matters
Are your children experiencing parental conflict?
Did you know that 1 in 10 children live with one or both parents who are struggling with conflict?
Parental conflict happens when arguments between parents, or co-parents, is intense, frequent, and poorly resolved, becoming destructive and harmful to the child's wellbeing.
Learn more about parental conflict and it's impact on children in this 3-minute YouTube video:
You can learn more about help and support available for parents, co-parents or carers on reducing parental conflict by exploring our Relationship Really Matters pages.
Kids talk: How arguing poorly impacts children
Children talk about how they feel when parents argue in these short video clips from the relationship charity OnePlusOne.
Kids talk: A frost is coming
A young girl describes how she feels when her parents argue and make up [30 seconds, YouTube]:
Kids talk: Impact on my future relationships
Three girls talk about how their parents’ arguments might affect their own relationship choices in the future [40 seconds, YouTube]:
Kids talk: Arguing about money
A young boy talks about how he feels when he hears his parents arguing about money [30 seconds, YouTube]:
Kids talk: Who do I choose?
A young girls describes how she feels torn when her parents argue [35 seconds, YouTube]:
See it Differently: How to communicate better
Life stresses can put strain on families and lead to arguments which affect your partner or ex-partner, and your children.
Everyone argues, but not everyone argues well. Have you ever thought about the impact of how you argue on your child? You don't see your arguments. Your kids do.
Find out how these four families learned to see their arguments differently.
Maddie’s Family – Chores
What could the parents of 6 year old Maddie done differently when mother Steph returns from a busy day at work to find the house messy? Find out in this 4-minute YouTube video:
Stop and see it through their eyes. Don't make excuses. Say how you feel.
Jag’s Family – New trainers
What could the parents of 5 year old Jag have done differently when they argued over money in front of their son? Find out in this 3-minute YouTube video:
Stop and think, what else is going? What's really behind the argument? Stay calm and talk it through.
Mahmoud’s Family – Withdrawal
What could the parents of 15 year old Mahmoud have done differently when mother Naz wanted to spend time with family, but everyone was too distracted to notice? Find out in this 4-minute YouTube video:
Don't withdrawal when you want to talk. Be sure to speak up. Make sure you pay attention. Ask each other what else is going on?
Chloe’s Family – Haircut
What could the parents of 9 year old Chloe, who are separated, have done differently when they argued in front their daughter over her new haircut? Find out in this 4-minute YouTube video:
Stop, stay calm. Talk about it. Remember to put your children first.
Reducing parental conflict really matters
Constant arguing can make a child feel scared, anxious, depressed or uncertain about their future. Children do not need a front row seat to shouting, criticism and blame.
Experience what it's like for children when parents or co-parents struggle to communicate in this 1-minute YouTube video:
Arguments between parents is normal, it's how you resolve them that really matters most for children.
Relationships Really Matter can help
Relationship Really Matters offers local support, including online courses, to give parents or carers the skills to manage conflict more constructively and parent co-operatively.
Find out more about help parents or carers can get locally
Listen to two parents who've accessed Relationships Really Matter's support share their experiences in this 3-minute YouTube video:
To learn about more help and support available for parents, co-parents or carers, explore some of our other Relationship Really Matters pages.