Family & Relationship Issues

Introduction to Family and Relationship Issues

Welcome to our Family and Relationship Issues topic center. Whoever we are, we are all very much shaped by those who raised us, our parents and/or caregivers. We are the product of human relationships, and most of us spend our days within the context of relationships with other people. We need other people to be close to us in our lives, or we tend to get sick. Who we are is very much a function of where we have come from, and who we surround ourselves with.

Despite their vital importance in our lives, relationships can be very difficult to manage. We expect our intimate partners to provide for many of our needs, but often find that differing expectations, frustration, and a need to be right create conditions for conflict and erosion of intimacy. Angels though they may be, our children test us for weaknesses and we don't always pass. Our adult parents grow older and require care, placing a burden on our other responsibilities. A diverse set of communicati...More

Fast Facts: Learn! Fast!

What are healthy communication skills that should be used in relationships with others?

Assertive communication is respectful, direct, honest, open, non-threatening and non-defensive. It is not demanding, aggressive, or manipulative.
Understanding the emotional side of conversations can cause behavior to shift.
Trust and affection are the glue that hold couples together. Healthy partners communicate these positive feelings towards each other via words and gestures in a cyclical manner that breeds more positive communication.
Knowing more about how to communicate clearly and with sensitivity can help you to avoid problems before they start.

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What are effective conflict resolution skills that should be used in relationships with others?

It’s normal to have conflict in relationships, but resolving disagreements in a healthy way creates understanding and brings couples closer together.
Learn the 3 most common and ineffective ways conflict is handled in intimate relationships and how to better handle it.
Discover 4 strategies will help couples and families balance the needs of others with their own, and make the holiday season more enjoyable for all.
In your quest as a parent to help your child understand the difference between good and bad, right and wrong and what it means to be respectful to others, there will inevitably be times when your child resists or you miscommunicate.
Repairing damage while disagreeing with your partner can require learning new habits and skills.
Whether in a marriage, between parents and children, or among friends, conflict is an inevitable part of any ongoing relationship and the question isn't if there will be conflict but how you will navigate the conflict when it occurs. Here are three skills you can practice to enhance your conflict-resolution and two to avoid.
People who remarry find themselves blending two sets of families from former marriages and it's common to find a wife or husband complaining that their new spouse seems to love their biological children more than their new spouse.

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News Articles

Health Tip: Becoming a Step Parent
If step-parenthood is in your future, there may be pending bumps in the road between you and your new spouse, your younger children and the children's other parent. More...
Moms, Are You Victims of 'Invisible Labor'?
Mothers not only take on the lion's share of physical chores, they also shoulder most of the "invisible labor" involved in making sure the household is humming along, new research suggests. More...
Health Tip: Managing Your Family's Digital Life
TVs and computers are part of everyday life, but the American Academy of Pediatrics urges caution about overuse of digital devices. More...
Family, School Support May Help Stop Bullies in Their Tracks
Children with strong family ties and school support are more likely to try to stop bullying when they see it, new research suggests. More...
When You Go From a Family of 3 to a Family of 4
Wondering if having a second child will affect your marriage even more than baby number one did? More...

7 More

A Childhood Full of Happy Memories Might Benefit Your Health Today
Childhood memories of good connections with your parents can benefit your physical and mental health, according to new research. More...
More Americans Are Raising Their Grandkids
More than 3 million older Americans are now raising their grandchildren as their own, even as they struggle with health problems and financial stresses, a new survey shows. More...
Health Tip: Discussing Divorce With Kids
If you have children, it's important for you as a parent to stress that the divorce is not their fault. You also should do your best to keep lines of communication open, the group says. More...
Health Tip: Manage Family Arguments
Arguments are a natural part of family life, but constant and recurring battles can be exhausting. More...
Health Tip: Dealing With Sibling Rivalry
Adjusting from being an only child to being a big brother or big sister may be a difficult transition. More...
Close Siblings Can Ease the Pain of Family Conflict
Good relationships between siblings can help them cope with conflicts between their parents, a new study finds. More...
Frozen Donor Eggs May Lead to Fewer Births Than Fresh Ones
But statistics might not tell full story, experts say. More...