Helping Children Thrive When Parents Disagree

Every couple disagrees sometimes. In fact, it can be healthy for children to see parents work through differences with respect, problem-solving, and affection.

What harms children is not disagreement itself, but hostility, contempt, and yelling. Children feel safest when they know that even during conflict, the adults in their lives are committed to treating each other with respect and repairing ruptures when they occur.

The research shows that when parents disagree respectfully and then work things through to a solution and affectionately make up, kids learn valuable lessons about working through conflicts constructively. But the research also shows that yelling always affects kids badly. Yelling is not constructive conflict resolution. It's a tantrum.

The resources below will help you navigate disagreements, recover from conflict, and protect your child's emotional well-being.