This content is an excerpt from the Pupil Primary section of your Safer Schools App

A relationship is when two or more people feel connected, think about each other and bond together. There are different types of relationships, for example, relationships with your family, your friends or teachers and coaches.

Relationships with people around us are important. As you get older you might even start to have romantic relationships.

Relationships can sometimes be tricky. We can have lots of fun with people we spend time with. You might feel happy when you see your friends or family.

In any relationship, boundaries are important. A boundary is a personal rule or limit on how people treat us. Knowing about boundaries can help us to create healthy relationships with others.

Signs of a Healthy Relationship

  • Communication – you can talk openly about what you want and how you feel.
  • Trust – you feel safe and you can trust the other person/people.
  • Respect – they listen to your needs, wants, opinions and hopes for the future.
  • Honesty – you can be upfront about things and want what’s best for other people.

Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

  • Not being able to talk about how you feel or what you want.
  • Feeling threatened, scared or pressurised to do things.
  • Being controlled, threatened, bribed or under pressure to do something.
  • Feeling worried, stressed or emotional around someone or feeling like you can’t do anything right.
  • Being worried to disagree with someone, in fear that they will get angry with you.