Conflict is inevitable in relationships, but if dealt with in a healthy, productive, and respectful way, it can bring you closer as a couple and make your relationship stronger.

Conflict is inevitable in relationships, but if dealt with in a healthy, productive, and respectful way, it can bring you closer as a couple and make your relationship stronger.

The development of skills can all to easily become over-shadowed by the feedback process. Aiming for a balanced approach in which feedback and the development of skills (e.g. good listening skills and constructive ways of handling conflict) are both valued is a good goal.

Professor Waters is the Founding Director and holds the Gerry Higgins Chair in Positive Psychology at the Centre for Positive Psychology, University of Melbourne where she has held an academic positon for more than 20 years. Lea holds affiliate positions at Cambridge University’s Well-Being Institute and the University of Michigan’s Center for Positive Organizations. As a researcher, she has published almost 100 scientific articles and book chapters.

The development of skills can all to easily become over-shadowed by the feedback process. Aiming for a balanced approach in which feedback and the development of skills (e.g. good listening skill and constructive ways of handling conflict) are both valued is a good goal.

Timothy O’Learys new book, The Relationship First-Aid Kit is being launched by Hay House Australia in December this year. In the book, Tim shows couples how to build their emotional problem-solving skills so that couples can stop fighting and deepen their love. He is the author of the book, Dads Who Can and worked with the Raising Children Network’s “Dads Guide to pregnancy” as well as running classes for new dads. www.timothyoleary.com.au

Let’s be honest—you and your partner are going to have disagreements. Sometimes they’ll be small (What movie should we watch?), but sometimes they’ll be more serious (When are we going to have children?).

Register now to join the peak marriage and relationship educators conference exploring the well-being of Children, Men and Women, Families and Communities.

It’s important to resist the urge to bring up past experiences that have already been resolved and reopen them for discussion. Acknowledge the current disagreement and work through the conflict by actively listening to your partner. Respect your partner, remember you are on the same team, and know it’s okay to take a time out if you need to. While embracing the conflict and dealing with it can be uncomfortable, it can ultimately bring you closer as a couple.

It’s time to say thanks to all the people who are there for us!