What is a healthy relationship?

There are many different types of relationships, and each couple will have their own dynamics and style of interacting.

Over time we can become used to different dynamics that may not be as supportive as they could be, but because we have become used to them, they seem normal to us.

This is not a failure or the fault of one member of the relationship, but it can be good to reflect on what we have begun to consider is normal from time to time.

Here is a checklist of healthy relationships:

Seeking mutually satisfying resolutions to conflict.
Working equally as a partnership, making financial and other decisions together, where both people benefit and learn
Discussing problems together and accepting change
Being willing to negotiate and compromise
Making decisions together
Being emotionally affirming and valuing the opinions of others
Respecting each other’s rights to feelings, to have different friends, do various activities and have different opinions
Making mutual agreements to share tasks and responsibilities
Mutual respect
Honesty and accountability
Trust and Support
Non-threatening behaviour (no verbal, physical, financial or other forms of abuse)
Parenting together and being a positive role model for children