Healthy Relationships
Healthy Relationships are With People Who Are:
- Kind
- Caring
- There to listen to you
- Comfortable to be around
- Fair
- Safe
Healthy relationships can be with friends, family, or any adult in your life.
What Does It Mean to Be a Good Friend?
A good friend is:
- Kind
- Caring
- Someone who listens to you
- Comfortable to be around
- Respectful
- Safe
- Fun
Just like a healthy relationship!
Healthy relationships are not just with others. They are with you, too! Be a good friend to yourself. You can do this by being kind and nice to yourself.
In a healthy relationship, you have safe secrets and safe touches.
Safe Secrets are fun! Like a present or surprise. They do not make you feel upset or sad.
Safe Touches are fun, comfortable, and caring. They are respectful to you and your space, like a high five or a hug.
Ask (this is called consent).
Ask if it is okay to do, like “Can I give you a hug?”. The person can say no if they want to and that is okay! When someone says no, we listen to them.
You are also allowed to say no, and that is okay, too!
If someone asks you to do something that is unsafe or uncomfortable, you can say “No,” “Stop,” or “I don’t want to.” These are your personal safety rules.
Body Boundary Rules: no one should look at, touch, or take pictures of your body without your permission. (Permission means that you are saying yes).
Unhealthy Relationships
Relationships are not always healthy. When they are not, that is when we ask for help!
Unhealthy Relationships Are With People Who Make You Feel:
- Unsafe
- Uncomfortable
- Hurt
- Not listened to
- Scared
If you have someone who makes you feel like this, tell someone. It is important to get help!
In an unhealthy relationship, there are unsafe touches and unsafe secrets.
Unsafe Touches feel strange, uncomfortable, confusing, or yucky. They could be from someone you know or someone you do not know.
Unsafe Secrets are not fun. They feel uncomfortable or scary. They can be about hurting you or someone else. The other person tells you not to tell your parents or a trusted adult and that if you do tell something bad will happen.
Tell a trusted adult if you have any unsafe secrets or touches.
Further Resources
23 Must-Read Anti-Bullying Books for Kids – WeAreTeachers
101 Social Skills Books for Kids: Friendship, Communication Skills & More (childhood101.com)
30 Books about Cooperation and Relationship Skills (childrenslibrarylady.com)
5 Books to Teach Kids about Healthy Physical Boundaries (clevelandrapecrisis.org)
If you would like to speak to someone about mental health issues, the Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line is available 24/7, offering information and referrals on any aspect of mental health.
