Is It Just Us?

Parenting teenage boys can feel like navigating a whole new world. From alcohol and drugs to peer pressure, friendships and growing independence, how do we keep our boys safe without pushing them away? This week on Is It Just Us? , we're talking about the challenges of raising teenage boys, the conversations we need to be having (even when they're very uncomfortable!) and why connection an...

This week we are talking all about lying! From primary lies, secondary lies and tertiary lies to pro-social lies and white lies- there is so much to discuss! And we will help you to see why your child lying is a good thing!! How to respond to ensure you are supporting development and open communication and we have lots of laughs remembering the lies we told back in the day too! We hope you enjoy!...

This week we’re joined by Jordan Casey, CEO of MindPath, for an open and honest conversation about MindPaths online ADHD assessments for children and teenagers. We get into the nitty-gritty of online ADHD assessment, how they actually work, how children are assessed safely online, what parents can expect and the questions you might have before considering one for your child. Jordan also opens up a...

Welcome back! This week we started off the pod chatting about Hayley's house move and giving you guys a life update and somehow ended up speaking about our births and the traumas we experienced. Please mind yourself when listening as we are so aware that this topic can be very triggering. We also touch on some other topics in this really chatty episode. We hope you enjoy x Thanks so much for l...

**Sensitive Topic** In this week's episode we are talking about suicide and Debbie's recent experience of this within her family. Please mind yourselves as you listen. We wanted to talk about this to open up awareness and support you as parents and also to shine a light on this issue which effects so many of us. Please take a look at the resources and links below if you need support with this. Pie...

This week, we’re talking about something that can very easily get lost somewhere between nappies, bedtimes, work and the never-ending to-do list- romance! We chat about what happens to your relationship when you become parents, why making time for each other can feel almost impossible, and the little things that can help you stay connected as a couple. Expect plenty of laughs, very honest confessi...

This week, we’re joined by the amazing Deirdre Holland Hannon, urotherapy expert, (follow her here ) to talk about the toileting struggles so many families experience but don’t always talk about. From bedwetting and accidents to holding wee, withholding poo and constipation, Deirdre explains what might actually be going on and why these behaviours are so hard to navigate. We talk about what’s typi...

In this episode, we’re unpacking one of the biggest questions parents have been asking us about ADHD- how do you know if what you’re seeing is actually ADHD or if it's part of typical development? We talk about attention, impulsivity, big emotions, movement and behaviour, why so many ADHD traits can also be completely normal at different ages, and when it might be worth looking a little closer. If...

This week, we are delighted to be joined by Micheál Brennan aka Donegal Daddy (follow him here ) for an honest conversation about fatherhood and parenting. He shares what led him to become a stay-at-home dad to his three children, the realities of being the parent at home, and his own experiences with ADHD and struggles with his mental health. We talk identity, parenting, the pressures dads can fa...

We both recently went through an ADHD assessment and in this episode, we’re sharing the whole experience. What made us wonder about ADHD in the first place, what the assessment process was actually like, and, of course, what it brought up for us revealed in the end! We talk about the signs and traits we recognised in ourselves, the things that suddenly made a lot more sense, and how it feels to lo...

Sibling fights, rivalry, jealousy, comparisons and endless cries of “that’s not fair!”- parenting siblings can feel like a full-time refereeing job, especially over the summer holidays. This week, we’re talking about why siblings fight, when parents should step in (and when we shouldn’t), and how we can help our children build healthier sibling relationships without constantly trying to keep the p...

Mayo finally did it after 75 years!! Congratulations to all involved in Mayo's historic All Ireland Football Final win! In this episode we hear about Debbie's experience of the match from the stands but this episode is about more than football. We talk about how this win did something to us all! We talk about the impact on community, connection, hope and the magic that happens when an entire count...

This week's episode is in the form of a parent consultation/ coaching session! We invited the amazing Laura Burke on to talk about the struggles she is having at bedtime with her son. We did a deep dive, unpacked the dynamics and gave her lots of tools to try just like we would in the hub or in a 1:1. We also had a lovely chat and some laughs on this super relatable and really challenging topic! W...

It's time for a proper catch-up! In this episode, we're sharing news from our lives! From house hunting and bidding wars to mortgages and big renovations we are sharing a little of what's going on behind the scenes. This is a super chatty episode with a few laughs and even some manifestation chat! We hope you enjoy and thanks so much for listening! You can contact us at isitjustuspod@gmail.co...

In this episode, we're exploring the fascinating and very helpful "one-third rule" from Dr. Ed Tronick's research. We break down the rule for you and talk about why the goal of parenting is not perfection! f you've ever worried you're getting it wrong, this conversation will take the pressure off and remind you what children actually need to thrive. We hope you find this rule as supportive as we d...

Ever feel your stress levels rise the second you hear,  "I'm bored!"  You're not alone! In this week's episode, we're chatting about why boredom can be such a big parenting trigger, why we feel so responsible for keeping our children entertained..all the time!.. and how a little boredom might actually be one of the best things for their creativity, and resilience too! We give you lots of...

Summer can bring sunshine (eh sometimes!), slower mornings, and special memories...but, it can also bring pressure, guilt, expense, and a never-ending mental load. In this episode, we chat honestly about the realities of parenting through the summer months, from juggling work and childcare to managing expectations, activities, and everything in between. If summer feels both wonderful and overwhelm...

From meltdowns and tantrums to tears, worries and anger, big emotions can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to respond. In this episode, we explore what's really going on beneath those emotional moments and share practical ways to support children while staying steady yourself. We share our own stories and funny parenting moments that have had us in our big feelings too! Hayley...

Periods can bring questions, worries, big feelings and major changes, yet so many parents feel unsure about how best to support their child through it all. In this episode, we chat about the information children really need, how to approach period conversations with confidence, and simple ways to help your child feel informed, supported and comfortable as they navigate this important stage of grow...

This week, we're joined by a really special guest, Aedin Shannon, a childhood friend of Hayley's who is now living in Perth, Australia. Aedin shares her experience of parenting along side her partner, Kenny who has ADHD. We talk about navigating family life with their two boys, carrying a greater share of the mental load, and parenting their son following his ADHD diagnosis too. We chat about the...

From confidence and friendships to social media, self-image, and finding their voice, raising girls today can feel like navigating a world so different to the ones we grew up in ourselves. In this episode, we're chatting about some of the unique pressures girls face and how we can support them to grow into confident, resilient young women! We hope you enjoy and get lots from this conversation. Sen...

One year later… eventually 😅 In this episode of Is It Just Us...?, we’re looking back on the past year of podcasting, parenting, work, life, chaos, and all the moments in between following our recent podcast first birthday! From the episodes that hit home most, to the things that surprised us, challenged us, made us laugh, this is a real, unfiltered catch-up between us! We chat about what we...

This week we are joined by Mick Moran, CEO of the Irish Internet Hotline, for one of the most important conversations we’ve had on the podcast so far. We talk honestly about what children and teenagers are really being exposed to online right now, from pornography and violent content to online grooming, manipulation, sextortion, AI generated imagery, misogynistic content and the growing...

Welcome back! In this episode we are answering quick fire questions straight from Instagram. We have a laugh and a chat about some everyday parenting challenges and thoughts. We hope you enjoy and thank you all sooo much for listening! Send your thoughts and comments to us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com There is still time to join us for our super popular Raising Boys Who Thrive webinar happening toni...

🎉It's our birthday! Is It Just Us? Podcast is ONE year old! THANK YOU to each and every one of you who listen! We really appreciate it. We have had a blast and loved bringing you a new episode every, single week. If you haven't already done so, it would make our day if you could subscribe, rate and tell a friend about our pod! 🥰 ⭐️To say a huge thank you here is a bonus episode we know you will...