How Not to Screw Up Your Kids

WARNING: this podcast is not for parents. I spend a lot of my time visiting schools and speaking to classes full of children of all ages, so for once I’m dedicating a podcast episode to you, the kids. This episode is all about giving you the skills and the understanding you need to manage those days when things feel overwhelming. Maybe your mental health is taking a hit, and maybe you have moments...

Do your children share a room? Do they argue? Are you at your wits end? Sibling rivalries, particularly when it comes to shared bedrooms, can be fierce, but sometimes we just don’t have a choice. But there’s good news… There is a way to make it work. From pairing the right children (and it might not be what you think) to creating private space and time for each child, I am going to share some top...

Did you know the UK has the worst statutory paternity leave in Europe? Are you aware of the significant long term implications of reduced parental leave? And did you know that countries with better statutory paternity leave also have a smaller gender pay gap? In this episode, I am joined by Alex Lloyd Hunter, co-founder of The Dad Shift, to discuss everything from why he’s putting paternity leave...

How often do you sit down and eat together as a family? If you’re a little embarrassed about the answer, then I have some news for you… you’re not alone. Most families do not regularly make time to eat together, and I get it! School, work, hobbies, errands - life gets in the way. But eating together can have real benefits, not just on your kids but on your whole family, and in this episode I explo...

Is your child refusing to go to school? Do they seem frequently distressed? Is the school run the worst part of your day? School refusal is a growing problem, with more and more children missing more school than ever. But here’s a big spoiler: it’s not your fault. There are so many reasons why our kids don’t want to go to school, and on today’s episode I am going to unpack what those reasons are,...

“Disability is not an us and them conversation, and it’s not a pity conversation. It’s about teaching kids compassion and an openness to collaboration” These are the words of today’s guest Cathy Reay, a disabled writer and journalist, and mum of two (plus a very cheeky cat!). She also works in educational publishing. How To Be Disabled and Proud (or at least kinda sorta okay with it...) is her fir...

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” This quote from prolific American businessman Henry Ford is one I use often, because usually our fears - of failure, of self-worth, or of anything else - usually stem from within. The power of positive thinking, right? A positive attitude with confidence and resilience can manifest better outcomes, so in this episode I am going to...

Does your child never seem to listen to you? Do punishments never work? Are you running out of ideas? Well, here’s some tough love: your consequences aren’t working, and it’s probably your fault. Of course we should make sure misdemeanors are met with consequence, but if your child doesn’t seem to listen, then the consequences clearly are not effective or appropriate. In this bucket emptying episo...

From the education system, to conflicting expectations, to technology and social media… Netflix’s hit TV show Adolescence has raised many issues about how young men and boys are being raised and the challenges they face. By ignoring some of these underlying problems, we are letting down our children. Our kids deserve to grow up in a world where they feel safe. This starts with making sure we - as...

If you haven’t yet seen Adolescence on Netflix, what have you been doing?! Jokes aside, this TV show has been a triggering one for many of us, but especially those parents of boys. It has brought to light many issues around the manosphere, masculinity, and a generation of children who, without a safe space to have open and honest conversations with grownups, can be easily influenced by harmful con...

New research from the World Health Organisation (WHO) ranks children in England and Wales near bottom for physical activity. This reflects a world where children are becoming less active… in fact, between the ages of 7 and 16, our kids will spend on average half a year - that’s six whole months - playing video games. But here’s the thing… Our children are not lazy, and we’re not heading for some W...

Does your child always leave their room in a mess? Do they leave tasks to the last minute? Are they always on their phone, or wanting to be? As parents we tend to think of things like this as an issue, but in this episode I’m going to help you pivot, because these are not flaws. They’re just skill gaps. When we can reframe these traits of our kids, then we can start to identify how they might need...

I am SO MAD! Or I was when I first listened to a guest discuss their parenting views on another top podcast. Her guidance - that children should not be in daycare and that women should stay at home for the first couple of years - I felt was too dogmatic, and I immediately jumped on the mic to record this episode. That professional’s opinion comes from an informed place. However, I strongly disagre...

Exams can be a stressful time for our children, which makes them a stressful time for us mums and dads too! There’s a lot of pressure, which can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be like this. In this episode I help you to understand the difference between belief gaps, skills gaps and knowledge gaps, how to identify which one (or combination of) your child is struggling with, and share som...

Is your child quiet, shy or reserved? Do they struggle to get heard in group settings? Are you worried their introversion is holding them back? As parents we naturally worry about our children, but here’s some breaking news: just because they might be reserved or quiet, it does not mean they lack belief or confidence. They may not know how to assert themselves in certain situations as well as othe...

Do you dread nap time? And is your child always resisting a nap? As parents, we know there’s nothing worse than the tantrum of an overtired kid, so in this episode I’m here to help you create an effective routine to help your children rest and recharge. Spoiler alert: maybe it’s time to detach yourself from nap time and start thinking about it as quiet time instead. So find a comfy seat, pour your...

Do your parents criticise your parenting? Do you struggle to enforce your own rules on the Grandparents? Do Nan and Grandad sometimes think they’re above the law of Mum and Dad? If you’re constantly battling with your own parents over your children, don’t worry - we’ve all there at some point! I often had difficult conversations with my own Mum when raising my two children, and it’s not easy. In t...

Do you ever find yourself procrastinating? Do you ever struggle to focus on one task at a time? And how many things are unfinished because something more important suddenly came up? Both children and parents can get so easily distracted - I understand, the world is a busy, urgent place at times, and it feels like everything needs doing all at once! In this episode, I help you apply the 5 Minute Ru...

We have all heard of LGBT+ or pride, and terms like non-binary, asexual, trans, but do we really understand them? And as parents, how do we begin to have those conversations with our children? In this episode I am joined by Amy Ashenden, Director of Communications and Engagement at Just Like Us, to talk about how to normalise conversations around LGBT+ and diversity, equality and inclusivity (DEI)...

Anxiety affects us all, and in this bucket emptying episode I’m going to help your children and you as parents, to manage your anxiety and keep your mental health in check. I’m going to share with you a strategy called Be Here Now, which consists of five simple questions to help you when anxiety strikes. If you do regularly suffer from anxiety and depression, or you just need some additional suppo...

Who am I? That’s what we’re asking In the first of a two part special on social and emotional skills. They’re not the things you can really see or measure, and there’s no right or wrong answer, but they are so important to how your children interact with the world, and in shaping who they grow up to be. Parenting styles come in all shapes and sizes, but unless you and your children know how to ide...

As parents there’s always a million things to do and it’s so easy to get overwhelmed, which is why in this bucket-emptying episode I’m talking about the power of one. When you focus on one thing at a time, you will find it easier to deal with, and that’s going to help you and your children. This episode is all about the three Cs - central, clarity, and consistency. I’m going to help you understand...

It’s Valentine’s Day and love is all around… unless you have kids. A recent study shows that many parents with children have not had a date night in the past six months. However, as role models to our kids, it’s so important to make time for them, for ourselves, and for our partners. So this episode is all about connection. I give you five reasons why you need to be spending more time with your pa...

On this week’s bucket emptying episode, I am joined by children’s author Ebele Bright (Fly Chico Fly and Shake Ben Shake). Ebele also founded Announce World to share beautiful stories with both children and adults, inspired by the truths and life lessons she is passing on to her daughters. Her picture books, which encourage deeper conversation with children, are perfect for children aged 3-8, pare...

When your child struggles to handle their big emotions, what do you do? If you’re like me, you’ll listen to podcasts and read all the books. And, if you’re like me, you probably found none of them helped much in practice. Am I right? Well, in this episode, I’m going to help you cut through the noise, to understand the reasons why your child might appear to be acting out or struggling with intense...