Just One Thing for Parents with Dr Bettina Hohnen

We often use praise as a way to boost our children's confidence — but does it always have the effect we hope for? In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, Dr Bettina Hohnen speaks with Dr Barry Hymer, teacher, academic and author, about why feedback may be a far more powerful parenting tool than praise. Drawing on decades of research, Barry shares how praise, though well-intentioned, can som...

Teenagers are wired to explore the world — but for parents, that can feel terrifying. How do you let your teen take healthy risks without putting them in danger?   In this episode, Dr Bettina Hohnen is joined by Professor Deborah Christie, a leading expert in adolescent health at UCL. Together, they explore the delicate balance between keeping teenagers safe and giving them the freedom they need t...

How can parents support their children to eat healthily without slipping into diet talk or passing on their own body worries?   In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, Dr Anna Colton — clinical psychologist and eating disorder specialist — shares what decades of experience have taught her about food, families and children's wellbeing.   We talk about: - Why the language we use about food ma...

In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, I'm joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr Alex Leedham to explore the idea of the "social battery" in autism — a simple but powerful way of understanding why children with autism can so easily become overwhelmed.   Alex explains how everyday demands, from noisy classrooms to social chit-chat, can drain energy far more quickly for autistic children than f...

In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, I'm joined by family therapist Shadi Shahnavaz to talk about how to reach teens who won't engage — why some adolescents shut their parents out, and what parents can do to gently rebuild connection.   We explore the everyday struggles families face when communication breaks down: parents feeling rejected, teens retreating into silence, and the cycle of...

In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, I'm joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr Tara Porter to talk about perfectionism — what it is, why it's rising, and how it affects young people today. We explore the cultural pressures that push children towards "never enough," from school and exams to social media and even well-meaning family expectations. Tara explains why perfectionism is such a risk...

In this episode, Bettina welcomes Belinda Edington, an expert in Executive Function coaching and Managing Director of Mindspark, a social enterprise dedicated to developing these critical skills in children and young people. Belinda explains what Executive Functions are—such as planning, organisation, and self-regulation—and discusses the factors that can impact their development.   She differenti...

Welcome to our second "Must-Hear Moments" episode, featuring highlights from four of our earliest interviews with teenage development experts. In this compilation, we dive deep into understanding teenage behavior, exploring their intense emotions and shifting identities as they navigate the path to adulthood. Our experts shed light on fascinating research that explains why teens act the way they d...

Welcome to this special episode highlighting key insights from four of our earliest interviews with child development experts. We'll revisit valuable tips on supporting children who are struggling, covering topics like anxiety, trauma, communication, and problem-solving skills. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, these must-hear moments offer practical advice for parents, es...

I have been excited about this episode as I interviewed the incredible and inspiring Hilary Kennedy who developed Video Interactive Guidance (VIG) which has such a strong evidence base for making change. She talks us through some transformative and often counterintuitive strategies for building stronger relationships with our kids. Learn about the "serve, catch, return" approach from video interac...

In today's episode, we dive deep into the hidden scripts that shape our parenting journey with behaviour expert Andy Baker. In it you will discover how seemingly harmless phrases like "children shouldn't argue" or "eat your peas, there are starving children" can actually be detrimental to our kids' development and self-esteem. Andy sheds light on these generational "should" and "shouldn't" scripts...

As if parents and teachers didn't have enough to worry about before, now they have to get their heads round AI in education. In this podcast episode, I chatted with Claire Badger, an experienced teacher and head of teacher professional development at InnerDrive. Claire breaks down the complex world of AI in learning, outlining the key issues and highlighting some fascinating research that has been...

In this enlightening podcast episode, Clinical Psychologist and family therapist Manuela Sapochnik shares her insights on enhancing parenting through couples therapy, drawing from two decades of experience. She explores how attachment patterns shape relationships and how misaligned behaviors can create tension between partners.   Manuela explains that this tension often spills over into parenting,...

When your child tells you they think they have a mental health problem parents can feel frozen. How should they respond and what action should they take? I was joined by Rachel Acheson, a psychotherapist with years of experience in adolescent mental health services and schools to discuss this issue. Rachel offers clear, balanced advice on this potentially daunting situation, breaking down what par...

In this episode of Just One Thing For Parents, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Jon Goldin discusses the crucial role of boundaries in children's development. He emphasizes that consistent, predictable boundaries provide psychological safety and promote secure attachment. Jon likens teenage boundaries to flexible rubber tires, allowing some give while maintaining stability.   The conversation cov...

I was joined by Jenny Peters, family therapist, who addresses the parental panic that often arises when tried-and-true strategies suddenly falter. In those moments when parents feel stuck she advises us to turn to the "Three C's" approach: Curiosity, Compassion, and Courage. We talk about why these three core skills are so important for a parent to embrace and give examples and offer practical adv...

Navigating the choppy waters of family separation is a journey that touches countless lives, with a staggering 1 in 3 children under 16 experiencing this significant shift in their family dynamics. As parents, we often grapple with the burning question: "How will this affect my little ones?" It's a valid concern because yes, separation is undoubtedly a seismic event in a child's world. However, pa...

In this episode Dr Nicky Greaves helps us think about how to support children on the autism spectrum with emotional regulation. She has some really innovative ideas about how we can use the special interests of these individuals to help them understand a context. She gives clear examples and interesting insights. For any parent supporting a young child with autism who is finding it hard to manage...

In this episode of "Just One Thing for Parents," host Bettina Hohnen delves into the crucial topic of building healthy resilience in children with guest Dr. Netali Levi, a clinical psychologist. They explore how modern parenting has rightly emphasized emotional support for children, but sometimes to the extreme of centering family life entirely around children's happiness. Netali introduces the co...

In our latest episode of "Just One Thing For Parents," I welcomed back Leonie Kenny to explore the challenges autistic children face in developing friendships and how parents can support them. Leonie delves into the complexities of social interactions for autistic kids, explaining how their weaker shared imagination, tendency towards black-and-white thinking, and reduced flexibility in interpretin...

Navigating the ups and downs of children's friendships can be a source of significant anxiety for parents. Whether our kids are on the receiving end of unkind behavior or we're concerned about their own actions towards others, these situations often leave us feeling helpless. In this enlightening episode, I'm joined by Leonie Kenny, an experienced Speech and Language therapist, who addresses the c...

In this enlightening episode, Sheila Redfern joined Bettina for a conversation that delves deep. Sheila is an expert in an approach known as Reflective Parenting. She explains that we often find ourselves caught up in trying to change our child's behavior and forget to check in with ourselves, yet that's where the magic can happen. Sheila introduces the concept of "mentalizing," which is all about...

In this insightful episode, Bettina is joined by psychotherapist Anastasis about how parents can effectively support teenagers facing body image concerns. Anastasis discusses the challenges of talking about bodies as kids grow, particularly in the teenage years in context of what is going on in the teenage brain. This can be a tricky conversation for parents to start and something many parents mig...

In this insightful episode of Just One Thing, Bettina chats with Anne Ozsivadjian about the important journey that follows an autism diagnosis. If you're a parent navigating this new chapter, this conversation is for you. Anne breaks down what to expect after your child receives an autism diagnosis, emphasizing the vital difference between a diagnosis and a detailed formulation that gives you a be...

Many parents of neurodiverse young people struggle with how to support their children when they transition to University. It's a huge step and a time when these these young people are quite vulnerable. Linda Philips is a Speech and Language therapist who specialises in this area and in this episode she answers the question - What's Just One Thing Parents can do to support their neurodivergent chil...