My Family Coach Podcast

Nina Jackson is the expert guest on this week's episode. Shediscusses how music can affect your child's emotions and the impact this can have on their behaviour. Find out how you can create a playlist to calm or energise your child - perfect for tricky mornings before school! Nina is an international education consultant specialisingin the areas of mental and emotional health and special e...

In this episode, speech therapist, Karen Massey, explores autism and apraxia of speech, as well as discussing ways to support children with Down Syndrome. She also talks about her upcoming book, her plans for a specialist centre, and her new online programme.   Karen is CEO and Director at All About Speech Therapy Ltd . She empowers parents and educators to help childrenfind their voice. She speci...

In this episode, Jack Pattinson talks to Clare about understanding and supporting anger. He discusses the importance of separating the behaviour from the emotion, and looks at ways to respond, rather than react, when your child feels angry. Jack is a Senior Team Teach trainer and developmentconsultant to a variety of education and care settings across the UK. He is passionate about the importance...

In this episode, Clare talks to expert guest, Allegra McEvedy MBE, about using food and cooking to help build connection and positive family relationships. Allegra reflects on her own experience of cooking during childhood and how this shaped her approach to cookery as an adult. They also talk about helping children and young people become ‘kitchen-comfortable’ and the benefits of families spendin...

In this episode, Clare talks to expert guest, Dr Sheila Redfern about parenting teenagers and taking a relational approach to emotional regulation support. They talk about the concepts of ‘reflective parenting’ and ‘mentalisation’, and how these help us to regulate effectively and connect with other people. Sheila shares the analogy of parenting being ‘like a lighthouse’ and the challenges that pa...

In this episode, Clare talks to expert guest, Dr Dean Burnett, about some of the challenges that parents and carers face around teenagers and mobile phones. They discuss the impact of mobile phone use on young people’s mental, physical and emotional health, and the problem with the catch-all term, ‘screen time’. Dean shares some simple strategies to reduce friction when agreeing and implementing h...

Listen in as Stefanie, an occupational therapist, talks to Clare about sensory support for children who don’t seem to feel the cold, pain, or hunger, or who seem unaware of where their body is in space, and may seek out sensory input by crashing into things.    Stefanie is the owner of Sensationally Thriving Children Therapy . She has been an occupational therapist for twelve years and has worked...

In this episode, Dr Tina Rae joins Clare to talk about how to support children and young people experiencing grief and loss. The topic relates not just to the loss of family members, but to family pets or even an important belonging. Tina shares practical tips to help process grief in an emotionally safe way.    Dr Tina Rae has 40 years’ experience working with children, adults, and families in cl...

Jamie Douglas joins Clare in this episode to share the benefits of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing. It’s an easy model designed to help people frame how to look after ourselves. It includes ideas about connecting with people, incorporating physical activity, taking notice of the world around you, learning new skills, and giving something back to society. Jamie describes the importance of wellbeing in the...

In this episode, Georgina Durrant joins Clare to discuss the importance of play in helping children with emotional regulation. Georgina explains the different types of play and how we can find opportunities to use ‘play to learn’ to develop a range of skills.  Georgina Durrant is a former teacher, Special Educational Needs Coordinator and Director of Cheshire SEN Tutor ltd. She founded the award-w...

In this second part of a two-part special, expert guest, Lauren Seager-Smith, discusses bullying related to gender, gender identity and sexuality. Lauren discusses creating safe spaces for conversations, bullying in gaming sites and chat groups, and how to help your child celebrate their differences. Lauren is CEO of bullying prevention charity Kidscape. She has worked with children and families f...

In this two-part special, expert guest, Lauren Seager-Smith, discusses bullying related to gender, gender identity and sexuality. Lauren explores current issues around gender stereotyping and offers advice on how to challenge harmful perceptions about what is ‘normal.’   Lauren is CEO of bullying prevention charity Kidscape. She has worked with children and families for over twenty years and is a...

In this episode, Helly Douglas joins Clare to talk about children’s behaviour being a means of communication. Helly shares how you can use the My Family Journal App to track and record patterns in behaviours to better understand the thoughts and feelings driving those behaviours. Helly creates the content you can see on the My Family Coach website. She’s a former teacher, working for 16 years acro...

Ian Timbrell joins Clare to discuss how to support LGBT+ young people who are questioning their sexuality. Ian explains the importance of language and the constantly changing terminology around gender and sexuality. Ian has been a teacher for 15 years and a Deputy Head Teacher for 5 years, in which time he has worked as an advisor and supported schools across South Wales. Ian recently set up an Ed...

In this second episode of a 2-part special, expert guest, Dr Pooky Knightsmith, talks more about the importance of self-care and looking after yourself when you’re supporting a distressed child at home. Pooky is autistic; a late diagnosis has helped her to thrive following many years of anorexia, depression, and anxiety. She has a PhD in child mental health from the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s...

Join our guest, Dr Pooky Knightsmith, as she discusses the importance of self-care and looking after yourself when you’re supporting a distressed child at home. Pooky explains the ‘window of tolerance’ and what you can do to manage when things feel hard to stay emotionally regulated all day, every day. Pooky is autistic; a late diagnosis has helped her to thrive following many years of anorexia, d...

This week, guest Carl Abery discusses ways you can help your child build healthier habits and become more active. Carl is a personal trainer and fitness professional working with individuals of all ages. As a child, he was fostered and is now passionate about working with young people leaving the care system to help them create healthier habits and learn stronger coping mechanisms. You can find Ca...

Nina Jackson is the expert guest on this week's episode. She's discussing how music can affect your child's emotions and the impact this can have on their behaviour. Find out how you can create a playlist to calm or energise your child - perfect for difficult mornings before school! Nina is an international education consultant specialising in the areas of mental and emotional health and special e...

In this episode, expert guest, Lisa Cherry, discusses childhood adversities and how to improve connections at home. Lisa explains the difference between adversity and trauma and what young people can do to help them recover. Lisa describes the importance of relationships, making connections and having a sense of belonging. Lisa Cherry is an author, researcher and leading international trainer and...

We all know about the 5 senses we have - seeing, hearing, smelling, touch and taste. But did you know we have other senses too?  Guest Jo Grace is talking to Clare this week about the impact these different senses can have on children’s behaviour. Jo shares examples of what sensory needs might look like at home and how it's important to distinguish between behaviour choices and neuro differen...

In this episode, Dr Emma Kell and Clemmie Stewart discuss how parents/carers can build successful relationships with schools. Emma and Clemmie also share their practical tips for breaking down barriers between home and school and ways you can work together by using effective communication. Dr Emma Kell has almost 25 years of experience as a teacher and leader in UK secondary schools and she curren...

In this episode, expert guest, Kelly Evans, talks about the links between autism, the environment and anxiety. Kelly provides examples of anxiety traits and shares how important it is to understand what’s driving the behaviour by listening to your child or young person. Kelly discusses how ‘masking’ and not being true to their autistic self can heighten anxiety. Kelly is the family advisor for the...

In this episode, expert guest Kerri Fleming discusses the signs of eating disorders and what to do if you're concerned about your child's eating. Kerri provides clarity on what an eating disorder is, explains more about disordered eating, and talks about skills based caring. Kerri is the Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance at Beat, the UK's charity for eating disorders. Kerri is also a regi...

In this episode, expert guest Leith Tarling discusses how to understand children’s behaviour. Leith explores how behaviour is signalling a need of support. Children can behave in certain ways because there’s an underlying unsolved problem that needs to be understood. Leith also shares the importance of self-care; giving yourself permission to take a step back and look after yourself. Leith is the...

This week, expert guest, Anthony Benedict, discusses why some children are suspended/ excluded or permanently excluded from schools. He explains what these different types of exclusion mean and why it can happen, along with the different types of alternative provision some children may attend. Anthony shares that he never particularly liked the UK system of education. His mum said, "If you don't a...