Parenting with PLAY!

Ever done something you KNOW not to do. And yet you can't help yourself?! You know not to shout, and yet you still do. You know your child wants your attention, and yet you just can't give it. These are not signs that you're a bad parent. Instead, they're indications that you need something. And it's not more information or What To Do videos. Listen in to what you really need instead. ____________...

If you ever panic when your child is upset because they've hurt themselves and you don't know how to help them overcome anxiety as a result of their injury, then this episode is going to help. I recently dislocated my shoulder (again) and what I did in one hour the following week transformed my recovery. Even though this was a more painful and traumatic event than when I dislocated it 3 years befo...

Struggling with picky eaters? Worried about your child’s obsession with sweets, constant snack requests, or battles at the dinner table? Helena chats with Maru Rojas, an Aware Parenting instructor and Mum of 2 who specialises in Intuitive Eating. In this super helpful, down-to-earth conversation you'll learn how to foster a healthy, trusting relationship with food for your whole family. This episo...

How are holidays with your children? Relaxing, wonderful and Instagramable? Or stressful and exhausting?!  Sometimes it can feel like it would be easier to just stay at home because then the kids wouldn't have as many tantrums, you wouldn't feel so frazzled and frustrated, and it would be cheaper too. But holidays can be fun! So listen to this week's episode to have the best ti...

Do you trust yourself? Are you gentle with yourself? Can you calm that urgent voice in your head, and bring a strong sense of peace into your mind and your body? Because that is what I want for you. To deeply trust yourself as a Mum, to release trauma, and to feel confident in who you are. Vicki Plomer is an Aware Parenting Instructor, a Somatic Therapist and a Trauma-Informed Energy Practitioner....

If toilet training has become a battle and your child is refusing to do wees or poos in the potty or toilet, then this episode is going to help. Especially if you're feeling pressure from those around you and you've tried all the things - bribes, threats and listening to lots of upset feelings. Yasmine's lovely, strong-willed son was refusing to do a poo on the potty or toilet. It had turned into...

One of parenting’s most misunderstood topics—Tantrums! in this episode I chat with Eva Szorad, a Hungarian Aware Parenting instructor, about what tantrums really are, and more importantly, what they are not . I wish I knew this when I first became a mum because I used to think I had failed when my daughter had tantrums. I had been led to believe that if I was calm and gentle, she would be calm and...

Do you ever struggle to know what to do when your child runs to their room, slams the door and shouts at you to “Go Away!”? If you're like many of my clients, you might feel confused about what to do. On the one hand, you want to respect your child's boundaries and not force yourself in when they've told you go away. But on the other hand, your child is clearly upset and you don't want to leave th...

Have you ever argued with your partner about parenting? Most parents have and it's one of the big topics that clients usually want to talk or vent about.  This is especially an issue when you're following a different approach to the norm, and maybe you've even questioned whether it's worth implementing it if your partner is not 100% on board. In this episode I talk with fellow Aware Pare...

If you've ever tried to give your child the ideal day by throwing a birthday party or taking them on an exciting trip, only for them to have a meltdown or complain, then this episode is for you. In it, Devon Harris shares about how about a day spent doing mundane things with her son led him to declare it was "the best day ever" So what was it about that day that had such a profound impact? And how...

You are going to LOVE this episode. This is a very honest, raw and hopeful conversation with Michelle Puster, a long-term client of mine who is a therapist and Mom of 3 (including twins). Michelle opens up about how challenging life was with 3 children under 2 and the rage, shame, depression and anxiety she experienced. This difficult time led her to eventually find Hand in Hand Parenting, st...

When you first start parenting this different way, you're probably worried about how your children will turn out and whether you can trust the process. In this episode, I have a heartfelt chat with Vivian Viester about the challenges and revelations of parenting, especially with teenagers. Vivian shares her journey of discovering Aware Parenting and what she's learned, especially when things are h...

Parenting is such an important job and of course you want to do it really well. But sometimes you don't know what to do when your child is being challenging. And sometimes you can focus so much on the serious things, that you lose sight of what life and parenting is actually about - which is to be enjoyed!  Find out how you can bring more silliness throughout your day, and how to respond in t...

If your child has ever said "Nobody will play with me" you'll know how heart-wrenching it is to hear your child struggling. Especially when you remember what it was like for you at school. So in today's episode I share what I did when my son (6) said that to me and how I helped him. This episode is a powerful one because social struggles are a big reason why children don't want to go to school. An...

Are you having the same old New Year Resolutions such as lose weight or earn more money? They can feel a bit boring and uninspiring, don't they? Instead, how would it be to instead focus on the one thing that actually determines the quality of your life? In this episode we dive into just that.  You’ll hear:  What's really important to have a fulfilling life What to focus on with your chi...

Unless it's pesto pasta, fish & chips or pizza, George, 8, will complain about what I've cooked for dinner. Earlier this week, I could see that he needed to offload some big feelings he was carrying.  He'd been quick to temper for a while and so I used his refusal to eat my (delicious!) dinner to help him with his upset. I set the limit and I listened to his rage.... In this episode I sha...

There's so much pressure to be the "perfect" mum. But, what is "perfect"? And is your desire to be perfect resulting in you feeling like a failure? This episode will dive into what most mum's feel, and how you can turn that around. Helena Mooney is a Parenting & Life Coach dedicated to helping your family AND you thrive. Book: 1:1 Mentoring Session Join: Annoying to AMAZING! Online program if...

If you find it hard to be playful with your child, then this episode is going to help. Because it's hard! And often you probably would rather do anything - ANYTHING! - than sit and play with your child one more time..... You're not alone and it's totally understandable. And.....there are things you can do to become more playful. It's not a case of you being that type of person, or not. P...

Do you worry whether your child is "normal", especially when they're having a meltdown (again!)?  If so, you're not alone. Tantrums have been seen as unacceptable for hundreds of years and very harsh methods were used to stop them - "spoil the rod, spare the child". But tantrums ARE normal. In fact, they're a healthy biological function that needs to be supported rather than sq...

If you've ever been stuck in the anger > guilt > shame cycle, then this episode is perfect for you. Chiara Rossetti is an amazing Aware Parenting Mum and Instructor who shares how she has struggled with her feelings of frustration and rage with her children, and how she now uses playfulness to reconnect and repair after an outburst. Key Points: Healing & transformative power of play Play...

Whether it's Preschool, Primary or High / Secondary School, at some point your child is not going to want to go. Which is completely understandable. But it's also concerning and frustrating for you. So this episode gives you strategies & insights for what to do in the heat of the moment in those challenging moments, and what to do to reduce the chances of it happening. For more support: REGIST...

When your child is crying or having a tantrum, it can be hard to know what to do in the heat of the moment. After working with many parents, these are 3 common mistakes I see that impact on children's ability to effectively process their upset emotions. Listen in to this episode to find out what they are, and what you can do instead. If you realise you've done any of these, please know that it's t...

You spend so much time thinking about what others want, but what about YOU? Find out how to uncover what you REALLY want and how to make it happen In this episode Helena will take you through 2 processes to help you get clear about what you want in your life so that you can make it happen. Whether they are big life decisions, or everyday occurrences with your kids (because they make up your life),...

Playdates can be fun and a great way to entertain your child. And...they can also be chaotic, noisy and end in tears. Discover how to help your child and their friend have a great time and deal with any friction or fights that may arise. For more help with your child, join me inside Annoying to AMAZING! where you'll receive: more practical strategies to help your child with anxieties, aggressive b...

Discover why play is more effective than talking & reassurance when your child is anxious. You can play games in a therapeutic way that will help your anxious child become much more confident and able to cope with difficult situations. Find out more ways play can help & more games inside my FREE online Playful Discipline Workshop . Click here to join today! And if you're wanting to take yo...