The Courageous Mumma

Imagine living with a life threatening illness, or any illness that impacts your ability to work, to parent, to do all the things you love to do. This week I chat with my friend Nicola Wall, who lives through the emotional and physical battles of having Cystic Fibrosis. She's open and honest about the challenges and experiences as well as the life changes they have chosen to make. It's emotional,...

How do we model strength and perseverance to our children? Is this true - "Children are so resilient!" ??? How do we retain our own identity whilst parenting? Can we flourish rather than just survive when the odds are against us? Here's a story of an artist and photographer who thrives in spite of the odds... She's philosophical, funny, pragmatic and connected. She'll inspire and encourage you. Th...

Who's influencing your kids? What do we know about Gen Z? What do they need from us in order to thrive in their cultural norms? What does it mean to give our kids an attractive watering hole for a home so that we don't have to build high fences around them? Come and listen to Alice Bond - she shares great ways to help our children retain their self-worth and connectedness to us. For your discounte...

Would you love to understand what Gen Zed and Millennials are all about? What it means for your child and you? This week I'm doing a lightening tour of the 'Gens'. It'll help you to understand what defines them, what affects them and how they're shaped. Why? So we can better connect and positively influence this generation - our kids.   If you'd like your discount for the book Parenting For Life p...

How do we help our children to be themselves in this world full of influences? Does our voice have value among the many voices our children hear on line and around them? This is choc full of sage advice. It will restore your hope.   To find Hils' book pop here To get your listener's discount on Parenting For Life pop here Find me on Instagram @thecourageousmumma or email - madeleinestani@icloud.co...

Whatever age your children are they'll have tests and exams either now or on the road ahead. Author, Tim Benton coaches students on the stresses, strategies and systems of learning. He's worth it just for the laughs - and for the rendition of his Henry VIII revision piece. He's wise, he's funny and his strategies got one of mine through his GCSEs and now we're using them again for A Levels.   Find...

This week I'm chatting to a Mum who has spent the COVID season on the front line in ED (A&E). She reflects on nearly 30 years of parenting - What was good? What she'd change And what's it's been like working as a nurse practitioner through this tough season. Today's chat is full of pearls of wisdom and great stories. Philippa Nash is one of my go-to people and I'm so thrilled to introduce you to h...

How do you give your children attention and necessities whilst being a working mum? I chat to Cat Metcalfe about her journey from working in a corporation before kids through to having three kids and a home business. I enjoyed hearing the process of working out what business to set up by considering her skill set and what motivated her. It's also really interesting to hear how she applies values t...

Here's a fantastic tool for parents...a way to understand which of the five voices  each child leads with. It's an insightful way of understanding what stresses them and what energises them. This really explains why our children behave in certain ways and what will help them to flourish. It's fascinating.   Laura Mears is a coach and she can be contacted here For the five voices of adults pop here...

April Fools Day! And we, the courageous kids have hijacked her podcast. Mum loves a practical joke and we wonder how long it will be before she realises she's been played - we've pushed this week's podcast on by a week and slipped our own in, with the help of that reliable rogue, David Baker. And spilled the beans on the courageous life! If you'd like a copy of Mum's book, visit her website for th...

Mixing it up a bit this week...I've asked my friend Laura Mears, to turn the tables on me and take the interviewers chair. It was good to see how it felt for guests and good to reflect on a year of insightful and generous mums, dads, psychotherapists, counsellors, influencers and commentators who have poured their riches into 12 months of podcasting parenting gems. Come and celebrate with us. Conn...

If I could go back and teach myself one thing as a Mum starting out with her new baby, I know what it would be...empathy. Even if we're the kindest most understanding person in the world, I still believe empathy is honed, it's hard work. But it wins the trust of our children.  Next week marks a year of podcasting, so this week I'm looking back and reviewing one of the most valuable, basic, but cha...

When you look back at your life and your parenting, what will you be grateful for? What will you be pleased you did well? What might you look back at and wish you'd done differently? We have so much to learn from those who have gone before. They have the benefit of hindsight to add to their wisdom and so much to share.  This week, as it's mother's day, I've had a great conversation with my fabulou...

It’s easier for other parents! So many parents out there are coping with a diagnosis for one of their children or a challenge that feels overwhelming. Here are a few common ones: spectrum disorders life-threatening diseases disabilities disorders depression anxiety addiction Celiac disease Diabetes… The list goes on. Today I chat to a mother whose child had a sudden diagnosis of Diabetes. We talk...

Do you ever feel like you're the bad guy? Always making the rules, Always the kill-joy?    This week I have an encouragement for you. If you're sticking to the rules, you're raising self-esteem. Who'd have thought?   And...I tackle a sure-fire way to stop the whinge-questions - why can't I have one? How come they've got one? You never... it's not fair...   And...do you find your child is strugglin...

Do we waste our words as parents? How to we say less and get more... This week Vanessa Kahlon shares great ways to instil good behaviour patterns and keep in good relationship with your child without wasting your voice. And she tackles some of the tough parenting-questions and makes it all seem like good fun.   Here are some of the questions she answers: What do you do about lying and deceit? How...

What does the word 'grief' do to you?  Do you find it easy when your friends experience loss? Do you  empathise? Sympathise? hide? Get lost for words? Angharad Candlin is finishing her book on grief. It's a topic to get our heads around. When we, our friends or our children experience loss there are great ways to connect without worrying that it will be all consuming or feeling that we'll say the...

What better person to interview on Children's Mental Health Week (1-8 Feb) than Claire Libby, creator of the Positive Mental Health App; Iamme (I am me). this is a friend to any young person navigating their feelings, working out how to understand themselves and others - and how to respond in challenging situations. This app was born out of a recognition that young people (of all different backgro...

This podcast is heartwarming. For any child struggling in any way, this therapy will give you fresh hope. Hannah Clarke talks us through animal assisted therapy as we wander through the goats, chickens, pig, geese and more. It's a great insight into the therapy room and the world of a child. You can find Hannah here and this is her blog here for your copy of the book Parenting For Life pop here Fo...

There are so many gems in this conversation with David Baker. He's a thinker and has great wisdom to share. We cover empowerment, courage, arguments, 'sorry' when it's an empty word. We riff on the issues of shame, 'being true to yourself' and whether that's a worth excuse for some of the choices we make! Lies, unconditional love, it's all in there. I came away richer, I'm sure you will too.   Pop...

How do you spot anxiety in a child before it becomes a problem? What do you do about it? What help is available? What can we do at home? - so much, very easily! Tony France answers all those questions. This is one of those podcasts that everyone should hear.  Tony brings insight after insight and leaves you feeling empowered.  For your discounted copy of Parenting For Life pop here To enquire abou...

If you only had to make one small change this year that would open up your communication with your child and set you on a trajectory for a relationship with your teenager that you dream of - this would be the one to choose! Start 2021 with one small step for you and one giant leap for the family.   Pop here for your listener's-price copy of Parenting For Life https://www.thecourageousmumma.com/par...

Would you like to 'get through' Christmas or flourish this Christmas? Thinking ahead about what to put in and take out can make all the difference to the mood and atmosphere in your home this season.  Parenting Coach, Julie Cresswell shares some great strategies for keeping the peace and meeting everyone's expectations (including yours) this Christmas  To buy your discounted copy of Parenting For...

What does giving mean? How are today’s  kids – 'Gen Zed' and 'Gen A' evaluating success in their material world? How can we help them to think critically and form their own world view - not just get swept up with the current? Alice give us a great tool for connectedness and challenges us on the concept of being un-offendable! How would that impact shame in our families if we really mastered that?...

Ever wondered why one child is orderly and structured and another one is messy and spontaneous? This week Joy Blundell explains the conundrum and shares some insights into how to love our kids well by understanding their M.O. To get Parenting For Life at the listeners special price pop here  For parenting support pop here To contact me:  thecourageousmumma@gmail.com To contact Joy: joy@alivechurch...