Do you feel overwhelmed by the pressure to provide constant experiences? Have kids who are "always bored" or glued to devices? Or struggle with guilt about not doing "enough" activities? Then this episode is for you. I challenge the modern parenting myth that we need to pack our children's lives with endless activities and experiences. Instead, I reveal why unstructured play is actually your child's most powerful learning tool. I break down exactly how play develops emotional intelligence, socia...
Jul 23, 2025•33 min
What do you do when your child says "Everyone hates me," "I'm rubbish at everything," or "I'm a loser"? In this bucket-emptying episode, I share exactly how to respond in the moment when your child is being self-critical. I'll walk you through my 5-step approach to handle these heartbreaking moments without dismissing their feelings or being overly positive. You'll learn why that internal dialogue matters so much, how to validate their experience while offering a more realistic perspective, and ...
Jul 21, 2025•15 min
Struggling with your child's impulsive behavior? In this episode, I share 6 game-changing strategies to help children break free from autopilot reactions and develop better impulse control. Whether your child has ADHD, anxiety, or gets emotionally dysregulated, these techniques will help them pause, think, and respond more thoughtfully. I'll walk you through my traffic light zone system to identify when your child needs support most, plus teach you practical tools like the STOP method, 5-4-3-2-1...
Jul 17, 2025•30 min
Every parent has been there – your child has a complete meltdown in the middle of the grocery store, and you feel all eyes on you. In this essential Bucket Emptying episode, I share 5 game-changing strategies for handling public tantrums without the shame spiral. Discover how to transform these challenging moments from overwhelming experiences into opportunities for connection and growth. I break down the psychology behind emotional dysregulation and provide practical techniques you can use righ...
Jul 13, 2025•15 min
I'm sharing something that honestly terrifies me as a parent - how our devices are literally rewiring our children's brains from as early as 4 months old. Today I'm joined by Dr. Charlotte Armitage, author of Generation Zombie , and what she reveals about screen time and brain development will change how you think about tech in your home. . What we dive into: Why I discovered that babies as young as 4 months are now interacting with screens (and what this does to their developing brains) How I l...
Jul 09, 2025•50 min
Have you ever played Jenga? Sure, it’s a fun family game, but when you think about it - working together to build a structure taller and taller and, when it eventually topples, rebuilding without hesitation and starting again - Jenga is the perfect analogy for a family. Which is why in today’s bucket emptying episode, I’m going to show you how Jenga can be used to build a strong, meaningful connection with your family… and become a stronger, happier, and more resilient family for it. So find a c...
Jul 06, 2025•14 min
Strong-willed, stubborn, defiant, opinionated, headstrong - that's how I like to think of myself for recording a podcast during a heatwave! But it could also be some of the words you use to describe your child. If so, this episode is for you. I know what it's like when your child is naturally headstrong. They can be a force of nature, and some days parenting them feels impossible... especially if they inherited these character traits from you! In this 30-minute episode, I'm sharing my 7 go-to st...
Jul 02, 2025•27 min
Do you suffer from parental guilt? Do you often guilt yourself into doing things you know you shouldn’t do? Does this guilt manifest in material stuff like toys and treats? You don’t need to feel embarrassed, we’ve all been there. It’s so easy to feel that guilt, and then we do whatever it takes to make that guilt disappear. If you think your parental guilt is getting better of you, I’m here to help. So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this ep...
Jun 29, 2025•12 min
Today’s episode is a massive treat, as I am joined by Sophie David, a play guru, influencer and now author of Read, Write, Play: 100 Easy Ways to Make Phonics Fun for Children Aged 3-7 . In this conversation, Sophie explains how she implements all of the information and resources on her website, to create a fun learning environment for her kids, from phonics and reading to homework, screen time, and more! As Mary Poppins once sang: In every job that must be done There is an element of fun You fi...
Jun 26, 2025•51 min
Leaving your child with someone else is one of the hardest things a parent will do. What if they need me and I’m not there? Am I just being a bad parent? What if they don’t like the babysitter? These are all rational concerns, but they shouldn’t stop you because, as we’ve discussed before, you cannot look after your children if you don’t look after yourselves. That’s why in this bucket emptying episode, I’m going to share four rational fears you might have when you leave your kids in someone els...
Jun 22, 2025•15 min
Is your brain always on? You’re brushing your teeth, but also mentally planning meals, remembering the pickup times and wondering if you’ve RSVP’d to the latest birthday party? Parenting is tough, and the burnout is real. I’m here to tell you not to be ashamed about that, but to talk about it, because every parent out there is feeling it! To talk more about this invisible load, and the impact it can have on your life, work, mental and physical health,,I’m joined by Rania Robinson, the CEO of Qui...
Jun 18, 2025•46 min
It’s a moment most parents dread, but it’s inevitable for all of us… when your child tells you, for the first time, that have a boyfriend or girlfriend. And for many of us, this might be much sooner than we’d expect. Not teenagers, but while they’re still in primary school. When this happens, it’s so important to deal with it head on, and I’m here to tell you exactly how to do this. And, if you find this bucket emptying episode useful, listen out for an episode coming very soon where I dive into...
Jun 15, 2025•11 min
This week I am revisiting a classic episode from last year about what to do when expecting your child - however we find ourselves embarking on the journey to parenting. It's also supremely relevant for all the other stages of our children's lives as they reach them -as these are another birth - walking, talking, preschool, school, university, first job, leaving home... My six pointers will help keep you grounded and sane. Here are the highlights: (01:14) Parents-to-Be consume information by the ...
Jun 11, 2025•37 min
Do you have entitled kids? Are you at a loss about what to do with them? In this bucket emptying episode, I give you some practical advice to help you tackle entitlement in your children, because we both know all kids are kind at heart, so let’s bring that out in bundles! So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 00:30 - Our kids have more than we did 03:41 - Agency versus contribution 08:21 - Acts of service 10:36 - An important caveat...
Jun 08, 2025•13 min
As the great Ru Paul would say, “if you can’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love someone else?” As parents, we instinctively put our children and family before ourselves, but that’s not always the best thing! In this episode I discuss the importance of self care, and why neglecting your own needs could be bad… not just for you, but for everyone. And joining me to discuss this is a super special guest, Tina Lond-Caulk, otherwise known as the Nutrition Guru. She is a bestselling author and...
Jun 04, 2025•55 min
Confession time: I have put my kids’ artwork in the bin. Let’s face it, we can’t keep everything they do, and not everything they do will be successful or, in your opinion, praise-worthy. But praise isn’t just about the outcome; it’s not about winning or losing. Praise, when used at the right time and in the right way, can be super powerful at building confident, resilient children. In this bucket emptying episode, I’m going to share five ways that you can give praise that will nurture skills, b...
Jun 01, 2025•17 min
What do you do when you’re out in public and your child absolutely loses it? Dealing with tantrums can be a daily occurrence as parents, but have you ever been at the end of tether and lost your cool? You’re not the worst parent - we’ve all been there! And that’s why, in this episode, I’m going to help you deal with the meltdowns and the tantrums. You’re going to understand what can cause them, how you can prevent them, and what to do in the moment so that you can handle the situation like the p...
May 29, 2025•37 min
Does your child the one who always runs to the front of a crowd, or insists on being the first in the bath, or can’t wait their turn during a game? Don’t worry, because you’re not alone! Insisting on being first is a common challenge faced by parents, so in this bucket emptying episode I am going to explain the reasons why this happens, and give you some practical things you can do to address it. So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode...
May 26, 2025•19 min
As parents, we put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect. To be patient. To never lose our temper. But spoiler alert: we’re still human. In this episode I’m here to help you in those moments where things are about to bubble over, and then you lose your cool. Because when you do that, you feel awful: it’s not who you are. I get it! I am going to share six things that you can do to help, so you no longer yell, you no longer cry, and you no longer have to Google for answers. Remember: behind ...
May 22, 2025•34 min
Are you a problem solver? You’re a parent, so of course you are! But not all problems need us to swoop in and save the day. As hard as it might be, our children sometimes need the opportunity to problem-solve, make mistakes and build those core skills that make them confident, resilient people. In today’s bucket emptying episode, I’m going to give you a life-changing strategy to help you identify those moments. So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa and enjoy the conversation… Highlights fr...
May 19, 2025•20 min
What should I look for in a school? Are grammar schools really better than comprehensive? How important are Ofsted reports? In this episode, as another year of school applications approaches, I’m going to guide you through the complicated and confusing world of choosing a school for your kids, with the help of my super special guest Melanie Sanderson, Managing Editor at The Good Schools Guide. The Good Schools Guide has been the number one independent resource on UK schools since 1986, providing...
May 15, 2025•37 min
Do your children never pay attention to you? Are you at your wit’s end? Don’t worry, every parent struggles to get their kids to pay attention, and in this bucket emptying episode I’m going to share three things you can do that might help. So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 01:04 - The reasons for their inattention 03:27 - Outside distractions 07:12 - Focus on the power of one 12:19 - Setting boundaries 💚 Join our campaign One M...
May 12, 2025•15 min
Do you like to fix your child’s problems? Are you trying to be their best friend? Sorry to break this to you, but these are some of the reasons why your kids may not be building the resilience you hoped. And I get it - we all want to help our children, and we hate seeing them struggle, but building identity and resilience is about learning how to fail and how to problem solve. In this episode, I talk you through SPRING, or the fundamental building blocks of resilience, and reveal the eight ways ...
May 08, 2025•40 min
What does being the best really mean? What does ‘fitting in’ look like? Parents and children living with physical disabilities live with a unique set of challenges. They often find themselves judged or ridiculed, and this can have a big impact on our kids. On this week’s bucket emptying, I welcome back 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...
May 04, 2025•13 min
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 when the pressure gets too much. Well here’s the secret: it’s ok! And here are some things you can ...
Apr 30, 2025•31 min
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 tips and expert advice that will help you make sharing bedrooms feel less like a daily battle! So fi...
Apr 27, 2025•16 min
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 on the agenda to breaking down traditional 1950s family stereotypes. This is one of my favourite con...
Apr 23, 2025•41 min
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 explore some of those reasons, and encourage you to think about how you can find time to enjoy meals toge...
Apr 20, 2025•12 min
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, and provide you with some actionable tips to help you manage this in an appropriate and constructive...
Apr 16, 2025•46 min
“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 first children’s book, and on this week’s bucket emptying episode we are discussing how to have convers...
Apr 13, 2025•15 min
