Supporting children with an alcoholic spouse can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to help them cope wit this difficult situation. This week's Bucket Emptying episode answers a listener question about this sensitive situation and I'll share my 3 tips. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Complete the listener poll to let me know what you'd like in future episodes 💚 You can watch the Bucket Emptying Episodes on Youtube 💚 Access...
Nov 19, 2023•15 min
1 in 5 children are described as neurodivergent; affecting the way they experience, understand and interact with the world. I'll share the common characteristics neurodivergent children share - whether they present with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, or Dyslexia - and most importantly the best behavioural strategies to support them. Here are the highlights: (1:20) Neurodivergence context (4:16) Characteristics of neurodivergence (15:30) Be quick with descript...
Nov 15, 2023•31 min•Ep. 128
Managing change can be a challenging task for anyone, including children. However, with the right guidance and support, children can develop effective strategies to cope with, and adapt to change. I'll share my tips to help. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with a friend, colleague or family member that could benefit from some support. 💚 Complete my listener poll to let me know what you'd like in future episodes 💚 You can watch the Bucket Emptying Episodes on Youtu...
Nov 12, 2023•10 min
Doing what you are told and taking responsibility are two very different things. We all want children who take ownership for their decisions - it's a life skill they will forever use. How we instil it in them can seem very elusive but it actually lies in the little day to day things. I'll share my top 7 tips which work regardless of your child's age. Here are the highlights: (3:30) Make your bed – a simple, but profound responsibility (6:22) Encourage independence (9:50) Provide bigger choices (...
Nov 08, 2023•26 min•Ep. 127
Homework. Does that word fill you with dread? We often struggle to get our child to complete their homework, and sometimes end up doing it for them. I'll share my strategies on how to create a routine that prepares them for success. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Complete the listener poll to let me know what you'd like in future episodes 💚 You can watch the Bucket Emptying Episodes on Youtube 💚 Access the free resources mentioned in t...
Nov 05, 2023•12 min
This episode is for you if you are finding tech and its use has become totally out of control in your family. Whether that's teens permanently in bedrooms or constantly on games consoles. I'll share what you can do practically to move away from constant battles to a little more calm. Here are the highlights: (4:23) Accept you’re now on a journey (6:00) You set the framework in your home (7:58) Audit your own tech use (8:50) Understand your child/teen’s use of tech (12.33) Start with the big rock...
Nov 01, 2023•26 min•Ep. 126
As the saying goes, ‘we all juggle multiple hats’ as parents and finding balance seems to be illusive to most of us. Some days we feel we’re acing it, yet I think I speak for most of us when I say we more often than not feel like we are constantly teetering on the edge of overwhelm. The struggle is real and in today's bucket emptying episode I'll share my tips to help you have a more balanced week. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Complete...
Oct 29, 2023•11 min
I'll share my thoughts on this personality trait and what it means for children who we feel might be highly sensitive. There are always dangers in labelling children - least of all communicating their traits as fixed - so I will give you my honest advice on how best to navigate this new found knowledge. Here are the highlights: (2:00) Defining a highly sensitive person (6:25) Let’s put this in context (11:18) Please don’t label your child (14:45) Remember the brain is a muscle (19:30) It’s just ...
Oct 25, 2023•29 min•Ep. 125
Are you a parent struggling to keep your children motivated during school holidays? Look no further! In this week's bucket emptying episode, I share my tips on how to turn grumble-inducing chores like food shopping, shoe shopping, and dentist visits into cheerful treats that your children will love. This simple strategy helped me keep my kids motivated when they were young, and they can work for you too! 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Co...
Oct 22, 2023•9 min
Resilient children have an ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties, they remain flexible and adaptable to life’s challenges and bounce back from setbacks. A resilient person still experiences stress and big emotions - they simply respond to them differently than people who aren’t resilient. I'll share the 7 C's of resilience and how we can foster these at home. Here are the highlights: (0.45) Why does resilience matter? (7:15) 7 C’s of resilience (11:48) Competence can’t be acq...
Oct 18, 2023•34 min•Ep. 124
As parents, we want our children to grow up and be the best version of themselves. However, it's important to remember that children need to be challenged, but not to the point where they crack under the pressure. Finding the balance can be a delicate task. Let me talk you through my thoughts. For more help with confidence listen to Episode 2: Confidence 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Complete the listener poll to let me know what you'd ...
Oct 15, 2023•11 min
It’s not easy being a boy. Social expectations of masculinity are everywhere - don’t cry, be strong, keep your emotions in check! I’ll share the five conversations we should be having with our sons, nephews, godsons and male friends. Here are the highlights: (1:03) Birth-rate for boys is higher than girls (3:00) Challenge male stereotypes (6:55) Mental health is as important as physical health (13:15) Be conscious of confidence comparisons (18:30) Risk-taking (22:18) Communication is crucial 💚 ...
Oct 11, 2023•29 min•Ep. 123
As parents, we all want our children to be bright and intelligent, but sometimes they can struggle with social etiquette. This week's listener's question raises a common issue: how to handle a child who won't stop interrupting despite being repeatedly told it's rude. While there's no one right answer, I’ll share some strategies that could be helpful. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Complete the listener poll to let me know what you'd like...
Oct 08, 2023•9 min
We’ve all been there right? Whether it’s because we’ve said ‘no’ to something, asked them to do something they don’t want to do, or called ‘time for dinner, bed, bath, school, homework etc ……. and they’ve totally lost the plot. Their reaction seems so disproportionate, you’d think we’d cut off a limb, and yet to them it’s the end of their world and to us we’re struggling to know what to say and how to keep our own emotions in check. Join me as I share the three main reasons why children struggle...
Oct 04, 2023•25 min•Ep. 122
Are you a parent who recently discovered that your teen is vaping? You're not alone. In a recent listener question, a parent expressed concern over their teen's vaping habits. As a parent, it's crucial to have an open and honest conversation with your teen about the dangers of vaping and why they are choosing to do it. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Complete the listener poll to let me know what you'd like in future episodes 💚 You can w...
Oct 01, 2023•11 min
There are very real issues girls face growing up, which negatively impacts their resilience. Being a ‘good girl’ limits their potential. I’ll share my top tips for raising gutsy women who are not afraid to take chances. Here are the highlights: (2:20) Brain facts for context (12:10) Language matters (14:40) Be aware of confirmation bias & hypervigilance (19:18) Shift the energy through action/movement (22:30) Play tricks with the mind (24:50) Praise bravery 💚 Let's grow our village together...
Sep 27, 2023•30 min•Ep. 121
Struggling with a toddler who won't listen can be a challenging experience for any parent. A recent listener question asked for help with a 3-year-old who seems immune to traditional discipline methods like the naughty step and reward charts. If you're in the same boat, know that you're not alone! It can be tough to find the right approach that works for your child. Keep trying different methods and remember to stay patient and consistent. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this ep...
Sep 24, 2023•12 min
Warning: This episode contains personal experience of child loss, childbirth and grief. I thought it might be helpful to share my early parenting journey in as honest way as I can. As a heads up I am going to share experiences of loss and grief, which for some of you may trigger your own loss or grief. Go gently with yourself, and choose what is best for you - whether you listen or whether you skip this episode - be kind to where you are right now. Here are the highlights: (2:50) I had no experi...
Sep 20, 2023•31 min•Ep. 120
Warning: this episode briefly discusses types of pornography children may see online. As parents, we never know when our children will be exposed to adult content. A listener's 8-year-old son had stumbled upon pornography whilst on a friend's phone. I'll share my insights on how to approach this with your child, emphasising the importance of open communication and age-appropriate education. It's never too early to start these conversations and equip our children with the tools to navigate the di...
Sep 17, 2023•11 min
1 in 5 children aged between 10-18 years is self-harming and the numbers being admitted into hospital is rising - particularly in younger children. As parents what do we need to know about self-harm? What causes it and how we can help our children and teens if they self-harm? Here are the highlights: (1:15) What is self-harm? (3:30) What are the signs to look out for? (6:30) 1 in 5 children is initially self-harming (7:55) Why do children and teens self-harm? (13:20) What to do in the immediate ...
Sep 13, 2023•29 min•Ep. 119
Sleep is so important for children and yet we often have so many issues getting our children to bed. This episode responds to a listener question asking to how to help their child with sleep struggles. If you need more support with this topic please also listen to Episode 5: Bedroom Routines and Sleep 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Complete the listener poll to let me know what you'd like in future episodes 💚 You can watch the Bucket Em...
Sep 10, 2023•12 min
Every family has a past which they want to shield their children from. It may be a relative with an addition, a past severe mental health issue, a criminal record or simply something you have not yet found the right way to talk to your children about. I will share my tips on if, when, and how we have these conversations with our children. Here are the highlights: (2:30) Why it’s important to share family information (6:45) Timing is everything (7:50) Try to avoid it being a big conversation (12:...
Sep 06, 2023•23 min•Ep. 118
One of the major contributors to filling our bucket is challenges around parenting with our partners. The biggest problem can be when we have different parenting styles to others involved in raising our children. Do you know your parenting style? Find out in the accompanying resource. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Complete the listener poll to let me know what you'd like in future episodes 💚 You can watch the Bucket Emptying Episodes o...
Sep 03, 2023•11 min
A very candid and honest conversation with my daughter about her neurodiversity. She opens up about feeling different to her friends from an early age - they seemed to play very differently. She shares why a diagnosis helped her know herself, her experience of medication, and how she's navigating life day to day. There are also come parenting do's and don'ts. Here are the highlights: (2:30) Catherine shares her experiences pre-diagnosis (10:01) Let’s talk about the diagnosis (14:30) Helping pare...
Aug 30, 2023•41 min•Ep. 117
Daily gratitude will help empty your bucket! There is mounting evidence that the practice of gratitude not only makes us feel happier, but it also increases resilience, self-esteem, improves self-control and mental health. It’s even better if you write it down. You can purchase your Shine Planner here or a gratitude journal here ADD HIGHLIGHTS 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Complete the listener poll to let me know what you'd like in fut...
Aug 27, 2023•9 min
I'm talking “Back to School’ and how we can prepare our children and teens to go back to school, start school for the first time, transition to junior school, senior school, boarding school or university. Whether you are listening to this before you child starts school or is well into the school term, the principles I share are helpful at any point in time when you need to reset patterns of being and behaviour which aren’t optimal for school and getting the best out of school and education. Here...
Aug 23, 2023•29 min•Ep. 116
This week's bucket emptying episode addresses a common question: should 6-year-olds have phones? As a parent, I understand the temptation to give in to our children's requests, but in this case, it's important to consider the reasons behind it. In this episode, we explain why we believe that 6-year-olds do not need phones. Tune in to find out more! 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Complete the listener poll to let me know what you'd like i...
Aug 20, 2023•11 min
Everyone's got an opinion about parenting. The most irritating ones are the naive comments made by people who aren't parents themselves! At the least they are an irritant at their worst they are damaging to our wellbeing. Join me as I rant a little - then offer you some (hopefully) wise words to navigate more peacefully through them. Here are the highlights: (2:00) Parenting is one of the hardest things we’ll do (3:40) Naïve conversations about parenting (5:30) Gender stereotypes are harmful (9:...
Aug 16, 2023•28 min•Ep. 115
Battles with our children at mealtimes can create stressful family situations. It’s helpful to identify why your child won’t eat, is it texture, specific food types or a phobia? Please trust your gut instinct as a parent and if you are concerned, please consult your GP for medical advice. If your child struggles with eating you might find these additional episodes helpful: Ep 9: The Link Between Children’s Emotional Wellbeing and Nutrition with Lucinda Miller Ep 96: Nutrition for ADHD with Lucin...
Aug 13, 2023•9 min
I published this first episode about Anxiety in June 2021, and it has been hugely popular. I've recently had lots of requests for help around anxiety, so thought it was a great time to republish it. As they say 'repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment!' Even if you listened back in 2021, I think you'll find it useful to listen again, especially if your child is currently struggling with anxiety. In the episode I talk about what a...
Aug 09, 2023•21 min•Ep. 114
