Children develop resilience when we afford them opportunities to take risks. Could we be doing our children a disservice by over-protecting them?? Here are the highlights: (5:30) Kirstie Allsopp’s 15-year-old interrailing (6:25) Risk taking has positives (11:38) There is no right decisions (15:20) No hard and fast age or stage (17:58) Is it a me no or a them no? (20:38) Practice together (23:20) Reflect on your own choices 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with a frie...
Sep 11, 2024•28 min
This week's Bucket Emptying episode tackles a common parenting dilemma: how to prevent your child from interrupting all the time?? Several listeners have asked for advice on to manage their young child who continues to interrupt despite knowing it's inappropriate behaviour. Listen as I share my top tips. 💚 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...
Sep 08, 2024•9 min
In this episode, I delve into the secrets to school success, revealing that it's not just about academics! As parents, our ultimate aim is to raise children who grow into confident, resilient adults capable of leading fulfilling lives on their terms, not ours. I outline my top three tips for achieving this goal and offer practical advice on how you can introduce these strategies into your family life starting today. Here are the highlights: {1:16} There's not much time to reflect as parents {3:5...
Sep 04, 2024•29 min
This episode responds to a listener question highlighting something so many parents worry about. "How can I make separations easier for my child, for instance when being dropped at school, friends etc?" In this week’s Bucket Emptying podcast episode I’ll explain separation anxiety and share strategies to support you, and your child understand why it is happening and to manage the situation. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with a friend, colleague or family member th...
Sep 01, 2024•10 min
We read about it everywhere. What’s all the fuss about validating children’s emotions and how does it actually help diffuse those big emotions?? Here are the highlights: (2:30) A typical scenario (7:10) Let’s banish some myths (9:30) Name it to tame it (12:35) I see you and hear you (14:03) Builds confidence (15:30) Builds emotional literacy (18:40) It allows you to set boundaries 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Complete the listener poll...
Aug 28, 2024•24 min
Mealtime management is a crucial skill that can greatly impact the lives of all family members. Listen to this weeks Bucket Emptying podcast episode, as I explain how mealtime can provide an opportunity for children to fuel their bodies and connect with each other, fostering the development of essential life skills. 💚 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 k...
Aug 25, 2024•10 min
Today I'm focusing on all things Back to School! Join me as I share tips to prepare your child's mindset, cultivate curiosity, managing back-to-school anxieties, and establishing good habits to help make the return to school easier when it happens. Here are the highlights: (1:45) Our role is to prepare them for a life beyond the immediate (6:10) Reel in bedtimes (9:20) Create some structure (14:40) Work through back-to-school anxiety (20:35) Reconnect your child to school (23:45) Practice any si...
Aug 21, 2024•29 min
Today's Bucket Emptying podcast episode is relevant for parents, grandparents, and anyone involved with children navigating disappointing results, whether academically or in relationships. The episode sheds light on the importance of not overemphasising academic benchmarks and highlighting that success takes various forms beyond traditional academics. Listen as I share my top tips to get you through this challenging time. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with a frien...
Aug 18, 2024•11 min
In a world where children are bombarded with information, it’s crucial to help them question the ‘facts’. Whether it’s friendship drama or social media hype. Here are the highlights: (03:02) We see things through our own lens (8:04) Question the motives of the information provider (13:44) Cognitive confirmation biais (17:20) Have discussions around the table (22:05) Encourage a scientific approach Watch the video mentioned in the episode 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this epis...
Aug 14, 2024•26 min
In this week’s Bucket Emptying episode, I’m answering the question - how do we as parents regulate our own emotions? If you’re a regular listener you know that I've covered some really big bumper episodes around ‘how do we help our children manage their big emotions’. One of the things I've talked about quite a lot in those episodes is about how we need to make sure that we're self-regulated so that when we meet our child's big emotions, when those emotions hit and meet ours, that we're self-reg...
Aug 11, 2024•11 min
We all know how crucial communication is for raising resilient children – but how do we build them in the first place - or repair broken channels?? Here are the highlights: (03:15) Practice good communication skills yourself - 6 steps (15:25) Avoid lecturing (17:18) Invest time to learn about what’s important to your child (20:05) Be fully present (22:00) Create opportunities (22:45) It may take time 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Comple...
Aug 07, 2024•25 min
I was recently asked to share 5 valuable tips to help parents prepare their children for their first residential trip and I thought this would be a great bucket emptying topic. These tips are not only beneficial for overnight stays or sleepovers, but can also be applied to any situation that challenges our children and pushes them out of their comfort zone. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with a friend, colleague or family member that could benefit from some support...
Aug 04, 2024•11 min
Work-life balance does not exist, and the mum-guilt needs to stop!!! Instead let’s focus on counterbalance using these top five strategies. Here are the highlights: (2:00) A heartfelt gift from me to you (4:00) Sorry, you can’t have it all! (5:35) Build your tribe (9:08) Motherhood is just one role of many (12:23) Manage your expectations (15:29) Expect wobbly days (19:06) It’s ok to say no to your children 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚...
Jul 31, 2024•23 min
The purpose of my latest bucket-emptying session is to provide valuable insights to help alleviate your stress and enhance productivity, to stop your bucket overflowing. During the school holidays you have a wonderful opportunity to start Sunday planning meetings, which can be a game changer in preventing your bucket from filling up unnecessarily. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with a friend, colleague or family member that could benefit from some support. 💚 Compl...
Jul 28, 2024•10 min
Is parenting a constant battle? Are struggling to maintain boundaries, reasonable expectations aren’t being met, or if your child is shouting and/or using their physical self to exert their emotions? This is a must listen episode! Here are the highlights: (2:00) Let’s get some realistic context (6:19) Focus on what is out of control for you? (10:35) Choose one area for 30 days (14:57) Make a plan (20:15) Communicate the skills you’re improving for your child/teen (23:01) Coaching not lecturing �...
Jul 24, 2024•26 min
This episode features a unique bucket-emptying resource created on the spot during a chaotic school holiday moment when my children were young. As a control enthusiast, I always have a notebook handy, which led to the creation of this resource. It’s always been a hit with my kids, who used to request it frequently, and still talk fondly of it as adults. If you're in need of a helpful resource to stop the grumbling during the school holidays, you need to listen to this episode! Please do share wi...
Jul 21, 2024•9 min
Bed-rot and apathy are learnt behaviours, which can be unlearnt! I'll give you 5 things you can do today to break these bad habits. Here are the highlights: (2:05) Brace yourself (2:49) Choose your start date carefully (5:00) Consistency is key (7:36) Your expectations (10:35) Understand the root cause (12:41) Agree proportionate amount of time (16:11) Do not tell them how to use the time (18:29) Ground rules Listen to bed-rot and apathy Part 1 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share th...
Jul 17, 2024•24 min
Today's Bucket Emptying podcast episode delves into the powerful practice of gratitude. Research shows that our brain cannot differentiate between reality and imagination, so by focusing on what we're grateful for, we immerse ourselves in positivity and joy. This mindset not only brings small wins and happiness but also sets the right tone before bedtime. Similar to how we must secure our oxygen masks first on a plane, prioritising our own gratitude practice is crucial before guiding our childre...
Jul 14, 2024•9 min
Struggling with children or teens who can’t be bothered, spend hours on sofas/beds glued to televisions or devices, never seem to want to do anything, and could happily while away the whole day in-doors?? I’ve got you covered in this two-part episode. Here are the highlights: (1:00) Warning - it’s going to be a slow journey (3:30) Let’s look at the context behind the behaviour for your child (10:35) The culture in your home around entertainment and boredom (16:42) Is your child struggling with c...
Jul 10, 2024•26 min
Today's Bucket Emptying podcast episode is a must-listen for parents who are considering giving a mobile device to their child or teen. In 2023, 30% of eight-year-olds had their own smartphone. Yes, you read that right - a third of eight-year-olds own their own digital device. This data is quite eye-opening as it highlights the prevalence of smartphones among young children. It's crucial to carefully consider this decision within your family and determine what is best for your child. Tune in to ...
Jul 07, 2024•14 min
Helping children navigate friendships issues is all about observing the do's and don'ts I'll share. When we follow these our children feel better equipped to handle anything. A quick reminder that this is Part 3 in a 3 part series on Friendships. Listen to Part 1 Listen to Part 2 Here are the highlights: (2:30) Listen (5:42) Ask questions to clarify (7:04) Empathise with the lens they have seen the situation (9:24) How can I help? (10:47) Brainstorm together (14:45) Ask about friendships regular...
Jul 03, 2024•27 min
Today's Bucket Emptying episode is about navigating the challenges of decision-making as parents. We often find ourselves searching for the ‘right’ choice, aiming to minimise the chances of making mistakes for our children. But is there a ‘right’ decision??? Join me for a 10-minute conversation where I explore the concept of decision-making in parenting. 💚 Let's grow our village together, please share this episode with with a friend, colleague or family member that could benefit from some suppo...
Jun 30, 2024•11 min
In this week’s episode I’ll unpick practical ways we can support a child who might be struggling making friendships, as well as helping a child transitioning to a new school and starting afresh. A quick reminder - this is Part 2 in a 3 part series on Friendships. Part 1 is Episode 158 Here are the highlights: (1:25) Characteristics required to make friends (6:38) Conversational skills (11:27) Practice (14:31) Encourage openmindness (18:03) Importance of a diverse cycle of friends (20:25) Be pati...
Jun 26, 2024•24 min
It’s a month of anniversaries, and this week we celebrate 1 year of the Bucket Emptying episode. So, I’m re-releasing the episode explaining the importance of yours, and your child’s bucket! We don't notice our bucket filling until that last drop of water goes into the bucket and the water overflows, and we get explosions, big emotions, and often tears as a consequence. But do you or your child know what fills your bucket? Listen as I share my top tips on how to empty your bucket and stop the in...
Jun 23, 2024•7 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...
Jun 19, 2024•30 min
Today's bucket emptying episode comes to you in the week that is the 3rd anniversary of the How Not to Screw Up Your Kids podcast which is now downloaded in 89 countries. I had no idea this is what was going to happen and that you incredible people would be downloading not only one episode a week, but now two, each Monday and Thursday. Thank you so much. It does not go unappreciated by me and my team. This week’s episode is for you as a parent, and it's particularly for you if you’re struggling ...
Jun 16, 2024•12 min
What can we do when we find our parenting varies so drastically from our partners that’s it’s causing real issues at home – impacting our children, our relationship and making family life feel like a battleground?? Here are the highlights: (2:30) Not minor disagreements, but core values (5:00) Parenting is a reflection of what is happening in your entire life, not just your role as a parent (11:22) Is your relationship sound? (15:25) Never undermine your partner’s parenting in the moment, unless...
Jun 12, 2024•28 min•Ep. 163
Parenting is harder now than it has ever been. We are busier than ever, juggling more, and we don’t always share the same views as our partner about how to best parent. It’s then a whole different minefield to navigate if you and your partner have split and are now co-parenting; not always amicably. This podcast episode is for you if….. You want to be more consistent with your parenting You are prepared to take a really honest look at how you parent – warts and all You want practical ways to co-...
Jun 12, 2024•25 min•Ep. 162
In today's Bucket Emptying podcast episode, the focus is on parental guilt. It's a feeling many of us experience almost as soon as our child is handed to us, impacting various aspects of our lives. To address this challenge, it's crucial to recognise when the guilt arises from a misalignment between our actions as parents and our perceived responsibilities. The first step is to identify and understand this disconnect. Join me as I explore strategies for managing your parental guilt. 💚 Let's gro...
Jun 09, 2024•9 min
This episode follows on from Episode 160 discussing sleep, but this time I've got company; I'm chatting to the fabulous Sleep Mums. So come join us as we have a refreshingly honest conversation and share some super practical advice to help. You're in for a treat! Here are the highlights: (02:45) Do you have a routine or not? (08:37) Every child has different needs (10:46) The difference between babies and children (15:11) Routine is like a crib sheet (17:44) Don’t get sucked into comparison (23:...
Jun 05, 2024•39 min•Ep. 161
