“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” This quote from prolific American businessman Henry Ford is one I use often, because usually our fears - of failure, of self-worth, or of anything else - usually stem from within. The power of positive thinking, right? A positive attitude with confidence and resilience can manifest better outcomes, so in this episode I am going to tackle this with you. This episode is based on the international bestselling book Feel the Fear And ...
Apr 09, 2025•17 min
Does your child never seem to listen to you? Do punishments never work? Are you running out of ideas? Well, here’s some tough love: your consequences aren’t working, and it’s probably your fault. Of course we should make sure misdemeanors are met with consequence, but if your child doesn’t seem to listen, then the consequences clearly are not effective or appropriate. In this bucket emptying episode, I talk you through three things you can consider, so that consequences are not just punishments,...
Apr 06, 2025•9 min
From the education system, to conflicting expectations, to technology and social media… Netflix’s hit TV show Adolescence has raised many issues about how young men and boys are being raised and the challenges they face. By ignoring some of these underlying problems, we are letting down our children. Our kids deserve to grow up in a world where they feel safe. This starts with making sure we - as parents, as teachers, as role models, and as a society - are raising our boys with the skills and th...
Apr 02, 2025•26 min
If you haven’t yet seen Adolescence on Netflix, what have you been doing?! Jokes aside, this TV show has been a triggering one for many of us, but especially those parents of boys. It has brought to light many issues around the manosphere, masculinity, and a generation of children who, without a safe space to have open and honest conversations with grownups, can be easily influenced by harmful content elsewhere. That’s why this week’s bucket emptying episode is all about how to have those diffic...
Mar 30, 2025•12 min
New research from the World Health Organisation (WHO) ranks children in England and Wales near bottom for physical activity. This reflects a world where children are becoming less active… in fact, between the ages of 7 and 16, our kids will spend on average half a year - that’s six whole months - playing video games. But here’s the thing… Our children are not lazy, and we’re not heading for some Wall-E world where we all whizz around on floating chairs! They could just be bored. I believe we can...
Mar 27, 2025•23 min
Does your child always leave their room in a mess? Do they leave tasks to the last minute? Are they always on their phone, or wanting to be? As parents we tend to think of things like this as an issue, but in this episode I’m going to help you pivot, because these are not flaws. They’re just skill gaps. When we can reframe these traits of our kids, then we can start to identify how they might need help and support, to gain new skills and overcome some of these day to day challenges. So find a co...
Mar 24, 2025•11 min
I am SO MAD! Or I was when I first listened to a guest discuss their parenting views on another top podcast. Her guidance - that children should not be in daycare and that women should stay at home for the first couple of years - I felt was too dogmatic, and I immediately jumped on the mic to record this episode. That professional’s opinion comes from an informed place. However, I strongly disagree with them, and in this episode I want to share what I believe are the five core things you should ...
Mar 20, 2025•33 min
Exams can be a stressful time for our children, which makes them a stressful time for us mums and dads too! There’s a lot of pressure, which can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be like this. In this episode I help you to understand the difference between belief gaps, skills gaps and knowledge gaps, how to identify which one (or combination of) your child is struggling with, and share some tips on how you can help them manage this. So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa and enjoy t...
Mar 17, 2025•11 min
Is your child quiet, shy or reserved? Do they struggle to get heard in group settings? Are you worried their introversion is holding them back? As parents we naturally worry about our children, but here’s some breaking news: just because they might be reserved or quiet, it does not mean they lack belief or confidence. They may not know how to assert themselves in certain situations as well as others, or even as well as you or their siblings, so in this episode I am going to help you spot the sig...
Mar 13, 2025•27 min
Do you dread nap time? And is your child always resisting a nap? As parents, we know there’s nothing worse than the tantrum of an overtired kid, so in this episode I’m here to help you create an effective routine to help your children rest and recharge. Spoiler alert: maybe it’s time to detach yourself from nap time and start thinking about it as quiet time instead. So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 01:14 - Why do children need ...
Mar 10, 2025•14 min
Do your parents criticise your parenting? Do you struggle to enforce your own rules on the Grandparents? Do Nan and Grandad sometimes think they’re above the law of Mum and Dad? If you’re constantly battling with your own parents over your children, don’t worry - we’ve all there at some point! I often had difficult conversations with my own Mum when raising my two children, and it’s not easy. In this episode I’m going to help you manage these situations by sharing some top tips on how to approac...
Mar 06, 2025•26 min
Do you ever find yourself procrastinating? Do you ever struggle to focus on one task at a time? And how many things are unfinished because something more important suddenly came up? Both children and parents can get so easily distracted - I understand, the world is a busy, urgent place at times, and it feels like everything needs doing all at once! In this episode, I help you apply the 5 Minute Rule to help you focus your energy on one thing at a time. By fully zoning in on one thing for even a ...
Mar 03, 2025•11 min
We have all heard of LGBT+ or pride, and terms like non-binary, asexual, trans, but do we really understand them? And as parents, how do we begin to have those conversations with our children? In this episode I am joined by Amy Ashenden, Director of Communications and Engagement at Just Like Us, to talk about how to normalise conversations around LGBT+ and diversity, equality and inclusivity (DEI) more broadly. Amy shares some fascinating insights from Just Like Us’ research, which forms the bas...
Feb 27, 2025•42 min
Anxiety affects us all, and in this bucket emptying episode I’m going to help your children and you as parents, to manage your anxiety and keep your mental health in check. I’m going to share with you a strategy called Be Here Now, which consists of five simple questions to help you when anxiety strikes. If you do regularly suffer from anxiety and depression, or you just need some additional support with your mental health, please do reach out or contact charities such as Anxiety UK . Remember, ...
Feb 24, 2025•16 min
Who am I? That’s what we’re asking In the first of a two part special on social and emotional skills. They’re not the things you can really see or measure, and there’s no right or wrong answer, but they are so important to how your children interact with the world, and in shaping who they grow up to be. Parenting styles come in all shapes and sizes, but unless you and your children know how to identify your super powers and your skills, knowing how to raise them, encourage them, and support them...
Feb 20, 2025•28 min
As parents there’s always a million things to do and it’s so easy to get overwhelmed, which is why in this bucket-emptying episode I’m talking about the power of one. When you focus on one thing at a time, you will find it easier to deal with, and that’s going to help you and your children. This episode is all about the three Cs - central, clarity, and consistency. I’m going to help you understand and apply the three Cs so that you can harness the power of one and channel your inner Super Parent...
Feb 17, 2025•19 min
It’s Valentine’s Day and love is all around… unless you have kids. A recent study shows that many parents with children have not had a date night in the past six months. However, as role models to our kids, it’s so important to make time for them, for ourselves, and for our partners. So this episode is all about connection. I give you five reasons why you need to be spending more time with your partner and share some practical advice to help you do that. Let’s keep the romance alive! Highlights ...
Feb 13, 2025•22 min
On this week’s bucket emptying episode, I am joined by children’s author Ebele Bright (Fly Chico Fly and Shake Ben Shake). Ebele also founded Announce World to share beautiful stories with both children and adults, inspired by the truths and life lessons she is passing on to her daughters. Her picture books, which encourage deeper conversation with children, are perfect for children aged 3-8, parents, teachers and anyone who has an influence on kids. In this episode, we explore how we can help o...
Feb 10, 2025•23 min
When your child struggles to handle their big emotions, what do you do? If you’re like me, you’ll listen to podcasts and read all the books. And, if you’re like me, you probably found none of them helped much in practice. Am I right? Well, in this episode, I’m going to help you cut through the noise, to understand the reasons why your child might appear to be acting out or struggling with intense emotions. I am going to help you go back to the source, figure out why they happen, and then help yo...
Feb 06, 2025•31 min
Do your kids like to play rough? Can they take it too far until one of them gets hurt? Do arguments quickly escalate into physical fights? You're not alone! Most parents with multiple children will experience this at some point, so in this week’s bucket emptying episode, I explain what you can and should do when siblings get physical, and share some quick tips you can use right away. We explore how you can effectively diffuse a physical altercation between your children, and also help them to ma...
Feb 03, 2025•11 min
Spoiler alert: all children lie! And many of our children will experience self-esteem issues, so it’s really important to understand how to recognise it, and support your children through these difficult times. Does your child lie often about silly things? Are they not growing out of it like you thought they would? Do their lies cause upset or consequences to others? If you answered yes to any of these, you’re not alone! In this episode, I talk you through the key things you need to know, includ...
Jan 30, 2025•31 min
Whether your situation - be it parenting solo, coparenting, parallel parenting or something else - we can all agree that sometimes parenting is hell! That’s why this episode is all about finding contentment. From the Happiness Myth to mantas, I share some top ways you can cultivate your own contentment, helping you stay happy, healthy and motivated to take on whatever life (and the kids) throw at you! Highlights from this episode: 00:48 - The Happiness Myth 03:03 - A typical scenario 04:43 - Sca...
Jan 27, 2025•13 min
Does your child seem anxious or worried? What are the signs to look out for? And what can you do to help? In this episode, I am going to talk you through how to manage anxiety and worry in your child, by applying what I call the Seesaw of Wellbeing. I help you to understand what an unbalanced seesaw looks like, how this might present itself in everyday life, and some actionable steps you can take to rebalance. Highlights from this episode: 01:36 - The Seesaw of Wellbeing 06:37 - The symptoms of ...
Jan 23, 2025•27 min
Today, I’m answering a listener question that I think will empty quite a few of your buckets. It’s all about rude behaviour . Whether it’s a young child screaming, “I hate you!” or a teen being disrespectful, name-calling, or acting out in ways that feel rude, I’ll explore strategies to understand and address these challenges effectively. Join me as we unpack the roots of rude behaviour and learn how to navigate these moments with clarity and confidence. 💚 Let’s grow our village together, pleas...
Jan 20, 2025•13 min
Whether it’s managing emotions better, building confidence, or reducing anxiety this framework is all you need. Here are the highlights: (3:11) Kaizen principles and the ladder (5:50) Let’s look at a child lacking confidence and the ladder (18:40) Let’s look at a lack of motivation and the ladder 💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 Access the free resources mentioned in the episodes 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the numbe...
Jan 16, 2025•31 min
In this episode, I’m introducing a transformative new concept: The Power of One . Instead of concentrating on your child’s current behavioural challenges, I encourage you to shift your focus to building the relevant skills that address the root cause. 💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share this episode with at least one friend 💚 You can watch the Bucket Emptying Episodes on YouTube 💚 Access the free resources mentioned in the episodes 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduc...
Jan 13, 2025•13 min
42% of marriages end in divorce, and the negative impact can be minimised if you follow these simple steps. Here are the highlights: (3:20) Trauma caused by separation or divorce (7:30) Communication (12:20) Have a plan about logistics (18:45) Be available to answer their questions (23:20) Provide Reassurance (24:00) Behaviour regression is normal (26:18) Accept parenting may be different to your co-parent (28:40) Your children many appear to take sides 💚 Let’s grow our village together, please...
Jan 09, 2025•33 min
Today, I’m sharing a super simple technique to add to your toolkit, which is powerful at encouraging our children to do more of what we want without the nagging. It's called descriptive praise. Join me as I share my 3 top tips to implementing this incredible tool. 💚 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 watc...
Jan 06, 2025•13 min
You’ve loved the guest episodes this year, so we’ve curated some of your favourite moments from 2024! Whether you’re revisiting old favourites or discovering gems for the first time, this compilation is packed with insights to inspire, motivate, and empower you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the best of the best from our incredible guests. Here are the highlights: (0:00) Raising resilient women with Kim McCabe (0:00) Libbi’s digital detox – one teen’s experience of life without their smartphone (0:...
Jan 02, 2025•47 min
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 (available on Apple and Spotify): Ep 9: The Link Between Children’s Emotional Wellbeing and Nutrition with Lucinda Miller Ep...
Dec 30, 2024•9 min
