The Real Parents team aim to support parents to find their confidence and have more fun parenting.

Today Anna and Kate are joined by Andrea Solzer whose daughter has received a recent diagnosis of autism. We talk about that journey with Andrea - the good, the challenging and what's helped along the way.

Today Anna talks to Erica Viedma from Mindfulness in Schools Ōtautahi and Mindfuli. Erica works with kids supporting them to understand and practice mindfulness techniques. This is the low down on why and how we can also bring mindfulness home - literally!

In Common is an initiative supporting us to be inclusive of others whose cultures are different to our own. Sometimes we can find it tricky to reach out and start a kōrero and actively look for our in-commons, and worry that our kids won't invite others into their games and fun because of differences. But actually our kids are pretty cool, and only want to be friends with everyone! Holly and Kate talk all this through, and more.

This week Kate and Anna talk about how we often look to support our kid's big emotions but don't look too closely at our own! Or we feel really guilty and ashamed at the times (or all the times) we lose our cool, but feel paralysed to do anything about it, or think it's unfixable. Well, here's the podcast you need to reflect and address what might be going on, and the good news is that it's guilt-free, as Anna and Kate disclose their less than perfect moments too!

Felicity is an educator and currently studying towards her PhD with a special focus on supporting literacy. She's also part of the Real Parents team. Today she and Anna chat about how we can provide our kids with the best start at school, and all the important things we can do to support this.

Kate and Anna talk about another of their pet peeves - how badly 'ignoring' is used ineffectively, and without much care about the wellbeing of kids. The world is confusing enough for them without parents suddenly behaving in ways they're completely unfamiliar with. In this episode Anna dan Kate talk you through how to get this technique right, and in all instances, respectful.

Talking to Tracy Clelland from the University of Canterbury and specialist in sexuality and all the topics we worry abut as parents of teens - sex, drugs and alcohol. How do we navigate these conversations, and support our teens?

Anna and Kate discuss all the things we do to support our kids' friendships, and some of the things that get in the way. There's also an hilarious story of Anna accidentally putting down someone else's cat!

Kate and Anna work a lot with parents whose kids don't get along. It can be really frustrating, not to mention, saddening. Here's our best tips to have siblings who are friends as well.