When parenting feels like pure survival, hygge can be a lifeline.

In this episode, I’m joined by Ellie Kelly, forest school leader of Wonderwood Explorers, and I share my perspective as a native Dane on what hygge really is, not just cozy props, but an inner mindset that helps create connection. 

We explore how this sense of connection supports us in the harder parts of the day, when our children are more likely to follow our lead because they feel safe, seen, and close to us.

We also talk about seasonality, and how tuning into the rhythms of nature can support both parents and children through daily challenges.

Join my upcoming morning session on self-esteem for pre-and primary schoolers: 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1982354137589?aff=oddtdtcreator

For information about Forest School and family sessions, you can find Ellie on: 

Www.wonderwoodexplorers.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/

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You ask your child to turn it off, stop playing, or join the family… and you’re met with eye-rolling, protests, or a blunt “I don’t care.”

Instantly, you feel it. The heat rising.

In these moments, parenting can feel deeply personal and wildly triggering. But this is where real parenting success is shaped.

Because success isn’t about raising a perfectly behaved child. It’s about becoming a calm, sturdy leader when your child can’t be.

In this episode, I share a powerful mindset shift and a practical tool to help you respond with clarity, confidence, and self-respect, even in the face of pushback, attitude, and big emotions.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?” — this episode is for you.

To get weekly tips and parenting inspiration sent straight to your inbox - head over to 
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Parenting at a time when safety is top of the list, can make it difficult to raise a child who's able to cope with failure and think for themselves. 

In the midst of parenting and family life, the question of 'what kind of adult do I want to raise'  easily gets lost in daily fire fighting. In order to make life a little more efficient we so easily dismiss our child's requests for autonomy in favour of efficiency, control and certainty. 

But, for Oscar Van Rooij, a favourite guest and master coach, there's been no doubt; his children have been raised to independent thinkers, recongised for their innate ability to know what's good for them. Home schooling therefore became his child's own choice and most days his children cook - while he generously provide the shopping. 

Join us for this interesting conversation, when Louise and Oscar sit down to explore the reasons it can feel hard to hand over more responsiblity to our children, the implications of doing too much for them and ways that we can take an developmentally appropriate step back, so that our child can step up. 

To get weekly tips and parenting inspiration sent straight to your inbox - head over to 
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With the divorce rate in the UK currently at 42% it is important to shed light on the complexities of living in a blended family. 

• How soon after getting together can your new partner rightly correct your child?
• How do we avoid becoming the wicked step parent without trying too hard to be liked?
• Why is it vital that you speak respectfully about your child's other parent -even though he / she is the one who left and inflicted hurt?

Step parenting is not easy but blended family dynamics  offer a real opportunity for personal growth and connection if you ask family advisor, Janne Leth Førgaard, who is an expert within this field.

Janne talks about the signs you need to recognise that alert you that you are in a position to parent your partners child. And the vital importance of BOUNDARIES.

This episode has such much for you, even if you are not yourself living in a blended family.


About today's guest: 

A successful parenting coach and family advisor in her native Denmark, Janne Leth Førgaard, has dedicated her worklife to understanding the complexities of parenting and navigating blended family dynamics and offers 1:1 coaching to parents both in Denmark and internationally. 

With 3 published books under her belt and regular TV apperances on debate panels, Janne is an advocate of a more neutral term to describe the role of the step parent; 

Janne calls it the 'Extra - parent'. Because, as the word suggests; you get extra - everything; 

• Extra conflicts 
• Extra love 
• Extra people

If you feel you or a friend might benefit from coaching and guidance in this area you might want to check out her work which you can find here:

https://ekstramor.dk/
https://www.instagram.com/ekstramor/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannelethfoergaard/

To get weekly tips and parenting inspiration sent straight to your inbox - head over to 
www.louise-brooks.com to sign up for my weekly newsletter 

You can follow me on 
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https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/

And on
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Oscar Van Rooij is back! The Dutch mindset coach, public speaker and Tony Robbins associate is joining me on today's epsisode to explore the existential dilemma we all grapple with:

Our innate human needs;
on the one hand, to belong to others/ the group. And also, belonging to ourselves and being true to what we feel and sense.


We ask questions like:
 

• What have you learnt to be / not be - in order to receive love, attention or praise?

• What triggers you most in your child? 

• 
  How can you support your child to not have to choose between authenticity and connection to you or others?

This wonderful conversation is sparked by the important work by Dr Gabor Mate, Hungarian / Canadian physician and thought leader whose books include, but are not limited to:

The myth of normal 
When the body says no
Hold on to your kids
Scattered minds 

https://drgabormate.com/


Oscar Van Rooij is a highly sought-after coach and motivational speaker and you can reach him:

https://oscarvanrooij.com/


Parenting is not easy. Our children press on all the stuff that need our attention. So if you wish to give yourself the love and attention that you deserve, or if you have any concerns about your child or family that you wish to heal, please reach out to me. 

Free discovery call bookings can be made here: 
[email protected] 


www.louise-brooks.com 

I'll look forward to supporting you on your parenting journey 

Louise x

To get weekly tips and parenting inspiration sent straight to your inbox - head over to 
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This episode is for you if you are raising toddlers or anyone occasionally behaving like one. 

 It IS hard to raise little children. And even harder when we lack clarity around what is expected of us at their developmental stage. If we parent our toddler like we would our infant, and our teen like we would our primary schooler - we soon find that we will have some epic power struggles on our hand. 

This episode will help you to get clear on your role - and define when you've had a parenting success moment - even when it doesn't feel or look like success. 

Be sure to share this episode with anyone who might need this!

To get weekly tips and parenting inspiration sent straight to your inbox - head over to 
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You can follow me on 
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With December around the corner it is easy to step onto the same old merry go round that takes us to exactly the same place every year; overdraft, overwhelm and a looming new year that feels anything but exciting. 

Granted, Christmas is joyful and fun. But I can see from my engaged followers on social media that too many of us end up working harder than ever during December and ofte have a sense that we could have done things differently. 

But what? 

In this episode I share three ways you can avoid abandoning yourself in the run up to Christmas and a ton of practical ways you can introduce more low cost / no cost rituals to make Christmas feel joyful for all 

To get weekly tips and parenting inspiration sent straight to your inbox - head over to 
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The ability to weather upsets, setbacks and unwanted circumstances is a quality we all want in our children. Without it, we all know that life is going to be difficult. 

But how do we foster reslience in our children? 
By removing obstacles in their path? 
By praising them all the time? 
By toughening them up? 


In this episode we explore how OUR own feelings about our child's experience influence our child's resilience and 3 ways that we can support them when life feels difficult, emotions are big and our parenting instinct screams; FIX IT. 

To get weekly tips and parenting inspiration sent straight to your inbox - head over to 
www.louise-brooks.com to sign up for my weekly newsletter 

You can follow me on 
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https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/

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They're all over social media; Funny memes with parents mocking modern parenting - showing the ridiculous ways that we as parents have become subservient to our children and scared to put a foot wrong.


It's funny. And sadly true.

In this episode I ask the question:
How have we gotten here?
And I offer my perspective on what many of us have misunderstood in the pursuit of giving our children a sense that they matter, that their feelings are valid and that they're unconditionally loved.



Feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all?
No wonder. Parenting is hard! Just as you thought you'd nailed it - a new thing comes up;
Your child wants a phone
Your tween starts becoming more sassy
Your toddler won't sleep on their own

Rather than searching on the internet for tips and tricks to deal with your unique family - know that I am here to support you.
Parenting support - tailored to your family - in a way that suits you best;
Zoom
In person
Walk and Talk

If you would like to book a free parenting consultation to find out how parent coaching can transform your family life - get in touch by sending me an email:
[email protected]



Want free tips and additional resources?
I have written countless blogs and articles on anything you can think of as a parent. I share these in my weekly newsletters - including information about exciting offers and online and inperson events.

Make sure you don't miss any of this and sign up here:
https://louise-brooks.com/


Want to make a difference to a young person this Christmas?
Join our 10 mile charity walk in support of Children in CHAMS in-patient units this December.

When: Sunday Decebmer 8th (9am)

Where: Meet at the gates of Windsor Castle where we will embark on a scenic walk through Great Windsor Park, Viriginia Water Lake, Sunningdale - before reaching the charming village, Chobham - where we celebrate at the White Hart pub.

This walk is for families and anyone up for a little challenge. You can bring your dog, a pushchair and kids - or you can simply donate to this worthy cause.

Read more about the charity and register right here:

To get weekly tips and parenting inspiration sent straight to your inbox - head over to 
www.louise-brooks.com to sign up for my weekly newsletter 

You can follow me on 
Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/

And on
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Of course threats work. In the here and now - if we are willing to threaten to take something away that our child really cares about. 
But do threats as a way to foster cooperation give us what we want for our children and ourselves in the long run? 

In this episode I propose that we put guilt, shame and our own inner critic to one side - and simply get curious about the long (and short ) term effect of threats in our parenting. 


This episode might be just what you need to share with your partner or for you to see things in a new light. 

In the episode I refer to the 2nd episode of this podcast: 
"Three things that fuel cooperation" - which would follow on nicely from today's episode. 
You can catch that right here: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/2-three-things-that-fuel-cooperation/id1657607176?i=1000590867085


WALKING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: 

Join me and other families when we embark on a 10mile long walk in support of CAHMS children and adolescents in inpatient treatment over the festive season. 
You can make a real diffference to these young people during a difficult time of year for them. 


When: 
Sunday 8th of December 
9am 

Where: 
We set off from Windsor Castle gate and finish at Chobham's White Hart pub. 

Who can come: 
ANYONE who would like to walk, connect and enjoy this beautifully scenic route. 

You can donate and register for the walk right here; 
https://www.justgiving.com/page/louise-brooks-1728987523914?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Flouise-brooks-1728987523914&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

To get weekly tips and parenting inspiration sent straight to your inbox - head over to 
www.louise-brooks.com to sign up for my weekly newsletter 

You can follow me on 
Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/

And on
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/