Our guest for this episode is the brilliant Penny Wincer - writer, photographer, and carer. She tells us about looking after her mum when she was a teenager, and what life is like now she is caring for her autistic son.

We learn about how it feels to be the child of a person with mental health issues, and how Penny coped after her mum's suicide. She also shares the biggest lesson she learned from her mum's experience 

We discuss the stigma that still exists around special education, and the difficulties and benefits of having a child who's on a different path. Penny gives us some useful advice for carers, and some ideas for how those around them can offer support. We hear about Penny's own self-care strategies, and why she thinks mum guilt is bullshit. Plus: find out why Helen's coffee machine is like a vagina. 

Penny's superb book, Tender: The Imperfect Art of Caring, is out now. You can find her website at pennywincer.com, or follow her on Instagram @pennywincer.

**SEE US LIVE!** Our tip top comedy show is BACK with new socially distanced seating, and maybe even some new jokes. We'll be in Sevenoaks on 1 October, and Cirencester on 21 October. Visit scummymummies.com for tickets.

**WE HAVE A SHOP!** Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, signature Wine Mugs, and Mum Island beach towels! FREE UK DELIVERY! 

We're on Twitter (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. Please send your confessions to [email protected] and visit us at ScummyMummies.com. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe!

The Scummy Mummies book is OUT NOW! We hope you like it, and if you do, we'd love an Amazon review!

Thank you for listening!

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