This week on No Parental Guidance, Louise and Hannah are joined by Hilary Whitehall actress, podcaster, former doula, long-time wife of Michael, mum to Jack, Molly and Barnaby and now a grandmother with another grandchild on the way!

Hilary is absolutely hilarious and delivers one of the most jaw-dropping birth stories we’ve ever heard, involving a very famous godfather, a hospital mix-up and black tie attire. Honestly, you couldn’t write it!

Hilary also opens up about her decade working as a doula and what new mums really need in those first overwhelming weeks, from building confidence to cutting through guilt and panic. Plus, she talks about becoming a grandmother and why looking after someone else’s kids hits differently... especially when scooters are involved.

And just when you think it can’t get any wilder, Hilary shares one of her worst parenting moments: accidentally running over her toddler in France and the horrifying second where she thought she’d killed him.

Before Hilary joins, Hannah and Louise are in full chaos mode. Hannah forgets an inset day and sends her son to a locked school, then her daughter gets hold of her phone and accidentally messages the entire class WhatsApp. Louise shares a post-op Christmas horror story featuring a catheter, a night bag, and a husband who trips, falls, and sets off total mayhem in the middle of the night. There’s also a very honest chat about kids growing up and the moment the awkward questions start coming thick and fast, plus Hilary’s take on raising polite kids, being a “bossy grandmother”, and the slightly genius trick she used to get her kids to bed early.

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