Do you feel overwhelmed by the pressure to provide constant experiences?

Have kids who are "always bored" or glued to devices?

Or struggle with guilt about not doing "enough" activities?

Then this episode is for you. I challenge the modern parenting myth that we need to pack our children's lives with endless activities and experiences. Instead, I reveal why unstructured play is actually your child's most powerful learning tool.

I break down exactly how play develops emotional intelligence, social skills, problem-solving abilities, and academic success - often better than formal lessons. I also share game-changing strategies for different age groups, from toddlers to teenagers.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

02:28 - Play to recharge

04:45 - Play to work through and resolve issues

08:16 - Play to teach social skills

14:12 - Play is a safe space to fail

17:24 - Reframe the purpose of play

23:11 - Allocate time to play

27:24 - Never too old to play

💚 Let’s grow our village together, please  with at least one friend

💚  mentioned in the episodes

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you do when your child says "Everyone hates me," "I'm rubbish at everything," or "I'm a loser"?

In this bucket-emptying episode, I share exactly how to respond in the moment when your child is being self-critical.

I'll walk you through my 5-step approach to handle these heartbreaking moments without dismissing their feelings or being overly positive. You'll learn why that internal dialogue matters so much, how to validate their experience while offering a more realistic perspective, and my powerful "pause and reframe" technique that helps children catch themselves before negative self-talk becomes hardwired.

This is about what to do RIGHT NOW when these comments happen - not the long-term strategies (that's coming in a full Thursday episode). Whether your child occasionally has these moments or this has become a pattern, these techniques will help you respond in a way that actually helps rather than accidentally making things worse.

Remember: self-criticism reflects their internal monologue, and with the right approach, we can help them develop a healthier inner voice. Their brains are incredibly plastic - we have time to turn this around.

Key topics covered:

• Understanding your child's internal dialogue and self-talk
• The 5-step response framework for self-critical moments
• Why validation comes before correction
• Teaching the "pause and reframe" technique
• How to model healthy self-talk as a parent

This episode is perfect for parents dealing with children who struggle with self-esteem, negative self-talk, or perfectionism.

So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:35 - What is self talk?

03:50 - Validate your child’s feelings

05:55 - Offer a realistic alternative

08:30 - Pause and reframe

11:56 - Rome wasn’t built in a day

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 - https://onemillionmoments.org/

💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share with at least one friend

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Struggling with your child's impulsive behavior?

In this episode, I share 6 game-changing strategies to help children break free from autopilot reactions and develop better impulse control. Whether your child has ADHD, anxiety, or gets emotionally dysregulated, these techniques will help them pause, think, and respond more thoughtfully.

I'll walk you through my traffic light zone system to identify when your child needs support most, plus teach you practical tools like the STOP method, 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique, and my favorite snap card game that makes learning impulse control fun.

These strategies work for neurotypical kids too - and they're just as valuable for us parents when we find ourselves reacting on autopilot. Remember: the brain is a muscle, and with practice, we can all get stronger at managing our impulses.

Key topics covered:

• Understanding impulsivity vs impulses
• The red, amber, green zone system
• 6 practical strategies you can start using today
• Why starting with low-stakes situations is crucial
• How to model impulse control for your children

If you’re a parent of children with ADHD, anxiety, or any child who struggles with big emotions and reactive behaviors, then this episode will be especially relevant.

So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:02 - The 4 traits of impulsivity

04:09 - Red amber and green zones

09:04 - The brain is a muscle

11:29 - Start with low stakes and easy wins

13:09 - 3 things you can do right now

19:56 - 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

22:55 - STOP

27:26 - Children do what they see

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 - https://onemillionmoments.org/

💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share with at least one friend

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every parent has been there – your child has a complete meltdown in the middle of the grocery store, and you feel all eyes on you. In this essential Bucket Emptying episode, I share 5 game-changing strategies for handling public tantrums without the shame spiral.

Discover how to transform these challenging moments from overwhelming experiences into opportunities for connection and growth. I break down the psychology behind emotional dysregulation and provide practical techniques you can use right away.

What You'll Learn:

• Why ignoring public judgment is crucial for your child's development
• How to prioritize safety while maintaining your child's dignity
• Preparation strategies that prevent tantrums before they start
• The power of involving children in daily tasks and planning
• Reflection techniques to break the cycle of public meltdowns

Whether you're dealing with toddler tantrums, preschooler meltdowns, or even teenage emotional outbursts, this episode offers compassionate, practical guidance that works. And remember, tantrums are simply a window into our child's inner world. With the right tools, we can help them navigate big feelings with confidence.

So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:26 - Tantrums are a lens into their world

03:59 - Calm, quiet reassurance

06:40 - Prepare for the worst, hope for the best

09:29 - Our children WANT to help

10:31 - Reflect and learn

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 - https://onemillionmoments.org/

💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share with at least one friend

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm sharing something that honestly terrifies me as a parent - how our devices are literally rewiring our children's brains from as early as 4 months old.

Today I'm joined by Dr. Charlotte Armitage, author of Generation Zombie, and what she reveals about screen time and brain development will change how you think about tech in your home.

.

What we dive into:

• Why I discovered that babies as young as 4 months are now interacting with screens (and what this does to their developing brains)
• How I learned that 20% of children starting school need speech therapy - and the connection to our device use
• Why dopamine addiction from screens is creating behaviors that look exactly like ADHD
• The shocking truth about how prams now come with iPad holders for babies
• What happened when I realized I was modeling constant device use without knowing it
• Why AI chatbots are the next level of concern for our kids' social development

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This episode is essential if you're dealing with:

• A child who can't focus or sit still at school
• Constant battles over screen time limits
• Worries about your own device modeling
• Questions about when (or if) to give your child a smartphone
• Concerns about your child's social skills and friendships

.

I'll be honest - some of what Charlotte shares made me want to throw all our devices out the window! But she also gives us hope with practical strategies we can implement right now. We talk about creating device-free zones, the importance of eye contact during feeding, and why our children don't need to "learn" technology young.

So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

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More from Charlotte:

• Generation Zombie Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/generation-zombie-raising-healthy-humans-in-a-world/id1814827224 
• Get the Book NOW - https://amzn.eu/d/eSVeQ9a 
• Follow on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@drcharlottearmitage 
• Website - https://charlottearmitage.co.uk/ 

Highlights from this episode:

03:57 - New tech means new challenges

08:20 - RIP IRL

14:10 - Attachment issues from tech use

19:44 - A boom in speech and language therapy

24:38 - ADHD and technology

32:15 - What is Generation Zombie?

36:41 - Impact into teen years

42:28 - The risks of AI

.

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 - https://onemillionmoments.org/

💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share with at least one friend

.

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever played Jenga?

Sure, it’s a fun family game, but when you think about it - working together to build a structure taller and taller and, when it eventually topples, rebuilding without hesitation and starting again - Jenga is the perfect analogy for a family.

Which is why in today’s bucket emptying episode, I’m going to show you how Jenga can be used to build a strong, meaningful connection with your family… and become a stronger, happier, and more resilient family for it.

So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:45 - Nothing is more challenging than a disconnected family

02:02 - Why Jenga?

05:52 - What qualities do you bring to your family?

09:25 - Family gratitude

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 - https://onemillionmoments.org/

💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share with at least one friend

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strong-willed, stubborn, defiant, opinionated, headstrong - that's how I like to think of myself for recording a podcast during a heatwave! But it could also be some of the words you use to describe your child. If so, this episode is for you.

I know what it's like when your child is naturally headstrong. They can be a force of nature, and some days parenting them feels impossible... especially if they inherited these character traits from you! In this 30-minute episode, I'm sharing my 7 go-to strategies to help you overcome those daily challenges we all face.

What I'll share with you:

• How I've learned to reframe those impossible situations
• My favorite ways to empower kids through meaningful choices
• Why I discovered that strong-willed children learn differently (and how to work with their nature)
• Communication techniques that actually work in my home
• How we established family values that stick
• Why I believe being quick to apologize changes everything

This episode is perfect if you're dealing with:

• Daily power struggles and defiant behavior
• A child who seems impossible to parent some days
• The challenge of parenting a mini-me who inherited your headstrong traits
• Feeling like you're parenting in a "war zone"

Whether you're in the thick of it right now or just need some fresh strategies for your force-of-nature child, I'm here to offer hope and practical solutions that have worked for me and countless other parents.

So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:00 - Podcasting in a heatwave

00:56 - Parenting in a war zone

05:48 - Common traits of headstrong children

08:36 - How to reframe a situation

13:45 - How to empower by giving our kids choices

17:12 - Strong-willed children learn from experience

18:54 - Communicate regularly

21:19 - Family values

23:30 - Be quick to apologise

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 - https://onemillionmoments.org/

💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share with at least one friend

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you suffer from parental guilt?

Do you often guilt yourself into doing things you know you shouldn’t do?

Does this guilt manifest in material stuff like toys and treats?

You don’t need to feel embarrassed, we’ve all been there. It’s so easy to feel that guilt, and then we do whatever it takes to make that guilt disappear.

If you think your parental guilt is getting better of you, I’m here to help.

So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:31 - The dictionary defines guilt as…

03:22 - You can flex the rules

04:34 - How we can check ourselves

07:03 - Ask yourself these two questions

09:51 - Shifting from guilt to reason

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 - https://onemillionmoments.org/

💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share with at least one friend

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is a massive treat, as I am joined by Sophie David, a play guru, influencer and now author of Read, Write, Play: 100 Easy Ways to Make Phonics Fun for Children Aged 3-7.

In this conversation, Sophie explains how she implements all of the information and resources on her website, to create a fun learning environment for her kids, from phonics and reading to homework, screen time, and more!

As Mary Poppins once sang:

In every job that must be done

There is an element of fun

You find the fun and snap!

The job's a game

The same applies to our kids’ education, and it begins at home, with us. Learning is as fun as we choose to make it, and our job as parents is to unlock the curiosity in our children and help them want to learn.

So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Additional Resources:

Little Happy Learners: https://www.littlehappylearners.co.uk/ 

Sophie’s book, available now: https://geni.us/readwriteplay 

Connect with Sophie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlehappylearners/ 

Highlights from this episode:

03:10 - Sophie’s journey

09:00 - You are your baby’s best friend

15:16 - Monkey see monkey do

20:26 - There is no normal

26:28- Phonics is not just about ABC

32:38 - Managing screen time

37:48 - Learning is experiential

41:50 - Mum, businesswoman, funlover, and author

45:27 - Where do we start?

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 - https://onemillionmoments.org/

💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share with at least one friend

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaving your child with someone else is one of the hardest things a parent will do.

What if they need me and I’m not there?

Am I just being a bad parent?

What if they don’t like the babysitter?

These are all rational concerns, but they shouldn’t stop you because, as we’ve discussed before, you cannot look after your children if you don’t look after yourselves.

That’s why in this bucket emptying episode, I’m going to share four rational fears you might have when you leave your kids in someone else’s care, and what you can do to overcome them.

So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa, take the next 46 minutes to relax, and enjoy the conversation…

Read Dr. Maryhan’s article in Bubble Life, as mentioned in this episode, Navigating Separation Anxiety: https://joinbubble.com/for-parents/navigating-separation-anxiety-expert-tips-from-dr-maryhan_29690.html 

Highlights from this episode:

01:09 - Common myths are getting in your way!

02:43 - Are you being selfish?

05:23 - What if something goes wrong?

07:58 - What if they feel abandoned?

11:4 - What if my child doesn't get on with this? 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 - https://onemillionmoments.org/

💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share with at least one friend

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.