How do you protect children from unhelpful food and body talk when celebrations revolve around eating and family gatherings? What can parents do when well-meaning relatives, social media, or conversations about weight loss creep into festive meals? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Anna Colton, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and eating disorder specialist, to explore how parents can manage food and diet chat around children during the festive season. Drawing on questions sent in by parents, we talk about navigating comments from grandparents shaped by decades of diet culture, handling conversations about weight loss injections, and the powerful messages children absorb about bodies, worth and self-control – often without adults realising. Together, we reflect on why commenting on children's eating can undermine their ability to trust their bodies, how to set boundaries with family members, and why pre-empting difficult conversations can make such a difference. This episode offers guidance to help parents protect their children's relationship with food, not just at Christmas, but all year round. More from Dr Colton https://www.dranna.co.uk/

Have you ever wondered why some children seem to shrink inside themselves after a mistake, while others recover quickly and move on? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Stephen Blumenthal, clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst and author, to explore an emotion that touches every family but is so often misunderstood: shame. Drawing on his decades of clinical experience, Stephen explains how shame is both a normal and necessary part of human development, helping children understand social boundaries and navigate relationships. But when shame is constant or overwhelming, it can shape how a child thinks and feels about themselves in ways that are not helpful. We discuss what shame actually is and how it differs from guilt. Stephen offers examples of how everyday parenting moments can either support healthy development or unintentionally tip a child into feeling defective, exposed or alone. We also explore the role of emotional connection in protecting children from pathological shame, why ruptures can be repaired, and how parents' own histories influence the way we respond to our children. Stephen shares thoughtful guidance on how parents can stay emotionally present, set boundaries in a loving way, and help young children and teenagers build resilience without slipping into criticism or humiliation. If you're a parent – or supporting any young person growing up in an increasingly judgemental world – this episode offers clarity, reassurance and practical insight. More from Dr Blumenthal: https://stephenblumenthal.com

Grief is one of the hardest experiences a child can face, and one of the hardest moments for a parent to support. In this episode, I speak with Dr Hannah Abrahams, an Educational Psychologist with more than twenty years of experience supporting children through bereavement. Hannah brings such warmth, clarity and reassurance to a topic that can often feel overwhelming for parents. She explains why honesty is not only kinder but essential, especially when our instinct might be to soften the truth. She shares why euphemisms can confuse children, how their understanding of grief changes as their brain develops and why we need to expect them to revisit their loss again and again as they grow. We discuss the role of memorialising, the value of creating rituals and memories and why talking about the person who has died keeps their story alive in a way that can be grounding for children moving forward. Hannah shares so much practical and compassionate advice. If your child is grieving or if you want to feel more prepared for these conversations, this episode will guide you. Dr Hannah Abrahams' website: https://www.hannahabrahams.com

What does it really take to build a relationship with your child that can withstand the ups and downs of growing up — and how can you do that when family life feels busy, chaotic or overwhelming? In this episode, I'm joined by developmental psychologist Dona Matthews, whose work focuses on helping parents create strong, secure relationships that carry children through whatever storms life brings. Drawing on decades of research, clinical experience and her own family life, Dona offers a compassionate reminder that resilience starts with connection — not perfection. Together, we explore what it means to truly stay connected to your child: showing up emotionally, being present in the moment, and finding small ways to communicate "I'm here, I'm with you, I'm on your side." Dona explains why prioritising your own wellbeing is not selfish but foundational, because a regulated parent is better able to attune, respond and guide. She also talks about the simple but powerful role of breath, mindfulness and self-awareness in navigating tense or tricky moments. You'll come away with a clearer understanding of how small, mindful moments help build a relationship that can truly weather any storm — and why being "crazy about your child," as Dona puts it, is one of the most protective things you can offer.

What does it really mean to give a child a secure attachment — and how can we do that if our own early experiences weren't secure? In this episode, I'm joined by psychotherapist Anne Power, who has written extensively about attachment theory and how our early experiences shape not only how we parent, but how we relate to others throughout life. Anne explains the two key attachment behaviours — caregiving and care seeking — and breaks them down into simple, practical elements that parents can notice and strengthen. Together we explore how attachment patterns are formed and passed from one generation to the next, what secure, avoidant, anxious and disorganised attachment might look like in family life, and how we can use this knowledge to nurture a secure bond. We talk about what it means to be available and responsive, how to interpret your child's signals more accurately, and how your own attachment history may influence the way you respond when they are upset. Anne also offers practical ways to reshape your patterns as an adult — from creating small moments of repair with your child to finding tools for reflection and self-compassion that make change possible. This conversation offers both compassion and clarity. You'll come away with a new understanding of how your own story influences the way you show up for your child, and what small, powerful changes you can make to help them feel safe, loved and understood.

Welcome to this special Must-Have Moments episode for ADHD Awareness Month. In this compilation, Dr Bettina Hohnen revisits highlights from four expert conversations exploring ADHD and executive function through different stages of development — from early childhood right through to young adulthood. We begin with Dr Laurie Faith, who explains what executive functions are, how they develop, and why joy and connection are essential for helping children's brains grow. Then Dr Peg Dawson shares her "perfect intervention" — a simple, sustainable way to strengthen executive skills in teenagers. Next, Linda Phillips guides us through how to support neurodivergent students as they transition to university — when independence increases but challenges may still remain. And finally, Dr Jo Steer offers practical strategies for parents waiting for an ADHD assessment, focusing on meeting a child's needs right now rather than waiting for a diagnosis. Together, these must-hear moments offer a developmental roadmap and a wealth of practical insights to help parents understand, support, and empower their children with ADHD and executive function differences. Whether your child is just starting school, preparing for exams, or beginning university life, this episode will help you see the strengths behind the struggles — and remind you that small, consistent steps make a real difference.

When your affectionate child suddenly transforms into a teenager who rolls their eyes, snaps back, or avoids you completely, it can feel painful and personal. In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, Bettina Hohnen speaks with journalist, mother of four, and bestselling author Lorraine Candy about why teenagers often act like they "hate" their parents — and how understanding what's happening in their developing brains can make all the difference.

Lorraine reflects on her own experience of raising four children through adolescence, and how learning about the neuroscience of the teenage years helped her stop taking their behaviour so personally. Together, she and Bettina explore the physiological and emotional shifts that happen between 12 and 25, when the teenage brain is being taken apart and rebuilt, and why this process can leave young people overwhelmed, irritable, or quick to anger.

They also discuss the power of recognising what Lorraine calls the "rupture and repair" cycle – the inevitable conflicts that arise in family life, and the vital opportunity to reconnect and rebuild afterwards. Lorraine offers reassurance that this stage, though challenging, is both normal and necessary for teenagers to become independent, emotionally intelligent adults.

This episode is a reminder to parents that the teenage years are not about losing connection, but reshaping it.

We often use praise as a way to boost our children's confidence — but does it always have the effect we hope for? In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, Dr Bettina Hohnen speaks with Dr Barry Hymer, teacher, academic and author, about why feedback may be a far more powerful parenting tool than praise.

Drawing on decades of research, Barry shares how praise, though well-intentioned, can sometimes chip away at a child's motivation and resilience. He explains the famous Stanford study showing how rewards can dampen children's intrinsic drive, and explores what happens when our words of encouragement shift from genuine feedback to subtle forms of judgement.

We talk about what it really means to nurture a growth mindset, how parents can model resilience when things go wrong, and the small changes that make a big difference — like noticing effort, curiosity and persistence instead of simply saying "well done."

Barry also reflects on his own experiences as a father, and how learning to replace praise with thoughtful feedback helped his children grow in confidence and self-belief.

Teenagers are wired to explore the world — but for parents, that can feel terrifying. How do you let your teen take healthy risks without putting them in danger? In this episode, Dr Bettina Hohnen is joined by Professor Deborah Christie, a leading expert in adolescent health at UCL. Together, they explore the delicate balance between keeping teenagers safe and giving them the freedom they need to grow. Drawing on her extensive professional experience and her personal insights as a parent and grandparent, Deborah explains why risk-taking is not only normal but necessary, and how parents can reframe it as exploration rather than danger. Their conversation covers how to manage parental fear, keep communication open, and recognise that our own backgrounds shape the way we perceive risk. They also discuss how to balance consequences with connection, so teenagers can develop the judgment and confidence they need to become capable young adults. This discussion offers practical ways to stay steady through the ups and downs of adolescence, reminding parents that bravery, patience and perspective go a long way — and that this phase, too, will pass. Here is a link to Deborah Christie's website where she shares many useful resources for free: https://www.deborahchristieconsulting.com/

How can parents support their children to eat healthily without slipping into diet talk or passing on their own body worries? In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, Dr Anna Colton — clinical psychologist and eating disorder specialist — shares what decades of experience have taught her about food, families and children's wellbeing. We talk about: - Why the language we use about food matters more than we think - How to model a balanced, relaxed approach at mealtimes - Supporting children and teens to self-regulate, rather than laying down rigid rules - Why acceptance, not body positivity, is the goal that helps children thrive Anna also shares her "one shift that changes everything": becoming aware of your own patterns around food and body image, so you have the choice not to pass them on. Listen now to hear how you can raise children with a healthy, confident relationship to eating.