Parenting with PLAY!

By Helena Mooney

Join Helena Mooney and guests in this down-to-earth, practical and fun podcast so that you can help your child with everyday challenges such as aggression, anxiety, bedtimes, tantrums, screens and mor... more

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FAQs about Parenting with PLAY!:

How many episodes does Parenting with PLAY! have?

The podcast currently has 84 episodes available.

Parenting with PLAY! episodes:

October 17, 2025 Ever had a CPM (Cr*p Parenting Moment)? If so - do this
Ever done something you KNOW not to do. And yet you can't help yourself?!
You know not to shout, and yet you still do.
You know your child wants your attention, and yet you just can't give it.
These are not signs that you're a bad parent.
Instead, they're indications that you need something. And it's not more information or What To Do videos.
Listen in to what you really need instead.
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About Helena Mooney
💞Giving you what you really need to help your family thrive - because tantrums, bedtime battles and your own peace of mind need more than just deep breaths
**DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOKLET:** Shout Less, Connect More with 5 Simple Games
Book: 1:1 Mentoring Session
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
...more
13min
October 04, 2025 Building Physical and Emotional Resilience
If you ever panic when your child is upset because they've hurt themselves and you don't know how to help them overcome anxiety as a result of their injury, then this episode is going to help.
I recently dislocated my shoulder (again) and what I did in one hour the following week transformed my recovery.
Even though this was a more painful and traumatic event than when I dislocated it 3 years before, I now feel much more confident physically and emotionally.
Listen in to discover what it was and how you can transform your child's painful experiences so that they are less likely to carry any fear or anxiety from it.
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About Helena Mooney
💞 Helping you shout less, set limits, get more sleep AND have more fun as a family!
**DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOKLET:** Shout Less, Connect More with 5 Simple Games
Book: 1:1 Mentoring Session
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
...more
16min
September 19, 2025 Help Your Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Food - with Maru Rojas
Struggling with picky eaters? Worried about your child’s obsession with sweets, constant snack requests, or battles at the dinner table?
Helena chats with Maru Rojas, an Aware Parenting instructor and Mum of 2 who specialises in Intuitive Eating. In this super helpful, down-to-earth conversation you'll learn how to foster a healthy, trusting relationship with food for your whole family.
This episode offers practical tips and real-life strategies to guide your kids (and yourself!) to eat with confidence & connection - without mealtime stress or food shame.
Listen in and transform your family’s approach to food!
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About Maru Rojas
Maru is a Trauma-informed parenting mentor, Aware Parenting Instructor, Mum of 2 and advocate for raising emotionally intelligent humans.
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_maru.rojas_/
Contact her here: https://parenttogether.co.uk/
___________________________________________________________
About Helena Mooney
💞 Helping you shout less, set limits, get more sleep AND have more fun!
**DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOKLET:** Shout Less, Connect More with 5 Simple Games
Book: 1:1 Mentoring Session
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
...more
49min
August 13, 2025 How to have the best holiday with your child/ren
How are holidays with your children? Relaxing, wonderful and Instagramable? Or stressful and exhausting?!
Sometimes it can feel like it would be easier to just stay at home because then the kids wouldn't have as many tantrums, you wouldn't feel so frazzled and frustrated, and it would be cheaper too.
But holidays can be fun! So listen to this week's episode to have the best time with your children.
Whether it's a weekend away, camping, flying, or a regular holiday, discover why your child might have more meltdowns, how to manage those overwhelming moments, and what you can proactively do to make the whole experience as fun as possible - for everyone!
Save this episode for when you next go on holiday to remind you of what you can do to have the best time.
___________________________________________________________
About Helena Mooney
💞 I provide practical, respectful and down-to-earth support to help you you shout less, set limits lovingly, get more sleep AND have more fun!
**DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOKLET:** Shout Less, Connect More with 5 Simple Games
Book: 1:1 Mentoring Session
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
www.helenamooney.com
...more
20min
August 08, 2025 Trusting Yourself As A Mum
Do you trust yourself? Are you gentle with yourself? Can you calm that urgent voice in your head, and bring a strong sense of peace into your mind and your body?
Because that is what I want for you.
To deeply trust yourself as a Mum, to release trauma, and to feel confident in who you are.
Vicki Plomer is an Aware Parenting Instructor, a Somatic Therapist and a Trauma-Informed Energy Practitioner.
In this episode we talk about about how to tune out the “shoulds”, connect more deeply with your own intuition in order to lead a more joyful, authentic life of freedom.
Vicki also shares a practice to re-centre yourself and come back to your body the next time you feel overwhelmed.
This episode is a mix of Aware Parenting and practical body-based practices that will strengthen your self compassion and, ultimately, your trust in yourself.
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About Vicki Plomer
Eva is a UK Aware Parenting Instructor, a Somatic Therapist, a Trauma-Informed Energy Practitioner, Mother of 4 & Step mother of 1.
She offers a compassionate and authentic space where you feel deeply valued, seen, and heard. And she guides women and parents to reconnect with themselves, honour their needs, and cultivate self-worth.
Website: www.vickiplomer.com
Follow on Instagram
___________________________________________________________
About Helena Mooney
💞 I provide practical, respectful and down-to-earth support to help you you shout less, set limits lovingly, get more sleep AND have more fun!
**DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOKLET:** Shout Less, Connect More with 5 Simple Games
Book: 1:1 Mentoring Session
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
www.helenamooney.com
...more
57min
August 01, 2025 Toilet Training Play to Help with #2's - with Yasmine Bowen
If toilet training has become a battle and your child is refusing to do wees or poos in the potty or toilet, then this episode is going to help.
Especially if you're feeling pressure from those around you and you've tried all the things - bribes, threats and listening to lots of upset feelings.
Yasmine's lovely, strong-willed son was refusing to do a poo on the potty or toilet. It had turned into a battle of wills that Yasmine was 'losing' and her son's anxiety was increasing.
Hear how she turned the situation around by using play - specifically with play doh......
Silliness is often the key!
So enjoy and try this with your child at home - I'd love to hear how you go!
Special thanks to @StephanieHeartfield for suggesting this game inside our Connection & Play Membership
___________________________________________________________
About Helena Mooney
💞 Practical, respectful and down-to-earth support to help you you shout less, set limits lovingly, get more sleep AND have more fun!
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOKLET: Shout Less, Connect More with 3 Simple Games
Book: 1:1 Mentoring Session
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
...more
38min
July 25, 2025 Understanding Tantrums - with Eva Szorad
One of parenting’s most misunderstood topics—Tantrums! in this episode I chat with Eva Szorad, a Hungarian Aware Parenting instructor, about what tantrums really are, and more importantly, what they are not.
I wish I knew this when I first became a mum because I used to think I had failed when my daughter had tantrums.
I had been led to believe that if I was calm and gentle, she would be calm and gentle too.
So I couldn't understand why she was like that. And I had NO idea what to do in the moment.
This is such an insightful conversation that will give you a deeper understanding your child, and you'll learn what to do in the heat of the moment.
Enjoy! And let me know if you have any questions.
Topics include:
1. Tantrums Demystified
2. The Real Cause
3. How Long Is ‘Normal’ for a Tantrum?
4. The “Perfect” Child Myth
5. What Can You Actually Do When Your Child is Having a Tantrum?
6. Real-Life Experiences
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About Eva Szorad
Eva is a Hungarian Aware Parenting Instructor and mother of a 3 year old.
Her goal is to bring Aware Parenting into every little moment of parenting — that’s why she has written playful Attachment Play songs for everyday life and adventurous stories for young children.
Website: https://subscribepage.io/awp-english-landing-kisari-kids
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kisari.kids/
Songs: https://open.spotify.com/album/5U7SWYu1gMO5sAS5UtGS4o?si=Pg6f1nugSpekSl_K2vk2IA
Children’s books: https://open.spotify.com/show/3YCr5oaLDaQkC3DdQsemeW?si=fkztgAiDQbOtYFkik7YvEw
___________________________________________________________
About Helena Mooney
💞 I will give you practical, respectful and down-to-earth support to help you you shout less, set limits lovingly, get more sleep AND have more fun!
**DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOKLET:** Shout Less, Connect More with 5 Simple Games
Book: 1:1 Mentoring Session
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
...more
1h 6min
July 18, 2025 When your child shouts "Go Away" and slams their door - with Michelle Puster
Do you ever struggle to know what to do when your child runs to their room, slams the door and shouts at you to “Go Away!”?
If you're like many of my clients, you might feel confused about what to do.
On the one hand, you want to respect your child's boundaries and not force yourself in when they've told you go away.
But on the other hand, your child is clearly upset and you don't want to leave them alone with their upset feelings.
So what do you do?!
In this episode, my fabulous client Michelle shares a really cool thing she does with her kids in those moments that I think you're going to love.
This is perfect for those times when you're not in the mood to go into your chid's room and actively listen to their upset feelings, but you're still wanting to connect and help them.
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About Michelle Puster
Michelle is a therapist and mum of 3 (including twins) who has experienced burnout, depression and anxiety. She is grounded, authentic and has beautifully strong relationships with her children who are thriving.
You can find out more about her at www.compassionateheartmindfullife.com where you can download her FREE 4 Step Guided Pause & Regroup Meditation.
___________________________________________________________
About Helena Mooney
💞 Helping you shout less, set limits, get more sleep AND have more fun!
**DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOKLET:** Shout Less, Connect More with 5 Simple Games
Book: 1:1 Mentoring Session
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
...more
43min
March 21, 2024 Connected Parenting with Your Partner - with Joss Goulden
Have you ever argued with your partner about parenting? Most parents have and it's one of the big topics that clients usually want to talk or vent about.
This is especially an issue when you're following a different approach to the norm, and maybe you've even questioned whether it's worth implementing it if your partner is not 100% on board.
In this episode I talk with fellow Aware Parenting Instructor, Joss Goulden about what you can do to create a more connected co-parenting relationship with your partner whilst staying true to your values.
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About Joss Goulden
Joss is a Level 2 Certified Aware Parenting Instructor, who has a degree in Psychology and completed post-graduate courses in Human Communication Science and Counselling.
She is the host of The Aware Parenting Stories Podcast and The Aware Parenting and Natural Learning Podcast and has created the Aware Partnering in Parenthood Online Course.
Website : https://awareparenting.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awareparentingwithjoss/
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About Helena Mooney
I am a Certified Parenting Coach for mums who want to do "gentle parenting" but become frustrated and worried when it doesn't seem to work. I'm here to help you feel more confident as a mum, deeply connected as a family, and to all have more fun!
**DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOKLET:** Shout Less, Connect More with 5 Simple Games
Book: 1:1 Mentoring Session
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
...more
48min
March 09, 2024 How a mundane day could become your child’s “Best day ever!” – with Devon Harris
If you've ever tried to give your child the ideal day by throwing a birthday party or taking them on an exciting trip, only for them to have a meltdown or complain, then this episode is for you.
In it, Devon Harris shares about how about a day spent doing mundane things with her son led him to declare it was "the best day ever"
So what was it about that day that had such a profound impact?
And how can you bring in the elements she talks about into your every day life?
We also talk about her previous work with children who were in protective services and what led her to following Aware Parenting in her own parenting and becoming a Certified Instructor.
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About Devon Harris
Devon is an Aware Parenting Instructor who specialises in coaching and consulting for families with bright and gifted children. You can find out more and contact her here: www.devonharris.com.au
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About Helena Mooney
I am a Certified Parenting Coach for mums who want to do "gentle parenting" but become frustrated and confused when it doesn't work. I give you practical, respectful and effective strategies to help you feel more confident as a mum and deeply connected as a family so you all have more fun!
**DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOKLET:** Shout Less, Connect More with 5 Simple Games
Book: 1:1 Mentoring Session
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
...more
44min

FAQs about Parenting with PLAY!:

How many episodes does Parenting with PLAY! have?

The podcast currently has 84 episodes available.

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