This episode is part of our Mothers in Business (MiB) series: short 20 minute interviews with women who’ve established businesses as a result of recognising a gap in the market or issue they’ve faced as a parent.

Dina is the founder of award winning website and blog Kensington Mums. The website has been running for over 12 years and, among other things, hosts meet-ups in London so that like-minded mums can connect and share experiences. In this episode Dina talks to us about why she started Kensington Mums and why it has become so important to the community that it has created.

To find out more about Kensington Mums visit: www.https://www.kensingtonmums.co.uk

As ever, let us know what you thought of the episode on Instagram @motherhoodmanualpodcast or via email: [email protected] 

Will holidays ever be the same again?!

This episode explores holidaying as a parent, with all its challenges (and joys!). Expect anecdotes of stressful holiday experiences, top tips for planning and enjoying your family holiday, as well as the chance to hear Jess design her perfect family holiday with a round of quick-fire questions from Helen!

We'd love to hear your family holiday experiences, tips and advice so we can share with The Motherhood Manual Podcast community. Find us on Instagram @themotherhoodmanualpodcast or email us at [email protected]

Thanks again for listening, 
Helen & Jess x

This episode is part of our Mothers in Business (MiB) series: short 20 minute interviews with women who’ve established businesses as a result of recognising a gap in the market or issue they’ve faced as a parent.

Anita is the founder of a Manchester Media City based children’s entertainment brand called Green Bean Studios. They produce content for young children based on fun, adventure and a little bit of learning. In this episode, we chat screen time, hear Anita’s advice for managing it as a parent as well as learning more about Anita’s venture and journey as a mother. 

To find out more about Green Bean Studios, visit: www.greenbeanstudios.co.uk

As ever, let us know what you thought of the episode on Instagram @motherhoodmanualpodcast or via email: [email protected] 

TW: this episode includes discussion about all types of pregnancy and baby loss.

In this episode, we're joined by Head of Bereavement, Rowena Pailing, from pregnancy and baby loss charity Sands, as we discuss questions such as  'how should you feel if you've experienced loss', 'what's normal when it comes to grief', 'how can I support someone who's been through a loss' and more.  The episode explores Jess' experience of loss, and between Rowena and Jess, this 37 minutes provides some invaluable tips for coping with loss as well as tips for supporting people who have experienced loss.

As Rowena says in the podcast, we are all touched by pregnancy or baby loss in our lives at some point: whether it is experienced first hand, by a friend, relative or colleague. So, we hope this episode brings some level of support and/or reassurance whatever your circumstance. 

As ever, we'd love to know what you thought of the episode, so do feel free to email us at [email protected] or find us on Instagram @themotherhoodmanualpodcast 

Fed up of being asked “are they sleeping through yet?” So are we.

On this episode we welcome our first expert guest, sleep consultant Fern Bishop, onto the podcast where we talk frankly about the realities of sleep with babies and children. We ask Fern about the the rise of ‘sleep consultants’ and the risks of assuming expertise and experience of those adept at social media. Fern also offers some reassuring wisdom to parents going through challenging times with sleep - but reminds us that we must take the pressure off ourselves and consider what really works for us rather than holding ourselves to account on socially constructed timelines and expectations. This one is definitely worth a listen! 

TW: This episode contains some upsetting content relating to loss. 

Pregnancy even without complications, isn't always a wonderful 'instagrammable' experience. But when complications occur, it can be a real roller-coaster of emotions. 

For this episode, we focus on our own experiences of 'complicated pregnancies'. By doing so, you'll learn a lot more about our journeys to becoming mothers - with the highs and lows that has involved. 

In the episode you will hear about a number of issues, and we encourage you to head over to our Instagram or Facebook where we will sign post to more information and support. 

If you could've read a manual before having a child, what would it have said? In this brief introductory episode, we (Jess & Helen) introduce ourselves, tell you a little bit more about why we've decided to jump on the podcast bandwagon and share some of the things mums we know wish they'd read in that mythical manual before jumping into parenthood. Plus, find out our plans for topics we'll be covering in upcoming episodes.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram @themotherhoodmanualpodcast or drop us an email on [email protected].