A pre-release bonus extract from the latest episode recorded with Rob, Dad of 2. This was a really poignant part of this podcast episode for me; Not just for parenting when you're dealing with grief, but parenting overall- We're parents 24/7 but real life isn't JUST us being parents- We have so much other stuff to deal with too.

Something a little different for you all today- I recently went along to a local event called Safe Street by Fresh Drivers Uk. A family fun day to promote road safety. In this episode I talk to a few of the organisations who were there and they tell us key things to think about or that are important to remember when it comes to being safe... With a little insight at the end from a parent who's children are now grown up!! You can find Sophie from Fresh Drivers Uk here: FreshDriversUk C.I.C- Keeping Young and New Drivers Safe. (@freshdriversuk) • Instagram photos and videosBurnett's Solicitors: Burnetts Solicitors | Carlisle, Cockermouth, Penrith & NewcastleTyresafe: Promoting UK Tyre Safety and Driver AwarenessLancashire Fire and Rescue: Facebook

In this episode I am joined by Becca, Mum of 2. We talk lots about wellbeing- How it's such a big part of Becca's life and why having a 'happy-healthy' life is so important to her. Becca tells us how she's alot more chilled out now and how the children are happier for it. We talk about acceptance, purpose and letting go and how Becca used to really compare herself and her life to what she saw on social media but now has managed to change that and let it go. We talk about her eldest daughter's allergies as a baby and how this affected their life and how Becca struggled to come to terms with the fact that she'd have to stop breastfeeding, because of these allergies. We discuss how Becca finds it important to have 'Mummy Ivy' days with her eldest daughter and how it's easy to get caught up in the consumer side of parenting but you don't have to go out and spend a fortune- There's lots of free things you can do. We also talk about how Becca juggles life as a parent and as a business owner, and how she's learnt to get better at the juggle after not being fully present for the children when first starting up her business. She tells us how she had to have a conversation with herself to find out what was more important to her and how she's learnt to be okay with what's she's got. There are SO many golden nuggets in this episode that you really need to hear... Another honest conversation about parenting!You can find Becca here:@ntjuice_ • Instagram photos and videosFacebook

A pre-release bonus extract from the latest episode recorded with Becca, Mum of 2.

In this episode we support the parents and families who have experienced loss and remember their babies and children, as well as those around the world. Please light a candle at 7pm this evening (Sunday 15th October 2023) to participate in the global wave of light. * Please forgive any pronunciation errors, this episode is meant with love. *You can find the previous Matilda's Mission episode here: The Non Perfect Parents Club - The Non Perfect Parents Club: Baby Loss Special | RSS.comAnd Matilda's Mission here: https://www.matildasmission.com/

In this episode, I am joined by Jennifer, Mum of 3. In Jen's last episode she was midway through the appeal process for high school for her second child and we talked lots about that. So she joined me again to talk about the emotionally grueling process, which Jen says is one of the most challenging things she's ever had to do, Jen talks us through the emotions, the challenges and the process of the appeal system and tells us in detail why it was so frustrating. We discuss the unfairness of the how the whole system works and share some nuggets of advice for parents who are currently applying for high schools, as well as a hilarious story involving brand new school shoes, lost property, a leaky drink and a carrier bag...!

Hear this unpublished bonus extract with Jennifer, from the most recent recorded episode discussing the school place appeal system.

In this episode I am joined by Kane, Dad of 3. Kane talks about how being in the army effects family life- How he's not home very often and how he has and is sacrificing a lot in terms of his family. How he wants a good career but there's more to being a parent than providing. Kane tells us how he tries to keep army life away from his wife and children and likes to be very involved with family life when he is home.Kane talks about his upbringing and how it wasn't a 'normal' upbringing but thanks to strong male role models, they shaped who he is as a Dad. Kane says he doesn't really have a family, which is very different to his wife's upbringing, and because of this having stability for his children is important. Kane talks about his son, Sonny, who was stillborn only a couple of months ago. He tells us about getting a phone call whilst working away, to tell him that his third baby no longer had a heartbeat. How he had to make the 4 hour journey home but the news hadn't yet hit him. Kane asks how do you support your wife in that situation and tells us how the emotions of the next few days were horrendous. Kane tells us how he carried his son into his cremation and how he felt that was the right thing to do as a Dad. It also gave him some closure. He also tells us about having to go urn shopping- something you don't ever expect to have to do. Kane tells us how the past year has been his family's most challenging but it's unlocked a new level of love between him and his wife. Another honest conversation about parenting!

In this episode I am joined by Emma from the Instagram page Pounds and Piggybanks as we chat about how to talk to our children about money. Emma noticed that no-one is teaching our children about money- the curriculum teaches the bear minimum- and is aiming to bridge that gap. She notes that children can form money habits as early as age 7 so it's a good idea to start conversations early- although all is not lost if you haven't yet done that.Emma tells us that a big part of the conversation and a good place to start is understanding our children's knowledge when it comes to money. Ask them; what is money? Why do we have it? What to do with it? And quite possibly an interesting question, what do adults spend their money on?! We also talk about money mindset and why it's important to talk positively about money, and the psychology behind a negative money mindset. Which made me think about the things I say and that I need to reframe some of them and flip the narrative. Emma talks about finding fun ways as a parent to bring the concept of money to life and why age appropriate conversations about money are important to have, as can be having a family plan. To do these it doesn't matter how much or how little money you have. I love the idea of getting older children involved in researching something like a family day out or searching for something that's the most cost effective. All too often we take the responsibility, how many conversations can we open up and skills can we encourage by inviting them in! Emma's page is FULL of fantastic information, you can find her here: Emma Webb | Financial Literacy for Families (@poundsandpiggybanks) • Instagram photos and videosThis link has different approved resources and gives an age range suitability: https://www.fincap.org.uk/en/articles/find-financial-education-near-you Statistics show that 25% of working families had less than £100 in savings, and 50% of working age adults didn’t feel confident in managing money. 75% of pupils in school wanted to learn more about money (rising to 85% of 16-18 year olds) and research suggests 3.5m children in the UK aren’t receiving a satisfactory financial education.

In this episode I am joined by Gemma, Mum of 3. Gemma was requested by one of our listeners and I know that lots of you will really enjoy listening to this episode!Gemma talks about how she thinks parenting can't be boxed and how after it being uniformed for so long, we're unboxing it. There are no rules to parenting. As always the judgement question brings up a good conversation and Gemma tells us how she needs no help from other to feel judgement as she judges herself enough. But we also discuss how judgemental comments are never really meant for us, they're more about the person saying them than the person they're about. We talk lots about mental health and support in parenting and how Gemma worries about the parents that don't have a friend or that safe place that they can turn to. I found this quote that Gemma said very poignant when talking about declining professional help; 'I just need a really good friend'. We talk about loneliness and feeling isolated and how it can be hard to pull yourself out of that feeling. Gemma tells us a couple of her parenting stories. She talks about how she has had to learn to laugh at herself and how if you don't, you can get caught in such a negative cycle. Gemma talks about how finding out she was unexpectedly pregnant with her third child was a curveball with her worry being 'how am I going to do this?' We discuss how it's okay to take time to process things and how it's okay to feel your feelings. Gemma tells us (tongue in cheek) how parenting doesn't always show her greatest moments but also how having more than one child made her a better parent. I think the most poignant part of our conversation in this episode however was when Gemma talked about when she was a stay at home Mum and she felt that was ALL she had. She lost herself to motherhood and when she realised she had to ask herself some important questions like 'Am I lost to Motherhood or am I being a martyr?' and 'am I completely lost or am I willing to pull myself out?' And what would she change for us all? ... That every parent has someone to reach out to. Gemma says 'Meeting people where they're struggling is the greatest gift.' Another honest conversation about parenting!