Voices Unlocked Ep. 7 | Navigating Life as a Parent with an Ex-Partner in Prison

Email us at [email protected] episode seven of Voices Unlocked, hosts Lorna and Liv welcome their first guest, Lindsay, a parent whose children have been involved with Time Matters for four years since their dad was imprisoned. Lindsay shares how she found out through friends rather than any official contact, her initial anger, and the difficulty of answering the children’s questions without information. She explains deciding to be honest after seeing how lying can cause resentment, and describes how an initial lie about the army upset her son. The conversation highlights gaps in communication from prisons and probation, the impact of media exposure on children, and the “hidden sentence” families feel. Lindsay credits Time Matters and additional school and counselling support with helping her children thrive, discusses her son’s ADHD and need for positive outlets, and notes that home leave and release transitions can be especially challenging. The episode ends with gratitude and encouragement to seek support without shame.00:00 Disclaimer00:34 Welcome and Guest Intro01:27 Four Years In02:16 Finding Out He Was Arrested05:59 Telling the Kids09:36 No Official Support13:47 Media and Online Exposure16:29 Hidden Sentence Impact17:32 Discovering Time Matters21:07 Why Time Matters Helps23:49 Trauma ADHD and Dopamine25:25 Positive snowball effect26:49 Park encounter wins29:00 Boys being vulnerable31:13 Family for life32:38 Home leave struggles35:13 Release rollercoaster37:25 Advice and ditch shame40:34 Kids speaking openly44:42 Gratitude and wrap-up