Newborn to Teen and Everything in Between

In this episode, we’re talking all about hayfever in children - how it can affect them, how tricky it can be to spot, and how to help manage hayfever symptoms during pollen season. We explore just how unpleasant hayfever can be for little ones, from feeling generally unwell and tired to dealing with a wide range of symptoms. Because younger children can’t always explain how they’re feeling, it can be difficult to know whether it’s just a cold or hayfever. We talk through the common hayfever symptoms in children, including sneezing (very common for Becks!), runny nose, coughing, itchy, watery or red eyes, headaches, earaches, tiredness, and that itchy or scratchy throat that may be described by little ones as a sore throat. We also discuss how hayfever symptoms can vary day to day, and how different types of pollen affect children at different times of year - tree pollen in spring, grass pollen in summer (often worse during harvest time), and weed pollen in autumn. Antihistamines can help relieve hayfever symptoms, but we touch on how they may still cause drowsiness in some children - something to be mindful of, especially when they may already be feeling run down. If your child has more severe hayfever, we highlight the importance of speaking to a GP or pharmacist for advice and support. Claire also shares some simple, practical tips for managing hayfever in children and helping them feel more comfortable during high pollen days. With hayfever season approaching, we hope this episode gives you helpful, realistic ways to support your child through it. Instagram @bespokefamily Facebook @bespokefamily Our Hayfever blog – My child has hayfever, what can I do to help? For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative

Trigger warning: In this episode we talk about birth trauma and Hannah’s personal experience of this. If you don’t feel ready to listen right now, please take care of yourself and come back when the time feels right 💛 In this episode, we’re joined by Hannah, who we first met when she was a student at Norland College. Hannah shares her experience of the traumatic birth of her daughter, and why she feels so strongly about raising awareness and supporting other parents who may be going through something similar. We talk about the importance of having someone to advocate for you during pregnancy and birth, and what can happen when that support isn’t there. Hannah reflects on her experience in hospital, the moments and interactions that have stayed with her, and how it felt to meet her daughter for the first time in NICU. She also shares the ongoing impact once they returned home, from feeling overlooked and unsupported, to navigating continued concerns and ‘red flags’ in her baby’s care. We also explore how birth trauma doesn’t always end when you leave the hospital. Hannah opens up about the time it took to for her to realise she needed to seek support, finally doing so through her GP, the emotional toll it had on her relationships, and the difficult decision-making process when considering having another baby, including the support she received from a birth trauma therapist. This conversation highlights how important it is that parents feel heard, supported and cared for and raises important questions about how maternity services can better support families. Hannah also shares her thoughts on the need for greater awareness of birth trauma and why she is supporting calls for maternity reform. Hannah talked to us about a petition currently circulating around maternity reform. This is being debated on 20 April 2026 and, if you are listening before the deadline of 7 July 2026, she (and we) would urge you to sign it. Sign the petition here Instagram @bespokefamily Facebook @bespokefamily Our podcast episode (September 2025) with Trudi Webber from Make Birth Better, was all about what birth trauma is, how it can happen along with tips for looking after yourself emotionally when preparing for, during and after birth – you can listen to this episode here For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative

Claire wasn’t a really sicky child (Becks was!) but she has a phobia of sick so this was a great topic for her!! We talked about: Sickness bugs (aren’t they a gift..!) and some tips to help. Getting sick off a carpet – use shaving foam! Sick phobias and parenting – it's a real thing. Dehydration – the signs to look for. How children should be 48 hours clear before going back to nursery or school and why (and no swimming for 2 weeks). They will probably tell nursery anyway!! Foods to help with recuperation. Triggers for sickness and how they can continue (think of that drink that made you sick 😉) How sickness bugs creep up on you with no warning – you just have to go with it (but make sure you are ready with a sick bowl, kitchen roll and marigolds!)! Always remember to seek medical advice (GP, Pharmacist or 111) if you are worried. Instagram @bespokefamily Facebook @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative

A topic that we are contacted about quite regularly – we absolutely expect broken sleep in the first months, and then sleep is really good (whatever that means to us) then it starts to change and feels like it’s all gone wrong... Don’t panic! - we talk about all the things that could be impacting this and the possible reasons why sleep has changed. How illness can impact on children’s sleep and how to get back to a routine that suits you with the least amount of upset. Feeling scared and how this can affect sleep (we have some blogs on how to help with this). Situations when little ones are disturbed because they are practicing things like crawling, rolling, babbling etc. How routines (daytime and bedtime) can affect sleep. Sleep associations – whatever children go to sleep with they will look for it to help settle them back off in the night when they wake up. Treating it like a puzzle and the importance of taking notes so you can see any patterns. How nothing is unfixable and everything is sortable (and we are here to help with a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation if you need it!)! Our sleep blogs - https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/blog/category/Sleep Instagram @bespokefamily Facebook @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative

When / why do children become more fussy? We spoke about the neophobic stage (which goes right back to when we were cave people!) as well as other reasons why babies and children might be choosy about food. What happens when panic sets in and our children refuse to eat? Some tips to help children with learning about what they like and portion control. Offering alternatives? Watching our children eat “please just try it!!!”and how it feels for them. How the neophobic stage is also the ‘terrible twos’ stage. ‘Tricking’ / bribing children to get them to eat. Did Claire’s dad buy cabbage for tea! Of course he did 😉! How important it is for children to be sitting in a position where their back and feet are supported to eat comfortably and well. Sweet and savoury – puddings, how we are conditioned from childhood, building good food habits. Our food and weaning blogs - https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/blog/category/Food+and+weaning Instagram @bespokefamily Facebook @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative

We started the conversation by acknowledging that some adults don’t necessarily show much affection even though they are very caring people and children are the same. We spoke about: How there is nothing better than a lovely cuddle from a child and it can feel difficult when a child doesn’t necessarily want this from us.  The other ways that children show affection to us. The importance of never expecting children to give hugs or show physical affection 5 Love Languages – how physical touch isn’t always the most important to fulfil children’s affection.  Quality time and the importance of this to children.  Being the ‘preferred parent’ Our blog - Why doesn't my child show much affection?Instagram @bespokefamily  Facebook @bespokefamilyFor information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here  ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

There are swear words in this episode so please make sure that little ears aren’t listening 🙉 ...! This episode is all about when your child, all of a sudden, says a swear word (or something they think is a swear word!) and what you can do about it. We spoke about: How sometimes in families where there is so much swearing that the children don’t actually swear! Overuse of swear words and how much more it is heard on a day to day basis now (including in songs on the radio and as graffiti!! - Claire has a funny story about this 😬). When children take you by surprise with a swear word! When children copy us 🫣!! How children love making people laugh and how it can be confusing when we then change our reaction from laughing to saying "no don’t say that!". Ways we can react instead. What to say when children ask what a swear word means 😳. Some of Claire’s funny experiences of children swearing in nursery! When children get older and use swear words. Instagram @bespokefamily  Read our blog on this topic here – How to handle children using swear words! For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here  ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

This episode is all about looking after children when they are feeling under the weather and the bugs that they bring home from nursery and school (how is it that we sometimes feel so much worse than they do?!). We talked about lots of things you can do to help little ones feel better and more comfortable as well as: The time of year that children tend to get more bugs (or whether that’s really a thing). The chickenpox vaccine and what this means for babies, children and families. Hygiene – washing hands, hand sanitiser, keeping toys clean etc. Temperatures – what is a high temperature and how do you get it down?  When you shouldn’t give Ibuprofen. The medicine box / cupboard and what should be in it. Keeping hydrated. When a baby has a temperature or isn’t well. The importance of not randomly Googling! How you should always refer to the NHS or call 111 for answers / guidance. First Aid training and how helpful this can be. Tips for when children are coughing (including some old wives tales!) and the nasal aspirator (snot sucker!). Changing habits and routines and how to re-introduce them when the child is feeling better.  NHS Apps: Handi App The HANDi app offers simple and straightforward advice, for the following conditions in children:diarrhoea and vomitinghigh temperature‘chesty baby’ illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, asthma and croup‘chesty child’ illnesses, such as wheezing and asthmacommon newborn problemstummy painhead injuries.The Healthier Together AppSimilar to HANDi, it uses a symptom checker to guide parents on whether to treat at home, seek GP advice, or attend emergency services. Instagram @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here  ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Steph told us all about Mudpies and Sprinkles and how it began. It’s an outdoor play space for children (and Becks waxed lyrical about it!) - Steph’s love for watching children enjoying different elements of play really shone through.  Steph hasn’t got any formal training and learnt what worked along the way and through her own children.  We talked about: Things you can do when you are outside (even just being at the park) All of the different areas in Mudpies and Sprinkles and why there are there (eg an old phone, a sewing machine etc!)  Sparking curiosity in children and the importance of making things inviting for children to want to engage and play with Steph’s favourite areas at Mudpies and Sprinkles (and why!) Children with additional needs and how this kind of outdoor play area can help to support them How when we were younger that being outside and making mud pies was what we did! How there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes! The importance of letting children make their own play and keeping it open ended Following your child’s lead and not worrying about ‘doing it right’! Instagram @bespokefamily / @Mudpies_and_sprinkles Mudpies and Sprinkles website For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here  ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Becks’s children both cried when they were dropped off at nursery so she knows exactly how this feels and Claire has lots and lots of experiences of children crying at drop off as a nursery manager.  We talked about: How there are always going to be children who don’t like the separation moment; as Claire explains 9 times out of 10 they will be OK when you have left (but they might also cry when you pick them up).  Separation anxiety – how this can coincide with the age that children start to go to nursery. Days and times of the week they are left – how these can be difficult for children to understand (especially Mondays!) Other reasons children might be unsettled on drop off and how change can have a huge impact on how settled children are.  How it’s important to trust the childcare professional and what they say about how your children are. Letting your children know it’s OK to feel sad and knowing that you are building resilience. Some ideas for things you can do to help make the separation a little easier.  How it is important to always say goodbye and not sneak off (but don’t drag it out!). If your child is upset all day, then this is a different thing and how you should always talk to someone at the nursery in more detail about it. Blog – My child always cries when I drop them at nursery For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here  ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  Facebook @bespokefamily  Instagram @bespokefamily This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Unfortunately, Claire’s wifi wasn’t playing ball again in this episode, but Becks had a great chat with Catherine and this is what we talked about! Where the idea for Hygge sheets came from. Different ways night time dryness / potty training / wetting etc. are referred to.  How Hygge sheets work. How you can tell when a child is ready to be dry at night. What Catherine suggests you do when your little one is upset when they have had an accident. The dream wee – yes or no? Talking through what happens and what to do when your children wake up in the night to go for a wee (night lights etc). When children are older and wetting the bed. Reward charts – why aren’t they helpful? What Catherine wishes all parents knew about bed wetting. Facebook @bespokefamily / @hygge_supplies Instagram @bespokefamily / @hygge.sheets Hygge Sheets website ERIC website Blog –When should my child be dry at night? Podcast – Nighttime Dryness For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here  ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

In this our 100th episode! We talked about: The importance of the transition from nursery / school to home but also for us going from work to home (especially if you are working from home!). How you can’t always be your ‘true self’, how things build up and how we have to hold it together when you aren’t at home and it comes out when you get home.  Some ideas for what you can do to decompress before getting home.  Connection before redirection – a few tweaks to the routine or some pre preparation can make a difference to coming home time. Not necessarily asking lots of questions when children come out of school or nursery. There may be particular triggers and worries that prompt behaviour and these are things that you might need to look into and support them further. How you sometimes just need to allow your children let it out when they get home.  Keeping our calm.  Facebook @bespokefamily Instagram @bespokefamily  Blog – 10 ways to help tricky behaviour after school / How to help your child prepare for starting school / How do I keep calm when my little one is having a meltdown? Podcast – Starting school / Preparing children for nursery  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here  ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

We know that for many families, birth doesn’t always go the way you hoped or imagined, and it can leave a lasting impact. In this episode, we spoke with Trudi about what birth trauma really means, why antenatal education is so important, and how parents can prepare for and recover from challenging experiences.  Unfortunately in this episode Claire’s internet gave up the ghost and so Becks had to go it alone (Claire never usually let’s that happen!) - we hope that this doesn’t spoil your enjoyment of the episode in any way 😊. Trudi began by telling us all about herself and her background (she used to be a chartered accountant!) and why she came to be involved in Make Birth Better. What birth trauma is, how common it is and what stages it can happen at. Links with depression and PTSD etc. Signs that might indicate birth trauma (eg avoidance of certain settings, appointments etc) along with statistics around birth trauma and PTSD. Becks talked about her own birth experience (19 years ago!) and how a debrief of the experience she and her husband had would have been really welcome and helpful.  The importance of keeping lines of communication open.  Antenatal education and preparation. How a birth partner can support before and during birth, but that birth can have an impact on them as well. ‘Birth trauma is in the eye of a beholder’ – Cheryl Beck – how every experience is valid and any birth can be traumatic. The process for post birth ‘de-briefs’. What Trudi would say to expectant parents who are anxious about giving birth.  Compassionate care and support – at the heart of our maternity services. Tips for looking after yourself emotionally preparing for, during and after giving birth.  Facebook @bespokefamily / https://www.facebook.com/birthbetter Instagram @bespokefamily  / https://www.instagram.com/birthbetter Make Birth Better website - https://www.makebirthbetter.org/ You may also be interested in our Hypnobirthing episode – listen here For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here  ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including preparing for and welcoming your newborn, behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Not liking their new sibling isn’t necessarily a personal thing against the baby but this is a huge change and impact on a little one’s life. This episode is all about why this is and what you can do to help. We spoke about: How a 2 or 3 year old is going to find the arrival of a new little baby coming a very difficult concept to grasp and it's also going to be a big adjustment for the parents! The range of emotions that come with having a new baby. The importance of not forcing the relationship between the new siblings and why. Connection, consistency and keeping boundaries.  Considering if the resistance might be because of any big changes for your little one before baby was born. Thinking about what's happening from your little one’s perspective and working from that. The life lessons that the children are learning from being a sibling. Our blog from this episide – https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/blog/why-doesnt-my-toddler-like-their-new-sibling Facebook @bespokefamily  Instagram @bespokefamily   For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Clare’s background has always been in early years - she is founder of Atelier nurseries which started in Bath and is now also in Chippenham in Wiltshire Lots of parents worry about starting their children at nursery and we knew that Clare was the ideal person to talk to us about it all – we covered so much, from choosing the right nursery, to settling in, drop off and what families can do to help little ones to prepare.  We spoke about: What parents typically worry about when taking children to nursery for the first time. How it is completely normal to feel worried and anxious. Routines and consistency and how this will be carried over from home life to nursery. The impact that nursery practitioners can have on families’ lives (and how that can last way beyond nursery!). Relationships that are built with and between children and families. Preparing children for nursery (both you and your little one(s)). What to look for when choosing a nursery. Settling in sessions and what these can look like. No guilt about going back to work and making it work for you and your family – finding the right nursery provider for you. Crying at nursery drop off – working with families and the nursery to see what’s happening. Pausing, reflecting, communicating and having a plan.  What you can do to help preparing children for starting nursery at home.  Clare’s tips to help prepare children for nursery  Our blogs – Choosing childcare that is right for you and your child / My child always cries when I drop them at nursery Atelier Nursery website: https://www.ateliernursery.co.uk/ Facebook @bespokefamily @AtelierNursery Instagram @bespokefamily  @ateliernurseryltd For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

When most of the time, the children you are potty training are toddlers, no wonder there are power struggles – and we are always asked about what to do when this happens! We spoke about: The most common potty training power struggles. Starting by trying to work out where the struggle is coming from – could it be a feeling of being out of control? Positive reinforcement and connection when they do something on the potty or toilet (more than when they don’t do it!)   Rewards (or not?) The importance of consistency of approach. Our other potty training blogs and podcast episodes! Whether it’s a good idea to stop and start again straight away or if it’s better to leave it for a bit before starting again. The importance of not nagging children so they can think for themselves and don’t become oblivious to what you are saying when you ask them if they need to go for a wee.  How to exercise the bladder – “stretch, hold, release!” Why it’s important not to not to leave your child on the potty or toilet for too long. Precautionary wees and why these aren’t necessarily a good idea! Teaching children skills for life. Our blogs – When potty training is a power struggle / Potty Training Regression – Is it normal? / Why won’t my child do a poo on the toilet or potty? Facebook @bespokefamily  Instagram @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative  

SWEDA is a charity which supports people in the South and West of England who are affected by an eating disorder – the individual, friends, family member – anyone who is affected by food, eating or body image.  We spoke about: Hannah’s background, how SWEDA was set up and the work that it does.  How SWEDA can support neurodivergent children and young people and the links between autism and eating disorders in particular. What eating disorders can do to people’s physical and mental / social state of being. Signs that might indicate your child has an eating disorder and how it can feel like having a constant bully in the room with you.  How SWEDA can support children and young people with sensory issues and anxiety around eating and food.  What to do if parents are worried their child might have an eating disorder and how SWEDA can support children, young people and families.  How to approach things when you are worried about an eating disorder, what to say in these circumstances and how best to support your child (and you). How to explain eating disorders to people who might not understand that it is an illness and what your child is going through.  How to approach things when children and young children are picky eaters – keeping mealtimes as stress free as possible and finding things that work for your child. How eating disorders affect different genders. What Hannah would say to parents who are worried about their child. SWEDA’s website - https://swedauk.org/ Facebook @bespokefamily / SWEDA Instagram @bespokefamily / sweda_uk_org For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative  

A continuation of our chat about weaning...the food aspect! We spoke about: Having a book for weaning. Trying not to worry about it and to try and enjoy it. Baby’s facial expressions (and our reactions to these!). How to regulate the feeding and make it a social situation even from the very first taste. Keeping it positive - we are teaching babies skills for life. Not tricking children into eating food! ‘Eating up’! The kinds of foods your babies can eat. Pouches – an element of caution… Sugar and grazing! Using meal times for connection. Our blog – Weaning fun...don't let it be stressful! BBC investigation into pouches  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62j0l0gg4go Charlotte Stirling Reed - https://www.srnutrition.co.uk/ Weaning books Facebook @bespokefamily  Instagram @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Georgie is a Norland nanny and Claire was her tutor at college! Georgie has 15 years of childcare experience and is now a mum to two little ones. Georgie has a boy and a girl. She now runs hypnobirthing classes for parents to be. We spoke about: What hypnobirthing is. How Georgie came to train in hypnobirthing. Having a baby in lockdown. How your mind is the biggest inhibitor when it comes to birth and how hypnobirthing helps to still this. The fear, tension, pain cycle. Birth stories, how they can impact and how hypnobirthing can help. The importance of birth partners when learning breathing techniques. How pain relief features with hypnobirthing. Georgie’s own experience of hypnobirthing when she had her babies. Birth plans and the importance of an open mind around the experience. When the hypnobirthing process startsand it works? Using the breathing techniques beyond birth. Rosebud Hypnobirthing - https://www.rosebudhypnobirthing.com/ Facebook @bespokefamily / Rosebud Hypnobirthing Instagram @bespokefamily / @rosebud_hypnobirthing For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Do they ever listen?! From toddlers to teens - this episode covers it all! We spoke about: What we mean by truly listening. How it makes us feel when we aren’t listened to. Why it is that children might not listen? The concept of time for toddlers (and for teens!) - it just isn’t something they are aware of and how it needs to be learnt / re-learnt. How all children CAN suddenly listen (usually when you don’t want them to!)! Evolving parenting and how your approach changes along with your communication style as your children grow and mature.  Top tips if you are always feeling frustrated that your children aren’t listening to you. How children mirror us. How to handle situations when your child says no! Our blog – How do I get my child to listen to me? Facebook @bespokefamily  Instagram @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars includingbehaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Trigger warning – in today’s episode we discuss suicide, mental health struggles, cancer and depression with Grace.  You might not feel up to listening to this episode right now – if not, please take care and come back when you feel ready.  Grace is a therapist and best-selling author of children’s books, which are all based on Grace's therapy sheep who inspire her and those she helps. Grace’s aim is to spread messages of hope and positivity to children (aged 5-10) through her books; she wants to help them navigate complex emotions and help them to understand themselves better, all while giving parents a way of talking to their children about their feelings. Grace is an animal lover and has been featured on Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet. We spoke with Grace about: Her background and the work she does with her horses and sheep (TV stars of The Yorkshire vet!). The stories behind her books about her magical sheep - Merlin, Galahad and Berel. Her animals, their personalities (favourite biscuits!) and their healing power. The therapy work that Grace does with adults and children and how it happened. How horses cured Grace’s post-natal depression. How Grace wants to help children and teenagers through mental health struggles and how she herself had struggled from a very young age.  The instant gratification and constant dopamine hits provided by it and how easily accessible information is. How children and adults are helped with regulation and a sense of calm by animals and being outside.  How Grace works with the Yorkshire vet (and sheep agility!!) Grace’s website - https://www.graceolsonauthor.com/ Instagram @bespokefamily / @grace_olson_author Facebook @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative  

The holidays are approaching, and we are talking about jet lag and motion sickness! We spoke about: The challenges of travelling with children. Jet lag / time differences – what jet lag is and how to prepare for it. Flight times / length – what's best? Routines when travelling. What to take that will help. Travel sickness and why we get it. Vehicle motion cues on the iphone / ipad! Check out our reel to set this up for your journey. Signs of motions sickness in children. Triggers for motions sickness – smells etc. Tips for how to help prevent motion sickness. Things to take with you when travelling! Getting rid of the smell (baking soda and white vinegar are life savers!). Our jet lag blog – How do I help my baby / child with jet lag? Our motion sickness blog – Travel or motion sickness Facebook @bespokefamily  Instagram @bespokefamilyFor information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Louisa, our lovely listener, got in touch to ask us to record a podcast on how best to support children and young people who are preparing for exams and so here it is! We spoke with Will Petty from Bonas MacFarlane Education all about this. Will is so easy to listen to and had some fabulous stories and tips to help our young people manage exam stress.Will has been with Bonas MacFarlane since 2009, advising countless families from around the world on gaining places at leading UK independent schools. His expertise has been sought after by prestigious firms including UBS, Coutts, and Sotheby’s. Will originally started as a tutor himself so has seen exam stress first hand with students and we felt very lucky that he agreed to share his extensive knowledge with us!We talked with Will about:Not adding to the pressure your children are already feeling!Not going on holiday in the Easter holidays...(too late if you are there, but one for next year’s students!).Making sure there are time off days (especially if you have a really studious child) and how to plan this and the dreaded revision timetable.Not trying to be teacher and parent (be a parent as much as possible) and the benefits of a private tutor if budget permits.Focussing as a parent on your child/ren’s wellbeing and not putting your own emotions and pressures on to them – being the safe space they need.The importance of the last parent’s evening before the exams (and trying to make sure your child is as well).How having treats is really important to ‘take the lid off the pressure cooker’.Options for additional support.Ignoring the little Timmys..!!Wills top 3 tips for parenting during the exam periods.All about Bonas Macfarlane and how they support students and families with tuition and more.Bonas MacFarlane’s website: https://bonasmacfarlane.co.uk/en/Instagram @bespokefamily / @bonasmacfarlane_Facebook @bespokefamilyFor information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations   ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative

Our lovely listener Jacqueline messaged us with the topic of only children as a podcast idea and here we are! We talked about: One and done – why more families are choosing to have just one child or more than one child. Only child stats from Canada - https://www.bbc.co.uk/worklife/article/20230110-only-child-or-siblings-one-and-done Becks and Rich initially just wanting one child (and ending up with twins!). Other reasons families might make the decision to only have 1 child. Claire – the reason everyone should only have 1 child 😉  An article about only children on BBC science - https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/only-children  Our thoughts on whether only children are spoilt? Reasons people might think parents should have more than 1 child. Jacqueline – next time someone asks you if you are going to have another child – get them to listen to our podcast! Get in touch if you have a topic you’d like us to talk about! Instagram @bespokefamily  Facebook @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative  

We talked about: Davina’s background and how she came to write her book (details below) Davina’s own interest in allergies and her award-winning baking background! Whether we are seeing an increase in allergies in both adults and children and why this is. Parental anxieties around allergies and how to help with this. How it's important that children learn to advocate for themselves. How knowledge is key to help with parental anxiety around allergies and also to educate your child about their allergies. Allergy awareness when out and about and how trust in the restaurants etc is very important.   Bullying and allergies and some things to do in order to help keep your child safe. The importance of support groups online. Have you ever seen a bee with hives? A book about allergies for everyone from age 8 to 80! Davina’s recommendation – Dr Helen Allergy Instagram @bespokefamily  Facebook @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative  

We talked about: Whether we remember having any nightmares or night terrors (Becks had quite the pre-sleep routine!) Claire’s dreams (poor James!!) The differences between nightmare and night terrors and what happens Why someone might have a night terror and why you shouldn’t wake them up Nightmares (what these look like and when they happen) and vivid dreams (Claire’s dad calling the cows in for example!!) When you would get night terrors checked by the GP Things you can do to help prevent nightmares / night terrors How nightmares can be caused by trauma When to talk with your children about worries Our Amazon store (for books and worry / sleep things!) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/bespokefamily Our blog – Is my child having a nightmare or a night terror?  I’m scared – another episode you might enjoy / find useful! Instagram @bespokefamily  Facebook @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

**In this episode we discuss suicide and depression - if these are tricky subjects for you then please do look after yourself and maybe skip today's episode or listen when you feel ready.** This episode with Laura is very emotional and insightful one, with moments of humour - we hope you enjoy it. We spoke with Laura about:Her situation now as a single mum with 2 children, sharing their care with her ex-husband. What happened when Laura became pregnant with Arthur, the birth (by c-section) and coming home. The moment she decided she didn’t want to leave the house and a few days later when she decided the solution would be to end her life.How her feelings were towards Arthur and when she told her friend how she felt.  The series of thoughts that went through her head and how she would live hour by hour. How she felt like a fraud when the doctor told her she needed help (and ongoing!). The round the clock care she received before being supported by the peri-natal mental health team, suicidal thoughts and then how she agreed to be admitted to a mother and baby unit. Laura’s experience of being in the unit (she was there for 3 months). The different types of postnatal depression and how dads can have post-natal depression too. Why Laura wrote the book and what post-natal depression looks like. The ongoing support Laura received. Getting pregnant the second time, what that meant and how it felt when she had Willow. Routine and how it can help. How important a support system is. You can buy Laura’s book on Amazon here (and in all good bookshops) -   Places to get support -  Association for Post-Natal Illness / PANDAS FOUNDATION UKInstagram @cantylaura @bespokefamily  Facebook @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

This episode is for parents and carers who are thinking about starting weaning. We talked about: When you should start weaning and the guidelines for this. What weaning is. The signs to look for to know if your baby is ready to start weaning. The fact that sleep changes and that this is more likely to be a 4 month sleep regression than that they are hungry and need to be weaned. What to start children on (baby rice is not necessarily the right answer!) and the different methods that can be followed to start weaning. Choking and the associated worries. The difference between gagging and choking (do a parent first aid course)- we have a podcast episode on this – First Aid Emergencies with Sian Stephanie The best sitting position for babies when weaning and beyond. The importance of role modelling. Things you need to buy or think about before starting weaning. The faces babies make!! Allergies and what to be aware of. Pouches, homemade food (and porridge!).  What if you hate certain foods?? (spoiler alert – you need to put a brave face on!!) What shouldn’t you feed children under 12 months old? Following social media accounts (shout out to Charlotte @SRNurition !)  Instagram @bespokefamily  Facebook @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative  

We started by speaking to Louise all about her background including extensive experience in E-Commerce and the moment GoHenry came to be (she blames her kids who clicked rather alot on iPod downloads!)!  We also talked about: GoHenry’s founding aim to increase confidence to use and understand money in what was an increasingly cashless environment. What GoHenry is and how it works. How GoHenry helps with financial education with their ‘money missions’ on the App Where the name GoHenry came from (such a lovely story!). How to help children learn about the concepts of money from a young age.  Claire and Becks’s own attitudes to money and how it’s spoken about in our households. How GoHenry is working hard to get financial education introduced as part of the national curriculum to EVERY child. Question from our listener, Jason - should children be educated about the stock market and investing from a young age? Louise’s biggest regret is that noone spoke to her about it! The effects of a cashless society and how to help children understand worth. How GoHenry can help with this. How Louise’s children are with money now! Instagram @bespokefamily / GoHenry Facebook @bespokefamily / GoHenry GoHenry website – https://www.gohenry.com/uk/ For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

We chatted about: What spending quality time with your children means (Becks googled it!)  The fact that it doesn’t need to be endless amounts of time and that quality not quantity is what counts. How quality time is different for everyone, but that in the main though it is 1:1 interaction and communication, no phones or devices, just being focussed on each other. How quality time doesn't have to be something specific like a board game, it can be just doing something with your children and chatting with them as you do it. You don’t even have to be creative! How mirroring your child’s play can help if you aren’t sure how to spend the time with your child.  Love Languages! Is quality time yours? The guilt that can be felt when you don’t feel you are spending enough quality time with your child and some achievable things you can try. Don’t force it! Reading books together – why this is so important (and how it helps you to spend quality time with your children as well). Keeping it simple and taking the pressure off – if you think about it,  you are probably doing it anyway!  Instagram @bespokefamily  Facebook @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Elizabeth joined us from San Francisco – she is founder of Stereotype Kids which was set up because her Boy / Girl twins didn’t want to be restricted to wearing their own clothes and wanted to wear each others. We chatted about: Why Elizabeth feels it’s important to challenge traditional views on boys and girls clothing and to allow the children to dress for joy rather than what they ‘should’ be wearing’. Friends and family reactions to the children wearing clothes that they didn’t think they should be. ‘Dressing is expressing’ - how this is where Elizabeth wants her children to be and feel comfortable in what they wear with no limits. Dressing children (not just twins etc) in the same clothes and how Elizabeth feels about that. Individuality and the importance of allowing children to express their personality / style etc. Stereotype – which is a gender inclusive clothing line. “You were born to stand out” is their tagline. Matching outfits as a family.  Responding and reflecting if your child wants to wear something you don’t want them to and allowing them to do this freely. What if other children or adults (or you) have an adverse reaction to what your children are wearing. School uniforms and the responsibility schools have to ensure gender equality in what the children can wear. Slogans on tops and colours for children of both genders. Stereotypekids.com (clothing will be available in the UK next year 2025) Instagram @bespokefamily / @stereotypekidsofficial Facebook @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Safia told us all about her company The Mum Hub which she founded in Lockdown, her family and what else she has done and is doing in her career. We also discussed: Time management for parents and the common things parents experience for example feeling they are having to be in too many places at once! Having a to do list / a priority list and putting things on paper. E.g. what are the top 3 things that I have to focus on?  Planning and not feeling like you have to ‘do it all’.  Lowering expectations of yourself. Walking pads! Some techniques / tools to help manage time as well as setting boundaries - how available you make yourself / the ways you can be contacted. How often it isn’t as bad as you thought it might be – having some perspective.  Teaching our children about how to manage their time and the myriad of notifications that are thrown at them on a daily basis.  Things we can do to help organise (and how it’s important to be able to trust others with tasks and preparation to help spread the load!). Carving out time for yourself – how important it is, but how it can also lead to guilt. Safia’s tips for how to cope when you are feeling overwhelmed. The Mum Hub website Instagram @bespokefamily / @the_mumhub Facebook @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

In the week leading of Halloween you might find that your little ones are feeling more scared than usual. But regardless of this, children can be scared of lots of things and this is the subject of this episode!We chatted about:Halloween and how we never really ‘did’ Halloween when we were little and how much it has ramped up in recent years. What we were scared of when we were little (well mainly Becks!). How every child is individual in terms of what they are / aren’t scared of – some children will LOVE being scared by example.  How to respond / react to a little one who is scared of something, the kind of things children can be scared of and why it might be. Being scared of dying. How feeling fear is a natural emotion and how we need it. How to help children regulate when they are feeling scared.  Some techniques to help children when they feel scared.  Halloween and being scared!  Related blogs:  “I’m scared!” – 10 tips to help your toddler or pre-schooler with their fears My child is afraid of the dark Instagram @bespokefamily  Facebook @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Molly is founder of The Body Happy Organisation and author of ‘Every Body’ and ‘Body Happy Kids’  We spoke to Molly about: Her background as a journalist and why she decided to focus on researching and promoting Body Confidence for children (and adults). Diet culture around children and becoming aware of all the things they are watching and absorbing all the time. Teaching children to value, respect and give dignity to everyone regardless of what they look like. Body diversity, discrimination and poor body image. Weight stigma and weight bias and how this can affect people throughout their lives, for example how well children do in school, in their career and future lives. Molly’s books – ‘Every Body’ for children aged 9+ - and how body image is ‘a we issue not a me issue’ and ‘Body Happy Kids’ written for parents to help children and teens love the skin they are in - raising children with a positive body image. Being at peace with your body and all the things that feed into this – body appreciation. How parents can approach conversations with children when they are being negative about their bodies or when someone has made a comment about their body.  How listening and encouraging children to talk to us is one of the most important things we can teach them.  Instagram @bespokefamily / @MollyJForbes / @bodyhappyorg Facebook @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative  

We met Josephine at The International Women’s Podcast Awards when she was nominated for her podcast ‘Gloriously unready’ and we were nominated for ours 😉. Josephine was mum to 3 boys – quite the challenge (her words!). However, two of her children told her (completely independently and within a few months of each other) that they were transgender. One of Josephine’s daughters has now been on hormones for about 8 years (she is now, at the time of recording, 30) and the other daughter for about 3 years (she is now 26). Josephine now has 1 son and 2 daughters. Amongst alot of things, we spoke with Josephine about: How hard it was to accept – Josephine had to readjust all her thinking and deal with her own feelings of loss and fear – were her children they wrong, were they making a mistake? Josephine’s feelings when the children told her (you can listen to Josephine's youngest daughter’s side of the story at the start of the second series of Josephine’s podcast Gloriously unready). How there were no signs of the children questioning their gender in childhood, yet one of the girls said to Josephine that she had felt like it for the whole of her life.  How Josephine's middle child has felt about it all. Whether the religious side of Josephine's life made it harder for her especially with regards to acceptance of what had happened in her church. How while the explosion of social media and open discussion around sexuality and gender has opened up the conversation for teens, it can be difficult for parents to navigate how to handle this.  How important it is that people might not understand transgender but that having a respectful society is what we need. Puberty blockers, surgery and the recent Cass review. How meeting transgender people and having conversations with them about the process and hearing their stories has provided Josephine with support and understanding in this area.  Practical things that can be done to change your gender and how much easier it is to do these things in other countries. How Josephine's wider family reacted to the girls including how, since her 2 girls came out, and just a couple of years ago, Josephine’s brother also came out as transgender and is now her sister. What Josephine would say to parents whose children have just told them they are transgender. The real positives of being a transgender parent.  Another of our podcast episodes you might find interesting – Gender and Sexuality Josephine’s podcast page - Gloriously unready Instagram @bespokefamily / @TheJosephineHughes Facebook @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Are you a hugger? Becks is, Claire isn’t (she just doesn’t feel the need all the time!)!  We spoke about: Our own experiences with hugging and showing affection. How to approach situations with children and hugging – should it be an expectation that your child hugs people? If not, what should you do? Having conversations with people about the fact your child can say no they don’t want a hug and when to do it. Kissing little ones and reasons we don’t kiss newborn babies (or you could kiss their feet!). Teaching children life skills so they know the importance of saying no if something doesn't feel right – that their body is their body and it’s OK. How showing affection can be done in many different ways.  The pandemic and how we weren’t allowed to hug! 5 Love Languages and how helpful they are for all of us. The power of the Disney Hug. NSPCC and the PANTS rule. Blogs – Should I make my child hug people? You might also find this blog interesting – Why doesn’t my child show much affection? NSPCC PANTS rule Find your Love Language with this free quiz Instagram @bespokefamily  Facebook @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

This episode was so much fun!  Vern joined us from Carifit, the original baby wearing fitness programme. Cari stands for Cardio and resistance intervals and when he started the classes for new mums Vern used to wear the babies while the parents worked out - he had a light bulb moment that parents could wear their own babies to work out and it went from there! We talked about: How from small beginnings the Carifit classes grew and then the baby carrier was born. (Shout out to Hannah Lowry who was one of the first mums to join Vern at a class!) Groupology and the science and benefits of moving in sync. The benefits of mood, energy and mental health from doing exercise like Carifit – it can even improve postnatal depression symptoms. The marvels of the women’s body and how incredible it is! How the Carifit caters for parents from the moment they become pregnant and how attitudes to postnatal and ante natal exercise has changed / is changing. Shifts in attitudes to ‘getting back in shape’ after having a baby over the years Vern has been working in this area.   Benefits of Carifit eg no separation, no childcare required, no other people required. How Carifit works if you have multiple babies.  Carifit classes and the App. How great baby wearing is in general - ”A tool for freedom and movement – wear your baby and move!”.  Golden rules for babywearing and positioning of baby’s legs. Is babywearing ‘making a rod for your own back’ - spoiler alert – absolutely not, in fact research supports that babywearing will help keep your day successfully moving forward! Three things that Vern wishes he had been told before he had children. Babywearing benefits for baby’s brains! Shout out from Vern to Mamma Social and Blaze Trails – two highly recommended babywearing walking groups. Instagram @cari_fit Carifit website - https://www.getcarifit.com/ Instagram @bespokefamily  Facebook @bespokefamily For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

July going into August is a month of birthdays and celebrations for us – starting with our business birthday at the end of July, Becks’s dog Olive’s birthday on 1st August (!), then Becks and her twins (all on the same day!), Claire’s birthday exactly a week after and then Becks’s husband at the end of August! So, we thought that this was the ideal time to look at birthdays, presents, parties and everything that goes along with it! We spoke about: Why birthdays are Becks’s very favourite thing!  Baby’s first birthdays (they don’t know..!) Birthday parties – for all ages and how the most important thing is making it personal for everyone and celebrating as a family together.   Inviting the WHOLE class from school (and the associated presents!)! How parties can be quite overwhelming if the birthday girl / boy doesn’t like being the centre of attention. Present alternatives – perhaps give experiences instead (thanks @nannyanita – they are quite often better as a gift for older children). Parties – thanks to Mel @sleepNannymelaniehastings – who suggested picking a theme for the party to help keep focus on the party planning. Claire’s party project for nanny training (and her duck cake..!). Birthday cakes (and some of Becks’s creations for the twins’ birthdays!!). Birthday build up and managing expectations and emotions. Birthdays and multiple children – twins, triplets and more. Christmas and New Year birthdays. Party bags (no whistles please!). Ps – following up on something we said in this episode, Ben actually pulled it out of the bag and ended up giving Amy a beautiful Pandora charm for her birthday 😊!  Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)   This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Co-parenting mentor Sarah joined us from Australia for the podcast! She specialises in supporting (mainly) women and their children when relationships break down. We talked about: The importance of putting children first, but how difficult it is when your co-parent isn't on the same page as you in terms of their approach. How Sarah started working in the field having had her own traumatic personal experience and being a co-parent herself. How Sarah coaches parents to regain their confidence and ‘step into their power’. Sarah’s recommendations for effective communication when co-parenting along with what parallel parenting looks like  Narcissistic ex-partners, what this means and Sarah’s advice when faced with that level of challenge in a co-parenting relationship How all co-parenting relationships can be tricky and how making sure you are focussed on the children is of paramount importance. The ripple effect of the wider / extended family - the opinions and ‘sides’ that come with this and how to navigate it all. The importance of a support system and identifying who is on ‘team me’. Recognising that you are a ‘good girl people pleaser’ and breaking this cycle for the sake of your children.  Sarah’s 3 key tips for your co-parenting journey. Find Sarah @unshakeablecoparenting on Instagram where she has something for every stage of coparenting. Although Sarah is based in Australia, she works with parents all over the world. Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Janine is mum of 2 children, who are now 10 and 12.  She runs her own business helping coaches and consultants with their marketing and sales. We spoke to Janine about: Whether there is such a thing as a natural born parent and Janine’s feelings on this. The stress of getting children out of the house - mum guilt and shouting at children! How taking an online parenting course when the children were around 2 and 4 changed things for Janine. ‘Feeling maternal’ - the expectation that everything should come naturally to parents and how we haven’t replaced the ‘village’ that helped us to raise our children. Having a growth mindset and how this helped Janine to develop in her parenting. How Janine felt that she lost her identity and that her world had shrunk when she had her children. How having her own business helped her to get her identity back.  Three things Janine would say to herself as a new mum.   Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Founder of Onle Networking (an online business network) Kelly West, talked to us about her daughter Kennedy (16) who has global development delay (she has a cognitive age of 2-3) as well as about her business which she founded 5 years ago with her husband and her older daughter.  We discussed:  How they love people which is why the business was founded (Kelly met her husband at networking!) All about Kennedy the signs the family first saw in her and the challenges the family had and still face especially with the lack of support the family have received.  The experiences Kennedy had in mainstream school and how this currently looks for the family moving forward. How Kennedy will never be able to live independently and how Kelly navigates this for the future, including how this and other sensitive topics (like death for example) can be communicated to Kennedy. A behaviour (PBS) group that Kelly attended and how helpful she found it. The challenges of going out and about with Kennedy and how Kelly deals with situations that arise. Using the sunflower lanyard. The autistic spectrum and the huge difference between the ‘severity’ of how this affects different people.  How Kelly manages the demands of the business alongside the needs of Kennedy and how exhausting it can be day to day. How Kelly does (or doesn’t) look after herself...and how she is OK with that. The positive support networks that Kelly would recommend and how she also is very open to having conversations with people in the same kind of situation.  Kelly’s business – OnleNetworking Linked in - @KellyWest Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars includingbehaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Rebecca started her business when her children were quite young (the youngest was starting school) and she wanted to ‘find her thing’. We chatted about: Rebecca's background – she set up an outsourcing agency ‘Get Ahead’ in 2010 working with companies to provide Virtual Assistants (VAs).  Having an open mind and a confidence to see where things go and how setting up a business feels like nurturing another child! Balancing having a family and young children when setting up a business and how Rebecca managed it. The challenges Rebecca faced along the way, how she tackled them and the impact this has had on the children and how they have developed. How Rebecca transfers what she did when setting up her business to the VAs (who Rebecca calls ‘Virtual Experts’) working in the business empowering them to also work around their families. Lockdown and how nothing really changed for Rebecca during that time (except for having the children at home!) and how the authenticity of working from home has been made so much easier since then. Work / life balance and whether there is such a thing for people running their own business. The joy of WhatsApp!! Empty Nesting, the children in your life and how that feels for Rebecca and other business owners. Rebecca’s proud moments and 3 tips for parents setting up their own business!  Get Ahead VA (Rebecca’s company) - https://getaheadva.com/ Get Ahead VA on Instagram - getaheadva Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more)  This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Cate is a Senior Associate at Kingsley Napley and spoke to us about what’s involved when parents divorce.  We covered: The 3 strands to a divorce – the divorce itself, the finances, the children. No fault divorce and what it is / what it means. What happens when courts get involved in terms of making an order about how the children spend their time between parents and whether there is any flexibility. Particular patterns of how to share the care of children that Cate would recommend to parents. How long the divorce process can take particularly when children are involved. Mediation and how that works as part of the process. What happens if you aren’t married and have children but want to separate.  Whether there is such a thing as common law marriage in the UK. Child maintenance, what it is and how it is calculated (link below). Cate’s tips for communicating your breakup with your child/ren and managing the relationship going forward.  Cate’s tips for trying to avoid an acrimonious divorce including making sure you have lots of people and systems around to support you both. Having goals in place for the future with your children and the importance of communicating these to your lawyer.  Pre-nups / post-nups – the law around these and how they work. Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily  Kingsley Napley Family Law - https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/family-law-blog About Cate - https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/our-people/cate-maguire Child maintenance calculator - https://www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance One of the Apps Cate recommends – Our Family Wizard   Our co-parenting blog - https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/blog/coparenting For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) - get 25% off any guide with the code ‘PODCAST’     This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Laura was born and raised in Southern California and has been in London since 2021.  She is the daughter of an Occupational Therapist (OT) and now runs a private practice – Kid Kind Collective and works with children as a Paediatric OT. We spoke about: What an OT actually does (Becks had no idea!) and why they do what they do in terms of outcomes for the children. How OTs help people be adaptive with how they get to the end goal. All about sensory processing – what this means and how an OT can help as a ‘sensory detective’ and getting the whole family involved with this.  How an OT can help when children just can’t sit still (more detective work!) How you can get your child referred to an OT and what happens at their first appointment (often work can start before an ADHD or Autism diagnosis for example). The link with emotional regulation and how the work that an OT does to support children can impact on this. Laura’s top 3 things that she loves about being an OT. What Laura’s childhood was like as the daughter of an OT and what she learnt. Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily  Laura’s website:  https://www.kid-kind.com/ For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) - get 25% off any guide with the code ‘PODCAST’     This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

This is a topic close to Becks’s heart as she starts to prepare for both of her children leaving home for university. One of Becks’s friends asked us to record this episode – so here you are! We spoke about: How it’s a different milestone to going to childcare / school for the first time. The social media phenomenon of making the most of ‘18 summers with your children’...what we think! The feelings and emotions that you have and the stages that you go through when your child/ren leave home. How Claire felt sad for her parents when she left home for college and how it’s important to think about how you manage the situation as a parent. Preparing for the empty nest and the importance of planning for you; what can you do that you have always wanted to?  Teaching your child/ren life skills and how key this is to prepare them! How they will still need you (and the fact that they might come back..!!!!!)! Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) - get 25% off any guide with the code ‘PODCAST’     This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Please note that Meriel was a surrogate in the US and rules in each country are very different – to find out more about surrogacy rules in the UK you can find them here and more information on surrogacy in the UK here. Meriel is a three times surrogate from the United States. She was blessed to help two families achieve the dream of completing their families through surrogacy. She currently works for an agency as a surrogacy journey coordinator, where she is passionate about helping to create families and supporting other women who wish to embark on the amazing and fulfilling journey of becoming surrogates.  We spoke to Meriel about: What made her decide to become a surrogate and how her family and others reacted (including some funny stories!). What surrogacy is, who might use a surrogate and why that might be. Some terminology and the process for both the family and the surrogate. The contact that the surrogate has with the family throughout the pregnancy and beyond. The labour experience and who shared the labour room with Meriel when she had the babies and how special she tried to make it for everyone involved. What being a surrogate means to Meriel, the joy she took from it and how it has shaped her and her life as it is now as a surrogacy journey coordinator. Some of the rules around surrogacy and being a surrogate as well as the support that there is for surrogates. Keeping in touch with the families after the birth of their baby and whether that happens. Who is on the birth certificate and legalities (spoiler it can be quite complicated – especially in the US!). How research into the best surrogacy path is SO vital! https://www.collectivesurrogacy.com/ - the agency where Meriel works and where you can find her blogs Meriel on LinkedIn Read our blog where we talked to Simon Berney Edwards about his experience of surrogacy here. Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily  For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) - get 25% off any guide with the code ‘PODCAST’     This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

We spoke to Hayley and Becky from Paths to Parent Hub. We first came across Paths to Parent Hub when we listened to their podcast following a recommendation from a friend. We started with Hayley and Becky sharing their own stories with us. Hayley is a donor conceived person herself and is also a parent of twins through sperm donation. Becky was diagnosed with early menopause at 28 – she and her husband did 5 rounds of IVF and then decided to use an egg donor to have her 3 children. Both Hayley and Becky shared their stories on the internet and found each other there. Becky created Paths to Parent Hub (a membership platform) during lockdown to support people in similar situations to themselves and it now has over 1000 members. We also talked about: When and how Hayley found out that she was a donor conceived person and the reasons she talks about her story now. Talking with donor conceived children about how they came to be and dealing with their questions, and those from family and friends. The laws around donor conception and the parallels with adoption.  The experience that Becky had abroad in finding an egg donor and how she feels now about having chosen to have an anonymous donor.  Whether there is a limit on how many families one donor can produce and how this differs around the world. The reasons someone might want / need to use a donor.  Hayley’s experience when finding her parent sperm donor. Terminology around donor conception.  The information you get about a donor when choosing and how the matching works. What Hayley and Becky would say to people considering donor conception. About Paths to Parent Hub and the support, information and connection opportunities. Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily / @pathstoparenthub / @definingmum  @dcp_journey_2_rp Paths to Parent Hub website All things donor conception  - Hayley’s website Paths to Parent Hub podcast For information about a Bespoke Family Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) - get 25% off any guide with the code ‘PODCAST’     This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

Lee is Becks’s ‘Boxing trainer’ - (well kind of 😉!) and a personal trainer (to real boxers!). He is also a stay-at-home dad looking after his little girl Beaux which started when she was 3 months old. We talked to Lee about: As a couple how Lee and his wife came to the decision that Lee would be the main carer and how he felt about it. The reaction from friends and family to Lee staying at home with his little one. How he and his wife prepared for parenthood (reading blogs, books, listening to podcasts (ours) and talking to other parents) and how important routine and consistency was for them. The importance of working together as a team, communicating about next steps and what might need to be changed etc. How Lee fills his weeks with Beaux doing groups, dancing, swimming, crafts and play. Fitting in at baby and toddler groups and what it feels like to often be the only dad there.  How Lee feels really lucky to be able to spend this amount of time with his daughter. Being an only child – the worries Lee has about Beaux being one (Claire is one too so no need to worry 😉). Dads and daughters and the wonderful bond they can have! What Lee would say to other stay at home / solo dads. Read our blogs about dads and supporting dads here - https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/blog/gettingtoknowmarkwilliams?rq=dadhttps://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/blog/supportingdads?rq=dad Socials: Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily For information about a Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations    ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) - get 25% off any guide with the code ‘PODCAST’     This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

You probably already know Susie Amy – perhaps from Footballer’s Wives or maybe from Hollyoaks or as a stage actress (we recently saw her in Fatal Attraction).  We do too, but we are also lucky to know Susie via a mutual friend who gave her a gift of some time with Claire when her first baby was born. Susie didn’t feel for a while that she was ready to use this gift straight away – she felt instead that her baby didn’t like / need sleep and was just a bit different! When Claire spent some time with Susie and her family a routine was introduced and they haven’t looked back! We talked to Susie about: The importance of sleep (and how more sleep means better sleep)! When Claire had worked with her and Raff to introduce a routine - they stuck to it like glue and responded to their baby’s sleep signals, Noa immediately responded! How predictability is important to all of us and how Susie has found the children’s routine helpful for her as well. The responsibility of having a baby feeling huge, but how just a few tweaks and a routine can help so much. Trusting your instincts as a parent. Being nap trapped and how it doesn’t have to be a negative thing! Restorative naps and where these work best. Morning, bedtime and bathtime routines and how important they are from the start. How the best gift for a new parent is support! Instagram - @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily  ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) - get 25% off any guide with the code ‘PODCAST’     For information about a Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations     This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative 

If not, you must listen to this podcast! We spoke to Bik-ki Wong and Helen Thompson who are both partners at Myerson solicitors Bik-ki is responsible for wills, trust and probate and Helen heads up the department that looks after contesting wills. We talked to Bik-ki about: What happens if you don’t write a will? Doesn’t it just go to my husband / wife?  Not necessarily, Bik-ki explained. And what happens if you aren’t married? How many people we know who don’t have a will and don’t want to think about it. The fact that a will doesn’t have to be expensive; you can have a simple one drawn up and there are charities that might write a simple one for you. What happens if you both die and don’t have a will or are a sole / single parent? Appointing a guardian, how you do this and the implications. Some real-life case studies of families who realised they needed to make a will for example because of illness or divorce. How often you should review your will once it has been written. Some of the terminology and responsibilities. The role of an Executor, Trustee, Guardian, how many you should have and things to consider when choosing them. How having family planning meetings around writing wills can be helpful. 3 things that Bik-Ki would say to someone who doesn't have a will. And we talked to Helen about: What happens when... a will is challenged and the associated issues and conflicts. there isn’t a will and the intestacy rules that come in to play where the law decides what happens. for example, a child isn’t provided for in a will because a will hasn’t been updated. Considerations for blended families, step families, solo parents, single parents etc. 3 things to consider when looking at issues with a will. Instagram: @myersonsolicitors @bespokefamily / Facebook - @bespokefamily More information about Myerson can be found here - https://www.myerson.co.uk/ Contact Myerson about making a will hereGovernment information on making a will: https://www.gov.uk/make-will Read our bereavement blogs here including a blog from Bik-Ki about writing a will  ‘Your Guide to...’ (our downloadable webinars including behaviour, toilet training, sleep and more) - get 25% off any guide with the code ‘PODCAST’     For information about a Parent Consultation click here: https://www.bespokefamily.co.uk/parent-consultations     This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative