The Parent Hood

After a devastating diagnosis, Georgina Lucas and her husband made the agonizing decision to turn off their three week old son, Grey's, life support machine. Prepared to mother a baby but unprepared to navigate empty arms, Georgina wrote a book about his short life, about its beauty and the love and kindness of those around her. Marina talks to Georgina about how the heartache of losing a child often helps you live life better, in a more honest and vivid way and about how in the darkest of moments, joy can still be found. If Not For You by Georgina Lucas. The following charities support bereaved parents and have excellent resources: Child Bereavement UK, SANDS, Tommy's. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina chats to paediatrician Dr Golly about how its actually Dads who are the most effective at settling babies and the benefits of this for all the family. Resources: The Dr Golly Sleep Programme is available online - find out more at DrGolly.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know children get sick but it seems a huge responsibility to know what it is and when you need more help. Marina talks to Dr Chiara Hunt about common childhood illnesses and when you need to take them to the doctor and hospital. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are shy children less fun, is being shy a bad thing? Author, mentor and shyness campaigner Nadia Finer thinks not, that rather, if navigated in the right way, shyness can actually be a superpower. Marina talks to Nadia about how we can help our shy children make friends with shyness. Resources: Shy and Mighty: Your Shyness is a Superpower (for primary school children) and Shy and Mighty: How to step out of the shadows and live a bigger life - for older children and adults. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The miracle of conception and childbirth comes at a price - and it's the mother who pays this. It's a mistake to think of pregnancy as just three trimesters - it's actually four - the final one about the recovery insists Dr Chiara Hunt. Marina and Chiara talk about what postnatal depletion looks like, and how to best treat it. Resources: The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Dr Oscar Serrallach, a great book. Explore Your Health App for remote bloodtests. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there a magic amount of time that will deliver the most benefit to your child? The simple answer is no, but the question centres around the actual benefits of breastfeeding. Marina talks to midwife and breastfeeding specialist about the claimed benefits of breastfeeding and examining their accuracy in regard to the latest data for women living in the developed world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crippled by the shame, children who wet the bed often miss out on social activities like sleepovers and school trips. But what can you do about it? Marina talks to Dr Chiara Hunt about why children wet the bed and what can be done to treat it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's common to care what sex your baby is - it is after all the first thing people ask. But what if you're really desperate for one sex and you're getting the other? We're all told that we should feel lucky to have a baby at all, and of course we are, but it's natural and common to have a preference. Marina talks to psychologist Dr Lindsay McMillan about the feeling of disappointment when you learn the sex of your child and how you can address it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer means long holidays, lots of time spent outside, learning new skills and having adventures…but also it's a time when accidents go up. Marina talks to Dr Chiara Hunt about what parents can do to keep their children safe during the summer holidays, what what to pack in your holiday first aid kit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever baffled by your moods, or by the fact that some days the most simple of tasks are seemingly impossible? Amy Thomson, founder of the Moody App believes this isn't random but that our hormone fluctuations can be tracked and their patterns can help us lead a better, happier life, adjusting better to what we need in certain weeks. Marina talks to Amy about how our hormones affect us and how we can harness their power.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The quest for sleep is something all parents obsess about - the combination of getting enough sleep themselves to encouraging their children to sleep. But how much sleep do we actually need, why is sleep so important and why, when you're exhausted is sleep sometimes hardest to achieve? From how long a nap should be to whether to wake a sleep-walking child, Marina quizzes neurologist and sleep specialist Professor Guy Leschziner about the science behind sleep, both of us, and our children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're told that our teenagers become difficult and selfish in order to break away from their parents. But is this actually the case? Marina talks to Psychologist Dr Terri Apter who believes that if we can truly understand our teens, the adolescent period can actually bring us great joy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holidays are the stuff of dreams…until children come along when they turn into the stuff of nightmares. But does travelling with children need to a nightmare or can it be a rewarding experience bringing you closer as a family. Marina talks to father of 4, Tom Barber, founder of Original Travel about choosing the kind of holiday your family will love at different stages, what to plan and how to avoid the drama. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We want our children to do well in life and often this starts with doing well in exams. While it’s up to the teachers to make sure they know what they need, psychologist Dr Jane Gilmour believes there is a lot that parents can do to support their children through exams. Whether your child is prone to anxiety, or needs motivation, Jane chats to Marina about will and won't help them when it comes to exams. Notes: The Incredible Teenage Brain by Bettina Hohnen, Jane Gilmour and Tara Murphy; How to have Incredible Conversations with your Child, by Jane Gilmour and Bettina Hohnen available now from all good bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even though we know it's for the best, taking our children to the doctor to have a needle stuck inside them as they (understandably) protest is agony for parents. But rather than grimace and bear it while holding them down, Dr Jody Thomas, a clinical psychologist and specialist in children's pain management, insists that there are simple and highly effective techniques we can use to reduce the pain and prevent needle fear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raising girls who are truly positive about their bodies regardless of their shape has long been recognised as a pillar of good modern parenting but often boys are overlooked. Marina talks to Dr Charlotte Markey about how we raise body positive children and why that is just as important for boys as it is for girls.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We live in a world in which bullying exists, and as much as we'd like to, we can't protect our children from witnessing or being a part of this. But maybe we can do something much more powerful. Marina talks to psychotherapist and author Stella O'Malley about bully proofing our kids, about the conversations we have and ideas we share with them to encourage resilience and strength to deal with the bullies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you remember admiring someone as a child, looking up to them and being persuaded that you could be like that too? Having role models in our lives, inspires and empowers us, giving us agency to take risk and stand up for what we believe in. Marina talks to author and entrepreneur Jo Wimble-Groves about the positive impact role models can have on our children's lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're all so focussed on having our babies, that we often fail to focus on the after, particularly the recovery of the mother. Marina talks to Lyndon Littlefair, postnatal exercise and recovery specialist about the stress that new mothers experience, how this can impact their recovery, and how to make it easier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is having dyslexia a bad thing? Campaigner and entrepreneur, Kate Griggs thinks not. In an age of computers and AI, Kate believes that the creativity and big picture thinking that dyslexics do so well, is one of the most important skills of our time. She tells Marina how dyslexia, rather than being regarded as a hindrance, is actually a superpower and how by empowering dyslexics, we can use their skills in the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In anxious times, we often feel like we don't want to burden our children with the bad news that frightens us. But not talking about difficult things to our children is doing them no favours. Whether we like it or not, they will be aware that all is not well. Marina talks to educator Emma Gleadhill about how we have this conversation, how much is too much information and how can we use difficult times to enrich and empower the relationship we have with our children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"No-one dreams of being a step mum," says Katie Harrison, "but 2 million of us are." Frustrated by the lack of support, honesty and help when it came to step parenting, Katie created her own podcast, drawing on parenting experts, the experience of others and their honesty to have this brave conversation. Marina and Katie chat about what Katie wished she'd known, what she's learnt and what she'd do differently since becoming a step mum herself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're often so consumed with general life in our 40's that we're not thinking about the next stage. Bizarrely, while we're prepared for puberty, we're not educated about the menopause, a time in life that can be challenging. The thing is, the more informed you are about this, the more power you have, the more likely you are able to deal with issues should they arrive. In this episode, sponsored by The Portland Hospital, Marina talks to menopause and HRT expert, Miss Rebecca Gibbs about symptoms and what we can do to sail through it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents often focus so much time on getting pregnant, that they forget to think about contraception after they've given birth. A topic shrouded in myth and misconception, contraception is an important thing to understand. Marina talks to Dr Penelope Law from The Portland Hospital about the different types of contraceptives available today, their benefits and downsides and for whom each works best. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Early pregnancy can be a stressful and worrying time, especially when you're not ready to share the news. Marina talks to Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Miss Emma Kirk from The Portland Hospital about everything you need to know during early pregnancy.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We swear we'll never do it, and then we do. But it is really a parenting fail? Marina speaks to scientist, author and swearing expert, Emma Byrne to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talking about sex is a conversation many find difficult, but it's even rarer once you become a parent. Marina talks to sex and intimacy coach Irene Fehr about how and why sex changes after you become a parent and what we can do to ensure it stays mutually enjoyable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Divorce is often referred to as the failure of a marriage, but have you failed if you get divorced? Samantha Woodham, divorce lawyer and founder of The Divorce Surgery, thinks not. Divorce, she insists, is simply the transition from being married to being co-parents. She believes that we need to expect to divorce without confrontation, stress, negativity and astronomical costs. Here she chats to Marina about how to divorce well, how friends can support their divorcing friends and how we should actually regard divorce as a positive, an opportunity to re-define a relationship that isn't working in its current state.The Divorce Surgery | One Couple One Lawyer | Amicable Divorce UK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say everything changes when you become a parent, and one of those things is your relationship to work. Suddenly you cannot give your all to a career that you loved, you're torn between wanting and needing to work, and wanting and needing to be with your child. But today's workplace is changing, with employers understanding that efficiency and output can exist in a flexible workspace. Marina talks to Olivia Bath, founder of The Women's Vault, about what options exist and how best to get what works for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Edward Watson, retired Army Major and Bradley Busch, Psychologist, and authors of new book 'The Science of Learning: 77 Studies That Every Parent Needs to Know'.Using the studies as a guide to help you to understand the mysteries of children's brains. They discuss parents’ understanding of crucial psychological research so that they can help their children improve how they think, feel and behave in school (and, indeed, in life). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

QI Elf, mother of two, author and host of the podcast 'Everything Under The Sun' aimed at children to ask weird, wonderful and insightful questions, Molly Oldfield. We discuss why children have so many questions, what the best question is she's had and why asking questions is a great sign that they're bright change makers for the future.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"The level of loss is the level of love" says Julia Samuel, Marina's guest on this episode, explaining how you cannot gauge how much grief a person will feel according to who has been lost. This is crucial in understanding grief, she argues, because if a child has lost a dog they've loved their whole life, their grief will mirror the intense bond they shared. Our developed society does many well, but understanding grief isn't one of them. And yet, all of us will, at some point experience grief and so it's crucial we understand it. Join psychotherapist, councillor and best-selling author Julia Samuel and Marina as they discuss what grieving people need and what helps us with the grieving process. Download the Grief Works app on the Apple Store and follow this link for a 10% discount: https://griefworkscourse.com/the-parent-hood/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Science is helpful in discovering medicine, innovation and keeping us safe, but can it help us understand our children better? Scientist and mother Dr Emma Byrne talks to Marina about how applying evidence based information to your individual child can help us better understand our children in their glorious and baffling complexity.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giving birth is often magical, a moment you'll cherish for your whole life. But what about when it isn't magical, what about when you're worried about your child's safety, or your own, what about when it's the trauma you remember rather than the joy. Marina talks to author and mother Jessica Hatcher-Moore about how to parent if the birth has left you traumatised and how to treat your trauma. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finding our you're expecting not just one baby, but two can be daunting and the fear can often overpower the excitement. Author and twin-mum Alison Perry chats to Marina about the reality of raising twins and shares tips on how to make it easier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the launch of Everyone's Invited, a website that initiated stories of the shocking behaviour of sexual misconduct in schools and universities, we discuss how can we teach our children the importance of consent and how to go about saying it, hearing it and meaning it? Marina talks to Saskia Boujo, a relationship and sex educator about how we have this conversation with our children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt guilty that you're not cherishing motherhood as much as you should? Journalist and author, Eliane Glaser believes that the false narrative around how joyful motherhood is, is toxic and damaging for new mothers, advocating instead that we are honest around its challenges. This honesty, she believes, will empower women and allow them to release the burden of guilt, thereby allowing them to be better mothers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're often too embarrassed to talk about the state of our vaginas and put up with discomfort, incontinence and indignity because of stigma. Marina talks to Obstetric Physiotherapist Megan Vickers about prolapse, a condition that affects up to 50% of women about what it is, the symptoms, treatment and prevention.Megan's book Stronger: The honest guide to healing and rebuilding after pregnancy and birth, is available: https://www.waterstones.com/book/stronger/megan-vickers/9781472986306 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Living through a pandemic, losing freedoms and being locked inside has been difficult. For many children this time represents a lot of what they can remember. How will this impact their long term development?Marina talks to Lucy Elphinstone, Headmistress of Francis Holland school to observe how the pandemic has effected children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many children are passionate about the need to look after our planet. But do their actions reflect this zeal or do they still never turn the lights off? Marina talks to Emma and Jason Ash, parents and environmentalists, about how to encourage our children to actually make a difference.https://www.youngplanet.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've spent the last year fearing and living with Covid. Now there are vaccines, but we, understandably have questions, we want to feel confident that in having a vaccine, we are doing the right thing by our children. Dr Chiara Hunt returns to discuss the Covid vaccine in pregnancy and breastfeeding but also when trying for a baby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina talks to The Five Minute Mum, Daisy Upton, and discovers the joys of supporting our children simply by playing games with them. From science and maths to how to get a better response from that age old question, 'how was school?' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have a vested interest in looking after our planet when we become parents, but the logistics of going green can often be very daunting alongside the responsibilities of having a new family. Marina talks to Jen Gale and discovers how the small and simple things can make a big difference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Embracing differences is something most of strive to encourage in our child, but should we also be focusing on body diversity? Marina talks to author, Molly Forbes about the many benefits of a positive body image. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Embracing diversity is something most of strive to encourage in our children, usually through positive and open conversations. Marina talks to writer, Jen Carney, about how representation has an equally important role. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Worry is something none of us parents want our children to experience, so how do we go about addressing it? Marina talks to Clinical Psychologist, Dr Julia Newbery on how to take some of the worry out of anxiety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All of us have anxiety around our children's health, some of it instinctive, some of it fuelled by hand-me-down tales. Marina delves deep into the misconceptions with Dr Shruti Jawahar Ganatra and breaks down the myths surrounding everything from temperatures to tummy bugs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having an unhappy child causes enormous worry, but can journaling help them influence their own moods and feelings of contentment. Marina talks to Francesca Geens about the science of happiness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How valuable is music to our child's well-being, and does its significance stretch beyond that of learning an instrument? Marina Fogle talks to musician and teacher, Ruth Travers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaving your child in someone else's care is not always easy to do, but for many of us essential. Marina talks to Sarah Read, a childcare expert about what options parents have, their pros, cons and costs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.