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.

What does good parenting look like? It's often easier, cheaper and more simple than we think. Marina talks to psychologist Dr Kalanit Ben-Ari about small changes we can make in the interactions we have with our children that will make us all happier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the most important thing loving parents can give their children? It's simpler than many think - increasingly studies and an understanding of our brains reveal that the simple act of touch has significant imapct on both the emotional and physical health of humans. Marina talks to neuroscientist Dr Katerina Fotopoulou to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Schools tell us that the most important thing we can do at home with our children is support them in learning to read. But why is it so important, what does reading give children and does it make them happier? Marina is joined by Heather Wright, founder of Reading Rocks to talk about why a child who reads for pleasure will be rewarded in life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A good immune system is something all of us crave. Marina talks to paediatrician Dr Yiannis about how our immune system works, whether reduced exposure to bugs has compromised it and if there's anything we can do boost our immunity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Understanding the real risks to our children: One thing all of us parents share is worry; that constant fear that something dreadful might happen to our children. But are we worrying about the right things, are our worries needless or are we ignoring the real risks to our children's health? Marina talks to Dr Chiara Hunt about what these real risks are and how we can mitigate them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being single in your mid-thirties no longer means crossing your fingers and hoping to meet someone if you want children. Today, women have the option of freezing their eggs, thus future proofing their fertility in case it does take longer to meet Mr Right. But what does freezing your eggs involve and how does it make you feel - both physically and emotionally. Marina talks to journalist and author Sophia Money Coutts about her experience and the making of her hit podcast Freezing Time.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Of all the battles parents face, homework is often the most fierce battleground. Tired, hungry and hormonally charged, children return home insisting that homework is a waste of time. Buy why is this task so fraught, what is its purpose and is there anything we can do to make it happier. Marina talks to 'The Homework Guru', Omari Ecclestone-Brown about his tips to make homework a harmonious experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is estimated that 14% of girls have never had a conversation about periods until they start menstruating. Many of us find this a difficult conversation and so in this episode, Marina is joined by Saskia Boujo a sex educator to talk about why this conversation is so important and what information is crucial our children, both boys and girls, understand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some might feel uncomfortable talking about money, but it's one of the most important conversations we have with our children. Starting early on to make your child aware of what money is, how it's used and the power it gives us is one of life's crucial lessons. Marina is joined by clinical psychologist Angharad Rudkin and Parenting author Tanith Carey who explain the invaluable lessons that money can teach our children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s difficult being a parent to a baby who can’t communicate and as soon as they can, the job is so much easier. But is it just a waiting game until they gain these skills or is there anything we can do to help them speak sooner? Speech and language therapist, Jennifer Warwick believes there is - in this episode she chats to Marina about the simple things parents can do to teach their children to speak. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Often derided as a luxury, contemplating the meaning of life is something many of us parents don't have time for. But Alain de Botton disagrees, believing that an understanding of why we behave in certain ways will ultimately help us make sense of difficult times in our lives. In this episode, the philosopher and author talks to Marina about different philosophical concepts and how an understanding and appreciation of these will make us better parents to happier children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Covid pandemic has undoubtedly changed the way we work, and while WFH has had its challenges, it has forced many employers to realise that giving employees greater flexibility does not mean their output is affected. Marina talks to career coach Sarah Gerth about how to juggle being a parent while working from home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a lot of pressure to give our children 'the best start in life ' - but what is that exactly? Is it a great education, opportunities, exciting experiences, or is it more nuanced than that? Marina is joined by Dr Jane Gilmour and Dr Bettina Hohnen, both clinical psychologists who believe that the simple act of 'being with' your child, helping them organise and identify emotions has the most profound effect on their ability to lead a happy and fulfilling life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We presume our children are innocent, devoid of any sexual thoughts or desires. But is this actually true? Marina talks to relationship and sex educator, Saski Boujo about the sexual feelings children have, when they emerge and how important that ongoing conversation is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lockdown has been a juggle for parents, soemthing stressful, occasionally scary but many families felt stronger and closer as a result of it. This week Marina talks to radio host, author and mother of three, Beverley Turner about what she'll try to keep as we emerge from lockdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know the importance of communicating with our children, but what happens when teenagers stop communicating with us? Clinical psychologist Dr Angharad Rudkin and author Tanith Carey join to Marina to talk about what is going on in a teenagers brain and how to keep those all important avenues of communication open during the often turbulent teenage years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents often dread the teenage years, being on the receiving end of a cold shoulder from a child they've loved and nurtured for over a decade. But is it as bad as everyone says? Marina is joined by child psychologist Dr Angharad Rudkin and author Tanith Carey who believe that understanding what your teenager is thinking, can smooth the journey for both parents and children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina talks to author and activist Candice Brathwaite and school leader and educator Emma Gleadhill about why and how to have this crucial conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With lockdown intensifying every family relationship, Marina talks to clinical psychologist Linda Blair about what healthy sibling relationships look like and whether there is anything we as parents can do, to make them get on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The experience of being adopted varies widely, and changes over time. In this episode, Marina talks to Hutton Swinglehurst who was adopted 50 years ago about his upbringing, his perception of being an adopted child and his search for his birth mother and the story around his birth.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We often think play is something that children do. But increasingly we're understanding that play is way more than entertainment, it has a crucial role in development, ability to build relationships and problem solve giving us skills that are crucial to adult life. Marina talks to author and poet Michael Rosen about why play is so important and what we as parents can do to encourage our children to play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Becoming a parent is often the time when we re-examine how we're living our lives, that makes us truly happy because we lead by example, and if we are aware of what true happiness is, we can teach our children how to lead a rewarding life. Marina talks to Julia Ogilvy, author of Turning Points about the lessons she learnt from the extraordinary people she interviewed and how her turning point gave her an opportunity to change her life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

None of us anticipated that we'd have to educate our children from home and few of us chose this. And while the pressure on parents to become educators is stressful, there are also opportunities to get more involved in their learning that will have long term benefits for our children. Marina talks to Alisdair Wade from Thinking Matters about the basic things parents can embrace that will have a massive positive impact on our children's long term development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parenting sometimes feel easier if you've got an outgoing, gregarious child. But shyness shouldn't be viewed as a negative. Marina talks to clinical psychologist, Dr Angharad Rudkin and parenting author Tanith Carey about the benefits of shyness and how to support and celebrate a shy child. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How early should we start a conversation about work - what to expect, how to choose a career, how work works? Our guests, the authors of a new book, How To Work, Lucy Clayton and Steve Haines believe that these conversations should start as early as 10. In this episode Marina asks them about what we as parents can do to best prepare our children for a fulfilling career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Becoming a mother is often described as a series of surprises. Marina talks to Becca Maberley about what they wish they’d known as they navigated motherhood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Group B Strep is the biggest cause of fatal infection in newborn babies, but it's possible to protect your baby from it. Marina talks to Jane Plumb who after her baby died from this infection, has dedicated her life to campaigning for its prevention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a lot of expectation for dads nowadays - to be fun but serious enough to provide, to have time to be fun and silly but also time to dedicate to an increasingly demanding workplace. Marina is joined by her husband, Ben Fogle as well as Harry and Izzy Judd to reflect on what children really need from their fathers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The idea of taking a term off and exploring the world with your children is something many busy families dream of. But what's it like in reality? Marina chats to Christina Franco, who set off with no plan and a promise to travel anywhere as long as it didn't involve a plane with her eight year old son, through Europe, Russia and Asia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you clueless about what menopause really means? Clueless herself, Marina chats to Dr Chiara Hunt about what happens, when it happens and whether there's anything you can do to make the menopause easier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The early years of parenthood are often spent wishing for that stage to be over - from the potty training to the sleepless nights, we count down to when they are more independent. But quicker than you realise the tables turn and your children start needing your parents less. Many parents find themselves mourning a relationship that they always knew would change, feeling confused at their irrational feelings of sadness. Marina talks to psychotherapist Julia Samuel about how to cope with this adjustment, how to let you children go, so they return. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Often sleep deprived, us parents often become obsessed about getting our children to sleep. Marina talks to to sleep consultant, Jenna Wilson about how understanding how sleep patterns develop over childhood hold the key to enabling us parents to give them the crucial skills to get the amount of sleep they need.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We prepare for parenting in a host of different ways, learning to feed, burp and soothe our child. We think about teaching them to talk and read, but we rarely think about playing with them. Increasingly we know the importance of play, how it teaches children to build relationship and empathy, strategy, manners and persistence but many of us don't know how we play with our children. Marina's guest this week is Daisy Upton, aka The Five Minute Mum, who explains why play is such an important part of children's lives and how, in just a few minutes, we can set up fun games. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 As a parent there is so much to feel worried and guilty about. Whether we or our children are eating the right thing weighs heavily on busy parents mind and we often end up feeling guilty that we could be doing better. Marina talks to nutritional therapist Amelia Free about how nutritious eating is often the simplest, with ideas to get your child to really enjoy healthy food. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent studies show that today's children are weaker than ever before and that this will have a long term impact on their health. Marina talks to Dr Chiara Hunt about the impact being less strong will have on our children and what we need to be doing to increase their strength. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As parents we care more about the environment than ever - the main beneficiaries will be our children. But it's also the time when we have more impact on it than ever before. This week Marina chats to Kate Arnell, eco blogger and author on the environmentally friendly options open to parents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being a parent is stressful and many of wish we could tackle those moments when our children push is over the edge with a little more calm. Marina talks to Izzy Judd about how mindfulness has helped her manage her anxiety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every parent feels anxiety when they bring their baby home. And while a certain amount of anxiety is natural, even a good thing, too much can inhibit your ability to be the parent your baby needs you to be. Marina talks to Dr Chiara Hunt and Celina Hinchcliffe, who suffered with postnatal anxiety, about the coniditon and how we can best support people dealing with postnatal mood disorders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Friendships provide life's great high, but when there's conflict they can also generate huge lows. Marina talks to teacher and education consultant Penny Tassoni about the challenges children face when making friends and if there's anything us parents can do to help them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As many of us know, having children isn't always easy and for some it's impossible. This was Anna Buxton's reality, when after five years of trying, she was told she would never be able to carry a child herself. Five years on, she is the mother of three and here she talks to Marina about surrogacy, how it works and who it works for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As hard as the toddler years might seem, it's the teenage years all of us parents dread - the moodiness, the 'I hate you's, the kickback. Ex Divorce lawyer, Sheela Mackintosh Stewart uses her skills of negotiation, conciliation and understanding honed through years of supporting embattled couples to help us understand the challenges teenagers face and what us parents can do calm the rough seas of the teenage years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you ever feel like newspaper headlines give conflicting advice? One paper tells you that exercise can result in miscarraige while another says it promotes a healthy pregnancy. Marina talks to science journalist Linda Geddes about how to interpret data, headlines and risk when it comes to pregnancy, birth and parenting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A dyslexia diagnosis is often bad news for parents, but this negativity often stems from a misunderstanding of what dyslexia really means for those who have it. Marina talks to Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist, author and proud dyslexic about how her dyslexia has helped rather than hindered her in the pursuit of her "crazy dream". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our children are pioneers, the first children having to grow up navigating the complicated, perfection obsessed and often murky world of social media. Marina and Dr Chiara talk to child psychotherapist Lia Younes about the impact social media is having on our children and whether there's anything we parents can do to help them use it for good rather than bad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parenting alone is a completely different experience to doing it as a couple, for one you’re a lot more isolated. Marina talks to Zoe Desmond, solo mother and founder of the Frolo App that puts single parents in touch with each other about the highs and lows of life as a solo parent and how the community she has established has allowed her to thrive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anyone else feel like Christmas cripples us financially, ends up being really stressful all the presents turn your children into spoilt brats? As December draws closer Marina talks to Kristina Salcenu about what we can do to make Christmas less of a burden, more thoughtful and meaningful, less ‘me-centred’ and more community focussed.Here are some of the ideas Kristina mentioned in the podcast about how you can help charities over the Christmas Period. Instead of your usual advent calendar, go to Advent of Change, where the amount you pay is donated to different charities and each time you open a window you learn about where your donation has gone. They produce advent calendars for children, adults as well as year calendars where every month you can learn about a new charity and some ideas to make your life richer. Adventofchange.co.uk For a more meaningful Christmas this year, why not forgo the endless secret santa £5 novelty gifts that we all end up buying and buy a gift for someone who really needs it instead? 52 Lives set up wishlists every Christmas so our supporters can buy gifts for 1000 people who otherwise wouldn’t receive anything! Volunteer with Blue Cross this festive period! Spend some time sitting calmly with the cats and kittens in our care..you can even read to them to give them some company. It's also the perfect opportunity for you to have some peace and calm away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas Why not give back to nature for a more meaningful Christmas? Take a family walk, perhaps even complete a nature hunt and collect leaves! Being outdoors has a positive effect on everyone's well being. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s BeeWalk which runs from March – October is a great way to get outdoors looking for bumblebees and enjoying what nature has to offer. Crisis at Christmas is a unique volunteer effort that provides hope and immediate help for homeless people at a critical time of year, when thousands face the prospect of spending Christmas alone or in dangerous conditions on the streets. In December 2019 you can make a real difference to people experiencing homelessness by joining our army of volunteers, and providing our guests with companionship, safety, 3 hot meals a day and advice to help them get back on their feet. Make your Christmas meaningful this year by giving the gift of hope Why not suggest that instead of giving traditional Secret Santa gifts in your place of work that you each give the gift of a donation to the Great Ormond Street Hospital play team. Your donation will help to enterntain the children staying in hospital over the Christmas period.  Use Amazon smile for your online shopping. A proportion of your spend is donated to charity - including Just One Ocean :) Avoid fast fashion. Christmas jumpers are fun but often only worn a handful of times, so check out your local charity shop instead of buying something new. The festive period isn't always one of happiness and joy and for many homeless people it can be an incredibly lonely time. Why not acknowledge a rough sleeper the next time you're passing and say good morning or just give a smile? Or offer a comforting hot drink or food if you're popping into a shop or cafe. For half a million older people, Christmas isn’t a time to look forward to. This year, as part of their 'Community Christmas’ campaign, Re-engage will be listing public events from 18th-31st December and actively matching over-75s with events on Christmas day. For a more meaningful Christmas this year, you can use their website to volunteer your time at local events or refer lonely, older people who may ordinarily be spending the season alone The Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity are asking their supporters this year to send a Christmas... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Divorce or separation is a challenging time, made even harder by the fact that your job as parent has never been more important. Marina talks to psychotherapist Chris Mills about the challenges parents face doing this job when they are still parents but no longer together and what they need to think about to create stable, happy homes for their children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life is a series of changes; from being born to childhood, through adolescence. But when changes in our lives are most evident is when we become parents. Marina talks to psychologist Fran Smith about what we can do to adjust to these changes and thrive as a parent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Extinction Rebellion disrupt London life in the quest for bringing attention to climate change Marina talks to teacher and educational speaker Emma Gleadhill about children whose response is to catastrophize and what, we their parents, can do to help them manage and understand this anxiety Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are proud that from the beginning we've been champions of conversations around baby loss. While people are working on prevention, we must also learn what we as a society can do to help those families whose babies die, at whatever stage. Having experienced stillbirth herself, Marina chats to bereavement counsellor Jenni Thomas and Jen Reid, whose son died aged three months from SIDS about what friends and family can do to support parents through these difficult times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That positive pregnancy test is often riddled with mixed emotions within the spectrum of sheer joy and utter fear And then there's the nagging feeling that you might not be doing what you're supposed to. Marina talks to Dr Chiara Hunt about what to do when you're newly pregnant, what to do, what to avoid and what to expect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We trust schools to educate our children and while they take care of the academics, it's us who bear the responsibility of giving our children real life skills. Marina's guest this week is Suzy Glaskie, a health coach, entrepreneur and mother of three who reflects on her experiences both as an employer and mother and discusses what we can be doing as parents to teach our children life lessons that will give them a head start. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to what we want our children to be, happy is at the top of the list. But in a world in which mental health illness seems to be becoming more prevalent, is there anything we can be doing to make our children and ourselves happier? Marina talks to journalist and author, Helen Russel, about what she's learnt from exploring what different cultures do to make them happy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How we imagine parenting is rarely what it turns out to be; it's harder than we anticipate and a lot of us feel disapointed that we haven't done well enough. But what is it that really matters? Marina talks to Clinical Psychologist Dr Angharad Rudkin and author Tanith Carey about what we really need to focus on and what we should let go of. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina talks to parenting expert Alexa Taylor about how teaching children how to behave and how to listen helps them understand empathy and is the kindest way to parent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With well publicised Measles outbreaks all over the world, Marina talks to Dr Chiara about what exactly Measles is, when you or your child might be at risk and what you can do to protect your family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've all been told that we need to check our breasts, but what exactly are we checking for? Marina talks to Helen Addis, founder of the Change And Check campaign about what the signs are that things aren't right and how exactly to check your breasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents are lost when a baby dies, but what about when it's even more complicated, when one twin dies and the other survives. Marina talks to Kitty Wengraf and Katie Schiff about the conflict of grief and joy and how they are bringing up their daughters without their twins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina chats to Deborah James, aka Bowel Babe and Helen Addis aka. Titty Gritty, about how to have the conversation no-one has practised for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do 21st Century parents feel a need to be perfect the whole time and what is it about this perfection that may be damaging our children? Marina talks to coach, teacher, writer and podcaster Zoe Blaskey about why our quest for perfection may be the most toxic thing in our narrative as mothers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the parenting era we all dread, but do we know enough about it, to adequately prepare our children? Marina chats to Dr Chiara Hunt about when puberty happens, what changes to expect in both boys and girls and why all children should have the HPV vaccination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With six weeks of holidays spreading before us, Marina talks to teacher Harriet Swanwick about the importance of holidays for our children, but also how their learning can continue even though school is on break. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every year thousands of women use hypnosis to help them through labour. Marina and Dr Chiara talk to Hypnobirthing teacher, Margaux Richmond about what it actually is and how it can help women give birth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That frustration when you've lovingly prepared a meal which is swifly rejected by your children is a feeling familiar to all parents. But author and food blogger Emily Leary says she has the answer. Marina talks to Emily about just how you can encourage your children to become an adventurous eater. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being a parent to a baby in NICU is something few of us are prepared for but some of us have to face. Marina talks to author Francesca Segal about her experience of having her premature twins in NICU and what she wished she'd known at the time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have a tendency to think that until they can speak, babies are unable to communicate. Well, today we find out that's far from true as child psychiatrist Kathryn Hollins explains how, from the moment they are born, babies are able to tell us a good amount about who they are, if we give them the opportunity.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While exercise may have been high on our agendas before we had children, for many of us, once we've had a child, we simply don't find the time to do it. Olympic Gold Medallist and mother of two talks to Marina about the how she managed to become the only heptathlete to medal as a mother and how her fitness app, Jennis, will make incorporating exercise into the hectic schedule of a mother, achievable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know how great we feel after a good night's sleep, but sometimes, when we, or our kids need it the most, it's hardest to come by. Marina talks to Pediatric Dietitian Bahee van der Bor and Dr Chiara Hunt about why we sleep and what we can do to ensure both we and our kids sleep well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having a baby changes everything, how you look, how you eat, how you feel.Marina talks to Madeleine Shaw, nutritional therapist and bestselling author about what we can do to fall back in love with ourselves and regain that fire in our bellies, after becoming parents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say that it takes a village to raise a child, not just for the sake of the child but for the parents. Marina and Dr Chiara Hunt chat to family psychiatrist Dr Kathryn Hollins about the needs of the parents during pregnancy and the first two years and how, when these needs are met, the biggest beneficiary is the baby.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's something none of us talk about - we end up flushing it away, wanting to forget about it as soon as possible. But rather than just being something disgusting, what our poo looks like, how often it happens and how it smells can tell us a lot about our gut health. Marina talks to Dr Chiara Hunt about what we should notice about our poo and how to talk about its importance to our children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No-one likes a people pleaser - someone whose opinion is based on what they think you want to hear. But how do we have that conversation with our children, on the one hand teaching them politeness but also giving them the confidence to voice what they really think? Marina chats to psychotherapist Anna Mathur, about giving our children the confidence to be different.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say nature's playground offers more fun and more health benefits than any other environment, and yet today's children spend less time outdoors than any previous generation. Marina talks to Alex Gregory, double Olympic gold medalist, father and author about how to nurture of love of the great outdoors, whatever the weather. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The age old adage, happy mother, happy baby is widely used for a reason - it’s absolutely true. Marina talks to Clio Wood, post natal counselor about the importance of self care for both parents and how to realistically achieve this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether by choice or circumstance, single child families are on the rise. Marina talks to psychologist and only child Ann Richardson about being an only child and what parents can do to help them adjust to situations that can sometimes be challenging. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A big predictor of whether your child is happy is their friendships, and yet these relationships, while often causing intense rewards, can also be the subject of great hurt. Marina talks to Tanith Carey, best-selling author of The Friendship Maze about why our children's friendships are so important and what we as parents can do to ensure our children build strong and lasting friendships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The concerns we have before having our second and third babies differ hugely from when you were pregnant first time round. Marina and Chiara have a frank, honest and hilarious chat with midwife and mother of three Jo Hooper about the common misconceptions around life with more than one child. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Mothers Day, Marina celebrates what it means to be a mother to a daughter with acupuncturist, fertility expert and mother of two daughters, Emma Cannon. From vaginas to periods, to fertility to the menopause, Emma questions why traditionally being female has been regarded as a liability and argues that today's parents should instead, embrace the power our bodies give us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As family dynamics become more fluid, single parent families are on the rise. Marina talks to lifecoach and mother of one Mel Johnson, who decided to have her baby with a sperm donor, about the challenges that single parents face and how to tackle them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twenty-first century life puts huge pressure on us parents to give our children all the opportunities we possibly can. And while opportunity is great, racing through life isn't great for everyone. Marina talks to ex-primary school teacher and HD campaigner Kelly Terranova about how to slow down and take stock of those ordinary moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's excruciating when our children are ill - it's awful seeing them not well but it's also exhausting. But is there anything we can do to prevent them from being sick? Marina talks to pediatrician Dr Sophie Niedermaier-Patramani about how our children's immune systems work and what we can do to boost them.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents all over the world are under increasing pressure from our children to play computer games. But how sensible is this? Are our worries about addiction a huge over-reaction? Marina speaks to Tanya Goodin - a digital consultant, digital detox expert and author. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The loss of a baby is universally tragic, but having been affected by miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a baby, how do you manage subsequent pregnancy motherhood without the fear and trauma of your past experience defining your job as a parent? Marina talks to Michelle Tolfrey, a clinical psychologist and mother to Orla who was stillborn and Esme who was born 11 months later. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're all aware that a complicated relationship with food destroys young lives. Marina and Dr Chiara talk to Dr Adrienne Key, a psychiatrist who specialises in eating disorders about what we as parents can do to nurture a healthy relationship with food. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking time off work when you become a parent is an inevitability but should it affect your career negatively? Marina chats to Dominie Moss, founder of The Return Hub about why parents returning to work after a career break are often stronger, more resilient and tenacious and emerge as one of the work place's most valuable assets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having a baby, however you gave birth, will put pressure on your pelvic floor muscles. A generation ago, it was deemed an acceptable consequence of being a mother that your trampoline days were over but now we know this is not the case. Marina talks to Camilla Lawrence, a women's health physio about the myths surrounding this taboo and what you can do to ensure your pelvic floor emerges from motherhood strong and healthy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say the future belongs to the curious, to those who are not afraid to try it, to explore it, poke at it, question it and turn it inside out. But can we do anything to encourage our children to be curious? Marina’s guest is the author, podcaster and QI Elf, Molly Oldfield about how we can encourage that curiousity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Terrified of the transiiton out of nappies? Then you'll love this - Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina talk about how to know when your child is ready for potty training, how to do it and what happens if it's not as easy as you'd anticipated. Myth busting, evidence based and full of useful information and tips, this podcast is a must listen to for all parents and carers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've got better at talking about mental health but we're still not good enough. At least 10% of new mothers experience Post Natal Depression. Marina and Dr Chiara talk to Rosie Trotter, a mother of two who experienced PND about symptoms and how you treat it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting 'big school' is exciting but often intimidating, for children as well as parents. Marina and Dr Chiara talk to teacher Iona Hewitt about what you can do to support your child in the year leading up to and when they actually start school. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a lot of talk about Gut Health - but what exactly is it? Marina and Dr Chiara talk to Dr Neil Shah, paediatric gastroenterologist about how important it is and what we can do to optimise the gut health of our children and ourselves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world defined by social media, camera phones and filtered photographed there is more pressure than ever on children to look a certain way which is reflected in a growing number of eating disorders and mental health issues. Marina talks to educational coach Emma Gleadhill about how we can instill a healthy attitude to image in our children and persuade them that they are more than what they look like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina chats to the philanthropist, business woman and mother Holly Branson about growing up as a Branson, her struggles to become a mother, and how her charitable work is influencing her as a mother. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In protecting our children from struggle are we building a generation of children who aren't strong enough to deal with life's slings and arrows? Marina talks to Michelle Robinson, Olympic Athlete turned life coach about how to build resilient children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Admitting that there is a problem with one of the most intimate parts of a couple's lives, conception, isn't easy, which is why getting information isn't easy. Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina chat to the author, musician and mother of two about her experience and what to expect from IVF. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conversations around death are never easy, especially with the children we love so much. But because death touches us all at some stage, it's an important conversation to have. Marina talks to the psychotherapist and author, Julia Samuel, about talk about death and support children who are grieving.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The bane of many parents lives, homework is hated by parents and children alike. Marina and Dr Chiara talk to Iona Hewitt, a teacher and educational consultant about why it’s set and how to get on top of homework. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina interviews author, blogger and baby loss campaigner Elle Wright for the Mail on Sunday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For most parents, their lives revolve around their children. And rightly so, this is what children need. But what happens if something bigger comes into your life, what if you're facing major illness, bereavement, separation, divorce? Marina talks to educational coach Emma Gleadhill about how to be a good parent when times get tough. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina chats to Emma Campbell, author, mother of four, cancer survivor about maternal courage in the face of life's biggest challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even though most parents are doing a pretty good job raising their children, they are often dogged by guilt. Marina is joined by Jo Wimble-Groves aka Guilty Mother to talk about why we feel guilty how we can manage it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Good parenting can be defined by preparing our children for life. And a rich life often contains lots of risk. The trouble is that we are loathe for our children to take risks, but is that harming them? Marina talks to Ben Fogle about his recent trip to Everest and how he navigated risk as a father Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we talk about baby loss it's often the grief and sadness that dominate. But some people whose lives are blighted by the loss of a baby often go on to achieve remarkable things. Heidi Eldridge is one of those women. Marina talks to Heidi about her story and Mama Academy - the project that followed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having a baby changes your life in many ways but the one few of us talk about is how it affects our sex lives. Marina is joined by Kate Moyle, a psychosexual therapist in an open, honest and realistic conversation about sex when you have had a baby, about the challenges, the emotions, the hormones and practical tips around how to make it as enjoyable and rewarding as it was before. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As new parents we shower their babies with love, spending hours thinking about how we can be the very best parents. Often we obsess about the buggy, their clothes, teaching them to sign, but often lose sight of what really matters. And what your children will be most grateful is a close and loving family. Marina talks to Couple Therapist Jo Harrisson about the challenges couples face when they beccome parents and how to deal with them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina talks to Clover Stroud, author of "The Wild Other" and mother of five about losing her mother and becoming a mother herself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Children are notorously fussy eaters but it is never more important for humans to eat well than when they're growing. Marina and Dr Chiara are joined by Nutritionalist and Chef duo Jo Saunders and Georgie Soskin of Cooking Them Healthy to chat about what your children need to be eating and how to get them to eat it.Episode Notes:For recipes, ideas, store cupboard lists and details about their workshops check out Jo and Georgie’s blog www.cookingthemhealthy.comInstagram @cookingthemhealthyBare Biology Supplements - https://www.barebiology.comPukka Elderberry Syrup https://www.pukkaherbs.com/teas-supplements/pukka-organic-supplements/elderberry-syrup/Consultations & getting in touch www.naturedoc.co.uk/about/practitioners/jo-saunders/Follow The Parent Hood on Instagram @theparent.hood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the options for women who want a baby but don't have the right man in their lives? Marina and Dr Chiara Hunt meet Mel Johnson, a life coach and creator of The Stork and I, who in her mid thirties decided to have a baby using a sperm donor.You'll find out more about Mel here:InstagramFacebook PageThe Mum Tribe Facebook GroupBlogThe website of the Donor Conception Network Mel mentions is here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know that the first 1001 days of a baby's life, from conception to age 2, is the time that has the greatest impact in their lives. Dr Kathryn Hollins, Child and Family Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist talks to Marina and Dr Chiara Hunt about what's crucial, in particular how to help babies and children understand and manage their feelings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No-one likes the idea of having a needle injected into them, but at the same time vaccinations are crucial to healthy life. Designed to be listened to by children, Dr Chiara Hunt explains how vaccinations protect us from nasty diseases and what would happen if we didn’t have them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina is joined by Louise Webster to discuss how mothers can re-evaluate their working lives after having children, how to juggle home life and career and why employing mothers is one of the smartest moves an employer can make. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Risk is something we all struggle with after becoming parents But how do fathers with dangerous jobs cope? Tam Rodwell, author of Daredevil Dads talks to Marina about meeting smoke jumpers and bomb disposal technicians about how their jobs have affected their roles as parents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The best selling author talks to Marina about what inspired her to start writing books, and how to get your fussy eaters to embrace a varied diet.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anyone else find one of the most stressful parts of summer is applying suncream to reluctant children? Well, maybe it’s time that they understood the importance. Designed to be listened to by children, Dr Chiara Hunt talks about how suncream protects us and what can happen if we don’t use it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Regardless of when it happens, miscarriage can leave parents confused, guilty, bewildered, sad and sometimes in pain. In spite of it affecting millions of couples every year, it’s not something that we a society talk about much, which is why Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle have recorded an honest podcast about the physical, practical and emotional reality of miscarriage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Making a baby is often not as straightforward as we hope it might be. Fertility expert Emma Cannon talks to Marina about the simple things you can do in life to make conception more likely.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many couples, getting pregnant takes longer than expected. Dr Chiara Hunt talks frankly about what couples need to be doing to give themselves the best chances of conceiving and what your options are if it’s not working. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina chats to mother of one, Binky Felstead about her pregnancy, birth and how she’s finding life as a mother.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For thousands of years families have thrived in the company of pets and increasingly scientists are realising that growing up with a pet at home is beneficial for children. Dr Bruce Fogle, vet, author, pet owner and grandfather of five talks to Marina about how to balance one of life’s greatest relationships when you have children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you could only use two words to describe new mothers, they would probably be Sleep Deprived. Baby Expert, Hattie Weeks joins Marina to talk about how to gently encourage good sleep habits in your baby so that they learn the vital skills needed to get (and give you) a good nights sleep. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the million dollar question that dogs most parents for the duration of their children’s childhood. For many women working is important and necessary part of their lives but everyone feels a little guilt. Sarah Gerth, a career coach specialising in supporting parents, gives us the lowdown on what parents can do to make that juggle a little easier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents often bemoan the fact that swimming lessons might give your child great strokes but will definitely give your child a verruca. But how much truth is there in this? Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle discuss how verrucae are spread, how to prevent them and the efficacy of all the cures out there.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anyone else sick of weekends in theme parks? Historian and father of two Dan Snow talks to Marina and Chiara about how he goes about encouraging a love and interest of history in his children so that they share an interest and hobby Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcaster, vlogger, author and mother of two (nearly three) Giovanna Fletcher tells us how she manages to fit her crazy work schedule in to her life as a mother.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This series is all about talking to various busy parents to get their take on parenting. In this episode Marina is joined by adventurer, writer, broadcaster, father of two (and her husband), Ben Fogle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special episode, designed for parents to listen to with their children, Marina is joined by Dr Asha Dwarakanath, a dentist and mother of two, to talk about why we brush our teeth and what happens if we don’t. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s okay to share your friend’s toothbrush and what people did in the old days when their teeth fell out, this episode has all the answers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina is joined by Adriana Chryssicopoulos, founder of "Nine in the Mirror" whose mission it has been to revolutionise the way women dress their bumps.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anxiety is a condition that affects a lot of children; fear about terror attacks, natural disasters and plane crashes is something that, thanks to our omnipresent media our children are more aware of than ever. Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle talk to Emma Gleadhill, specialist in adolescent development, about how to communicate with our children so they can articulate their fears and master their anxiety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Internet entrepreneur and digital detox evangelist Tanya Goodin joins Marina Fogle to talk about the implications of increased screen time on families and how to develop a positive relationship with the devices that are an increasing presence in our lives.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No parent even wants to contemplate this, but a bit of knowledge can save lives. Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina go through the basic rules that every new parent should follow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From miscarriage to stillbirth to the death of a baby before their life has really started, baby loss affects many parents every day. Marina Fogle is joined by fertility and women’s health expert Emma Cannon and author, blogger and survivor of baby loss, Elle Wright.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most sleep addled mothers don’t give a second thought to stopping breastfeeding, but actually it’s complicated and if done incorrectly can lead to discomfort and even mastitis. Marina is joined by breastfeeding expert Geraldine Miskin to discuss how to do this in a gentle an controlled way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Norris, aka The Baby Detective joins Marina to talk about how new parents start gently encouraging their babies to sleep through the night. Rather than forcing new babies onto a rigorous routine, Sarah’s gentle method of encouraging new parents to understand the needs of their babies makes this an achievable concept. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No longer something you can just buy a book about and hope for the best, sex is something we need to talk to our children about. In a world where sex in all its forms is more accessible to children than ever before, we cannot afford for this to remain a taboo. Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle chat to Emma Gleadhill, teacher turned adolescent development guru, about how to have this conversation with children of all ages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just when you thought you were busy enough, it’s time for you to start cooking for your child. Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina chat about when you know your baby is ready, the kit you’ll need, what to feed your baby and how to feed on the go. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If only babies were born able to communicate from day 1, life for new parents would be so much easier. This week Dr Chiara and Marina discuss how to recognise different cries and beginning to understand your baby. Different reasons for crying are also on the agenda – from evening fretting, to colic and reflux. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Chiara and Marina discuss this week the thing most parents want more than anything in the world. From how much sleep your baby should get and how to get them to actually sleep, to coping with sleep deprivation as a parent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Dr Chiara and Marina are discussing what to expect from a medical point of view in the first year, from routine examinations to vaccinations. They discuss the importance and safety of vaccinating your baby as well as giving tips on how to prepare you for them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina take you through what teething actually means, what teeth your baby will be getting when, what the symptoms are and most importantly what you can do to make your baby more comfortable. From Calpol to Amber necklaces, the duo dissect various treatments and talk about how effective they are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just when you thought you’d conquered the most disgusting part of being a parent, another monster looms. Worms are common among primary school children and the thought of them is enough to make any parent feel feint. Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina discuss what these worms are, how your child can catch them and what you need to do to get rid of them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the inevitable that all new parents dread, because looking after a baby is hard enough without bringing sickness into the mix. Dr Chiara Hunt joins Marina to talk about what you can do to prevent your baby from picking up a bug, how to care for a sick baby and how to look after your baby if you are sick. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether or not parents plan to use a dummy is the subject of many a contentious conversation. Marina is joined by baby expert, Sarah Norris, who talks about the pros and cons of using a dummy, when they are useful and how to manage their use so they don’t become a burden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 20th November 2017 data was published showing that going to sleep on your back in the third trimester could double your risk of stillbirth. Marina and Dr Chiara Hunt discuss the study and its recommendations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina quickly round up what to expect and what questions you might want to ask at the 6 week check that every baby has with their GP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The raging hormones are to blame for a mother’s heightened emotions following the birth of her baby. In this episode Dr Chiara Hunt joins Marina to discuss the emotional highs and lows of being a parent, from immediately after birth, through the baby blues to postnatal depression. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are these parasites and how are they spread. Dr Chiara Hunt talks to Marina about what to do when you find these critters lurking in your child’s hair, how to stop the spread and whether or not adults can get them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Breastfeeding expert Geraldine Miskin joins Marina again. Now that you’ve established feeding, there’s another inevitable round of questions that parents need answered, from what to do if you have too little milk or if you have too much milk, what foods to avoid while breastfeeding and whether it’s safe to drink alcohol. The duo also explain how to look after milk if you’re pumping, what mastitis is and how to avoid it and how to feed discreetly in public. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina’s guest today is breastfeeding specialist Geraldine Miskin. With decades of experience of teaching mothers and babies how to breastfeed, Geraldine guides you through the first feed, how to get a good (and pain free) latch, how to burp your baby and how to know your baby is getting enough milk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle chat through those first weeks at home – how you will feel physically, your recovery, what routine visits to expect from midwives and health visitors and when most couples start having sex again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the FDA again advised recently against parents putting babies in sleep positioners, Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle discuss the dangers, the statistics and how to make sure your baby is safe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another episode to download before birth, to listen to in hospital, this time Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle talk through how you might feel and your recovery, both after a natural birth and a caesarean section. The duo discuss what checks mother and baby will have in hospital and how to make the postnatal ward a bit nicer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle discuss the shock of realising that you’ve just given birth. Worth listening to before you go in to labour, this episode prepares you for what your baby will actually look like, cutting the umbilical cord, the vitamin K injection, what an APGAR score is and what if your baby has to go in to special care. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle introduce their new podcast, The Parent Hood. Find out what inspired the sisters to create a podcast, what they’ll cover and how it will transform your life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.