How Not to Screw Up Your Kids

Is bedtime a battle?

Does your child wake through the night?

Or are you simply unsure whether your child is getting enough sleep?

Most parents think of sleep as “rest”, but once you understand what sleep is actually doing inside your child’s developing brain, everything changes.

In today’s episode, I break down the science behind sleep - what it really says about memory consolidation, emotional regulation, growth, immunity and mental health, and how chronic sleep loss shows up in behaviour in more ways than just yawning!

I’ll walk you through age‑by‑age sleep guidelines, the neuroscience behind sleep, why some children wake repeatedly, why teenagers genuinely can’t fall asleep early, and how circadian rhythm disruptions quietly sabotage bedtime.

And I also share with you five practical, proven things that genuinely help, and you can start doing them tonight.

Sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation of learning, behaviour, resilience and emotional wellbeing. Once you understand this, you’ll never look at bedtime the same way again.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:00 - Your child does 4 things in sleep that they do not do awake

04:27 - Sleep is not a luxury item

08:02 - How much sleep does your child need?

11:40 - Learnt sleep associations

16:34 - 5 things that actually help

23:11 - Practical things you can do

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I’m diving deep into one of the most emotionally charged parts of parenting: your child’s friendships.

I’ll show you how to read what their social world is really telling you, how to recognise what’s developmentally normal, and how to support them without stepping in too fast or taking over.

I will explain the difference between friendship friction and genuine red flags, how to coach your child from the sidelines, and how to make home the safest place for them to talk about their social world. I also unpack the unique challenges neurodiverse children face in friendships and give you clear, practical things you can right now to help.

If you’ve ever worried about your child being left out, dropped, overwhelmed, or stuck in friendship drama, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a roadmap for what to do next. 

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:46 - Friendships are developmental

04:45 - The foundations of a healthy friendship

11:11 - Things you can do

15:05 - Quality over quantity

18:39 - Know what is age appropriate

22:25 - The three parts of an apology

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spoiler alert: a tantrum isn’t bad behaviour. It’s a developmental event that happens when your kid’s nervous system is really overwhelmed.

When your children have tantrums, it is never a reflection of you or your parenting. It’s a completely normal and age appropriate thing.

So in this episode, I’m diving into the world of toddler tantrums - what causes them, what happens in your child’s brain at that moment, and the five things that genuinely help.

You’ll learn why reasoning never works during a meltdown, how your calm becomes their co‑regulation, why naming the feeling (not the behaviour) changes everything, and how staying close and reconnecting afterwards builds emotional regulation, resilience, confidence and long‑term self‑belief.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated or unsure how to respond when your toddler explodes, this episode gives you a clear, compassionate roadmap that works.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:58 - The spiky beaker

03:36 - Look through a wide lens

09:10 - Co-regulation

11:06 - Do not try to reason

16:20 - Name the feeling

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you know if your child is confident, or just masking?

In today’s episode, I explain the two core skills that create genuine, lifelong confidence, and once you understand these foundations, helping your child become braver, more resilient, and more willing to try new things becomes so much easier.

I walk you through the wide‑lens approach I use with families, showing you how confidence grows through lived experience AND I share the five practical strategies I recommend for toddlers, primary‑aged children, and teenagers.

If you’ve ever worried about a child who won’t try new things, who crumbles at the first sign of difficulty, or who compares themselves harshly to others, this episode will give you the language and mindset to help them grow real confidence from the inside out.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:06 - Confidence is not fearless

05:28 - Self-effigacy and self-worth

09:47 - Confidence is trying anyway

13:41 - How to deal with pre-schoolers

17:13 - Age and stage appropriate levels

21:48 - Watch the labels

27:42 - Separate worth from performance

32:42 - Hold first, help second

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever asked your children “How was school?” and received “Fine”, “I don’t know”, or total silence, you’re not alone. Our children walk through the door with a full emotional bucket, tired from holding themselves together all day, so the usual questions just don’t work.

In today’s bucket emptying episode, I give you five simple questions you can start using today that help your kids open and help you connect deeper and communicate better.

If you want to strengthen your relationship with your child, reduce after‑school battles, and finally hear what their day was really like, this episode gives you the exact language and structure to do it.

These five questions are so much more than ice-breakers.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:55 - Stop asking impossible questions

04:09 - Talking is not the same as being ready to connect

08:09 - Consistency is safe

10:26 - Plant the seeds

12:40 - The 5 questions

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the real key to raising a child who genuinely loves learning - not because of school pressure, grades, or how much homework they do, but because curiosity and resilience have been built from the inside out?

As a psychologist and parent, I’ve seen again and again that children do the best academically and emotionally when we stop focusing on homework battles, reading resistance, or low motivation, and instead think about the deeper skills that make learning fun and self‑driven.

In today’s episode, I walk you through the two main skills every child needs - curiosity and resilience - and give you five practical ways you can start strengthening them today.

From following your child’s natural spark, to praising the process instead of the outcome, to letting them see you get things wrong, protecting unstructured time, and resisting the urge to rescue them too quickly… these are the tools that build lifelong learners who don’t need pushing, bribing or nagging.

This episode will help your child become more confident, capable, motivated and engaged, at school and beyond.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:47 - Playing the long game

05:39 - 2 skill gaps you need to know

08:41 - Failing is how you learn

13:19 - Identity and outcome

15:55 - Get things wrong

18:30 - Teach your kids to be curious

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first day at a new school can be a scary experience for many children, as well as us parents! But what do you do if your kid is super nervous?

We often feel like the bad guy making them go in when they clearly don’t want to, even when we know it’s the best thing for them, so in this week’s bucket emptying episode, I give you my ten top tips for managing those first day jitters.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:21 - It’s normal to feel nervous

05:33 - Active listening

09:28 - Pulling back bedtime

13:28 - Role play problem solving

14:55 - Prep ourselves

18:03 - Protect their energy

21:35 - A happy child is more likely to learn

24:51 - Pulling everything together

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether your child is starting reception, moving into secondary school, returning to a familiar classroom, or stepping into a brand‑new environment like college or university, there is one important conversation you should be having, but most parents miss it.

In today’s episode, I walk you through exactly how I approach this conversation in my own family and with the families I support: how to choose the right moment, how to open the discussion without triggering anxiety, how to validate their feelings, how to widen the emotional picture, and how to end with the kind of certainty that genuinely steadies a child’s nervous system.

I’m going to give you the practical steps to help your children feel safe, prepared and connected, without the overwhelm.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:49 - Ch-ch-ch-changes

04:00 - How to know when your child is ready

08:06 - Worst case scenarios

10:49 - What to ask… and what not to ask

13:29 - Validate whatever they say

17:03 - This is what certainty sounds like

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Results week doesn’t end on results day - in fact, the days and weeks following results day is where the real emotional work happens.

In today’s bucket emptying episode, I give you three precise, ready‑to‑use conversation starters that help your child feel seen, steady and supported, regardless of whether they’re celebrating, disappointed, confused or quietly struggling.

As a parent, your words shape how your child processes their results, how they rebuild their confidence, and how they move forward. These conversation starters work for GCSEs, A‑levels and any moment where your child is facing uncertainty, shame, pride or a changed plan.

If you want to be the supportive presence your child needs, reduce overwhelm, and strengthen their emotional resilience, this episode gives you the exact language to do it.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:41 - What about afterwards?

02:23 - No pressure

05:03 - Resist reassurance

08:02 - Love is not conditional

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GCSE results day isn’t really about grades - it’s about emotions. Everyone is feeling a lot of things, from the moment you wake up, to opening that envelope, and then processing whatever is inside.

In this episode, I explain why teens react so differently to results, and how your own exam memories resurface to influence your parenting. Remember: this day belongs to our children. Let them lead and be there to help them navigate whatever they’re feeling.

To help you get through results day, I am giving you five tools you can use today that help your child feel safe, supported, and seen, because a calm parent changes everything.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:40 - Results day stays with us

05:08 - Signs to look for

08:33 - Why does our response matter so much

12:11 - 5 things you need to do

14:47 - Do not compare

17:05 - You don’t need to talk about the future today

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset  

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your teenager’s exam results were not what you expected, your plans might be making some sudden changes. That’s ok, and this episode is for you.

Whether your child didn’t get the grades they hoped for, is suddenly unsure about university, or is facing a future that looks different from what they imagined, I will walk you through the five things I want you to do this week to help them move forward.

Disappointing results can trigger shock, anxiety and fear, because teenagers aren’t just losing a plan, they’re losing the version of themselves they thought they were becoming.

I show you how to name the loss, how to slow the decision‑making process so your teen isn’t making life choices in a state of distress, and how to help them build a new story that feels hopeful rather than catastrophic. I also give you the exact language to separate their identity from their grades, and the questions that help them lead the next step with confidence rather than panic.

If your teenager is hurting, overwhelmed or unsure what comes next, this episode will give you the guidance you need to support them in the weeks and months ahead.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:50 - Grieving your imagined future

02:21 - How to acknowledge your child

05:35 - Help them write a new story

09:11 - Let them lead

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset  

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Results Day is one of the most emotionally-charged moments in your teenager’s life, and what you say in the first hours after they open that envelope can shape their confidence, their resilience, and their future selves. No pressure 😂

Today I am going to give you the exact sentences to use on A‑level Results Day, GCSE Results Day, or any high‑stakes academic moment. No clichés, no “at least” statements, no accidental pressure, just clear, grounded language that helps your teen feel seen, supported and safe.

You’ll learn why teens process results so intensely, how to avoid the most common parental mistakes, what to say before they open their grades, how to respond if they’re devastated, and how to hold the emotional space so they can think clearly again.

If you’re stressed about how to help your child through results day, this episode is exactly what you need!

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:40 - Your role on results day

05:04 - 4 things to do before they open the envelope

10:34 - What to do on the day

14:45 - Follow their lead

18:10 - It’s their news to tell

20:09 - Avoid these things

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset  

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A must‑listen for every parent navigating the screen‑time battle this summer!

Today, I cut through the overwhelm with one simple, highly effective rule that stops arguments, protects your child’s sleep, stabilises their mood, and restores calm at home.

If you’re seeing bedtime resistance, evening meltdowns, wired behaviour at night, or grumpy mornings, this episode explains why screens are disrupting your child’s emotional regulation - and exactly how to fix it without becoming the screen police.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:06 - A different rule for Summer

03:20 - Screens are not the enemy

06:06 - 2 minute conversations

09:21 - What are your endpoints?

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset  

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Screens aren’t just distracting your child - they’re quietly disrupting the one thing their brain and body cannot function without: sleep. And when sleep quality drops, everything else follows: mood, behaviour, emotional regulation, impulse control, learning, resilience and family harmony.

In today’s episode, I explain the real screen‑time problem most parents miss, how it impacts your child’s sleep, and give you five practical things you can start doing tonight to fix it.

So if you’re constantly in a battle with the screens, and it’s turning bedtime into a war, this episode is a must listen.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:38 - The biggest danger of screen time

03:10 - Does your child do this?

06:52 - The science of sleep

12:06 - 5 things you can do tonight

18:04 - The one week experiment

20:24 - We’re not fighting the robots

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset  

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fear of failure is one of the most misunderstood challenges parents face, especially when you’re raising a bright, capable child who refuses to try anything unless success is guaranteed.

Today, I break down exactly why children avoid new experiences, quit the moment things get hard, melt down over mistakes, or insist “I can’t do it” before they’ve even begun.

I am going to give you 5 practical strategies you can start using today to build resilience, confidence and emotional regulation, without pushing too hard.

If your child avoids homework, quits activities, panics about getting things wrong, or compares themselves constantly to others, then I promise this episode will help you.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:55 - A quick reminder

02:52 - What’s the worst that can happen?

07:46 - Model imperfection

11:30 - They are never doing it alone

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset  

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re watching your bright, capable child refuse to try anything unless success is guaranteed, this episode is going to feel like oxygen.

I’m breaking down exactly what’s really driving fear of failure in children - the avoidance, the perfectionism, the “I’m not doing it if I’m going to be bad at it” - and I’m giving you five practical things you can do right now to close the resilience gap.

You’ll learn how fear of failure forms, how to spot it, and how to help your child build the confidence to try, struggle, persist and grow… even when things don’t go perfectly.

If you’ve ever worried that your child’s fear of getting it wrong might hold them back, this episode will show you how to turn it around starting today. 

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:24 - Fear of failing is NOT this…

05:57 - How to spot a fear of failure

11:23 - 3 mistakes you might be making

16:05 - 5 things you can do right now

18:33 - Normalise failure

21:22 - Separate your child from the performance

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset  

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m tackling one of the most confusing challenges parents face: how to support a highly sensitive child without wrapping them in cotton wool or pushing them too hard. If your child feels everything deeply - the party overwhelm, the criticism that undoes them, the emotional intensity that seems bigger than everyone else’s - then you need this episode.

If you’ve ever worried that you’re either protecting your child too much or not protecting them enough, this episode will give you the middle path - one that honours their depth, strengthens their confidence, and helps them grow into the extraordinary person they’re wired to be.

So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:18 - The biggest mistake you will make

05:22 - A flooded nervous system cannot take information

08:14 - Manage, don’t avoid

10:40 - What adult do you want to raise?

13:16 - Be your child’s counter narrative

15:19 - Be a role model

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset  

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most misunderstood traits I see in children every single week: high sensitivity.

If your child feels everything deeply - the loud places, the scratchy clothes, the emotional intensity of a birthday party they actually enjoyed - you may have wondered whether it’s anxiety, ADHD, autism, or something you’ve somehow caused. So let’s clear it up.

I explain the difference between high sensitivity, anxiety, and neurodivergence, why they overlap, and how to tell what you’re really looking at.

You’ll learn the five patterns that reliably show up in highly sensitive children, why their nervous system processes the world more deeply, and how this trait can be a profound strength when it’s understood rather than pathologised.

Most importantly, I will give you five practical tools you can start using today.

If you’ve ever been told your child is “too sensitive”, or you’ve quietly wondered whether something is wrong, this episode will help you see what’s actually happening, and what your child truly needs.

Highlights from this episode:

01:21 - Can labels be limiting?

03:13 - Highly sensitive is not a diagnosis

06:26 - 5 signs of high sensitivity

13:41 - Sensitivity versus neurodivergence

19:36 - What you can do right now

26:07 - Sensitivity is a superpower

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset  

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I will walk you through the real first week of the school holidays - the meltdowns, the boredom, the clinginess, the explosions over nothing - and why this week is always the hardest for anxious children.

I explain exactly what’s happening in your child’s nervous system when the school‑day scaffolding disappears, why their bucket fills before lunchtime, and the three practical tools you can use immediately to stabilise the week.

So if you’re standing in your kitchen wondering how you’re going to survive six weeks, this episode gives you what you need to get through the first seven days without losing yourself!

Highlights from this episode:

01:11 - When the scaffolding comes down

03:00 - What is the bucket?

05:09 - Name the state, not the behaviour

08:50 - Predictable moments

11:01 - Lower your expectations

14:33 - Holiday rhythm card

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset  

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer holidays are tough for parents, but it can be a hidden superpower! In this episode, I explain exactly why anxious children struggle the moment school ends, why the holidays bring out their anxiety, and the five practical tools that genuinely help.

I walk you through the real reason behind the meltdowns, the boredom‑to‑explosion cycle, the clinginess, and the screen‑time battles. You’ll learn how predictability, scaffolding, social structure and nervous‑system load change dramatically once term ends - and why this shift hits anxious children harder than anyone expects.

I also break down the three groups of children who improve in the holidays:

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear, compassionate framework for understanding your child’s behaviour, plus five actionable tools you can start right now.

Highlights from this episode:

01:22 - Anxiety is information

04:45 - How to spot anxiety

09:23 - Social comparison

12:19 - The trigger has left the building

16:54 - Contrast is the signal

20:57 - Where does overwhelm come from?

23:18 - 5 tools to use now

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset  

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s bucket‑emptying episode, I’m giving you the exact words to use in one of the hardest parenting moments: when your child looks at you and says “I’m not good enough.”

If you’ve ever watched your child crumble after a mistake, a test, a football practice, or a moment that didn’t go their way, and your reassurance only made things worse, you need this episode.

I walk you through three specific tools that work with an overwhelmed nervous system, not against it.

You’ll learn why reassurance backfires, what’s actually happening inside your child’s emotional bucket, and how to respond in a way that builds resilience, emotional regulation, and self‑worth.

If your child struggles with perfectionism, anxiety, low confidence, big feelings, or shutdowns, this episode is your secret weapon.

Highlights from this episode:

02:12 - This is what your child really means

04:31 - Do this before anything else

07:16 - Permanence is terrifying

09:24 - Empty the bucket

11:48 - My give to you

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re a woman in your 40s or 50s who feels like everything has suddenly become harder - the brain fog, the overwhelm, the burnout, the emotional crashes, the sense that you’re “failing” at things you used to manage - this episode may explain more than you realise.

I’m joined again by Jessie Hewitson to talk about a phenomenon we’re seeing everywhere: women in peri‑ and post‑menopause receiving an ADHD or autism diagnosis for the very first time.

Jessie shares her own story, how supporting her neurodivergent son led her to recognise lifelong patterns in herself, and how the hormonal shifts of perimenopause made previously manageable struggles suddenly impossible to ignore. We talk about why so many women were missed as children, how inattentive ADHD presents completely differently in girls and women, why masking works until it doesn’t, and how executive function collapses under hormonal change.

We also dive into rejection sensitivity dysphoria, people‑pleasing, burnout, the “good girl” conditioning so many women carry, and why the perfect storm of midlife - teenagers, aging parents, senior roles, and hormonal upheaval - pushes long‑standing neurodivergence to the surface.

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re suddenly overwhelmed by tasks you used to juggle, why anxiety has spiked, why your coping strategies have stopped working, or why menopause feels like more than menopause, this conversation will give you clarity, and help you understand what might really be going on.

Highlights from this episode:

01:44 - Neurotypical strategies don’t work!

04:43 - Inattentive versus hyperactive

10:25 - Executive function

16:43 - ADHD and burnout

19:25 - Rejection sensitivity

25:17 - Anxiety of falling short

28:59 - The shame of ADHD

32:51 - Task initiation

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your daughter is “fine at school” but falling apart at home - the meltdowns, the morning battles, the homework explosions, the constant need for you to narrate every step - this episode may be the missing piece you’ve been searching for. Because none of this is about attitude, defiance or bad parenting. It may be ADHD, and in girls it looks nothing like the stereotype.

In this episode, I walk you through three signs of ADHD in girls that are missed for years sometimes decades. You’ll learn why your daughter’s bucket fills faster than anyone realises, why she can hold it together all day only to unravel the moment she feels safe, why she can’t sequence tasks her peers manage easily, and why her emotional reactions seem so out of proportion to the trigger.

I’ll show you how masking works, why teachers often see a completely different child, and why girls are diagnosed three to four years later than boys… if they’re diagnosed at all.

And most importantly, I’ll give you the language and the framework to recognise these signs in your daughter and know exactly what to do next.

If you’ve been quietly wondering whether something deeper is going on, if anxiety treatment hasn’t shifted the core problem, if the worry keeps coming back, if the restlessness never quite makes sense, this episode will help you see your daughter clearly, compassionately, and accurately.

You know your child. If something has felt “off” for a long time, trust that. And let this episode be your starting point.

Highlights from this episode:

02:14 - The stuff nobody else sees

04:48 - This is why your daughter is not diagnosed

07:11 - Executive dysfunction

10:07 - It’s not bad behaviour

12:09 - Why do girls get missed?

14:20 - Treatment is more than medication

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re parenting a girl who is anxious, overwhelmed, explosive at home, masking at school, or constantly burning out, this episode will give you answers you may have been searching for for years.

I’m joined by Dr Olivia Kesel, whose new book Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls is one I believe every parent of a daughter should read.

Olivia shares her story of years of chaos, shame, confusion and exhaustion, and the moment everything changed when she finally understood what was happening inside her daughter’s brain. We talk openly about the behaviours parents blame themselves for: the violent outbursts, the school‑morning battles, the sleepless nights, the homework meltdowns, the “she’s fine at school but falling apart at home” pattern. And we unpack why girls with ADHD are so often missed, misdiagnosed, or treated for the wrong thing entirely.

You’ll learn the signs of ADHD in girls that parents and teachers overlook, why masking is a red flag rather than reassurance, how estrogen amplifies symptoms during puberty and perimenopause, why anxiety and depression treatments often fail when ADHD is the root cause, and what to do if you suspect your daughter’s struggles go deeper than anyone has realised.

If you’ve ever felt alone, ashamed, or convinced you’re “failing” as a parent because nothing seems to work, this conversation will give you clarity, compassion, and a roadmap. You are not imagining it. You are not alone. And there is a way forward.

More from Olivia:

Beyond the Label - https://a.co/d/0c1d9ou4 

SEND Parenting Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/send-parenting-podcast/id1655677210 

Website - https://www.droliviakessel.com/ 

Highlights from this episode:

04:23 - Chaos and crap

08:52 - The biggest myth about ADHD

13:31 - Symptoms of ADHD in girls

19:58 - Dopamine and masking explained

23:52 - Treating the symptom over the cause

29:03 - Everyone has ADHD

32:55 - What can parents do?

38:20 - Diagnosis pros and cons

42:26 - To medicate or not to medicate

48:01 - Don’t listen to social media

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your child is constantly shouting “It’s not fair!”, measuring every biscuit, bedtime or privilege against their sibling, and turning every moment into a competition, this episode will help you breathe again.

None of this is really about fairness; it’s about belonging. When children compare, they’re not asking about portions. They’re asking, do I matter as much as they do?

In this episode, I’ll show you exactly what’s happening underneath the comparison and why logic never works when your child’s emotional bucket is full. You’ll learn the three tools that actually shift the dynamic: how to name the feeling beneath the argument, how to reframe fairness as equity rather than equality, and how to help your child build their own yardstick so they stop measuring themselves against their sibling.

If you’re exhausted by the constant battles, or worried that your child will always be stuck in comparison mode, this episode will give you clarity, language and practical steps you can use today.

They’re not fighting about the biscuit - they’re asking if they matter. And you can answer that question in a way that changes everything.

Highlights from this episode:

01:11 - It’s not about the biscuit

04:29 - Name what they’re actually asking

06:40 - Equity over quality

09:14 - Give them their own yardstick

12:13 - It’s not you, it’s me

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever worried about sibling rivalry, felt guilty about how your attention is divided, or wondered whether your children secretly believe you have a favourite, this episode will change how you see your family forever.

I’m joined by journalist and author Catherine Carr to talk about her extraordinary book Who’s the Favourite? - a deep dive into the hidden emotional world of siblings.

We explore the roles children fall into - the helper, the golden child, the invisible one - and how parents often reinforce these roles without realising.

We talk about birth‑order myths, why each child grows up in a completely different family, and how sibling dynamics can quietly shape anxiety, perfectionism and self‑worth.

And Catherine shares powerful insights on “glass siblings,” the children who become unseen because a brother or sister’s needs dominate family life.

If you’re raising siblings, an only child, or simply trying to understand the emotional ecosystem your children are growing up in, this conversation is essential. It’s warm, honest, eye‑opening, and it will give you the language and perspective you need to support every child in your family more intentionally.

More from Catherine:

Buy the book - https://a.co/d/0aiXNRSq 

Listen to the podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/relatively/id1544111718 

Highlights from this episode:

03:31 - Who’s the favourite?

09:13 - The optimal age gap

16:44 - Assigning roles

21:39 - Glass siblings

27:46 - I’m the star!

37:55 - Ch ch ch changes

41:17 - The longest relationship you will ever have

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When your child looks at you and says, “I’m not good enough,” it hits you in the chest. Every instinct you have wants to fix it, to tell them they’re brilliant, to list every wonderful thing about them, to make the feeling go away. But if you’ve tried that, you already know it doesn’t work. They don’t believe you. They cry harder. They shut down. And you’re left wondering what on earth you’re supposed to say.

In this episode, I’ll show you exactly what’s happening in your child’s brain in that moment, and why reassurance, however loving, cannot land.

When a child says “I’m not good enough,” their emotional bucket is full. Their nervous system is overwhelmed. Their thinking brain is offline. You’re not talking to logic; you’re talking to a flooded body.

I’ll walk you through the three tools that actually work: how to acknowledge the feeling so their guard comes down, how to shift them from a global identity statement to a specific moment, and how to help them empty their bucket so they can regulate again.

These are simple, powerful steps you can use tonight - in the car, in the kitchen, or at bedtime - to help your child feel seen, safe and supported.

If you’re tired of reassurance falling flat and you want a response that truly helps your child in their “I’m not good enough” spiral, this episode gives you the words, the sequence, and the science behind why they work.

Highlights from this episode:

01:09 - I’m Not Good Enough

03:58 - Hear It First

06:43 - Action Over Identity

08:50 - Empty the Bucket

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your child is melting down over tiny mistakes, refusing to start homework, or abandoning activities the moment they stop being “naturally good,” this episode is one you cannot afford to skip.

I’m seeing perfectionism show up in more children than ever, and most parents don’t realise it’s not about high standards at all. It’s anxiety. And it’s quietly eroding your child’s confidence, resilience, and joy.

In this episode, I break down what perfectionism really is, why it develops, and the hidden signs most families miss - from the blank‑page freeze to the endless erasing, the shutdowns, the self‑criticism, and the sudden quitting of things they once loved.

I’ll show you the neuroscience behind why your child reacts this way, the early experiences that wire these beliefs in, and the five practical tools you can start using today to help them feel enough, even when things aren’t perfect.

If you’re tired of walking on eggshells, exhausted by homework battles, or worried that your child’s fear of getting it wrong is holding them back, this episode will give you clarity, language, and a plan. Perfectionism isn’t fixed, and with the right support, your child can learn to try, to tolerate mistakes, and to thrive again.

Highlights from this episode:

01:11 - Performance = Worth

06:05 - The signs of perfectionism

10:05 - The root cause of anxiety

14:40 - Five things that work

18:18 - Mind the gap

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your child can spend 45 minutes sharpening pencils, rearranging their desk, or “revising” without absorbing a single thing, you are not imagining it - something is getting in the way of their concentration, and it’s not laziness or lack of effort.

In this bucket emptying episode, I’ll show you why so many children struggle to focus, even when they’re trying, and why the strategies most parents rely on - timers, bribery, removing distractions - often don’t work. Drawing on the neuroscience shared by Professor Sam Wass in Thursday’s deeper‑dive episode, I’ll walk you through three practical, evidence‑based strategies you can use this week to transform how your child focuses.

You’ll learn why stressed or anxious brains cannot concentrate, why understanding must come before focus, and why even a face‑down phone across the room can derail your child’s attention.

Most importantly, you’ll come away with three simple tools that work with your child’s brain rather than against it so homework, revision, and everyday tasks finally feel doable again.

If you’re exhausted by the battles and starting to wonder whether something is “wrong,” this episode will give you clarity, relief, and a plan that actually works.

Highlights from this episode:

01:14 - What Would Sam Do?

02:45 - STRESS

05:24 - Two Kinds of Concentration

07:07 - Give the brain something to cling to

09:05 - Understanding Before Focus

11:59 - Screens are competing for your child’s attention - don’t let them win!

14:25 - Watch out for these two things

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever wondered why your child can spend 40 minutes talking about Minecraft but can’t concentrate for four minutes on homework, this episode explains everything.

I’m joined again by Professor Sam Wass, and if you heard his previous episodes, you’ll know why parents loved them. In today’s conversation, Sam breaks down what concentration actually is from a neuroscience perspective, why young children are wired to be easily distracted, and why some children struggle far more than others in noisy classrooms, during revision, or when faced with a blank page.

We dig into the two types of concentration every child needs, why the frontal cortex develops painfully slowly, how screens hijack attention, and why understanding something is the single biggest predictor of whether a child can focus on it.

If you’re battling procrastination, homework refusal, or a child who “just can’t sit still,” this episode will give you the clarity you’ve been missing

If you want to understand your child’s brain - and finally stop blaming them (or yourself) for something that’s biological, predictable, and fixable - you need to listen to this.

Highlights from this episode:

02:40 - Concentrating through doing

09:20 - Two ways to structure learning tasks

15:46 - My name is Sam and I am a Candy Crush addict

21:53 - Build on interests

27:24 - Stress and concentration

34:39 - Screen time

38:56 - We are prediction machines

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your child is anxious, you already know how hard evenings can be. You sit beside them wanting desperately to help, but every time you try to reassure them, it backfires. Logic doesn’t land. Distraction doesn’t stick. And sometimes, despite your best intentions, the thing you say makes everything worse.

This episode gives you something you can use tonight.

I’ll walk you through five specific, evidence‑based questions that shift an anxious child from overwhelm into curiosity, even if they’re tired, irritable, or shutting down.

These questions work because they bypass the logical brain (which is offline during anxiety) and instead help your child observe what’s happening inside them with a little more distance and a lot more safety.

You’ll learn exactly why each question works, how to use them, and what to do when your child gives you nothing but a shrug or a grunt. By the end, you’ll have a simple, repeatable toolkit you can rely on every night - no scripts, no pressure, no perfect parenting required.

If you’ve been searching for the right words to help your worried child, this episode gives you five you can use before bedtime.

Highlights from this episode:

00:59 - What you get from this episode

03:34 - The 5 questions

06:53 - Give the worry a form

09:25 - A brutal inner demon

11:22 - Two red flags

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your child is melting down over homework, asking endless “what if” questions, getting mysterious tummy aches, refusing school, withdrawing from activities, or exploding the moment they walk through the door, you need this episode.

I work with anxious and dysregulated children every single day, and what I want you to know is this: most of the behaviours parents struggle with aren’t actually behaviour problems - they’re anxiety in disguise.

Spoiler alert: the more you reassure, explain, distract or accommodate, the worse the anxiety quietly becomes.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through what childhood anxiety really is (and what it absolutely isn’t), why your child’s nervous system is behaving like a smoke alarm, and why logic and reassurance never stick.

You’ll learn the skills‑gap model that changes everything about how we approach anxiety, and the first practical steps you can take today to help your child feel safer, calmer, and more capable.

If you’ve ever felt helpless, confused, or guilty in the face of your child’s worry, this episode will give you clarity, direction, and a framework that finally makes sense.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Take 10 Technique - https://drmaryhan.com/episode/breathing-techniques-for-anxious-children/ 

Highlights from this episode:

00:52 - Saying “it’s fine” doesn’t work!

03:05 - It’s not your fault

08:24 - Children should feel anxious

12:25 - How to recognise anxiety

15:56 -You’re probably making it worse

18:18 - This will change everything

23:10 - When to seek additional help

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re raising a boy, you already know this: you can believe in him with your whole heart, and still watch him struggle to believe in himself.  

You tell him he’s brilliant and he shrugs it off.

You encourage him and he brushes it away.

You try to have a meaningful conversation and suddenly his phone becomes the most fascinating object on earth.

Meanwhile, you can see the gap widening - the gap between how you see him and how he sees himself. And nothing you say seems to close it.

This episode gives you one simple, evidence‑based daily habit that will.

One question that teaches your son to look inward, recognise his own effort, and build confidence from the inside out - not from praise, not from performance, not from comparison.

I’ll show you exactly how to use it at every age, what to do when he rolls his eyes or gives you nothing, and how this tiny daily ritual slowly rewires the way he sees himself.

If you want a practical, realistic way to strengthen your son’s confidence - one that actually sticks - this is the episode you cannot afford to skip.

Highlights from this episode:

02:15 - Let’s talk about the bucket

04:17 - The only daily question you need to ask

06:56 - Every age is different

10:44 - Two flags!

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your child is melting down, shutting down, refusing school, avoiding sleep, snapping back, or clinging to you because something feels “wrong” but they can’t explain what, you’re in the right place.

I’m Dr Maryhan, a psychologist who works with anxious and dysregulated children every single day. And here’s what I want you to know: most of the behaviours that keep you up at night aren’t really about behaviour at all. Underneath the back‑chat, the tears, the slammed doors, the school‑morning battles, there is almost always anxiety, and a child whose emotional bucket is full and overflowing.

And parents of those children? We zoom in so close, replaying conversations at 2am, questioning every decision, wondering if we’re making it worse, that we lose the wide lens. The perspective that says: your child isn’t broken... and neither are you.

This podcast gives you that wide lens back.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, confused, or alone in your child’s big feelings, then listen and follow wherever you get your podcasts.

Pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and let’s do this together.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re raising a boy right now, you already know this: the world he’s growing up in is tougher, louder, and more confusing than ever, and the cracks in his confidence can appear long before you realise what’s happening.

Maybe you’ve watched your son compare himself to other boys and quietly decide he’s not good enough.

Maybe he shrinks back, masks who he really is, or performs confidence he doesn’t actually feel.

Maybe he’s a teenager who barely speaks to you anymore, and you’re terrified you’re losing the connection you once had.

Or maybe he’s still little, and you can already see how easily the world will shape him if you don’t get ahead of it.

This episode is your roadmap.

I’ll show you exactly how confidence is built in boys - from babyhood to young adulthood - and the subtle ways we accidentally undermine it without ever meaning to. You’ll learn what to say, what to stop saying, the moments that matter most, and the strategies that genuinely shift a boy’s internal world.

I’ll also show you how to protect him from the pressures, comparisons and online influences that quietly erode boys’ self‑belief.

If you want your son to grow into a young man who knows who he is, trusts himself, and comes to you when it matters, this episode is the one you cannot afford to skip.

Highlights from this episode:

02:36 - Confidence starts earlier than you think

05:38 - Are you creating emotional safety?

09:44 - Tweens and teens

14:46 - Your son is desperate to be accepted

18:46 - The confidence conversation guide 

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your children have been at each other all week, this episode will change everything.

I’m diving into one of the biggest sources of family stress - sibling conflict - and why it’s almost never about the toy, the sofa, or the “look” one child gave the other, and nearly always about your children’s emotional buckets overflowing.

In this bucket-emptying episode, I walk you through three powerful tools I use with families every day:

• Weekly one‑to‑one special time that transforms behaviour through connection

• Protected “own time” so each child can decompress and reset

• Real‑time descriptive praise that rewires the emotional climate in your home

You’ll learn how to stop refereeing, reduce friction, and help your children regulate themselves, even during school holidays, long weekends, or those intense indoor days when everyone is in each other’s pockets.

Pick one tool this week and watch the shift.

You’ve got this!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:55 - Sibling conflict is not what you think

02:07 - Special time

07:19 - Time and space

09:14 - Descriptive praise

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You don’t need more time with your child. You just need five intentional minutes.

And in this episode, I’ll show you exactly why those tiny moments matter more than you think.

If you’ve ever worried that you’re not present enough, not connected enough, or that the days are slipping by while you’re juggling work, life and everything in between, you’re not alone. I hear this from parents constantly, but the research is clear and reassuring: children don’t need perfect parenting - they need consistent, emotionally responsive moments that tell them, “You matter to me.”

In this episode, I’ll walk you through the science behind connection, why guilt is not reliable data, and what children truly need to feel secure and loved.

You’ll learn four powerful micro‑moments you can weave into any day, including the two‑minute reunion, naming one feeling, child‑led play, and the pause‑before‑help technique that builds resilience in real time.

I’ll also share creative ways to stay connected when you can’t be physically present, from handwritten notes to voice messages to slow‑motion games played across the day.

If you’re ready to feel more connected to your child without adding anything overwhelming to your plate, this episode will change the way you see your everyday moments.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:28 - It only takes five minutes

02:42 - Parental guilt

07:31 - The one thing all children need

11:13 - How to support dysregulation

12:45 - The two minute reunion

14:35 - Name a feeling

18:11 - Pause before you help

19:43 - Connecting over physical distance

24:31 - Games across time and space

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back‑chat isn’t your child being “difficult” - it’s a message. And in this episode, I’m going to show you how to finally hear it.

If you’re dealing with eye‑rolls, snappy comebacks, or that sudden surge of attitude that leaves you wondering what on earth is happening, you’re not alone. So I’m going to unpack what back‑chat really means, why it shows up at any age, and the psychological needs sitting underneath it… especially your child’s deep drive for autonomy, agency and connection.

You’ll learn the five hidden triggers that often fuel back‑chat (including stress, developmental leaps and inconsistent boundaries), and I’ll walk you through the five strategies I use with families every day to reduce defiance and rebuild cooperation.

From offering meaningful choices, to shifting the power dynamic without losing authority, to creating daily connection time that transforms behaviour, you’ll come away with practical tools you can use immediately.

If you’re ready to turn back‑chat from a battle into a breakthrough, this episode is for you.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:53 - Back-chat is not just a teen thing

03:04 - The biggest symptoms

10:22 - 5 strategies for coping with back-chat

13:20 - The Three Cs

17:07 - How are you doing?

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, you’ll discover a completely different way to think about feeding your family - one that saves you time, money, stress, and emotional bandwidth, and joining me is Helen Hopkins, better known as The Meal Time Maverick, whose viral batch‑cooking method has transformed kitchens across the UK.

Instead of filling your freezer with meals you forget to defrost, Helen shows you how to batch‑cook fresh dishes that live in your fridge and reheat in minutes.

You’ll learn her simple “1–2–3” system, why it works for even the busiest families, and how it can stop the nightly dinner‑time chaos in its tracks. You’ll also hear how to build batching into your weekly habits, involve your children in food prep, and create healthier, calmer mealtimes for everyone.

If you’re exhausted by cooking from scratch every night, this episode will feel like a lifeline.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:04 - Intro to Helen Hopkins

02:45 - Going viral

09:18 - The mix and match batch method

14:54 - Cooking fresh isn’t easy

17:18 - New habits always have resistance

22:08 - Building a healthy relationship with food

26:52 - Writing a book is cruel

31:21 - Everyone else comes first

34:34 - A frictionless society

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all have an inner critic. Even us parents.

In today’s episode, I explore one of the most overlooked but powerful ways to lighten your emotional load and quieten your inner critic.

Modern parenting gives that critical voice endless opportunities to speak up - especially when we compare our behind‑the‑scenes chaos to everyone else’s curated highlight reel. I unpack why we’re so much kinder to our children than to ourselves, and why questioning your parenting isn’t a sign of failure but a sign that you care.

Drawing on the concept of ‘good enough parenting’ and the growing research on self‑compassion, I share four practical things you can do to help shift your internal dialogue, regulate your nervous system, and reconnect with the parent you want to be.

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re falling short, this episode will help you breathe, reset, and treat yourself with the same kindness you give your children. 

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:29 - I’ve had enough of not enough

02:03 - Comparison culture

04:24 - Connection over perfection

05:48 - 5 minutes of guilt free time

07:28 - Change your mental soundtrack

09:54 - Find your people

11:12 - Sleep matters

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hands up if you like homework…

Me neither.

But homework isn’t just a task to be completed. It’s a powerful opportunity to build persistence, resilience and independence in your children.

Homework can so easily become a battleground filled with tears, avoidance and frustration, yet when we shift our focus from performance to process, everything changes. In today’s episode, I explore why the “how” of our support matters far more than the worksheets themselves, and why our job isn’t to rescue our children from discomfort but to create the conditions that help them start, stick with it and feel capable.

You are going to learn how to tailor homework routines to your child’s needs, how to spot when avoidance is really anxiety or perfectionism, and how to use five practical strategies to transform homework from a nightly fight into a long‑term skill‑building habit.

If homework has become a source of stress in your home, this episode will help you reset the dynamic with clarity and confidence.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:33 - Not just about the work

03:52 - Focus on the how

05:17 - Who’s homework is it?

09:50 - How to support your child

12:03 - Homework avoidance

14:05 - Connection over correction

17:09 - Praise the process

20:49 - The bigger goal

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s bucket‑emptying episode, I explore what it really means to live with parental guilt - that ever‑present tug that arrives the moment we become parents and never fully disappears.

I talk about why guilt isn’t a sign that you’re failing, but a natural by‑product of caring deeply across multiple roles: parent, professional, partner, friend, adult child.

Instead of treating guilt as a performance metric, I walk you through how to reframe it, define what “good enough” looks like, and create small proof‑points that remind you you’re showing up where it matters. I also unpack why work‑life balance is a myth, how to be fully present where you are, and how to avoid the comparison traps that intensify guilt.

By the end of this episode, you will have a kinder, more grounded way to navigate the emotional weight of parenting, and a handy blueprint you can return to whenever guilt tries to take over. 

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:44 - Parental guilt happens all the time

02:51 - Guilt is not a reliable metric

05:28 - You can’t be in two places at once

09:43 - Replace balance with presence

12:39 - Build small proof moments

15:55 - The uncomfortable truth

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you have more than one child?

Are they constantly fighting for your time and energy?

So how do you parent siblings?

In today’s episode, I explore how birth order shapes your children’s development, behaviour, and long‑term identity. You’ll learn why research consistently shows firstborn advantages in earnings, IQ, and academic outcomes, and what sits beneath those patterns - from early illness exposure to diluted parental attention to the powerful “teaching effect” between siblings.

I also help you unpack the hidden family roles your children adopt - the helper, the funny one, the responsible one - and how these labels quietly shape their confidence, conflict style, friendships, and even their future workplace behaviour.

Most importantly, you will understand why each of your children is growing up in a completely different childhood, and how being aware of this helps you reduce friction, avoid unhelpful comparisons, and support healthier sibling relationships at home.

With the tools and tips I share in this episode, you can start making meaningful changes today.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

02:00 - First borns outperform their younger siblings

05:38 - Germ theory

10:48 - The teaching effect

12:59 - Siblings find their niche

15:52 - Birth order impacts adult relationships

19:07 - Family roles impact self-image

22:04 - Every sibling has a different childhood

26:27 - We compare ourselves all the time

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I will explain the viral “Where’s Jessica?” distraction trend and discover whether it truly helps your child manage big emotions.

I am going to show you why distraction can work in the moment - the novelty, the shift in attention, and the calm, curious tone that naturally regulates your child’s nervous system, and you’ll see why relying on distraction long‑term can backfire, teaching your child to avoid uncomfortable feelings rather than build emotional resilience.

I want you to come away from today’s bucket emptying episode understanding the difference between a quick win and a meaningful skill, and feel clearer about when distraction is appropriate… and when it prevents your child from developing the confidence and coping strategies they genuinely need.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re helping or accidentally hindering your child’s emotional growth, this episode gives you the clarity, compassion, and practical insight you’ve been looking for.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:38 - Where’s Jessica?

03:15 - Emotional cues

06:48 - The novelty factor

09:44 - Trading emotions

12:36 - A friction free world

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, we will explore how to help your child navigate life’s inevitable uncertainties, from exam results and friendship turbulence to school transitions and family change.

You’ll learn why shielding your child from uncertainty actually weakens resilience, and how simple shifts in the way you listen, respond, and structure daily life can dramatically improve their ability to cope.

I will walk you through practical tools you can use today: active listening that uncovers what your child really means, honest reassurance without false promises, emotional validation that calms the nervous system, and routines that restore a sense of safety when everything feels up in the air.

You’ll also discover how to fact‑check the stories your child picks up from peers or online. and why managing your own emotional barometer is one of the most powerful supports you can offer, so that you feel equipped to guide your child through uncertainty with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:01 - Uncertainty is a natural part of life

03:55 - Listen first

07:03 - Honest reassurance

10:31 - Validate emotions

12:30 - Acknowledge the challenge

15:23 - Brains have a negative bias

18:09 - Routine is important

22:56 - Fact check

26:21 - Help yourself to help your kids

29:02 - Pay attention

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s bucket-emptying episode, you’ll learn the three essential foundations your child needs before confidence can grow.

If you’ve got a child who avoids challenges, gets overwhelmed easily, or insists they’re “rubbish” at everything, this is where you start. In this episode you’ll discover

You’ll also learn why breathing techniques aren’t just “calming tools” but a physiological reset your child needs before they can face anything tricky.

Finally, you’ll explore how to build an exposure ladder - a simple, structured way to help your child take small, doable steps outside their comfort zone.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to lay the groundwork so your child feels capable, prepared, and ready to try.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

Boost Your Child’s Confidence in 10 Days: https://drmaryhan.com/episode/boost-your-childs-confidence-in-10-days/ 

30 Second Reset: https://drmaryhan.com/episode/bucket-emptying-30-second-reset/ 

Highlights from this episode:

01:24 - It’s all about experience

03:31 - The connection between mind and body

08:01 - Selective hearing

11:41 - The invisible gorilla

13:27 - Breathing techniques

19:10 - Get the foundations right

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today is my birthday, and it’s become a tradition of mine to reflect on life and what I’ve learned. So this year I’m reflecting in public, on the podcast with you.

I am going to share my top ten parenting lessons, drawn from my own experience, about how to raise confident children.

My two children are adults now, and I like to think I’ve learnt a lot over the years. I’ve gotten things right, and I’ve certainly gotten things wrong - we’re only human!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:13 - A birthday wish

03:44 - Parents to adult children

06:54 - Meal time is family time

08:55 - A roast dinner goes a long way

11:47 - Value systems are for life

15:19 - This too shall pass

18:36 - People pleasing

22:27 - Comparison through a softer lens

26:21 - Humans are complicated

28:51 - Don’t take yourself too seriously

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I talk a lot about confidence, because it’s super important, and it’s something we all struggle with - yes, even us parents!

But a lack of confidence can manifest in so many different ways, it can be really tricky knowing how to spot the signs in our kids and support them through it.

So in today’s bucket emptying episode, I’m giving you a cheat sheet, with five really powerful reflection questions you can use with any child at any age to help build their confidence.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:44 - Reflection builds competency

02:34 - What was going on for you?

04:48 - What were you feeling?

06:37 - Focus on the unmet needs

08:19 - Building a growth mindset

09:55 - Encouraging self-regulation

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anxiety is not a one size fits all thing. It can show up in so many different ways, from school refusal to bedtime worries and everything in between.

We think it’s our job as parents to find the magic solution, but there isn’t one! Instead, we have to find ways to navigate these tricky situations and the supportive presence our children need.

In today’s episode I am going to help you tackle your kids’ anxiety with some super practical tips you can start using right now. Plus, I share the words which are most likely to calm your child or teen and the things you should definitely avoid!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

The 30 Second Reset - https://drmaryhan.com/episode/bucket-emptying-30-second-reset/ 

Highlights from this episode:

01:02 - Introduction to anxiety

03:54 - What is the feeling of anxiety?

08:00 - 2 things you do that increase anxiety

11:54 - Stay calm and carry on

14:55 - Encourage and normalise

17:25 - Building long term confidence

20:05 - Skills take time to learn

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spoiler alert: being a mum is hard.

It’s ok to be a good mum and feel like you’re not enough. You might feel like you can’t tell other mums that, but I promise you we are all feeling the same.

So in this bucket emptying episode, I talk about why that feeling is so common, why it’s not a personal failure, and why being a good mum can still feel exhausting and heavy.

This episode isn’t about fixing these feelings, because I can’t do that. What we will do together is get comfortable with those feelings, and get honest with ourselves.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:38 - The two voices in your head

05:12 - Mad Mum

11:52 - Guilt is part of motherhood

14:32 - Final thoughts

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you ever feel like you are speaking to a brick wall?

Do your kids sometimes ignore you as if you’re invisible?

Do you feel the frustration eating away at you?

Well let me tell you something - you are not alone! Every child has moments, and some more than others, of simply not listening. There are so many reasons for this, and yes some of them are learned, but some are simply part of growing up.

In today’s episode I am going to explore the main reasons your children don’t listen to you, and give you some practical tips you can start using right now to get your kids wanting to listen to you, which will bring your stress levels down too!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:28 - You are not alone

03:10 - Listening is self-regulation

06:51 - Patterns of behaviour

08:30 - A need for independence

11:00 - 5 steps to get your kids listening

13:42 - How to make your life easier

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After school tantrums are anything but random.

Often, they are a sign that your child has been trying super hard to follow the rules and be on their best behaviour all day - and for neurodivergent children they could be masking all day - and this is exhausting. So when you turn up, they release all of the emotions and big feelings.

It might not feel like it, but I promise you, that’s a good thing because it means you are their safe space.

But parenting these meltdowns is not easy, so in this episode I’m going to share some really practical tips that you can start using to make those moments feel less stressful and more manageable!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:40 - The one mistake every parent makes

01:56 - Discharging the battery

03:58 - 3 things your child needs

07:19 - Create reset time

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Adolescenceto Louis Theroux, the manosphere has become a mainstream talking point, and that’s a good thing!

The manosphere is a term associated with toxic behaviour. Me, you, and all other parents out there know this is not what it means to be masculine or manly, but our kids don’t know that, and it is so important that we help them identify and understand problematic content when they see it, in age appropriate ways.

Today I am diving inside the manosphere… well, sort of… to give you some practical tips that you can use to support those tricky conversations, and to help your children become confident, independent and compassionate people.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:17 - What is the manosphere?

04:44 - The internet fills information voids

07:15 - Don’t panic

08:47 - Don’t say don’t

12:54 - Critical thinking skills

15:45 - Help your son navigate problematic content

21:19 - For single mothers

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Returning to work is not easy, especially for new parents.

You’ve probably had an extended time off. Your routine is different, your priorities are different, and life is different - you have a child now! So going back to work will never be the same as before.

It is hard to adjust to your new normal, but I am going to share five ways you can shift your mindset to deal with this big change.

Spoiler alert: parents might be superheroes, but we’re all still human. It’s ok to cut yourself some slack!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:24 - You WILL have to drop things

04:57 - Control what you can in the moment

08:28 - Find the tribe you need

09:44 - Curate your own feed

13:29 - Your child needs YOU to be ok

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are many myths about single parent families, and I’m telling you they are not true.

The success, wellbeing and happiness of your child has nothing to do with how many parents they live with. In fact, children with single parents are very high achievers.

But that doesn’t stop you feeling isolated, lonely, even out of your depth, wondering if you’re doing things right, or doing enough, or being as good a parent as everyone else.

Today I’m giving your mojo back. Whether you’re a single parent or not, the practical advice in this episode is valuable to all parents.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:57 - The myths of single parenting

06:07 - An invisible pressure

10:20 - 3 simple questions

14:41 - Boundaries

18:04 - Pick your battles

20:50 - Community buffers stress

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calm down.

Every parent knows these are the worst two words you can ever say to your child in the midst of a meltdown… and we’ve all learnt the hard way!

Bringing your kids down from a tantrum can be impossible, and it’s much better if you have the tools and the tricks to diffuse a situation or calm them down before it escalates into a full tantrum.

In this episode I am going to share a life-changing parenting hack that you can use to relieve yours and your child’s overwhelm, and it only takes 30 seconds.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:05 - Calm down

02:54 - Meltdowns are not a behavioural problem

05:02 - The physiological sigh

10:21 - 3 things happen

12:28 - Smell the flower, blow out the candle

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You have high expectations for your kids. Every parent does, and I get it!

But sometimes we can present those expectations in ways that may not be as supportive to our children as we hoped.

Last week I talked through the behaviours you can model to boost your kids’ academic success, confidence and friendships, so today I’m going further and giving you practical, easy to use tips for each of these, that help you manage expectations and show up in the best way possible.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

9 Modelled Behaviours Boosting Academic Success, Confidence and Friendships - https://drmaryhan.com/episode/9-modelled-bevahiours-boosting-academic-success-confidence-friendships/ 

Highlights from this episode:

01:30 - The Eton of State Schools

05:57 - Expectation Does Not Guarantee Success

12:09 - 3 Tips for Academic Success

18:20 - Expectations for Confidence

25:14 - Building Friendships

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK government has opened a public consultation on a potential social media ban for under 16 year olds, and this creates a huge opportunity for us.

It’s not just about giving our opinion to government, but as parents we now have a real chance to connect with our kids like never before.

What is their opinion on this?

How do they feel?

What matters to them, and why?

This is chance for us to encourage our children to find a voice, and learn how to speak up for themselves whilst respecting others opinions, even if they disagree with them.

And in this episode I share six reasons why this discussion is so important, and give you some practical tips to help you, as you navigate this tricky subject with your own kids.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

Why I Now Believe in a Social Media Ban - https://drmaryhan.com/why-i-now-believe-in-a-social-media-ban-for-under-16s/ 

Highlights from this episode:

00:53 - The social media ban

03:44 - See how your child sees things

07:54 - Having an opinion

10:16 - Using your voice

12:50 - An opportunity to shape the outcome

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you have not yet watched American skier Eileen Gu’s interview following her silver medal at the recent Winter Olympics, click the link below, because it blew me away!

Her confidence and self-assuredness is an amazing example to lots of young people, especially young women and girls, and it got me thinking… are there common actions or traits of parents who raise successful, confident children?

We’re going to find out!

In this episode I am going to focus specifically on behaviours that boost academic success, confidence and friendships, and give you three practical tips for each.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

Eileen Gu Interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAhmzgTSBTI 

Highlights from this episode:

00:31 - Eileen Gu

05:17 - The Bobo Doll Experiment

10:28 - Modelling academic success

13:02 - Persistence over perfection

16:48 - Confidence is an inside job

19:19 - Model realistic confidence

24:17 - Friendship Jenga

27:16 - Model healthy friendships

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Children should be seen and not heard. Do you agree?

We’ve all heard that expression, and we were all probably told this by our own parents! But I have noticed more and more examples of adult only areas of public spaces - on trains or in shopping malls - so I wanted to tackle this head on.

For the record, I don’t agree with that saying, and in this episode I am going to share five reasons why it is better for us and our children when we encourage and support them to be included.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:26 - Seen but not heard

03:17 - Learning on the job

08:52 - Plan A, B, and C

14:16 - Focus on what you CAN control

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Outbursts, tantrums, meltdowns… whatever you call them, they’re not fun!

But your kids are not hardwired to deal with their emotions, it’s a skill they learn over time, and it’s your job as parent to support them and encourage them to develop those skills.

It’s not easy - I can attest to that, having raised two kids myself! And that’s why in this episode I help you understand what causes emotional outbursts, how these present themselves in different ages and stages, and what you can do to support them.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:59 - Fear of judgement

02:32 - Emotional regulation is learned

07:43 - Verbal and physical escalations

10:35 - The teen years

14:08 - The biggest causes of emotional outbursts

18:23 - How to handle outbursts

23:10 - Keep them safe

27:17 - What is the skills gap?

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I give my children pocket money?

How much is enough?

Should they have to earn it through chores?

Knowing how much, when, and what can feel like a tricky minefield when thinking about pocket money for our kids. Some of you might decide simply not to do it, and that’s ok too.

I can’t give you the right answer, because only you know what’s best for your family, but in this bucket emptying episode, I’m going to share five benefits of pocket money, from emotional regulation to financial skills, that might just help you find the answers you’re looking for.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:09 - Linking pocket money to chores

03:30 - Don’t eat the marshmallow!

05:29 - Opportunity cost

08:36 - Pocket money builds emotional regulation

11:04 - Finance and social conscience

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know 1 in 3 children have little or no confidence?

Did you know girls are more likely to downplay their confidence?

And did you know that children from non-white and minority ethnic groups are likely to have less confidence than their white male friends?

Today I speak to Kathryn McColl, co-founder of Hark, the education agency that delivers programmes to over 90% of UK schools. Hark recently published their Listen Up report, which collected anonymous data from 1,400 children across the UK to better understand what they call the ‘confidence crisis.’

I drill down into some of their jaw-dropping insights, including the above, as we discuss why confidence appears to be on the decline among young people.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Connect with Kathryn:

More about Hark - https://harklondon.com/ 

Get the Listen Up Report - https://harklondon.com/listen-up/ 

Connect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-mccoll-5a918329/ 

Highlights from this episode:

02:32 - What is Hark?

05:43 - Confidence means opportunity

11:08 - The impact of role models

15:11 - Transitioning from primary to secondary school

21:46 - Friction teaches confidence

27:09 - Post exam stress

29:37 - Girls hide their confidence

33:37 - The confidence ladder

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From gentle parenting to FAFO, social media bombards us with content about the latest trends, so how do you really know what works and what doesn’t?

In today’s bucket emptying episode, I talk you through some of the biggest parenting trends, and explain how they can be impacting you, and the ways in which you might then choose to parent your own kids.

Because parenting is all-consuming. It’s a 24/7/365 gig, and the trends of day, whether we subscribe to them or not, can feel like they define us as parents. I’m here to tell you they don’t!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:48 - FAFO Parenting

03:30 - Are we defined by the trends?

06:23 - Labels take away the overwhelm

09:56 - There’s no one size fits all approach

12:35 - Parental intuition

15:22 - Science vs media

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mental health is not just a buzz word, and oftentimes it goes hand in hand with physical health. But because we can’t see mental health, as parents it can be so easy to procrastinate these important conversations that provide a safe, supportive space for our children to really get honest with us.

Whether you’re listening to this during Children’s Mental Health week or at any other time of the year, these practical tips will really help you to kickstart conversations about mental health with your family.

It might not be easy, and it might take some time, but I promise you if you persevere and remain patient, your kids will eventually feel comfortable enough to talk to you.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

Children’s Mental Health Week: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/ 

Highlights from this episode:

01:15 - Physical health IS mental health

03:41 - I’ve noticed that…

07:17 - How are you feeling?

10:30 - Use books

15:09 - Teachable moments

16:38 - Talk out loud

18:46 - 3 things to consider

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A sense of belonging is a basic human need. Without it can lead to loneliness, depression and many other mental and physical health issues.

So to celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week, the theme of which this year is ‘this is my place’, I am going to give you five tips to help your children build their sense of belonging, because the world is a better place with them in it, and it’s our job as parents to help them believe that.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

Children’s Mental Health Week: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/ 

Attachment Theory: https://drmaryhan.com/episode/attachment-theory/ 

Highlights from this episode:

00:28 - Children’s Mental Health Week

02:21 - Attachment theory

05:48 - Emotional availability

09:27 - Help them to explore

11:58 - Don’t diminish their interests

14:05 - Belonging starts at home

16:32 - You are important

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the 8 Plus to A-Levels, exams can be a stressful experience… often as much for you, the parent, as the kids.

You want the best for them, and of course you want them to do well, but it’s important to make sure we create a supportive environment, and not inadvertently add to the pressure.

That’s why, in this important episode, I’m going to talk you through the dos and do nots of navigating exam season, and give you a bunch of super practical advice, which you can use right away.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:26 - It comes down to two things

03:17 - Stay in your own lane

07:29 - How to overcome self-sabotage

12:29 - Supercharge your revision

17:12 - Talk to your children

21:15 - A balanced routine includes time for fun

24:23 - Rest and restore

27:17 - Support ought to be directed by the child, not us

30:37 - What not to do

35:28 - Trust their process!

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bucket emptying episode, I look a bit closer at my conversation with Professor Sam Wass, who you may recognise from such TV shows as The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds. He is is currently Director of the Institute for the Science of Early Years at the University of East London.

In last week’s interview he spoke to us at length about his research, but in today’s episode I want to drill down just a little more into some of his comments on emotional coregulation, and I’m going to share my own thoughts and some useful tips which you can put into action right away.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

More about Sam and his work:

Website: https://www.profsamwass.com/ 

Useful research: https://www.profsamwass.com/tweet-threads/ 

Institute for the Science & Early Years of Youth: https://www.isey.org/ct-for-ey-and-schools 

Highlights from this episode:

01:25 - Sam Wass on emotional coregulation

07:00 - Stress contagion

11:17 - Matching our children’s state

14:24 - Meet them where they’re at

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does your child ever get worked up, and you find it escalates super fast but feel powerless to bring them down from that ledge?

Every parent has been there, but it’s only in recent years that we have really begun to understand the reasons why, and it’s all about neuroscience.

Children’s brains are changing and developing all the time, which means as parents it can be so difficult to keep up, and know how to support them with things like emotional regulation, so I want to talk though some of these challenges and give you some practical advice that I hope will help you and your family.

To have this conversation I am joined by Professor Sam Wass, who you may recognise from such TV shows as The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds. He is is currently Director of the Institute for the Science of Early Years at the University of East London, and shares some of his expertise, to help us all understand some of the science behind emotional regulation.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

More about Sam and his work:

Website: https://www.profsamwass.com/ 

Useful research: https://www.profsamwass.com/tweet-threads/ 

Institute for the Science & Early Years of Youth: https://www.isey.org/ct-for-ey-and-schools 

Highlights from this episode:

04:10 - Measuring brain stem activity

08:08 - Nature versus nurture

13:18 - Panic disorders

17:20 - Long term effects of children in high stress states

21:23 - Brain stem arousal is trending up

25:29 - You’re only still when you’re dead

31:25 - Children hate broccoli because of science

35:18 - We’re going on a bear hunt

42:33 - Quadrants

48:00 - Mums and dads play differently

53:29 - Co-regulating

59:14 - Stress contagion

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I can’t do it!” - as parents we hear this all the time.

Our children are learning new skills and experiencing new things every day, which means they are always facing things they’ve never done before. This can be scary, and often our kids might think they can’t do it or they’re not good enough.

That’s why building resilience is so important. It gives them the foundation they need to persevere, to fail without fear, and to find that inner strength when things feel tough or challenging.

In today’s bucket emptying I’m going to share five things you can do to create that shift, and help to build that resilience. And the best part: these are things you can start doing right now.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:49 - Non-friction

06:23 - Modelling resilience

08:19 - Curated friction

10:20 - Boredom please

12:44 - Conflict is friction

14:16 - Don’t rush in to fix setbacks

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why won’t my kids go to sleep at their bed time?

It doesn’t matter if your child is 2 or 20, every parent in the world will ask themselves this question, because sometimes, even if we stick to the routine, they just won’t settle down and get in bed.

In this episode I continue our discussion around sleep, sharing some of the ways in which overtiredness can impact our kids and what you can do about it. Plus, I explain how things like puberty, technology and other factors have a bigger impact than you might realise.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:37 - Blankets and putty

03:50 - Chronic sleep deprivation

09:10 - Puberty and hormones

12:27 - The emotional tank

18:06 - Sibling dynamics and room sharing

22:25 - Over scheduling

26:02 - How to tackle overtiredness 

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New year is my favourite time of year.

It’s a chance for us to turn a blank page and make conscious changes in our lives. Maybe you want to improve your health, or perhaps you have certain career goals, or maybe you just want to save for that dream family holiday.

Whatever it is you set out to do this year, it all comes down to one thing: habits.

Saving money is a habit.

Eating better is a habit.

Exercising more is a habit.

Making time for yourself and your family… you guessed it, is a habit!

So in this episode, I’m going to talk through how you can create positive new habits for yourself through stacking. By following this method, you can create super meaningful changes in your life by stacking small, easy new habits.

The combined results over time can be life-changing!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:58 - New year, atomic habits

02:16 - Focus on the system not the goal

04:34 - The two types of results

06:24 - The habit that works all of the time

09:02 - Little steps for a big change

10:34 - A profound reminder

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s bedtime. You’ve done all the right things. You followed the routine. There are no disruptions. And yet… the kids just won’t go to sleep!

We’ve all been there, which is why in this episode, the first of a two-part special, I am going to explore the hidden reasons your children might not sleep.

Some of these things might be hiding in plain sight, and that’s ok. Over the next two episodes I am going to show you what they are, and give you some practical tips to help you manage them, so that your little ones get to sleep as peacefully and as stress-free as possible.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:13 - I wish I knew this earlier…

03:57 - The 3 main functions of sleep

06:18 - 5 bedtime essentials

08:32 - Cool rooms make better sleep

12:36 - Morning bright light is crucial

17:28 - Noise

20:25 - The bedroom as a multipurpose space

23:56 - Diet, hydration and timing

30:16 - Physical activity and energy release

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What did you do today?

It’s the question every parents asks when we pick our kids up from school, nursery, or wherever they’ve been. The response is usually ‘I don’t know,’ ‘nothing,’ or a disinterested grunt or huff, am I right?

Getting our kids to open up can be painful and frustrating, so in this bucket emptying episode I am sharing 10 questions that will get your children talking.

These are everyday questions, but when used at the right time can be super powerful, and you can start using them right now.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:36 - Wrong questions, wrong time

03:18 - What made you laugh?

05:20 - What are you looking forward to?

07:07 - Who did you help today?

10:41 - What did you learn about yourself?

11:52 - What did someone do that you admired?

13:55 - What’s the nicest thing someone has done for you?

15:03 - What have you tried hard at today?

16:54 - What are you grateful for?

17:58 - What family rule or tradition would you like to create?

19:33 - Complete this sentence…

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s said that comparison is the thief of joy, and there’s truth to this.

Whether it’s your kids thinking their life is so unfair because their friends have phones, or go to parties and they’re not allowed, to you as a parent constantly judging yourself against the other mums and dads at the school gate.

In this episode, I show you how to avoid the dreaded comparison trap. I explain the five step response framework, share some helpful tips to stop you comparing yourself against other parents, and talk through some examples to help you put all of this into practice.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:57 - What are we doing wrong?

04:37 - The five step response framework

08:17 - When to say yes

14:41 - Coping when the answer is no

17:41 - Age appropriate conversations

21:17 - School gate gossip

24:50 - Give yourself 48 hours

27:31 - Talk it through with your tribe

29:26 - Neurodiversity and social media

32:23 - Examples

36:06 - Separation comparison from genuine concern

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I believe in you.

I will always love you.

I am always here for you.

How often do you say any of these things to your children?

The truth is, it’s probably less you’d like to admit, and you’re not alone. As parents, it’s easy to get caught up in the day to day of parenting, that we forget to give our kids the affirmation and reassurance they want and need from us.

In this bucket emptying episode, I’m going to share ten things that you can start saying to your children right now to build self-belief, confidence and resilience.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:57 - What is confirmation bias?

05:14 - Tell me more about…

08:22 - Big emotions can be tricky

10:07 - I like the way you…

12:20 - I’m always here when you need me

14:59 - Each day I am learning more about you

17:06 - I am grateful I am your parent because…

18:37 - Within you is your greatest self

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you and your family made New Year resolutions?

And how many have you broken already?

I love making resolutions. It’s the highlight of my year. But statistics show that most New Year resolutions are broken, so you are not alone! However, making resolutions, even if we break them, can still be super valuable for our personal growth and in building confidence, especially in our kids.

In today’s episode I will show you how to set intentions and make realistic, achievable resolutions. I will explain how you can give yourself the best chance of succeeding, but also talk through why it’s ok to break your resolutions.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, have a very happy new year, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:35 - The highlight of my year

02:26 - The 10 most popular resolutions

07:06 - Intentions nurtures habits of success

08:53 - I am capable of doing hard things

12:20 - Empowering children with agency

15:30 - Use your imagination

19:41 - Confidence is experiential

21:52 - The world is better because you are in it

25:04 - Create a habit to reflect

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As 2025 draws to a close, I thought the best way to round out another year of the podcast is to give you a compilation of our best bits and the best tips in one episode.

Consider this your How Not to Screw Up Your Kids cheat sheet for 2025!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, have a very happy new year, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:05 - Rage Against the Screen

04:27 - Empowering Children with Disabilities

11:11 - Generation Zombie

15:56 - Raising Happy ADHD Children

24:50 - How Your Children Develop Their Sense of Identity

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from me and the team at How Not to Screw Up Your Kids. However you are celebrating, and whatever you’re doing, I hope you’re having some well earned time off, and getting some precious quality time with your loved ones.

Just in case you need a few wise words of encouragement in your ear, here are some of the best bits from the last year of the podcast, taken from some of your most favourite episodes.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:51 - Adolescence: Lessons for Raising Boys

11:46 - I Yell… Then I Cry… Then I Google ‘Gentle Parenting’

16:05 - The Five Things All Children Need

28:08 - Building Children and Teens’ Self Belief and Confidence

31:00 - From Google to the Great Outdoors: Why Spending More Time Outside is GOOD for Your Children

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our children are sponges. They absorb our energy.

So when we start our day with a bang, that rubs off, and our kids will be unbalanced from the get go. And that just sets us all up for a difficult day, doesn’t it?

So, in today’s bucket emptying episode, I’m going to share my top tips on how to set up your day for calm, cooperation and compassion.

I will give you 5 things that you can do at the start of your day, and 2 things to do at the end, and you can start them right now!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

00:30 - Less bang, more fizz

02:38 - The wake up rule

05:26 - Screen time embargo

07:20 - Early movement

09:51 - Get ready

11:14 - Today is a new day

15:00 - One lesson learnt

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you close to your children?

Do you still feel connected as they get older?

Do you spend as much time with them as you want?

I’m going to guess that you answered no to at least one of these questions. Am I right?

Today I am joined by Emma and Eleanor from The Reconnected, to discuss the importance of making time to connect with our children… and ourselves.

We talk about breathwork and why we all need to make time for ourselves, because if we can’t show up for ourselves, we won’t be able to show up for our kids.

We also discuss the challenges of raising kids in today’s world, where technology and screens can feel like barriers disconnecting us from our children.

And we talk about the confusing amount of information online, and why it’s almost impossible to get the right support if you don’t know where to look for it.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation, because this is a bumper seasonal episode to help you navigate the Christmas break with your kids…

More from The Reconnected:

The Website: https://thereconnected.com/ 

The Book: https://thereconnected.com/reconnected-parenting-book/ 

Get the App: https://thereconnected.com/app/ 

Highlights from this episode:

02:43 - The terrible 2s

06:28 - I am going to nail this

11:52 - Modern life is set up for disconnection

16:16 - I CAN have time for myself

20:30 - Breathwork is not a last resort

25:04 - Tell me how to fix it

30:03 - A rock and a hard place

34:22 - Who are your 5 most inspiring people?

39:35 - Connection is always the solution

43:01 - Repairing the damage

49:01 - Give yourself permission

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you get your children to cooperate with you, when they just don’t want to?

It’s a problem we all face - our kids will refuse to do something not because they don’t want to, but because we’re telling them to, and it’s so frustrating! So what’s the answer?

In this bucket emptying episode, I’m going to introduce you to the psychology of cooperation, and give you some simple, helpful, and practical tips you can use right away.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:12 - Cooperation is transactional

03:28 - Validate your children’s feelings

04:47 - Explain why

08:10 - Focus on effort and process

10:55 - Self Care

14:17 - Connecting actions to feelings

16:08 - Challenge just enough

19:18 - Offer choices where possible

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does your child struggle with their confidence?

Do you wish you could help?

Well you’re in luck, because confidence is a learned skill, and there are many easy things you can do to help build self-confidence in your kids.

In this episode, I’m going to give you a 10 day plan, which you can start using right now, to help develop those skills and improve confidence. Remember: the brain is a muscle, and confidence is just about giving the right parts of the brain a workout - from taking the lead on tasks to positive reinforcement, it’s easy if you know how!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:02 - One focus per day

03:16 - The Seven Cs

11:48 - Day 1: A wall of fame

14:55 - Day 2: Encourage self-talk to be more growth oriented

16:43 - Day 3: Ask for their help

19:28 - Day 4: Give descriptive praise

21:34 - Day 5: Reflective on 3 good things and 1 learning

22:56 - Day 6: Set aside time to play

25:46 - Day 7: Acknowledge their feelings

27:06 - Day 8: Ask them to do something

28:43 - Day 9: Stage appropriate choices

29:46 - Day 10: Reflect on the last 10 days

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do your children resent you?

Do you resent your children?

How good are you at managing this?

Resentment is a funny thing. It feels like it comes out of nowhere, but actually, it can be the result of many small little events that build up and up until it overflows.

Then, you find yourself arguing with your children, or worse, that resentment just continues to simmer, and it becomes harder to resolve.

We’ve all heard that old saying that prevention is better than cure, so in this bucket emptying episode, I’m going to share some of the most effective ways you can avoid resentment, and give you some really useful tips to help you put these into practice.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

02:50 - Communicate your needs

09:19 - Manage expectations

14:15 - Learn how to delegate

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Christmas Day in 1986, 30 million Brits were glued to their screens as Eastenders’ Dirty Den handed divorce papers to Angie Watts, in one of the most watched television episodes of all time.

As shocking as that was in 1986, the reality today is that separation is commonplace and 40% of marriages end in divorce. Many parents part ways, and often our children get caught in the crossfire, through no fault of their own.

With January approaching, when separations are at their highest, how do we make sure our kids don’t suffer from our actions?

And how do we ensure children grow up feeling happy, safe and loved when their parents divorce or separate?

On this episode I am joined by James Hayhurst, the founder of The Parents’ Promise, which is doing some incredible work to campaign for more awareness of separation, and the resources to support children who are experiencing a separation at home.

Whether you have separated, you are going through a divorce, or perhaps you experience this yourself as a child, this episode will really make a difference.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

More about James:

The Parents’ Promise - https://theparentspromise.org.uk/ 

James on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameshayhurst1/ 

Mentioned in this episode:

17 Signs of Parental Alienation - https://www.parentingstyles.com/parenting/dynamics/parental-alienation/ 

Highlights from this episode:

02:49 - What is The Parents’ Promise?

05:31 - We can do better

09:05 - We need to talk about divorce

11:33 - What to be mindful of

15:23 - What do young people think?

19:21 - Long term goals

22:49 - Bad partner does not mean bad parent

27:01 - 17 signs of parental alienation

30:28 - Move fast and create things

37:02 - Get involved

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Elf on a Shelf and advent calendars to the business of seeing the whole family in such a short period… Christmas can be stressful, and it can be super overwhelming, especially for us parents.

Santa doesn’t do organising for us, which means the holiday season is often wrought with so much pressure to get everything right, and so often we put that pressure on ourselves.

So in this bucket emptying episode, I’m going to share five top tips to help you manage the upcoming festive season, which you can start using right now to make your holiday planning easier, stress free and successful!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:03 - The silly season

04:19 - Plan ahead

08:56 - Be realistic with yourself

16:02 - Always have a backup plan

18:50 - Don’t take things too seriously

22:52 - Have the difficult conversations in advance

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether it’s toppled block towers, disappointing test results, or missed goals on the sports field, setbacks are a daily occurrence for our children, and I want to show you how to transform them into powerful opportunities for growth.

This is about raising resilient kids who see mistakes not as failures, but as stepping stones.

In this episode, I will share a practical framework you can use at home, and explain how you can use the exposure ladder templates in my resource library to break down those setbacks into small, easy steps.

This is all about reframing challenges in a way that encourages confidence and curiosity, and helps your kids become the happiest, healthiest, and most successful version of themselves.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

02:24 - The full body alarm

04:54 - Support, don’t solve

06:36 - Positive praise

10:29 - The power of yet

12:55 - Exposure ladders

16:06 - Creating a safe space to take risk

18:40 - Practice is reflective too

20:33 - Maryhan’s playbook

23:00 - Sport, performance, and neurodiversity

27:26 - Listener challenge

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As parents, we worry. It’s in our nature!

Are they safe?

Are they hungry?

Are they happy?

The list goes on…

But SPOILER ALERT: our kids worry too!

The world is a scary place, and the world around them is constantly changing, with new things to learn and new experiences to process all the time.

In this bucket emptying episode, I’m going to reveal the six most common things your children worry about AND I will share some super practical tips to help you deal with them. Because remember, your job as mum and dad is to support, and that means empowering our little ones to fix things themselves, so that they grow up to be confident, independent, and well-rounded adults.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

Becoming Me - https://drmaryhan.com/episode/becoming-me-the-school-years/ 

Breathing & Take 10 - https://drmaryhan.com/episode/breathing-techniques-for-anxious-children/ 

Highlights from this episode:

01:02 - Worry is an important emotion

02:25 - Worried about social relationships

06:21 - Worried about social media

08:52 - Worried about big life changes

11:09 - Worried about to-do lists

15:45 - Worried about inconsistency

19:14 - Worried about trauma

22:03 - Name it to tame it

23:46 - Deep breaths

25:39 - Maryhanisms

29:08 - A worry window

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are your children currently revising for exams, working hard on an essay, or worrying about homework?

Academic stress is very real, and sometimes the things we do to help, only seem to create more anxiety and overwhelm. So what can you do as parents, to help your kids through homework and revision?

In this episode I’m going to talk through some of the things you must not do, and give you some super practical tips that you can start using right now.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:43 - This is the end goal

03:57 - 3 things to avoid

08:24 - Don’t feed the comparison Gremilins

09:38 - Get the foundations right

12:12 - Don’t get caught up on revision timetables

14:55 - Where is the source of stress?

19:34 - Big tasks into bitesize chunks

22:40 - Break the procrastination cycle

22:51 - Connect the dots

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you know the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown?

Most parents think they’re the same, but they’re not!

That’s why in today’s bucket emptying episode, I’m going to talk you through the key differences between what they are and how to manage them, because mastering this might just be the difference between a quick win and a sleepless night!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this Episode:

You Child’s Bucket - https://drmaryhan.com/episode/help-your-child-with-emotional-regulation/ 

Highlights from this episode:

01:07 - I want versus I can’t

03:04 - Dealing with no

05:33 - The different responses to a tantrum and a meltdown

09:06 - Tantrums are for everyone

11:32 - Not all buckets are created equal

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown?

When should you start worrying about behaviour?

And how do you regulate your kids’ screen time?

In this episode, the tables are being turned as Iam the one being interviewed. Daniel Weisberg, Managing Director of CAYP Psychology, asks me about emotional regulation, tantrums, neurodivergence, and lots more.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this Episode:

CAYP - https://www.cayp-psychology.com/ 

Highlights from this episode:

01:46 - The last drop in the bucket

05:14 - Meet your child where they’re at

07:12 - Common meltdown triggers

09:57 - HALT

15:25 - When should you worry about behaviour?

17:02- The S word

22:12 - Why is it so hard to switch off?

25:20 - Neurodivergence and regulation

27:30 - Create tech free periods

33:18 - Next steps

38:20 - When is further intervention needed?

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nobody is a perfect mum, and none of us know everything… not even the experts.

That’s why I found my recent chat with Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet, so fascinating. She shared her own insights as a founder, an influencer to millions of parents, and a mum, and it blew my mind.

We covered everything from how to regulate our kids’ use of technology, to why there’s so much shame around weight loss drugs. It’s a conversation not to be missed!

That’s why, in today’s bucket emptying episode, I’m sharing the top five takeaways from that interview, and if you’re also interested in hearing more from Justine, listen to the full episode now - it’s just below this one in the podcast feed.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this Episode:

Listen to the full Justine Roberts interview: https://drmaryhan.com/episode/rage-against-the-screen-children-tech-social-media-with-mumsnet-founder-justine-roberts/ 

Mumsnet: https://www.mumsnet.com/ 

The Other phone: https://www.mumsnet.com/articles/the-other-phone 

Highlights from this episode:

00:52 - Worry is a universal part of motherhood

02:39 - Community is crucial

04:54 - Power in numbers

07:37 - Technology & kids is a scary combo

10:11 - Taking the opportunity

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you give your eight year old a smartphone?

Should children be banned from social media?

How much screen time is too much?

As parents in a digital world, we ask ourselves these questions all the time, and there never seems to be a right answer. But in today’s episode I am joined by Justine Roberts CBE, the founder of Mumsnet, to discuss these very issues.

Justine shares her insights on the relationship between children and tech, what Mumsnet are doing it about it, and she makes a very exciting announcement - you heard it here first, and you do not want to miss this!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

More About Justine & Mumsnet:

Mumsnet: https://www.mumsnet.com/ 

Rage Against the Screen: https://www.mumsnet.com/news/rage-against-the-screen 

The Other phone: https://www.mumsnet.com/articles/the-other-phone 

Highlights from this episode:

02:07 - Mums don’t get training

06:07 - The taboo of weight loss drugs

10:38 - Are parenting experts part of the problem?

14:18 - Rage Against the Screen

19:56 - AI’s impact on the brain

22:35 - The addictive algorithms of social media

26:21 - The Other phone

30:54 - More parents are taking their kids’ phone away

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your child friends with a bad influence?

Are they being bullied or treated poorly by someone they think is a friend?

Do they struggle to broaden their social circle?

If you relate to any of the above, then this episode is a must listen, because I am going to explain the how, the why, and the what you can do about those unhealthy friendships your children find themselves in.

It happens to everyone, even us parents! But knowing how to spot them and, importantly, knowing how to support your children to see it for themselves, is the real challenge. You might just learn a thing or two about your own relationships as well!

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

Friendships: The Whole Nine Yards: https://drmaryhan.com/episode/helping-children-with-friendships/ 

Highlights from this episode:

01:24 - Toxic is toxic

03:43 - The warning signs of an unhealthy friendship

05:33 - Focus on the behavior, not the child

09:31 - Listen without judgment

13:43 - Red friend green friend

19:30 - Encourage them to broaden their social network

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diagnoses of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, are rising sharply.

But how do you know if you or your child might have it?

And what can you do about it?

It can be hard to find the right info about symptoms, causes, and treatment. So In this episode I’m going to talk through what OCD is, but also what it isn’t, and what the common early signs are.

Plus, I’ll give you some super easy, practical things you can do right away to support your children in the best way possible.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

Reports of OCD triple: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdr612zrl0no 

The life event scale: https://www.simplypsychology.org/srrs.html 

Highlights from this episode:

01:33 - Are we taking OCD seriously enough?

04:50 - Obsessions versus compulsions

07:54 - Why has there been an increase?

10:16 - Keep it in the family

11:39 - Life events and external triggers

14:51 - OCD early warning signs

18:33 - OCD or anxiety?

21:18 - How can we help our children?

24:42 - Challenge the intrusive thoughts

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you looking for fun and free or low cost family activities?

Have you considered reading?

Before you switch off, hear me out, because reading can be an incredibly relaxing and enjoyable activity, and I’m here to explain how you can encourage your children to want to read.

However, there’s been a huge decline in recent years of young people who enjoy reading, and it’s on us - the mums, the dads, the parents, the guardians and the teachers - to do something about this.

Reading a good book can be great for the soul, and help not just your kids, but also you, to empty your buckets. That’s why this topic is so important to me.

I will tell you the three main benefits of reading, and what you can do to make reading feel like less of a chore to your kids.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Britain Reading by The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/get-britain-reading?msockid=2f94feb8d57068851bbdebd1d476690b 

Highlights from this episode:

00:41 - Get Britain reading again

04:55 - The numbers don’t lie

07:26 - The three benefits

10:52 - Paper beats screen

15:05 - Take the hard work out of reading

19:14 - Model reading for pleasure

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you getting in your child’s way?

Should you praise effort or results?

And are you strict enough with enforcing your own rules?

In today’s episode, I’m expanding on a recent episode (linked below), where we explored how your children build their sense of self, to answer the above questions and more.

I’m going to give you the five areas where I believe you can really help your children navigate their most critical stage of identity development. This usually happens around 7-8 years old, but everychild is different, so no matter where you are in your parenting journey, this episode will definitely help you.

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Mentioned in this episode:

Becoming Me: How Your Children Develop Their Sense of Identity

Highlights from this episode:

01:28 - Ages 7 to 8 are critical

06:00 - The 8 stages of identity development

09:03 - Do what you say you will

13:28 - Are you getting in your child’s way?

19:17 - Manage your expectations

22:27 - The benefits of praising effort

28:35 - The world is NOT school

31:57 - Episode cheat sheet

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What went wrong?

Have I failed my children?

That’s the question many parents ask themselves when contemplating home schooling. But in reality, the school system simply isn’t the best choice for some children.

In the second part of our discussion, we look closer at the process of choosing a home schooling option, what a good education really looks like, and when or why you might transition your kids back into a school environment.

To have this discussion I am joined by two very special guests…

Ruth Morgan is a mum to two children, one of whom is ASD. She shares her daughter’s story with us, and it will really resonate with any of you experiencing similar difficulties.

She is also an ⁠integrative psychotherapist who specialises in neurodivergent adults , especially late diagnosis and co-presenting mental health difficulties, and she also offers coaching to parents whose children are going through diagnosis or related challenges for the family. You can contact Ruth at https://ruthmorgan.co.uk/

Kate Shand is the founder and CEO of Enjoy Education, which provides bespoke educational services tailored to the unique needs of families and students globally. She is also a founding member and vice president of The Tutors’ Association, committed to raising tutoring standards across the industry and around the world. You can find out more at http://www.enjoyeducation.co.uk/ 

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:24 - What does good schooling look like?

08:49 - Neurodivergent burnout

12:31 - The journey back to school

18:50 - The growth option

21:38 - Breaking social moulds

23:55 - Give yourself the space to mess up

28:57 - Every parent has their own story

33:41 - Pushing over the cliff edge

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has your child ever refused to go to school?

It’s a morning routine all parents dread, but for nearly one in five parents, this is a common occurrence.. But what do you do?

In the first of this special two part episode, I am going to explore the reasons why our kids might not want to go to school and the ways in which both parents and educators can identify and support this.

Because as absenteeism continues to rise, maybe it’s time to stop blaming our kids, and start considering that maybe school doesn’t work for them.

To have this discussion I am joined by two very special guests…

Ruth Morgan is a mum to two children, one of whom is ASD. She shares her daughter’s story with us, and it will really resonate with any of you experiencing similar difficulties.

She is also an ⁠integrative psychotherapist who specialises in neurodivergent adults , especially late diagnosis and co-presenting mental health difficulties, and she also offers coaching to parents whose children are going through diagnosis or related challenges for the family. You can contact Ruth at https://ruthmorgan.co.uk/

Kate Shand is the founder and CEO of Enjoy Education, which provides bespoke educational services tailored to the unique needs of families and students globally. She is also a founding member and vice president of The Tutors’ Association, committed to raising tutoring standards across the industry and around the world. You can find out more at http://www.enjoyeducation.co.uk/ 

So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation…

Highlights from this episode:

01:20 - These stats might shock you

05:32 - School refusal

11:46 - How to manage school incapacity

15:23 - Home schooling doesn’t have to be plan z

18:55 - Why are the stats going up?

21:21 - Ruth’s story

29:00 - School support for neurodivergence

32:06 - Schools get a different version of your child

36:35 - A message to schools

💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together

💚  For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 

💚  For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 

💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025

💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com 

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.