The Parent Hood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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