In this episode in our new series, my guest (who wishes to remain anonymous) tells us her 'story' about a situation that her family found themselves in in 2017 when her son was just 3 months old.

My guest took her 3-month old son to the GP as he had a mark on his back that she'd not seen before. Medical professionals became concerned as it looked like a bruise, and a Section 47 Enquiry (Child protection assessment) was instigated.

The family underwent an incredibly challenging time, before it was discovered that baby actually had a birthmark. Congenital Dermal Melanocytosis (formerly called a Mongolian Blue Spot) is often mistaken for a bruise, leaving families vulnerable to accusations of harm.

My guest wants to raise awareness of this misdiagnosis, encourage parents to do their own research and ask questions when faced with difficult health or social care situations, and crucially, ask health professionals to always remain curious, non-judgemental and collaborative when working with families.

In this episode I am joined by Becky, a mum of 2 and a reception teacher.

We discuss tips and advice for parents who have a child starting Reception in September, and Becky answers some of your questions. This episode is jam packed full of advice and hopefully lots of reassurance for any parents who are apprehensive about the transition and the change that is coming.

We cover:

• What are the most helpful things that parents can be doing to prepare their child for the transition to reception.
• How parents can prepare for the change
• Uniform
• Things you can be doing to encourage skills that will be needed for reading and writing
• Play
• How a teacher would understand a non verbal child's way of communicating
• What else parents need to buy
• How to deal with the lack of information after getting so much from nursery
• What to do if your child is a fussy eater
• Friendships
• How we can help summer born children to settle in reception

The most important thing is to talk; to your child, and to their teacher/ the school staff.

Thank you to Reading Fairy Lancaster for sponsoring this episode.

Here is the playdough recipe that I use:

1 cup of water

1 cup of flour

1/2 cup of salt

2x tbsp oil

2x tbsp cream of tartar (or 1 sachet)

Mix all ingredients in a pan and heat on a medium heat. Keep stirring. You will feel the mixture start to thicken, keep stirring until it sticks together and becomes playdough. Remove from pan, let cool and knead. wrap in cling film or put in an airtight container to store.

(If it's sticky, you've usually either not kept it on the heat for long enough or not added enough salt.)

In this episode I am joined once again by Aimee from Get Secondary Ready.

(Listen to our first episode here: https://rss.com/podcasts/thenonperfectparentsclub/1340753/ )

Aimee, until recently, was an assistant head in a high school and found a gap on social media in information on the transition from primary school to secondary school. She has joined us again to share some of her knowledge based around the Summer term in Year 6, ready for the transition to Year 7 and to answer some of YOUR questions.

If you are a parent of a year 6 child, this is a must listen to episode!

We cover things like:

• How we can be preparing our children for the transition now that we're in the Summer term, emotionally and practically.
• What other secondary pupils found to be the biggest surprise and the biggest change transitioning to high school.
• Best Buys and Uniform tips.
• Communication with school.

We cover so much within these points and Aimee offers SO many practical tips that could potentially make a huge difference to your child's (and yours) transition to secondary school.

Find Aimee and Get Secondary Ready here:

Aimee Quinn (@getsecondaryready) • Instagram photos and videos

Top Tips for Parents and Tweens: Getting Ready for Secondary School | get secondary ready

Other episodes to listen to:

You control social media, not the other way around: https://rss.com/podcasts/thenonperfectparentsclub/989119/

Thank you to Ginny Koppenhol photography for sponsoring this episode, find her on Instagram here: Ginny Koppenhol - Photographer (@ginnykopp) • Instagram photos and videos

In this episode I am joined by Lucianne, the founder of FlyRide (a cabin size stroller rental service) and who has been cabin crew for 14 years. She is also a twin Mum.

Lucianne offers her top family travel tips; for on the plane, at the airport, packing and also some product recommendations. She tells us to travel light and go with realistic expectations. So grab a pen and paper and make some notes, especially if like me you're not a seasoned family traveller and it feels very daunting.

Lucianne also reassures us, as cabin crew, not to stress about a crying baby or unsettled children.

You can find Lucianne's page; Flyride here:

Facebook

Cabin Size Stroller Rental & Family Travel Tips | UK (@flyrideuk) • Instagram photos and videos

FlyRide Cabin Approved Stroller Rental, Accessories & Travel Advice

In this episode I am joined by Emma Benyon, Mum, and self care & motherhood coach and educator.

We open up the conversation about self care and the guilt we often feel around it. Emma offers some fantastic practical tips on how to fit self care in and how it shouldn't be something that feels pressured, but something that 'lights us up' and makes us feel good.

Can't remember what even lights you up? Don't worry- Emma has some advice for that too!

We cover:

• What self care actually is,
• How to make time for yourself (and why it's not selfish to put you first!)
• Examples of ways we can practice self care- Is there a quick fix?
• What Emma would say to anyone listening who doesn't know where to start with self care,
• Emma's advice for anyone still 'sat on the fence' about implementing self care into their routine.

We also talk ice creams (maybe not the kind you're thinking of) and permission!

You can find Emma here:

Motherhood Coach for Busy Mums | Self Care Expert | Emma Benyon (@emmabenyon.coach) • Instagram photos and videos

Welcome — Emma Benyon Coaching

Thank you to Stingrays 315 swim school for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode I am joined by Dr Katy Hill, a clinical psychologist who specialises in parental mental health with a particular interest in parental stress and burn out. She is also a Mum of 3.

Katy reassures us that it's very normal to feel burn out and shares her expansive knowledge with us from a very realistic point of view.

We cover:

• What is burn out?
• How normal is it to feel burn out?
• How do we know if it's burn out or depression?
• Katy's thoughts on how a bubble bath won't help.
• What are things we can do to help ourselves with burn out?
• Things that people say that aren't helpful.

You can find Dr Katy here:

Dr Katy Hill | Clinical Psychologist | Parental Stress & Burnout (@theparentalstresspsychologist) • Instagram photos and videos

Links - Dr Katy Hill - Clinical Psychologist

Thank you to Stingrays 315 swim school for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode I am joined by Ellie, a nurse, barrister and owner of Nickeze, period underwear and sportswear.

We cover:

• Why Ellie created Nickeze,
• Tips on how to help parents open up conversations about periods,
• Do's and Don'ts of what to say when your child gets their period,
• What's normal when starting periods and when Ellie would suggest to seek medical advice,
• Challenges for girls with additional needs/ disabilities when they get their period,
• How we can prepare our children for starting their period.

Ellie is a huge advocate when it comes to periods and notes we have to do better.

You can find Ellie here:

Nickeze (@nickeze1) • Instagram photos and videos

Period Underwear | Period Pants | Bladder Leak Underwear – Nickeze

In this episode I share a previous experience of my own on a past Mother's Day and some of my thoughts that are hopefully valuable.