The Parent Hood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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