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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 [email protected]  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 how to explain the mind–body connection in a way your child can actually understand,why their brain often misreads situations as danger, andhow this shapes their confidence. 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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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 Adolescence to 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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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 [email protected]  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.