In this episode of The Mum Minute, we’re diving into one of the most common phrases parents say - and why it never quite has the effect we hope for.

When your child’s emotions are running high and you find yourself saying “please just calm down” through gritted teeth, it can feel like you’re speaking another language. Because, in a way, you are.

This episode explores what’s really happening in your child’s brain when they’re overwhelmed, why logic goes out the window, and how you can help them find their calm - even when you’re barely holding onto yours.

You’ll learn the simple science behind emotional regulation, a quick breathing tool you can teach your child (and use yourself), and the golden rule that changes everything: regulate before you reason.

And if this episode resonates with you, you’ll love my brand-new 3-week parent-led course, Helping Small Humans Handle Big Feelings - starting on the 17th November. It’s a live, practical and encouraging course for parents of children aged 6–11, teaching the exact tools to help your child manage big emotions and bring more calm to your whole home.

In this episode of The Naptime Sessions, I’m joined by the insightful and compassionate Paula Hatfield – former head of one of London’s top illustration companies, now a holistic well-being practitioner, mum, and advocate for embracing change at every stage of life.

Paula’s story is one of transformation. After 16 years leading a successful creative business, she hit burnout while also navigating the emotional strain of her mum’s health crisis. That turning point led her to discover the healing power of therapies like hypnotherapy and coaching - tools that now form the heart of her work supporting others through stress, change, and midlife shifts.

In our conversation, Paula shares openly about her own evolution, what motherhood has taught her about resilience and forgiveness, and the challenges and joys of parenting a neurodiverse child. We also talk about the growing awareness around neurodiversity, and how connection – whether in a corporate setting, a retreat, or at home – is at the core of living well.

In this episode of The Naptime Sessions, I’m joined by the inspiring and down-to-earth Deborah Borfecchia – former graphic designer turned soft tissue therapist, clinic owner, and mum.

Deborah’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and following your heart even when the path takes unexpected turns. She opens up about her journey from the creative world of design to building a thriving therapy practice, the joys and challenges of motherhood, and the emotional rollercoaster of trying to expand her family.

This conversation felt like a deep exhale – honest, grounding, and full of gentle reminders that we don’t have to do this motherhood thing alone. Deborah shares candidly about the isolation of those early parenting days, the struggle of juggling work and family, and the sacrifices that so many mums quietly make to keep everything afloat. We also talk about the importance of community, tuning into your body, and the huge difference a holistic approach can make to wellbeing.

In this episode of The Naptime Sessions, I’m joined by the brilliant and soulful Grainne Dunne - social media specialist, mum of two, and a woman with a truly powerful story to share.

This conversation felt like a cuppa with a new friend. We laughed, we reflected, and we held space for some very real, very raw emotions. Grainne shares her journey into motherhood and business, the deep grief of losing both her parents, and how those experiences shaped the woman – and mother – she is today. I also opened up about the loss of my Dad, and together we explored how grief can live alongside joy, and how keeping the memory of our loved ones alive can be a deeply healing part of the journey.

We also took a trip down memory lane, chatting about our time at The BRIT School and how it shaped our outlooks on life, creativity, and confidence.

Alongside the big feelings, there’s loads of wisdom in this episode – from Grainne’s practical social media advice for mums running businesses, to setting boundaries, managing expectations, and the importance of caring for yourself as much as you care for others.

What happens when you're parenting on a battlefield that was never built for your child?

In this episode of The Naptime Sessions, I’m joined by Dr. Rosie Gilderthorp – Clinical Psychologist, founder of Know Your Mind and Psychology Business School, mum of three neurodivergent children, and someone who deeply understands the emotional and practical load carried by SEND parents.

Rosie brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this powerful conversation. We talk about the mental health challenges that come with raising neurodivergent children, the financial and emotional strain on families, and just how exhausting it can be to navigate the SEND system – especially when that system feels like it’s working against you.

She shares her insights on what helps – from building a supportive community to learning how to advocate for your child – and why it’s so important to protect your own wellbeing along the way.

This is a conversation full of validation, compassion, and practical encouragement for any parent who’s ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or unseen.

What happens when you hit burnout and realise you can’t keep doing it all on your own? In this episode of The Naptime Sessions, I chat to Karen Lander - mum, community builder, and founder of Mum Hub Kent - about the real-life challenges of motherhood, and why connection and self-care are anything but optional.

What happens when a successful career in finance no longer fits the life you’re trying to build as a mum? In this episode of The Naptime Sessions, I chat to Marianne Dadd - accountant, mum, and all-round powerhouse – about her journey from corporate life to self-employment, and what it really takes to find balance between motherhood and meaningful work.

In this episode of The Mum Minute, we’re talking about gratitude and not in a cheesy, “just think positive” kind of way.

This is about simple, realistic rituals that can help shift your mindset on even the hardest parenting days.

Whether it’s you feeling overwhelmed, or your kids melting down because their toast was “too crispy,” practising gratitude (alone or together) can help you catch the tiny good moments before they get lost in the chaos.

We’ll explore how gratitude literally rewires the brain, why it’s not about ignoring the hard stuff, and how to make it a gentle, doable part of your daily rhythm - no journal pressure required.

Not every mum is willing to lay it all bare, but in this episode of The Naptime Sessions, Geri, The Tunbridge Wells Mummy, does just that. With raw honesty and a deep desire to help other mums feel less alone, Geri opens up about her journey through motherhood: from the surreal experience of giving birth in lockdown, to the depths of postnatal depression and psychosis, to the day-to-day reality of raising two young children.

Motherhood doesn’t come with a map and for Lizzie Woolmer, it’s been a wild, beautiful, and sometimes overwhelming ride raising three boys while rediscovering who she is along the way. In this episode of The Naptime Sessions, I chat with Lizzie about the highs, lows, and in-betweens of motherhood, from the chaos of boy mum life to the deep need for connection and community.

Lizzie speaks honestly about the mental load of motherhood, navigating postnatal depression, and the identity shift that comes after becoming a mum. We talk about the importance of finding your tribe, the courage it takes to step outside your comfort zone, and why being honest about the hard stuff can be the most healing thing of all.

Motherhood is a whirlwind, and sometimes, in the midst of caring for everyone else, our own confidence and self-care take a backseat. In this episode of The Naptime Sessions, I chat with Neresse Ditri, founder of Styling Your Success, about how mums can reclaim their confidence through personal style, self-care, and small but powerful mindset shifts.

Neresse shares her journey as a personal stylist and a mum, opening up about the guilt so many of us feel when prioritising ourselves. She also gives practical advice on making style work for you—because feeling good in what you wear can make a world of difference in how you show up for yourself and your family.

In this episode of The Mum Minute, we’re talking about identity shifts in motherhood—why they happen, how they can feel unsettling, and why they’re not necessarily a bad thing. If you’ve ever wondered where the old you went, you’re not alone. Motherhood reshapes us in ways we never expected, but instead of seeing it as a loss, what if we saw it as growth?

Motherhood isn’t always the smooth journey we expect, and for Ali Tait, it was filled with heartbreak, resilience, and transformation. In this episode of The Naptime Sessions, I chat with Ali—business coach, founder of the MIB Network, and solo mum—about her inspiring journey from recurrent miscarriages to building a thriving business that empowers women.

Ali opens up about the emotional toll of pregnancy loss, the transition to solo parenting, and the lessons she’s learned from raising her now teen children. She shares her passion for supporting mums in business, the power of community, and the importance of creating a life that works for you - whether that’s in motherhood, business, or both.

Feeding little ones isn’t always as simple as we expect, and for many parents, it can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. In this episode of The Naptime Sessions, I chat with the brilliant Emma Shafqat—paediatric dietitian, founder of Dietitian with a Difference, and mum—who knows first-hand the challenges that come with feeding a premature baby.

Emma shares her journey through motherhood, the highs and lows of weaning, and how she transitioned from the NHS to private practice. She offers practical advice on managing picky eating, food allergies, and mealtime stress—helping parents feel more confident and supported when it comes to feeding their children.

In this episode of The Mum Minute, we’re tackling something that sneaks into all of our minds—that little inner voice that tells us we’re not doing enough, not patient enough, or that we should be doing better. Sound familiar?

If your inner critic has been extra loud lately, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: beating yourself up doesn’t make you a better mum—it just makes you feel worse. So today, we’re talking about why that voice is so harsh and, more importantly, how you can quiet it and replace it with something much kinder.

We’ll cover simple, practical tools you can use in the moment to challenge those critical thoughts and remind yourself that you are already enough.

In this insightful and reassuring episode of The Naptime Sessions, I’m joined by the brilliant Gemma Coe—sleep specialist, author, and mum—who is on a mission to help families get the rest they need without the guilt.

Gemma opens up about her own journey into motherhood, the brutal reality of sleep deprivation, and why there’s so much stigma around sleep training. She challenges the idea that struggling with sleep is something parents just have to “push through” and offers a more compassionate approach to improving sleep for the whole family.

In this episode of The Mum Minute, we’re tackling overwhelm with two simple, science-backed breathing techniques. Half-term can be chaotic, and when stress levels rise, our nervous system shifts into overdrive. But the way we breathe can instantly help us reset.

We’ll explore the ‘Sniff Sniff Sigh’ and ‘Extended Exhale’ techniques, explaining why they work and guiding you through a quick practice you can do anywhere—even in the middle of a noisy, snack-demanding household!

In this heart-warming and honest episode of The Naptime Sessions, I’m joined by the wonderful Jess Gibson—mum of four (yes, FOUR!) and founder of the TN Card, a brilliant initiative supporting local businesses while giving back to mental health charities.

Jess opens up about the juggle of running a business while raising four boys, the importance of community, and why setting boundaries (even when it’s hard) is key to keeping your sanity. She also shares her experiences navigating neurodiversity with her son Gabriel, dealing with imposter syndrome, and the lessons she’s learned through grief and motherhood.

In this episode of The Mum Minute, I explore how our mental health as mums directly impacts our children's wellbeing. Children are like little sponges, absorbing our emotions, stress levels, and behaviours more than we realise. We’ll discuss the research behind this connection, how to model emotional resilience, and practical ways to protect both our mental health and theirs.

In this laugh-out-loud episode of The Naptime Sessions, I’m joined by the wonderful Kathryn Allen, a reflexologist, mum of two, and former recruitment powerhouse. Kathryn brings a fresh, humorous, and relatable perspective to the joys and challenges of juggling motherhood, perimenopause, and a major career pivot.