Episodes
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At Parentline, we are experiencing a large number of calls from parents and carers who are struggling with the issue of Anxiety Based School avoidance.
Many of these parents feel like they are the only ones going through it, which is so far from the truth.
In this very special episode of the Parentline NI Podcast we share some of the stories and experiences from parents, and shine a light on this issue.
Our host Kerry McLean chats to Courtney, Lyndsey and Fiona, as well as Elaine from Strive NI in this episode.
https://striveni.co.uk/
https://www.ci-ni.org.uk/parentline/
Parentline NI is a FREE confidential helpline for parents and carers throughout NI.
If you need us, we’re here. Call 0808 8020 400 -
Kate McKeown and Sarah Carvell chat to Kerry McLean about their experiences with dyslexia - they discuss their barriers to support, trusting their own judgements around their childrens' needs, and navigating a path for a better outcome.
If you would like to talk to Parentline about dyslexia, or about any other parenting matter, you can call us on 0808 8020 400. -
Missing episodes?
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This episode, Kerry talks to two guests, Bronagh Donnelly and Mary Jordan. Bronagh's son has ADHD, and she also works for an ADHD support service.
Mary has ADHD herself, and so do both of her children.
Our guests candidly share their stories of parenting children with ADHD and their journey through getting the right support, understanding ADHD and their overall mindset about it. Their stories are uplifting and inspiring as we hear how their children thrived in areas like sport and creative subjects.
They discuss navigating the school system, and educational support and perceived levels of achievement. This is an area that highlights inconsistencies across the country, and campaigning for acceptance and flexibility is a huge motivation for our two guests.
If you would like to chat to one of our team about anything parenting related, please call us on 0808 8020 400. -
This episode, Kerry chats to two local parents, Barbara and Katrina, who share their views on how to rediscover the magic of Christmas, on a budget!
They discuss their own, personal family traditions, and revisit what really matters at Christmas. The Cost of Living Crisis is affecting the vast majority of us, so why should we put unnecessarily pressures on ourselves and our family to keep up with everything we see others doing on social media?
The 'picture perfect' Christmas may look inviting, but how 'real' is it? Is it worth getting into debt for?
Kerry, Barbara and Katrina talk about special moments in their family homes at Christmas, as well as budget friendly ideas, and charitable actions that can go along way this time of year.
Remember Parentline are here on 0808 8020 400 to listen, offer support or guidance on any parenting issue. -
Breastfeeding counsellor Katy Lynn chats to Kerry about the emotive topic of breastfeeding. They talk about some of the amazing qualities of breastmilk, the joys of breastfeeding and discuss awareness around the difficulties experienced when starting to breastfeed. They key message here is the lack of support for mums who are starting to breastfeed, that can often lead them to stop sooner than planned.
We've included some signposting information below. It is advised that the first port of call here in Northern Ireland would be a Community Midwife. Health Visitors should be able to supply information of local support groups, and all women can access the Infant Feeding Lead in each trust area too.
Helplines (most are open 365 days a year until midnight)
NCT - 0300 330 0700Breastfeeding Network - 0300 100 0212La Leche League - 0345 120 2918Social media
NCT Breastfeeding Support NI on Facebook & instagram
https://www.facebook.com/NCTBFNI
https://www.instagram.com/nctbreastfeedingsupportni/Breastfeeding in Northern Ireland
https://www.facebook.com/BreastfeedinginNIBreastfeeding & Medication Facebook page ran by pharmacist Wendy Jones
https://www.facebook.com/breastfeedingandmedication
Boobcast podcast (NCT NI)
https://open.spotify.com/show/6NJVZRPgy64pnphnNjuek3 -
Kerry talks to Hannah Conroy, mum to Ben, age 9, who has vision impairment. Hannah describes how she navigated getting support in place for Ben, as well as talking about his resilience and positivity! She also describes how much she values the support she gets from RNIB and Angel Eyes, and talks about the challenges of having child with a disability.
https://www.rnib.org.uk/
https://www.angeleyesni.org/ -
This episode Kerry talks to Sorina and Cosmin, parents of 8 year old Ezra. Ezra became ill at 14 months and is a below the knee double amputee. He also lost fingers on his right hand. Kerry discusses how Sorina and Cosmin coped, and are still coping, as well as Ezra's resilience and determination in progressing into a very active boy who loves school and lives a full life.
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Kerry McLean talks to Chris and Rebecca, who each have a son with a rare genetic condition, called PKU.
They courageously discuss how it affects their lives, and the wider family circle. They explain the experience of being told the diagnosis, and how they coped and moved forward from there.
This episode focuses on the feelings and challenges around having a child with a lifelong condition, and how the support from those in similar situations can help make things more manageable. We greatly appreciate Chris and Rebecca taking part in the Parentline podcast.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/phenylketonuria/
Remember Parentline are here on 0808 8020 400 to listen, offer support or guidance on any parenting issue.
https://www.ci-ni.org.uk/parentline/ -
Teen Pregnancy - somemthing that is usually unplanned and unexpected, by both parents and their teenagers!
Katrina, a teen mum with a newborn, and Paula, a former teen mum whose daughter is now in her 20's, chat about their experiences with Kerry McLean. They share challenges and shifts in their lifestyle, as well as what they have gained and their outlook on life. -
This episode shares the experience of Michaela, who lost her mother just six weeks after the birth of her first baby, all during the peak of Covid 19.
Kerry and Michaela discuss how she coped with this tragic loss, during such a significant and intense period of her life. They share some similar experiences, and the message that despite how difficult life can be, if we reach out, it can make us feel so much less alone.Remember Parentline are here on 0808 8020 400 to listen, offer support or guidance on any parenting issue.
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This episode is the second of our 'Parenting through...' series. Kerry talks to Casey and Becca, the recent founders of Melted Parents NI - their aim is to share the human stories behind the childcare crisis and it's impact on our society.
They discuss the impact of childcare costs on whether parents (mainly women) are willing and/or able to return to work after having a baby. In addition, they talk about childcare being more than just someone looking after your child, and how nurturing a place nurseries can be. Check out their Instagram after this episode to see the stories of many local parents.Resources related to this episode:
Parentline - https://www.ci-ni.org.uk/parentline
Melted Parents NI - linktr.ee/meltedparentsni
Remember Parentline NI are here on 0808 8020 400 to listen, offer support or guidance on any area of parenting.
To avoid missing an episode of our podcast, click ‘follow’ wherever you get your podcasts.
Thanks for listening!! -
The thought of our children or our young people going through emotional pain and hurt is horrible. As parents or carers, we want them to have a perfect, stress-free, pain-free life. But of course, that's not possible for anyone. And sometimes that pain and hurt can lead to them having thoughts of self-harm, or worse still, thoughts of suicide.
Kerry McLean talks to Connor McCafferty of Zest NI - Healing the Hurt, on how our own emotional literacy can help us provide the right kind of support to our children.
http://www.zestni.org/
Remember Parentline are here on 0808 8020 400 to listen, offer support or guidance on any parenting issue.
https://www.ci-ni.org.uk/parentline/ -
In this episode, Pam Nugent, co-founder of The Laurence Trust, tells her story about the loss of her son, Laurence, to an eating disorder.
For #eatingdisorderawarenessweek2023, there is a focus on men, and how eating disorders, contrary to popular belief, affect men as well as women.
Pam shares the heartbreaking story of Laurence's eating disorder, and her motivation for founding The Laurence Trust; a safe and compassionate space for men and their loved ones to find support, so that tragedies like this one can be avoided.
https://www.thelaurencetrust.co.uk/
Freddie Flintoff: Living with Bulimia: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000n1xx
Remember Parentline are here on 0808 8020 400 to listen, offer support or guidance on any parenting issue. -
In this episode we were delighted to have Rebecca from Eden Consultancy back with us to chat more about autism. Kerry and Rebecca chat about next steps after diagnosis, as well as discussing stigmas and dated views. Rebecca gives some excellent tried and tested techniques as well as advice for parents and carers to try involving the whole family in using a consistent approach for their children. They also chat about normalising a diagnosis - it does not change your child and is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
If you would like to talk one of our Parentline NI support officers please call 0808 8020 400. We are here to support you without judgement.
Useful links:
https://www.edenconsultancyni.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Edenconsultancyni
https://www.ci-ni.org.uk/parentline/
https://www.facebook.com/parentlineni -
Lisa and Kerry chat about the impact of childhood trauma on the person we become, and in turn our own parenting styles. They discuss the vocabulary we need to talk about trauma and it's impact on our mental health. They also discuss self care, and how empathy and compassion can make such a positive difference to those carrying the weight of trauma. Lisa discusses how having those conversations about the legacy of trauma, don't always make things better, but that addressing things can lead to valuable learnings and realisations.
Lisa Cherry is an author, researcher and leading international trainer and consultant, specialising in assisting schools, services and systems to create change that supports working with the legacy of trauma. Lisa has been working in Education and Children’s Services for over 30 years and combines academic knowledge and research with professional skills and personal experience.
Conversations that Make a Difference, by Lisa Cherry
https://www.lisacherry.co.uk/
We hope you enjoy the conversation, share with friends and family and let us know what you think.
Remember Parentline are here on 0808 8020 400 to listen, offer support or guidance on any parenting issue. -
This episode, Kerry talks to Col Bignell, founder of DadBods - a group for dads to get together and connect through what it's like to be a dad!
Every Sunday they get together in a new outdoor location for a walk and a chat - and bring their babies and toddlers of course!
Col explains what it has done for him as a parent, as he feels he can connect with the other dads about how much of a life changing event parenthood is.
If you'd like to get in touch with Col, find him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dadbods.ni/ -
Patrick McIlwee, from New Ways NI - Tailored Mindset Coaching, chats to Kerry McLean about ways to use mindfulness in our parenting, both for ourselves and for our children.
Resources:
https://5lovelanguages.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NewWaysNI/ -
Ed Sipler, a Health Development Specialist in the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, talks to Kerry McLean about building resilience in ourselves and our children.
It's been a tough few years for us all, and with the current cost of living challenges, we have all had a lot to cope with and try to overcome.
Ed talks about resilience in this episode, and how it's more effective to build our own resilience first, before modelling it to our children. Ed talks about his own family, and his twin granddaughters, giving us an insight on the challenges we all face, and how to work through them using our own resilience and instilling it into our children and grandchildren.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
CYPSP - https://cypsp.hscni.net
Family Support Hubs - https://cypsp.hscni.net/family-support-hubs
Parentline - https://www.ci-ni.org.uk/parentline
Remember Parentline NI are here on 0808 8020 400 to listen, offer support or guidance on any area of parenting.
To avoid missing an episode of our podcast, click ‘follow’ wherever you get your podcasts.
Thanks for listening!! -
This episode, Kerry chats to Wayne Denner, an online reputation and safety expert, who has spent decades in the digital space teaching people of all ages to protect themselves online, take control of technology and maximise the opportunities it can offer.
They discuss safeguarding in the online world; something that is becoming increasingly prevalent in our lives. As parents we know the world is a very different place to the one we grew up in, and our heads can sometimes be filled with questions, worries or fears about how we can keep our children safe online.
Wayne and Kerry talk through how we, as parents, may feel about our children using smartphones, tablets and laptops, as well as online gaming.
What age is too young?
How do we manage parental controls?
What about the positive, educational experiences our children and young people get from being online?
They also discuss how we can keep up to date with the latest technology, and suggest ways we can get involved in our child’s digital world. Wayne covers how to monitor usage, and also shares tips on how the whole family can reduce their time spent on devices, to encourage our young people to do the same.
The online world offers a world of potential social and educational experiences for our children and young people, as well as fun and enjoyment, however it is so easy to spend too much time staring at a screen, or stumble upon content that is too advanced or even dangerous. But if we implement strategies like enabling parental controls on devices and routers, putting our phones in sleep mode at night time, or keeping all devices away from the dinner table or bedroom, we can feel reassured we are not overdoing our screen time, and worry less that our children are accessing content that is unsuitable.
Listen in to the chat and tell us with you think! And if you like it, please share it!
Resources:
OpenDNS Family Shield – www.opendns.com
The Students Guide to and Epic Online Reputation – Wayne Denner – www.waynedenner.com
Putting your phone in sleep mode – https://cellularnews.com/mobile-phone/ways-to-set-sleep-timer-on-your-android-and-iphone-devices
Remember Parentline NI are here on 0808 8020 400 to listen, offer support or guidance on any area of parenting.
To avoid missing an episode of our podcast, click ‘follow’ wherever you get your podcasts.
Thanks for listening!! -
Following our popular workshop delivered together with Elaine McCrisken from Strive NI, Elaine joins us on the podcast to chat about Anxiety Based School Avoidance.
Listen in as Kerry chats to Elaine and explores reasons why a child or young person may be finding it difficult to attend school. As well as discussing practical strategies for parents/carers to support children to return more willingly to the school environment.
We hope you enjoy the conversation, share with friends and family and let us know what you think.
Remember Parentline are here on 0808 8020 400 to listen, offer support or guidance on any parenting issue. - Show more
