Super Mumma Podcast

Jenny Lucas: Autism, Motherhood and Mum-Guilt

What if the Mum you’re beating yourself up for not being is actually the exact Mum your children need - once you stop masking and start understanding? In this episode, Jenny Lucas shares her late autism diagnosis at 38, the shock of not feeling that instant rush of love, the breastfeeding battles, the sensory overload, and the crushing guilt of “failing” at the motherhood she’d imagined. What You’ll Learn - The Bond That Takes Time: Why not feeling instant love when your baby arrives is common, painful, and doesn’t make you a bad Mum. - Autism Behind the Overwhelm: How undiagnosed neurodivergence turned everyday motherhood into constant struggle and the relief of finally understanding why. - You Are Enough: Letting go of the “perfect Mum” myth and embracing that doing your best with the brain you have is more than enough.   Jenny’s story is a gentle reminder that lands like a warm hug: you are enough, exactly as you are – neurodivergent wiring, messy days, and all.   Learn more about Jenny at audhdistically.me [about:blank]. If anything discussed in the episode has got you needing to find further help please visit www.supermumma.co.uk [https://open.acast.com/networks/64bfdf83495c9f001157f0be/shows/67efcd35f185b2a87f91a576/episodes/www.supermumma.co.uk] where I have lots of places that offer support I would love for you to carry on the conversation with other mums by sharing this episode . Please Like, Follow/Subscribe and I can't wait to talk to you again soon! And remember... you are a SUPER MUMMA! Come say hi @supermummas [https://www.instagram.com/supermummas/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Mummy's Star: A Father's Fight Through Cancer in Pregnancy

In this episode, I sit down with Pete Wallroth, widower, single dad to Martha and Merlin, and founder of the charity Mummy's Star [http://mummysstar.org/]. Pete shares his family's story: discovering breast cancer at 22 weeks pregnant with their second child, navigating chemotherapy alongside maternity care, the joy of donor milk, and the devastating loss of his wife Maya.   We explore maintaining normality for a three-year-old, the power of honest conversations, and how grief transformed into purpose through launching Mummy's Star.   What You’ll Learn   Navigating Diagnosis: How early referral and proactive midwifery support turned fear into a manageable plan, preserving pregnancy choices where possible.   Family Resilience: Practical ways to involve young children through role play, scarf routines, and open honesty to ease the unknown and build connection.   Turning Loss into Legacy: Steps to channel personal tragedy into peer support, from informal cafe chats to training thousands of health professionals on cancer in pregnancy.   Pete's courage in rebuilding life as a trio while creating Mummy's Star reminds us that even in deepest grief, we can forge paths of profound support and healing for others. Super Mumma Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts [http://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/]. If anything discussed in the episode has got you needing to find further help please visit www.supermumma.co.uk [https://open.acast.com/networks/64bfdf83495c9f001157f0be/shows/67efcd35f185b2a87f91a576/episodes/www.supermumma.co.uk] where I have lots of places that offer support I would love for you to carry on the conversation with other mums by sharing this episode . Please Like, Follow/Subscribe and I can't wait to talk to you again soon! And remember... you are a SUPER MUMMA! Come say hi @supermummas [https://www.instagram.com/supermummas/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Unschooled: When the Classroom Doesn’t Fit

What happens when the classroom stops working for your child but the world keeps insisting it should?   In this episode, I sit down with Caro Giles, author of Unschooled. Through honest, raw and hopeful conversation, Caro shares her journey as a single mother raising four children, two of whom cannot thrive in a traditional school setting. What begins as a story of education quickly unfolds into a broader exploration of identity, motherhood, and the invisible labour of unpaid carers.   Caro reflects on the reality of fighting systems that don’t quite fit, the emotional toll of advocating for children who mask their struggles, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild a sense of self amidst it all.   What You’ll Learn   When School Doesn’t Fit: Why some children simply can’t thrive in mainstream education and what unschooling really means in practice.   The Invisible Load: How unpaid caring affects identity, mental health and everyday life and why mothers’ voices matter.   Finding Yourself Again: Caro’s reflections on reclaiming joy, hope and identity while parenting through complexity.   Caro’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, love, and honesty. It’s a reminder to every mum who’s fighting battles no one else can see: you’re not alone, and your story matters. Super Mumma Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts [http://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/]. If anything discussed in the episode has got you needing to find further help please visit www.supermumma.co.uk [https://open.acast.com/networks/64bfdf83495c9f001157f0be/shows/67efcd35f185b2a87f91a576/episodes/www.supermumma.co.uk] where I have lots of places that offer support I would love for you to carry on the conversation with other mums by sharing this episode . Please Like, Follow/Subscribe and I can't wait to talk to you again soon! And remember... you are a SUPER MUMMA! Come say hi @supermummas [https://www.instagram.com/supermummas/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Myth of the Perfect Mum with Rhiannon Cosslett

What if the biggest pressure in motherhood isn’t what others expect of us but what we expect of ourselves?   In this episode, I’m joined by writer and journalist Rhiannon Cosslett, author of The Republic of Parenthood. Drawing from her much-loved Guardian columns and her own experiences as a mum, Rhiannon explores why so many of us feel the need to get everything “right” - from the perfect nursery to the perfect bedtime routine and how that pressure seeps into our everyday lives.   Rhiannon speaks openly about the mental load of modern motherhood, the power of honest conversations, and why letting go of the idea of perfection can create space for something far more meaningful: connection, community, and self-compassion.   What You’ll Learn   Releasing Perfection: How social media, comparison, and unrealistic expectations feed mum guilt and how to step back from it.   Redefining Motherhood: Why honest conversations and shared experiences can ease isolation and build real community.   Owning Your Journey: How embracing imperfection helps you trust your instincts and reclaim your confidence as a parent.   This conversation is a powerful reminder that perfection was never the goal - love, presence and doing our best is more than enough.   The Republic of Parenthood: On Bringing Up Babies [https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-republic-of-parenthood/rhiannon-lucy-cosslett/pia-bramley/9780715655856] is a powerful and honest exploration of what it really means to raise children today. Blending personal reflection with sharp cultural insight, Rhiannon’s’ book examines how parenthood shape’s identity, community, society and why it deserves to be treated as a shared responsibility, not a private struggle. Super Mumma Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts [http://urbanpodcasts.co.uk]. If anything discussed in the episode has got you needing to find further help please visit www.supermumma.co.uk [https://open.acast.com/networks/64bfdf83495c9f001157f0be/shows/67efcd35f185b2a87f91a576/episodes/www.supermumma.co.uk] where I have lots of places that offer support I would love for you to carry on the conversation with other mums by sharing this episode . Please Like, Follow/Subscribe and I can't wait to talk to you again soon! And remember... you are a SUPER MUMMA! Come say hi @supermummas [https://www.instagram.com/supermummas/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Loss to Leadership: MP Laura Kyrke Smith on Improving Maternal Mental Health Support

Laura Kyrke Smith MP, representing Aylesbury, shares her personal journey of loss and advocacy for maternal mental health. Following the tragic loss of her best friend Sophie, who struggled with postnatal depression, Laura opens up about the impact of grief on her motherhood journey and the urgent need for mental health support for new mothers. We discuss the challenges of motherhood, the stigma that often surrounds maternal mental health, and the systemic changes needed in healthcare to better support mothers during pregnancy and postpartum. Laura also shares how she is using her role in Parliament to raise awareness, implement meaningful changes, and highlight the vital role of community support for mothers. This episode is a heartfelt and honest conversation about the realities of postnatal depression, the importance of speaking openly about mental health, and why every mum deserves support, understanding, and connection. *A gentle trigger warning* In this episode we will be talking about suicide and mental health. They are sensitive topics so please take care of yourself while listening and it is absolutely okay to pause and come back to it if you're not ready. If anything discussed in the episode has got you needing to find further help please visit www.supermumma.co.uk [https://open.acast.com/networks/64bfdf83495c9f001157f0be/shows/67efcd35f185b2a87f91a576/episodes/www.supermumma.co.uk] where I have lots of places that offer support I would love for you to carry on the conversation with other mums by sharing this episode . Please Like, Follow/Subscribe and I can't wait to talk to you again soon! And remember... you are a SUPER MUMMA! Come say hi @supermummas [https://www.instagram.com/supermummas/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.