E19: "The Gap" - Parenting the Child in Front of You (Not the One in Your Head)

E19: "The Gap" - Parenting the Child in Front of You (Not the One in Your Head)

Have you ever found yourself thinking… “why can't they just....?!" Maybe it's sharing, getting out the door for school, going to a party, losing a game without it completely derailing everything. It’s such a small sentence… but it carries a huge amount of weight. Because underneath it is an expectation. An image of who our child is meant to be in that moment. And when reality doesn’t match that image? That’s where the frustration kicks in. Because we’re reacting to the version of them we expected. This episodes shares a family story from a holiday that didn’t go to plan. We look at how quickly pressure, frustration, and overwhelm build when we assume capability instead of recognising development. And how this can lead to repeating ourselves, pleading, losing patience, and feeling increasingly out of control. If you’ve ever felt stuck in repeating arguments, guilt after losing your temper, or the sense that your child only listens when things escalate, this conversation will help you see what’s really happening - and what actually begins to shift it. A grounding, honest episode about leadership, connection, and learning to meet your child where they are, not where you expected them to be. To work with Fiona, visit www.thewildchildparentcoach.com Follow Fiona on Instagram @the_wild_childparentcoach [https://www.instagram.com/the_wild_childparentcoach/?hl=en]

E18: "The Gap" - Why You’re Not the Parent You Thought You’d Be

You love your kids. But if you’re honest… this isn’t how you thought it would feel. In this episode, we’re talking about the gap - the space between the parent you want to be, and the one who shows up when you’re overwhelmed, stretched, and running on empty. Because it’s not that you don’t know what to do. It’s that in the moments that matter most… something else takes over. We’ll explore: * why you keep reacting in ways you didn’t intend to * the cycle so many parents find themselves stuck in * and why trying harder, staying calmer, or learning more strategies isn’t closing the gap If you’ve ever thought, “Why did I just react like that?” or “That’s not the parent I want to be” — this episode will land. This isn’t about judgement. It’s about understanding what’s really going on, so things can actually change. If this resonates, I’m opening a small number of conversations this month for parents who are ready to do this work properly. If you'd like to explore my 12 week programme and break this cycle for good, book an initial consultation here [https://www.thewildchildparentcoach.com/thrive]and let's talk. Connect with me via Instagram @the_wild_childparentcoach [https://www.instagram.com/the_wild_childparentcoach/?hl=en] Visit www.thewildchildparentcoach.com [https://www.thewildchildparentcoach.com/] Email: hello@thewildchildparentcoach.com

E17: Different Operating System: What Every Parent Needs to Know About Neurodiversity with Julia Gudinchet

If you've ever looked at your child mid-meltdown and thought "I just don't know what's going on" — this episode is for you. This week I'm joined by Julia Gudinchet, founder of the award-winning Sunflower Autism Consultancy, who has spent 20 years working with neurodivergent children, young people, and their families — and is also a neurodivergent parent herself. We talk about what neurodiversity actually is (and what it isn't), why the word "spectrum" confuses more than it helps, and what to look for if you're wondering whether your child's big reactions are typical development or something worth exploring further. Julia shares her brilliant "mixing desk" analogy for understanding your child's individual profile, how to spot amber before you hit red, and what you can actually do right now — with or without a diagnosis. This one is packed with insight, warmth, and some really practical tools. Timed perfectly for Neurodiversity Celebration Week, 16th–22nd March. Find Julia at Sunflower Autism Consultancy [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsunflowerautismconsultancy.co.uk%2F%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnXqvPimD7TyYbWFawECPiflK-cYwWo4PfURabQWRdwp3P2j6Wtc2hy08jofo_aem_k7vrn-goOo7ausNDTU29ag&e=AT6_zT-0wEjZCK1605EbMWzblghes8WaJ6REnTe84kY9XQwhF2jS5ce2r7zWt2aCxgC49Mcnu2anGXUm3PvacbAvIR_hCKdDtWjYCVUVf2B7Cj51sRutXsuhyg]or search for her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sunflowerautism/?hl=en]and Facebook [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fg%2F1AFcDTmEMg%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr%26utm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio&e=AT7sYOyv4YsMCw52PKz_fp5C_RVYCCXpYXOPsCEaKMF9sR55taAPhhbtv3TNFW3RwMflkIftx9gwObV3FFGoL_0QUDwP_e20WU3cTzb7jUUIUhLOZEcE_I0i1Q]. To find out more about working with Fiona, visit her website [https://www.thewildchildparentcoach.com/]or connect via Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/the_wild_childparentcoach/?hl=en]⁠

E16: "I Don't Do Guilt Anymore" — Tracey Butcher on Letting Go and Building a Life You're Proud Of

Tracey Butcher is a mum of four and the founder of Founder Mums Club — a community of incredible women who’ve stepped away from the 9–5 to build something on their own terms. In this conversation, we talk about the honest, unglamorous reality of turning your back on the safety of a monthly paycheque, the wobbles that come with building something from scratch, and the unexpected shifts that happen when mums start putting themselves first. We talk about: * The slow burn of doing work that doesn’t light you up — and why it doesn’t stay at the office * What the move from corporate to self-employed actually looks like with four kids and a mortgage * The tipping point — why it’s different for everyone and how you know when yours arrives * Guilt: how much Tracey carried, what mindfulness helped her see, and the moment she chose pride instead * Why looking after yourself first isn’t selfish — and the small habits that make everything else possible If you’ve ever felt pulled between who you are at work and who you want to be at home — or wondered whether wanting something different somehow makes you ungrateful — this one’s for you. You can connect with Tracey online via Instagram @foundermums [https://www.instagram.com/foundermums/?hl=en] To find our more about Fiona's work, please visit www.thewildchildparentcoach.com [https://www.thewildchildparentcoach.com/] or connect via Instagram @the_wild_childparentcoach [https://www.instagram.com/the_wild_childparentcoach/?hl=en]

E15: What Is a Wild Child... and How on Earth Do We Parent Them?

What Actually IS a Wild Child... and How Do You Parent Them? You watch other parents bundle their kids up and head out the door like it's no big deal. Meanwhile, you can't even get your child to put their shoes on without a full negotiation. If you're parenting a wild child, you know the exhaustion. The constant battles. The loneliness of feeling like you're the only one struggling this hard. In this episode, I'm answering the question I probably should have tackled in episode one: What actually is a wild child, and how on earth do you parent them? I'll share a sledging story that taught me everything about the shift wild children need from us - and the one question that changes how you see their resistance. Because wild children aren't being difficult. They're struggling. And when we stop pushing and start asking the right question, everything changes. Resources mentioned:The Village membership Find out more on the Village Section of my website. [https://www.thewildchildparentcoach.com/the-village] Book a session [https://www.thewildchildparentcoach.com/coaching] with Fiona Visit www.thewildchildparentcoach.com to see my full services.