Heidi At Home

Eps 2: Connection as The Missing Piece at Bedtime

Welcome to episode two of my special four-part Heidi at Home series, in partnership with CBeebies BeddyByes. One more drink. One more wee. The wrong teddy. Another cuddle. A question they absolutely HAVE to ask you right now. And somehow a story about something that happened three Tuesdays ago… Why is it that the moment we say goodnight, our children suddenly need us for EVERYTHING? In this episode, I’m looking at bedtime through the lens of connection and separation, and what might actually be going on underneath all that stalling, silliness and resistance. Because bedtime is a big transition. We’re asking our children to move from the activity and connection of the day towards sleep, and ultimately to separate from us for the night. We talk about: Why children often seek more connection as bedtime approaches What bedtime stalling can actually be communicating Why connection doesn’t have to mean endlessly extending bedtime The difference between more attention and predictable, meaningful connection Simple ways to build connection into the evening without adding another enormous job to your list Why the hour or two before bed matters How light, noise, activity, screens and even our own energy can affect the transition towards sleep How to hold a bedtime boundary while still staying connected What happens when we, as parents, become activated at bedtime Why responding to your child at night doesn’t mean you’re creating a “bad habit” I also talk about something I’ve done with my own three children, even as they’ve got bigger: getting into the bath with them. Warm water, skin-to-skin contact, chatting and laughing together can give us a little pocket of connection at the end of a busy day. Your version might be ten minutes of child-led play, a cuddle on the sofa, a story or simply lying beside them while they tell you about their day. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Often, knowing when and how connection is coming is just as important for children as how long it lasts. We also look at the “runway” towards bedtime and how we can make the gear change from busy to calm feel a little smoother. If screen time is part of your family’s evening, thinking about the pace of what children are watching can be part of that too. CBeebies BeddyByes uses slower, mindful content to support those gentler transitions, so that it can sit earlier in that wind-down before screens go off and you move into your usual bath, stories, cuddles and bedtime routine. My question for you after this episode is a simple one: Does your child know when and how they're going to get connection with you before you ask them to separate for the night? Sometimes that’s a really useful place to start. Find CBeebies BeddyByes You can watch CBeebies BeddyByes on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer. Follow @beddybyesofficial on: YouTube: @beddybyesofficial Instagram: @beddybyesofficial TikTok: @beddybyesofficial And you can find more episodes of Heidi at Home on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This series shares general parenting guidance drawn from child development research and my 17 years working with families. It isn't a substitute for individual medical, psychological or educational advice. If you're worried about your child's sleep, anxiety or development, please speak to your GP, health visitor or another qualified professional. Paid partnership with CBeebies BeddyByes.

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Eps 1: Back to School, Back to Routine - When Your Child Fall's Apart After School

Back to School, Back to Routine: Why Your Child Falls Apart After School Welcome to the first episode of a special four-part Heidi at Home series, in partnership with CBeebies BeddyByes. Does your child hold it together beautifully at school or nursery, only to walk through the front door and completely fall apart? The tears. The shouting. Fighting with siblings. Refusing the simplest request. Suddenly needing you for EVERYTHING. In this episode, I’m talking about what can really be going on underneath that after-school behaviour, and why it doesn’t necessarily mean something is going wrong. Starting or returning to school and nursery asks a huge amount of young children. They’re navigating noise, stimulation, instructions, friendships, separation, expectations and far less autonomy than they may have at home. Even when they seem to be coping brilliantly, all of that takes energy. And sometimes home is simply where it all comes out. We talk about: What after-school restraint collapse can look like Why your child may fall apart most with the person they feel safest with Why firing questions at them the minute they leave school might not get you very far What neurodivergent and highly sensitive children may experience during the school day How to create a gentler transition between school and home Why predictable routines can help without your afternoon becoming a military operation Snacks, movement, quiet time and connection after school How to think about screen time during that transition When an earlier bedtime might actually help What your child may really be communicating through difficult behaviour I also talk about creating a little “landing strip” between the busy school day and home. Children are constantly being asked to move from one state to another: school to home, play to dinner, dinner to bath, busy to calm. Small, familiar cues can make those transitions easier. That’s one of the reasons I’ve loved working with CBeebies BeddyByes on this series. Its gentle pacing and mindful approach have been designed to support little ones as they move towards calmer moments in their day. If screen time is part of your family’s afternoon, it can be one of those familiar transition points alongside food, movement, connection and downtime. My biggest message from this episode? September doesn’t need a perfect routine. Sometimes the most useful question isn’t “How do I stop this behaviour?” but “What has today asked of my child, and what might they need from me now?” Find CBeebies BeddyByes Watch CBeebies BeddyByes on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, and follow @beddybyesofficial: YouTube: @beddybyesofficial Instagram: @beddybyesofficial TikTok: @beddybyesofficial And don’t forget to follow Heidi at Home on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss the next episode in the series. This series shares general parenting guidance drawn from child development research and my 17 years working with families. It isn't a substitute for individual medical, psychological or educational advice. If you're worried about your child's sleep, anxiety or development, please speak to your GP, health visitor or another qualified professional. Paid partnership with CBeebies BeddyByes.

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Bonus: Why Your Childhood Shapes The Way You Parent

Have you ever found yourself reacting to your child and immediately thought, "I sound just like my mum," or "I promised I'd never do that?" You're not imagining it. Long before we become parents ourselves, we're learning what parenting looks like. We absorb beliefs, behaviours and expectations from the adults who raised us, often without even realising it. In this bonus episode of Heidi at Home, we explore how your own childhood experiences continue to influence the way you parent today, and why understanding your default patterns isn't about blaming your parents, but about creating the awareness needed to make intentional choices. In this episode, we discuss: How your childhood shapes your parenting beliefs and behaviours. Why we often repeat what we experienced - or swing to the complete opposite. Different parenting styles, from control-based and permissive approaches to connection-based parenting. Why certain moments with your child can feel disproportionately difficult. How understanding your own story can help you parent with greater intention, rather than simply reacting. Why awareness is the first step towards breaking generational patterns. The way you were parented isn't your fault. But becoming aware of the patterns you've inherited gives you the opportunity to choose what you want to carry forward, and what you want to leave behind. Because every small shift you make has the potential to change the story for the next generation. If you'd like to dive deeper into understanding your parenting patterns and building a more connected relationship with your child, you'll find more support through my coaching programmes and resources at Parenting with Heidi. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be so grateful if you followed Heidi at Home, left a review, or shared it with another parent who might need to hear this today.

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Eps 10: The Leap From Corporate to Founder with Fliss from Wild Thingz

What does it really take to walk away from the security of a corporate career and build something of your own? In this episode of Heidi at Home, I'm joined by the founder of Wild Thingz to talk about the leap so many people dream about - but few actually make. We explore what it means to take a risk on yourself, build a business from the ground up, and create a brand that people genuinely remember. Along the way, we also talk honestly about the realities of juggling life with entrepreneurship, making difficult decisions, and finding a way to grow a business without losing sight of what matters most. In this episode, we discuss: The decision to leave the corporate world and become founders. Taking calculated risks and trusting your instincts. What it takes to build a memorable brand in a crowded market. The realities of being women in business. Balancing ambition with family life. The lessons learnt along the way Whether you're dreaming of starting a business, already running one alongside family life, or simply curious about the stories behind successful brands, this is an honest conversation about courage, resilience and building something you're proud of. Wild Thingz have a brand new flavour of sweets out NOW If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be so grateful if you followed Heidi at Home, left a review, or shared it with someone who's thinking about taking that next step in their own career or business.

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Bonus Eps: What Your Children Learn When They See You Cry

As parents, many of us instinctively try to shield our children from our own difficult emotions. We wait until they're asleep before we cry. We put on a brave face. We tell them, "I'm fine." But what if, in protecting them from our sadness, we're missing an opportunity to teach one of life's most important lessons? In this week's Heidi at Home Mini, I share a very personal experience following the loss of our family dog, and why allowing my children to see my grief became a powerful reminder that emotional resilience isn't about hiding our feelings, it's about showing our children that it's possible to move through them. In this episode, we explore: Why children learn just as much from watching our emotions as they do from how we respond to theirs. The difference between sharing emotions in a healthy way and expecting our children to carry them. Why modelling sadness, grief and disappointment helps children build emotional resilience. How children learn that difficult feelings don't last forever. Why being emotionally authentic can strengthen, rather than weaken, your relationship with your child. Our children don't need perfect parents who never struggle. They need adults who show them that all emotions are welcome, that it's safe to talk about them, and that even the hardest feelings become easier to carry with time. Looking for practical ways to help your child understand and talk about their emotions? My Feelings Out Loud mini offer is designed to help families build emotional literacy together through simple, engaging activities and conversations that fit into everyday family life. It's a gentle way to help your child recognise, express and manage their feelings, while giving you the confidence to support them along the way. Find out more here If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be so grateful if you followed Heidi at Home, left a review, or shared it with another parent who might need to hear this message today.

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Eps 9: No One Teaches You How to go From Partners to Parents with Couples Coach Catherine Topham

This week on Heidi at Home, I'm joined by couples therapist Catherine for a conversation that every parent should hear. Before children, so much of your time, energy and attention is invested in each other. Then, almost overnight, a tiny person arrives who needs everything from both of you. It's no surprise that even the strongest relationships can feel stretched. In this episode, we explore why becoming parents is one of the biggest transitions a couple will ever experience, and why so many of the arguments we have aren't really about the dishes, bedtime or whose turn it is to get up in the night. Instead, we look at how our own childhoods quietly shape the way we parent, the expectations we bring into family life, and why two loving parents can see the exact same situation so differently. Together we discuss: Why becoming parents can feel like losing your relationship overnight. How your own upbringing influences the way you parent today. Why couples often clash over parenting, even when they share the same goals. The importance of understanding each other's "default settings." Why couples therapy shouldn't be seen as a last resort, but as a healthy investment in your relationship from the very beginning. Small ways to reconnect when life feels consumed by children. Whether you're expecting your first baby or you've been parenting together for years, this episode is a reminder that healthy families aren't built on perfect relationships - they're built on curiosity, communication and learning to understand one another. Because one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is parents who continue to grow together. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Heidi at Home, leave a review, and share it with another parent who you think would benefit from listening. To find out more about Catherine's Couples Coaching you can visit Insight & Connection, Relationships Therapist & Coach For Parents or find her on Instagram @insightandconnection

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Bonus Eps: Why Your Child Finds The Word "NO" So Difficult

Why can one small "no" lead to such a big reaction? If you've ever wondered why your child seems to fall apart when you say no to another biscuit, ask them to leave the park, or switch off the TV, this mini episode is for you. In just a few minutes, I unpack what's really happening inside your child's brain and nervous system when they experience disappointment. You'll learn: Why young children find the word "no" so overwhelming. The science behind emotional regulation and why it takes years to develop. Why what looks like defiance is often a child struggling with disappointment. How understanding your child's nervous system can completely change the way you respond. This episode isn't about avoiding the word "no." It's about understanding what happens after we say it, and why that understanding can transform the relationship we have with our children. Want more support? If this episode resonated with you and you'd like personalised support, I'd love to help. My 1:1 Parent Coaching sessions are designed to help you better understand your child's behaviour, feel more confident in your parenting, and respond with greater calm and connection in those everyday moments that can feel so challenging. Or, if you're looking for a deeper transformation alongside other like-minded parents, my Little Humans, Big Lessons coaching programme explores child development, emotional regulation, behaviour, boundaries, and so much more. Find out more about working with me: https://parentingwithheidi.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be so grateful if you followed Heidi at Home, left a review, or shared it with another parent who might need to hear it today.

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Eps 8: Nursery Sickness & Building a Brand Without Missing Out on your Children's Childhood with Stephanie Drax

This week on Heidi at Home, I'm joined by Stephanie Drax, founder of Leapfrog Remedies, journalist, and mum of two, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, family life, and what success really looks like. What started as one mum searching for answers after years of nursery coughs and colds became Leapfrog Remedies, a science-backed supplement brand now stocked in major retailers including Selfridges and trusted by families across the UK. Stephanie shares the fascinating story behind discovering lactoferrin, the natural protein that transformed her family's health and inspired her to spend three years working alongside immunologists, pharmacists and nutritionists to bring Leapfrog IMMUNE to market. But this episode isn't just about building a successful business. It's about building one around your family. We talk honestly about the challenge of being present when you're running a business, making career decisions that prioritise family life over relentless growth, and why Stephanie has consciously chosen not to overcommit so she can be there for the moments that matter most. She also shares how her two sons have become part of the business itself, from being the first taste testers of every new product to developing a genuine curiosity about entrepreneurship by watching their mum build something from the ground up. This is a conversation about ambition, motherhood, trusting your instincts, and remembering that success isn't just measured by turnover or retailer listings—it's also measured by the life you're building around the people you love most. If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to build a thriving business without sacrificing your family along the way, this episode is for you. Find Stephanie and Leapfrog Remedies here: Website: https://www.leapfrogremedies.com Instagram: @leapfrogremedies If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Heidi at Home, leave a review, and share it with someone who might enjoy listening.

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Bonus Eps : Why They Save Their Biggest Emotions For You

We've all been there. Your child gets through the school day, their teacher tells you they've had a lovely day... and then the moment they walk through the front door, they completely fall apart. So what on earth is going on? In this mini episode of Heidi at Home, I explore the science behind after-school meltdowns and why they're often a sign that your child feels safe enough to let their guard down with you. We look at what happens to a child's nervous system throughout the school day, how hours of concentrating, following instructions, managing friendships, coping with sensory input and regulating emotions can leave them emotionally depleted by home time, and why their behaviour isn't simply about being "naughty" or "attention seeking." I'll also explain why understanding your child's nervous system can completely change the way you respond in these moments, helping you move from reacting to the behaviour to recognising the need underneath it. In this episode, you'll learn: Why after-school meltdowns are so common. The role your child's nervous system plays in their behaviour. Why children often save their biggest emotions for the people they feel safest with. Simple, practical ways to support regulation after school. How small changes to your after-school routine can make a big difference. If you've ever wondered why your child seems to unravel the moment they get home, this episode will help you see those moments through a completely different lens. Because sometimes, what looks like difficult behaviour is actually a child whose nervous system is simply asking for a chance to recover.

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Eps 7: The Invisible Rulebook of Motherhood with Becky Selbie

This week on Heidi at Home, I'm joined by therapist and maternal mental health specialist Becky Selbie for a conversation that I think every mother needs to hear. Together, we explore the invisible "rulebook" so many of us are living by without even realising it. The unwritten expectations that tell us a good mum should always be patient, never lose her temper, enjoy every moment, keep the house tidy, succeed at work, and somehow hold everything together. We talk about why so many mothers are struggling with perfectionism, guilt, overwhelm, burnout and the mental load, and why these aren't personal failings but often symptoms of trying to live up to impossible standards we never consciously chose. Becky shares why modern motherhood feels so hard, how these invisible rules shape the way we think, and, most importantly, how we can begin to challenge them with more compassion, awareness and self-understanding. If you've ever felt like you're constantly falling short, this episode will leave you feeling seen, understood, and with a completely different perspective on why motherhood can feel so overwhelming. To learn more about Becky's work and discover the specific "rules" that may be driving your own experience of motherhood, take her free Rulebook Quiz: The Rulebook Quiz You can also find Becky here: Website: (m)otherway Instagram: @_motherway_ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Heidi at Home, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation.

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Eps 6: The Power of Mother's Instinct and The Child who Changed Everything with Mariana Saraceni

This week on Heidi at Home, I'm joined by Mariana Saraceni, speaker, happiness consultant, and mum of three daughters, for one of the most moving conversations I've ever recorded. Ten years ago, Mariana gave birth to her daughter Olivia at full term. Despite her instincts telling her something wasn't right, she wasn't listened to, and Olivia was stillborn. In this deeply honest episode, Mariana shares Olivia's story, the unimaginable grief that followed, and how that experience changed the way she views life forever. Rather than returning to life as it was, Mariana made a promise to herself: to stop ignoring her own voice, to trust her instincts, and to create a life that felt meaningful, intentional, and true to who she really is. We talk about motherhood, loss, resilience, happiness, and what it means to rebuild after your world has been turned upside down. Mariana also shares how she has chosen to honour Olivia's memory over the last ten years, including her incredible fundraising challenge, walking 100km throughout June in support of baby loss charities and families affected by loss. This is an emotional conversation, but ultimately a hopeful one. A reminder of the strength that can exist alongside grief, and the importance of listening to ourselves, even when the world tells us otherwise. To support Mariana's Olivia 10 fundraising challenge, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/olivia10 If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and remember to follow, rate and review Heidi at Home.

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Eps 5: You Don't Have to Love Every Moment with Becca Maberly

This week on Heidi at Home, I'm joined by Becca Maberly, founder of A Mother Place, antenatal and postnatal educator, bestselling author of Nobody Tells You, and one of the most refreshingly honest voices in the motherhood space. In this episode, we dive into the parts of motherhood that often go unsaid. Becca shares her experience of not loving every stage of parenting, feeling like she wasn't a "natural" mother, and the pressure so many women feel to enjoy every moment when the reality can feel very different. Together, we explore maternal guilt, the mental load and those early years of motherhood. We also talk about how parenting evolves over time, why Becca has enjoyed some of the later stages of motherhood more than the early years, and what life looks like now as she navigates raising older children and teenagers. We also discuss the importance of having open and honest conversations with our children about bodies, relationships and sex, and how Becca's own upbringing, with an obstetrician and gynaecologist father, has shaped the way she approaches these conversations with her sons. Finally, Becca shares details of her new community, The Commune, a space designed to support women through the realities of modern motherhood with honesty, connection and support. This is a warm, funny and deeply reassuring conversation for any parent who has ever wondered whether they're the only one finding parts of motherhood difficult. Find Becca here: Website: www.amotherplace.com Instagram: @amotherplace The Commune: https://thecommune.world If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and review Heidi at Home, and share it with a friend who might need to hear this conversation.

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Eps 4: From Exhausted Mum to Accidental Inventor: The Story Behind SnoozeShade

This week on Heidi at Home, I’m joined by Cara Sayer, founder of SnoozeShade, mum, accidental inventor, and one of the women behind a product that has become a staple for parents around the world. What started as a simple solution to a problem she was facing with her own daughter’s sleep grew into an award-winning business that changed the way families approach naps on the go. But behind the success story is a journey of resilience, determination, and learning as she went. Cara shares how a difficult pregnancy left her in a wheelchair for three months, how motherhood inspired her first invention, and what it really took to turn an idea into a product stocked and trusted by parents worldwide. We talk about the realities of building a business while raising children, the challenges of being a woman in business, the guilt, sacrifices, and pressures that come with entrepreneurship, and why safety and science have always been at the heart of everything she creates. This is an inspiring conversation about spotting an opportunity in everyday life, trusting your instincts, and creating something meaningful from a problem so many parents face. Whether you're a parent, a business owner, or someone sitting on an idea and wondering whether to take the leap, this episode is packed with honesty, wisdom, and encouragement. Because sometimes the biggest ideas start with simply trying to make life a little easier for your family.

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Eps 3: Balancing Life as a CEO, Mummy & Female Founder with Lisa (The Gut Stuff)

What does it really look like to build a hugely successful business while raising a family? In this episode, I sit down with Lisa from The Gut Stuff for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, motherhood, ambition and the realities that often get left out of the success story. We talk about growing a female-founded business alongside her twin sister, navigating the demands of leadership while parenting two boys, and the role paid support has played behind the scenes. Lisa also shares what it was like managing the pressures of a major acquisition while in the midst of new motherhood - balancing feeding, sleep deprivation, postpartum recovery and some of the biggest business decisions of her career. This isn’t a conversation about perfection. It’s about the messy, complicated reality of building something meaningful whilst raising a family, and the choices, sacrifices and support systems that make it possible. Whether you’re a parent, a business owner, or simply curious about what success really looks like behind closed doors, this episode offers a refreshingly honest perspective.

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Ep 2: Overwhelm, Changing Thought Patterns & Recovering from Trauma with Lissy Puig

This week on Heidi at Home, I’m joined by business and identity coach Lissy Puig for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, motherhood, overwhelm, relationships, and rebuilding yourself from the inside out. As a single mum of three and founder who now helps women scale their businesses to and beyond the multi-six figure mark, Lissy shares the personal experiences that shaped her - including leaving home at just 12 years old, navigating trauma, emotional pressure, mental health challenges, and learning how to rebuild her sense of self through different seasons of life. We talk about the invisible patterns so many women are stuck in without even realising; overthinking, burnout, guilt, emotional overwhelm, and the constant feeling of trying to hold everything together. Lissy explains how so much of what we experience externally is rooted in deeper thought patterns and beliefs, and how changing those internal narratives can completely transform the way we live, work, parent, and love. We also dive into relationships, self-worth, identity in motherhood, and what it actually looks like to create a life that feels calm, aligned, and genuinely fulfilling - rather than simply surviving. This episode is powerful, grounding, and full of perspective for anyone who feels exhausted by the pressure of modern motherhood and life. You can find out more about Lissy at @lissy_conciouslycreate on Instagram or listen to her podcast here

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Ep 1: Motherhood Conversations we are finally having with Kate OT

In the very first episode of Heidi At Home, I’m joined by actor, voice artist, writer and founder of Mrs. OT, Kate Okello Tarrant. A mum of three boys, Kate opens up about navigating motherhood during the pandemic, the identity shift that followed, and how one honest blog unexpectedly connected her with thousands of women online. What began as sharing the realities of early motherhood soon grew into something much bigger - leading Kate to train as a breastfeeding consultant and launch The Mum Retreat, a series of events focused on maternal mental health, wellbeing, and meaningful connection for mothers. Together, we talk about the pressure modern mums face, balancing ambition with family life, the importance of honest conversations including that of relationships, and why so many women are craving community more than ever before. This episode is warm, honest, emotional in parts, and full of the kinds of conversations we don’t have enough. You can find out more information on Kate on her Instagram @_mrs.ot and also on her website www.mrsot.com For more information on Heidi's Coaching Services head to http://parentingwithheidi.com or visit her on Instagram @parentingwithheidi