Is It Just Us?

Hayley Rice and Debbie Cullinane

Welcome to Is It Just Us...?

A podcast for every parent who’s ever wondered if they’re the only one finding it all a bit… much. In each episode, we dive into the messy, beautiful, overwhelming parts of parenting and life, with honesty, humour, and heart. From sleep deprivation to screen battles, identity shifts to unexpected joys—we talk about it all.

Because it’s never just you.

🎧 Subscribe now and join us each week—where real talk meets real connection.

Thanks for listening,

Debbie and Hayley x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Tuesday · 46 min
Ep. 68 Is It Just Us Or... Are Dads Taking On a New Role In Parenting? With Guest Donegal Daddy
This week, we are delighted to be joined by Micheál Brennan aka Donegal Daddy (follow him here) for an honest conversation about fatherhood and parenting. He shares what led him to become a stay-at-home dad to his three children, the realities of being the parent at home, and his own experiences with ADHD and struggles with his mental health. We talk identity, parenting, the pressures dads can face, and what happens when family life doesn’t follow the traditional script! This conversation was truly inspiring and we hope you love it as much as we did! Get in touch with us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com and remember to like and subscribe to our pod! Thanks so much for listening x This episode is proudly sponsored by MindPath If you are worrying and wondering whether your child or teenager could have ADHD, MindPath’s pre-assessment is for you. MindPath offers a holistic ADHD assessment pathway for children and teenagers, supported by a multidisciplinary team who are there to help you every step of the way. And you don’t have to commit to a full assessment to get started. If a full assessment is the right next step, MindPath can guide you through the process, with flexible payment options including Klarna Pay in 3. Depending on your policy, you may also be able to claim some of the cost through private health insurance. 👉 Start your child or teenager’s ADHD pre-assessment for €5 when you use the code PODCAST50 for 50% off HERE Thank you to Mindpath for sponsoring this podcast Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 18 · 27 min
Ep. 67 Is It Just Us Or...Do You Think You Have ADHD Too?
We both recently went through an ADHD assessment and in this episode, we’re sharing the whole experience. What made us wonder about ADHD in the first place, what the assessment process was actually like, and, of course, what it brought up for us revealed in the end! We talk about the signs and traits we recognised in ourselves, the things that suddenly made a lot more sense, and how it feels to look at yourself through a completely different lens. We hope you enjoy! Get in touch with us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com and remember to like and subscribe to our pod! Thanks so much for listening x This episode is proudly sponsored by MindPath If you are worrying and wondering whether your child or teenager could have ADHD, MindPath’s pre-assessment is for you. MindPath offers a holistic ADHD assessment pathway for children and teenagers, supported by a multidisciplinary team who are there to help you every step of the way. And you don’t have to commit to a full assessment to get started. If a full assessment is the right next step, MindPath can guide you through the process, with flexible payment options including Klarna Pay in 3. Depending on your policy, you may also be able to claim some of the cost through private health insurance. 👉 Start your child or teenager’s ADHD pre-assessment for €5 when you use the code PODCAST50 for 50% off HERE Thank you to Mindpath for sponsoring this podcast Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 11 · 34 min
Ep. 66 Is It Just Us Or... Is Parenting Siblings Harder in The Summer?
Sibling fights, rivalry, jealousy, comparisons and endless cries of “that’s not fair!”- parenting siblings can feel like a full-time refereeing job, especially over the summer holidays. This week, we’re talking about why siblings fight, when parents should step in (and when we shouldn’t), and how we can help our children build healthier sibling relationships without constantly trying to keep the peace! We have two sibling webinars in The F.I.R.M. Parent Hub Core Tier - you can access them here Send us an email at isitjustuspod@gmail.com with any comments, questions, episode suggestions or tell us why you would like to be our next guest! Don't forget to subscribe and rate this pod! It really helps us! Thanks for listening x This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 4 · 28 min
Ep. 65 Is It Just Us Or...Did Mayo's Win Feel Bigger Than Football?
Mayo finally did it after 75 years!! Congratulations to all involved in Mayo's historic All Ireland Football Final win! In this episode we hear about Debbie's experience of the match from the stands but this episode is about more than football. We talk about how this win did something to us all! We talk about the impact on community, connection, hope and the magic that happens when an entire country celebrates together. We unpack why moments like these matter so much and what they remind us about being human. Send us an email at isitjustuspod@gmail.com with any comments, questions, episode suggestions or tell us why you would like to be our next guest! Don't forget to subscribe and rate this pod! It really helps us! Thanks for listening x This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 28 · 39 min
Ep 64. Is It Just Us Or...Can We Solve This Parent's Bedtime Struggle? With Guest Laura Burke
This week's episode is in the form of a parent consultation/ coaching session! We invited the amazing Laura Burke on to talk about the struggles she is having at bedtime with her son. We did a deep dive, unpacked the dynamics and gave her lots of tools to try just like we would in the hub or in a 1:1. We also had a lovely chat and some laughs on this super relatable and really challenging topic! We hope you enjoy! Check out Laura's amazing online fitness platform here and follow her on instagram here Send us an email at isitjustuspod@gmail.com with any comments, questions, episode suggestions or tell us why you would like to be our next guest! Don't forget to subscribe and rate this pod! It really helps us! Thanks for listening x This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 21 · 35 min
Ep. 63 Is It Just Us Or... Is It Time For A House and Life Update!?
It's time for a proper catch-up! In this episode, we're sharing news from our lives! From house hunting and bidding wars to mortgages and big renovations we are sharing a little of what's going on behind the scenes. This is a super chatty episode with a few laughs and even some manifestation chat! We hope you enjoy and thanks so much for listening! You can contact us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com with any comments, questions, episode suggestions or tell us why you would like to be our next guest! Don't forget to subscribe and rate this pod! It really helps us! Thanks for listening x This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 14 · 31 min
Ep. 62 Is It Just Us Or...Do We Only Need to Get Parenting Right 33% of the Time?
In this episode, we're exploring the fascinating and very helpful "one-third rule" from Dr. Ed Tronick's research. We break down the rule for you and talk about why the goal of parenting is not perfection! f you've ever worried you're getting it wrong, this conversation will take the pressure off and remind you what children actually need to thrive. We hope you find this rule as supportive as we do! You can contact us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com with any comments, questions, episode suggestions or tell us why you would like to be our next guest! Don't forget to subscribe and rate this pod! It really helps us! Thanks for listening x This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here You can get instant access to our Summer Survival Toolkit masterclass and downloables here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 7 · 23 min
Ep. 61 Is Is Just Us Or...Is "I'm Bored" a Big Parenting Trigger?
Ever feel your stress levels rise the second you hear, "I'm bored!" You're not alone! In this week's episode, we're chatting about why boredom can be such a big parenting trigger, why we feel so responsible for keeping our children entertained..all the time!.. and how a little boredom might actually be one of the best things for their creativity, and resilience too! We give you lots of insights and helpful tips too! You can contact us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com with any comments, questions or tell us why you would like to be out next guest! Don't forget to subscribe and rate this pod! It really helps us! Thanks for listening x This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here You can get instant access to our Summer Survival Toolkit masterclass and downloables here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 30 · 25 min
Ep. 60 Is It Just Us Or...Is Summer Parenting The Ultimate Juggle?
Summer can bring sunshine (eh sometimes!), slower mornings, and special memories...but, it can also bring pressure, guilt, expense, and a never-ending mental load. In this episode, we chat honestly about the realities of parenting through the summer months, from juggling work and childcare to managing expectations, activities, and everything in between. If summer feels both wonderful and overwhelming, you're not alone! We also share some of our favourite culinary delights too 😂 You can get instant access to our Summer Survival Toolkit masterclass and downloables here You can contact us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com with any comments, questions or tell us why you would like to be out next guest! Don't forget to subscribe and rate this pod! It really helps us! Thanks for listening x This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 23 · 33 min
Ep. 59 Is Is Just Us Or... Is Parenting Big Emotions Exhausting?
From meltdowns and tantrums to tears, worries and anger, big emotions can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to respond. In this episode, we explore what's really going on beneath those emotional moments and share practical ways to support children while staying steady yourself. We share our own stories and funny parenting moments that have had us in our big feelings too! Hayley mentioned Erica from Babogue really helped her with sleep- you can find Erica's information and services at this link https://www.babogue.com/ You can contact us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com with any comments, questions or tell us why you would like to be out next guest! Don't forget to subscribe and rate this pod! It really helps us! Thanks for listening x This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 16 · 30 min
Ep. 58 Is It Just Us Or...Does Nobody Prepare Parents For Periods Either?
Periods can bring questions, worries, big feelings and major changes, yet so many parents feel unsure about how best to support their child through it all. In this episode, we chat about the information children really need, how to approach period conversations with confidence, and simple ways to help your child feel informed, supported and comfortable as they navigate this important stage of growing up. We are also very giddy and have lots of laughs! You can contact us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com with any comments, questions or tell us why you would like to be out next guest! Don't forget to subscribe and rate this pod! It really helps us! Thanks for listening x This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 9 · 38 min
Ep. 57 Is It Just Us Or...Is Parenting Different When Your Partner Has ADHD?
This week, we're joined by a really special guest, Aedin Shannon, a childhood friend of Hayley's who is now living in Perth, Australia. Aedin shares her experience of parenting along side her partner, Kenny who has ADHD. We talk about navigating family life with their two boys, carrying a greater share of the mental load, and parenting their son following his ADHD diagnosis too. We chat about the realities of neurodiversity in family life, what has helped them along the way, and the important conversation of how and when to talk to a child about their diagnosis. It's a super insightful and honest discussion that sheds light on the challenges, strengths, and unique dynamics of parenting in a neurodivergent family. Whether you're living this experience yourself or want to better understand it, this episode offers compassion, perspective, and plenty of reassurance. We are so grateful to Aedin for coming on and sharing her story with us! We learned so much. Here is the Trevor Noah episode we referenced https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ID2j0HYo4H9S3V2ScxPyx?si=0fb9b1e97ce547e5 You can contact us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com with any comments, questions or tell us why you would like to be out next guest! This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 2 · 27 min
Ep. 56 Is It Just Us Or...Is Parenting Girls More Complicated Than Ever?
From confidence and friendships to social media, self-image, and finding their voice, raising girls today can feel like navigating a world so different to the ones we grew up in ourselves. In this episode, we're chatting about some of the unique pressures girls face and how we can support them to grow into confident, resilient young women! We hope you enjoy and get lots from this conversation. Send your email ideas and thoughts to isitjustuspod@gmail.com AND join us for our Raising Girls Who Thrive webinar for a deeper dive into this topic. It is designed to help you better understand the unique girl brain, support confidence and self-esteem, navigate friendships and social pressures (one and off line),support you with things like sexual development, so your daughter can develop a strong sense of self in today's world. 📅 9th June at 7pm (you don't have to attend live) 🎥 Replay available to all who register ⭐ Free for All Access Hub members Join us and leave feeling clear, confident, and much better equipped to support the girl in your life to thrive TICKETS HERE This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 26 · 28 min
Ep.55 Is It Just Us Or...Did We Blink and A Whole Year Passed?!
One year later… eventually 😅 In this episode of Is It Just Us...?, we’re looking back on the past year of podcasting, parenting, work, life, chaos, and all the moments in between following our recent podcast first birthday! From the episodes that hit home most, to the things that surprised us, challenged us, made us laugh, this is a real, unfiltered catch-up between us! We chat about what we’ve learned, how life has changed, the behind-the-scenes reality of running the podcast alongside motherhood and work, and some of the funniest and most ridiculous moments along the way. Basically… a slightly late anniversary episode, but very on brand for us! Send your emails at isitjustuspod@gmail.com This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 19 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep. 54 Is It Just Us Or...Is Online Safety The Parenting Issue of This Generation? With Guest Mick Moran
This week we are joined by Mick Moran, CEO of the Irish Internet Hotline, for one of the most important conversations we’ve had on the podcast so far. We talk honestly about what children and teenagers are really being exposed to online right now, from pornography and violent content to online grooming, manipulation, sextortion, AI generated imagery, misogynistic content and the growing influence of harmful online spaces. We hope this informtion empowers you and helps you to feel less alone in navigating a digital world that has changed faster than any of us could have imagined. We also discuss: • Why many children are encountering explicit content far younger than parents realise • The pressure children face online socially and emotionally • How algorithms can quickly pull young people toward harmful content • The importance of open communication over shame and punishment • Practical ways parents can begin protecting and supporting children online ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of explicit online content, pornography, online exploitation and other sensitive topics. Please do not listen with children present. Helpful resources mentioned: • CyberSafeKids • Hotline.ie (Irish Internet Hotline) • Webwise Ireland • Smartphone Free Childhood This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 12 · 25 min
Ep. 53 Is It Just Us Or...Quick Fire Parenting Round!
Welcome back! In this episode we are answering quick fire questions straight from Instagram. We have a laugh and a chat about some everyday parenting challenges and thoughts. We hope you enjoy and thank you all sooo much for listening! Send your thoughts and comments to us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com There is still time to join us for our super popular Raising Boys Who Thrive webinar happening tonight May 13th! Get your ticket (which includes the unlimited replay) HERE This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 8 · 20 min
BONUS EP Is It Just Us Or...Do We Need To Talk About Parenting Boys?
🎉It's our birthday! Is It Just Us? Podcast is ONE year old! THANK YOU to each and every one of you who listen! We really appreciate it. We have had a blast and loved bringing you a new episode every, single week. If you haven't already done so, it would make our day if you could subscribe, rate and tell a friend about our pod! 🥰 ⭐️To say a huge thank you here is a bonus episode we know you will love on a really hot topic- raising boys. In this chat we talk about why this is such an important conversation, what challenges we face as parents of boys and what helps to set them up for the future! We hope you get loads from this. AND if you want more solid information you can trust and practical tools you can use each day our Raising Boys Who Thrive webinar is available to book here. The webinar is set to take place live on 13th May and a replay will be sent out by email to all ticket holders. After that it will only be accessible via our F.I.R.M Parent Hub all access tier. For the absolute best value- join our F.I.R.M Parent Hub all access tier now and get this webinar for FREE as part of your subscription. You can sign up here (cancel anytime!) This episode is proudly sponsored by The FIRM Parent Hub. The F.I.R.M Parent Hub is a therapist-led 24/7 parenting supportive space designed to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy children with boundaries that feel calm, clear, and connected. Inside, you’ll find practical tools, expert support, weekly parenting guidance, live trainings, and a community of parents who truly get it. Grounded in our F.I.R.M. Approach®-Fair, Intentional, Regulated and Modelled- the Hub helps parents move beyond surviving parenting and start feeling more confident, steady, and supported right away. For as little as €5 per week, trusted support is accessible and here for you! Join us here Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 5 · 31 min
Ep. 52 Is It Just Us Or... Does Babysitting Feel Riskier These Days?
In this episode we reflect on a recent Irish Independent article Hayley contributed to about babysitting. We chat about our own experiences with baby sitting as teens, how it feels as parents now and what has changed. We also explore today's teens and what stepping into that role today might look and feel like for them. We hope this gives you some helpful insights into this topic! Send your thoughts and comments to us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com We are absolutely delighted to be sponsored by the stunning Breaffy House Resort. This is a beautiful 4-star, family-friendly hotel in Co. Mayo. They are in Ireland's Top 3 Family Friendly Hotels and cater for children of all ages with an abundance of activities and resources. The brand new outdoor thermal suite is a real standout for the adults too, the upgraded Signature Rooms are Devine, and the food in the restaurant is genuinely delicious. Check it out here If you’re planning a stay, use the code JUSTUS for money off your room reservation!! Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 28 · 40 min
Ep. 51 Is It Just Us Or... Do We Need To Talk About PMDD and Peri Meno With Guest Caitlin Kirrane
This week's episode is such a treat! We had an amazing conversation with mum of 4, Caitlin Kirrane https://www.instagram.com/mrscaitlinkirrane/. Caitlin shares her life living in a mobile home with 4 children whilst building their dream home. She is open and honest about her pregnancies, living in the mobile, her PMDD and more recently, her quest to help herself through peri menopause. This conversation is an absolute must listen! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Send your thoughts and comments to us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com We are absolutely delighted to be sponsored by the stunning Breaffy House Resort. This is a beautiful 4-star, family-friendly hotel in Co. Mayo. They are in Ireland's Top 3 Family Friendly Hotels and cater for children of all ages with an abundance of activities and resources. The brand new outdoor thermal suite is a real standout for the adults too, the upgraded Signature Rooms are Devine, and the food in the restaurant is genuinely delicious. Check it out here If you’re planning a stay, use the code JUSTUS for money off your room reservation!! Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 21 · 30 min
Ep. 50 Is It Just Us Or... Did Our Teenage Jobs Teach Us More Than School Ever Did?
This is a really nostalgic and fun chat about our own teenage jobs, earning money as a teen, and the lessons that came with it. We also reflect on how different things feel for teens growing up today and what that might mean for their independence, confidence and relationship with money. We hope this gives you a laugh and some helpful insights too. Send your thoughts and comments to us at isitjustuspod@gmail.com We are absolutely delighted to be sponsored by the stunning Breaffy House Resort. This is a beautiful 4-star, family-friendly hotel in Co. Mayo. They are in Ireland's Top 3 Family Friendly Hotels and cater for children of all ages with an abundance of activities and resources. The brand new outdoor thermal suite is a real standout for the adults too, the upgraded Signature Rooms are Devine, and the food in the restaurant is genuinely delicious. Check it out here If you’re planning a stay, use the code JUSTUS for money off your room reservation!! Hayley and Debbie are both Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists specialising in Play Therapy. They are also both mothers and former primary school teachers. You can follow Debbie on instagram here and Hayley here Hayley and Debbie offer therapy, parent support, courses and webinars and school support. Contact them on their websites below. https://debbiecullinane.ie/ https://www.hayley-rice.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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