The Imperfect Mum

This episode is all about something I wish more of us heard growing up: you don’t have to be broken to go to therapy.
You don’t have to wait until everything falls apart, or until you feel “bad enough” to deserve support.
We’ve been fed this idea that therapy is for people who are really struggling (and it is). But  therapy is also for people who want to understand themselves better. Who want to feel lighter, calmer, more connected. Who want to stop surviving and actually start living.
In this episode, I’m exploring:
Why there’s still so much shame around asking for help
The sneaky ways this belief shows up in motherhood
What therapy really looks like (it’s not lying on a couch talking about your childhood… although sometimes it is)
Why emotional self-care is just as important as physical self-care
Simple things you can do today to start prioritising your mental health
This is about breaking cycles. Being the mum you needed. And giving yourself the support you’ve always deserved, no crisis required.
[00:00] Introduction to the episode and Natasha's mission to make therapy accessible. [05:03] Generational differences in approaching therapy and mental health. [09:29] The impact of "small t" traumas and their manifestation in adulthood. [15:12] Starting with journaling as a first step towards mental health care. [20:45] Seeking help from specialists for various challenges. [25:30] The importance of self-awareness and being a role model for children.
Links Mentioned:
Counseling Directory link
Join My Mailing List link
 If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe and share it with others who might benefit. Share your thoughts on social media and tag me @natashanyeketherapy
#MentalHealth #TherapyForAll #PreventionIsBetter

This episode is for you if...
…you’ve ever lost it before 8am, then hidden in the bathroom five minutes later feeling like you’ve failed at this whole calm parenting thing.
Today, I’m talking about a topic I’m so passionate about—why I’m not raising a “good girl” (and what I’m choosing instead).
I talk about the hidden pressure to raise kids who are quiet, compliant, and easy… and why that’s not the same as raising kids who are emotionally healthy and confident.
I share the real reasons why our children’s big feelings feel so threatening, what to use again and again—especially on the messiest days.
We chat about:
How “good girl” conditioning still lives in you (and what it teaches our daughters)
Why your child’s meltdown can feel like a personal failure—and why it’s not
What to say to yourself when you’ve snapped
What I mean by the 30% rule (hint: it’s not about getting it right all the time)
What to do when your partner just wants them to "do what they're told"
Why I’m focusing less on “goodness” and more on connection
And because I’m a therapist and a mum, you know I always want to give you some  practical tools:
 ✨ Nervous system calming tools you can actually use in the moment
 ✨ Journaling prompts to unpack your own “good girl” stories
 ✨ Scripts and mindset shifts for parenting alongside a partner who doesn’t parent like you
If you’re tired of shouting, overthinking, or trying to be perfect—this is for you.
📝 Things I mention in this episode:
My free printable planners to help you feel more in control of your week: link
RAY at Glastonbury and the lyric I haven’t stopped thinking about link
My go-to calming phrase when I feel triggered
ChatGPT’s advice on night nappies (yep, really)
💛 Want to go deeper?
Explore 1:1 coaching with me or find out more about The Mum Reset: www.natashaneyketherapy.com
📲 Follow me on Instagram: @natashaneyketherapy

This week on the show, we’re talking about something so many of us struggle with—but rarely speak about honestly: fussy eating and the toll it can take on your whole life.
Because it’s never just about what’s on the plate.
It’s the stress at 5pm when no one wants what you’ve cooked.
 It’s the guilt that creeps in when they go to bed without dinner.
 It’s the anxiety that bubbles up when you’re on holiday and they refuse every meal.
 It’s the arguments with your partner or your parents because “you’re too soft.”
 It’s the energy it takes to smile through dinner when inside, you’re completely drained.
This week I’m joined by paediatric dietitian and feeding therapist Emma Shafqat, and together we get into the real side of food struggles—and how to make things feel lighter again.
Emma shares so much information and warmth, and offers practical tools on:
 🍽️ Taking the pressure off mealtimes (for everyone)
🥕 Encouraging your child to explore food without forcing it
🏫 Coping with school dinners when they come home saying “I didn’t eat anything”
🎮 Screens at the table – helpful or harmful?
🧃 Making snacks feel nourishing (without overcomplicating)
👵 Navigating the tension when grandparents or partners think you’re “doing it wrong”
This conversation is a permission slip to stop aiming for perfect plates and start focusing on connection, calm, and what actually works for your family.
Because feeding your child is emotional work. And if you’re in the thick of it—it’s not because you’re failing. It’s because this is hard.
🎧 Listen now 
Connect with Emma Shafqat:
Instagram: @dietitian.withadifference
Contact/Work with Emma: https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/contact-me/
—
If this episode resonated with you...
I offer 1:1 therapy and coaching for mums who feel like they’re stuck in the spiral of anxiety, guilt, and pressure to do it all perfectly.
💬 Book a free connection call to find out how we can work together:
 https://natashanyeketherapy.com/work-with-me
Or come say hi on Instagram:
 📲 @natashanyeketherapy
You’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fussy Eating and Parental Pressure
03:27 Understanding Children's Eating Patterns
06:15 Managing Mealtime Stress and Anxiety
08:59 Exploring New Foods and Overcoming Neophobia
11:38 Strategies for Anxious Eaters
14:25 Navigating School Meals and Social Eating
17:04 The Role of Screens in Mealtime Dynamics
21:09 Identifying Children's Nutritional Needs
24:15 Navigating Parental Differences in Feeding Practices
26:47 Understanding the Impact of Stress on Eating
28:27 Creating a Positive Eating Environment
29:10 Steps to Overcome Food Anxiety
33:59 Intuitive Eating and Listening to Our Bodies

This week I’m joined by Becky — a medium, leadership coach, and founder of Culture Kick — and the reason I have been hounding her to be on the podcast is her energy is contagious. We talk about motherhood, self-development, spirituality, and the reality of trying to be a good parent while also growing as a person.
Becky shares how so many people are miserable in their jobs, and how we can change that by creating cultures — in work and at home — that feel better. This episode is about surrounding yourself with people who inspire you, letting go of guilt, and creating a life that supports who you are now (not who you were before motherhood).
We chat about:
How motherhood can actually make you even better at your job.
Why systems at home are just as important as at work.
The difference between reacting and responding when your kids push your buttons
The power of gratitude, reflection and small daily pauses. ( I can't bang on about this enough 5 mins sitting in the sun can really change you whole day.
What intentional parenting really looks like (hint: it’s not about being perfect)
If you’re craving a life that feels calmer, more hopeful, and less like you're on a hamster wheel — this one’s for you.
🛍️ Things we mentioned (and where to find Becky):
Culture Kick – Becky’s workplace culture consultancy: www.culturekick.co.uk
It’s a Kind of Magic – Becky’s spiritual & mediumship work on Instagram: @itsakindofmagic_
Weekly planners – Download my free printable planners to help you feel more in control of your week:link
Visualize by Dr. Tara Swart – The book I’m loving right now on the power of visualising what you do want
Manifest by Roxie Nafousi – The book that (literally) fell off the shelf for Becky and kickstarted her spiritual journey

In this episode, I explore the 9 key pillars that support our mental health. This episode is about noticing where you're running on empty and making tiny, doable changes that will make life feel better.
From why hydration is more powerful than you think, to how your environment affects your mood, and the reason rest is not lazy — I share tips from my therapy room, and what I’m learning as a mum, therapist.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, flat, or stuck in a cycle of negative thinking, this episode is your reminder that there is a way to start feeling better.
Takeaways:
It’s okay to not have everything perfect — just start.
Hydration really does help your brain and body function better.
Eating well is about fuel and energy, not punishment.
Sleep is a game-changer (even a little more can help).
Stress management tools like journaling and breathwork actually work — even if your brain says they won’t.
Relationships are everything — we all need people we can be real with.
Financial worries can deeply impact your wellbeing (you’re not imagining it).
Your space affects your head — small tweaks can make a big difference.
Plan your life like you plan your work.
Small, consistent changes really do add up.
📝 Want to do the exercise I mentioned?
Here’s what to do:
Write down the 9 Pillars:Physical health & exercise
Nutrition & hydration
Sleep
Stress management
Relationships
Purpose & meaning
Spirituality & mindfulness
Financial stability
Environment

Score each one out of 10.
Choose your lowest 2–3 and write one small, manageable step you could take this week to improve them.
(You’ll get the full breakdown in this week’s email — make sure you’re subscribed! 👉 Here
💃 Fancy dancing your way to a better mood?
Check out my lovely friend Nicola’s Movement is Medicine classes. They're like therapy and clubbing had a baby — seriously good for your nervous system. Here
🎧 Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode helped you. It means the world.
🫶 No one needs a perfect mum. Just a present one.