Is It Just Us?

• Is It Just Us… or Is Slapping Never Okay?

  It’s one of those topics that still makes parents squirm. You might see it joked about online, hear friends say “just a little tap,” or even feel that split-second urge when tempers flare…but slapping a child is never the answer. In this episode, we dig into why hitting..even lightly..can damage trust, model aggression, and escalate rather than solve conflicts. We talk about the impact on children’s emotional development, how it affects the parent-child relationship, and practical alternatives for managing frustration, enforcing boundaries, and teaching respect. This isn’t about shaming parents.. it’s about giving tools to stay F.I.R.M. calm, consistent, and loving, even when parenting gets really hard.We’re thrilled to welcome MimiToys as the newest sponsor of our podcast! 🎉MimiToys offers an incredible range of developmental toys and puppets, crafted with over 20 years of passion for play and children’s well-being. You can explore her collection here and use our code JUSTUS10 at checkout to get a discount on your order. (One use per customer, so make sure you get everything you want in a single order!) Offer valid until January 31st, 2026.Even more, when you sign up for MimiToys’ newsletter, you’ll get a free activity booklet featuring fun activities in French, Irish, Spanish, and English.Check it out…you and your little ones are going to love it!Don’t forget to subscribe, give us a rating & recommend to a friend. Email us any comments or queries on [email protected] if you would like support & connection as a parent - join our amazing parent space herehttps://hdcircle.framer.website/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 hereHayley 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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• Is It Just Us.. Or Is FAFO Parenting Actually a Thing?

  Have you heard of F*ck Around & Find Out” Parenting? Maybe sounds funny on the TikTok, but in real life? Not so much. Children and teenagers will test limits.. but leaving them to just “FAFO” their way through life isn’t exactly the supportive guidance they need.In this episode we’re unpacking why the hands-off, wait-and-see approach doesn’t always work, what kids actually learn when adults step back too far, and how we can balance natural consequences with connection, safety, and teaching. Because our job isn’t to watch them fail...it’s to help them grow.We’re thrilled to welcome MimiToys as the newest sponsor of our podcast! 🎉MimiToys offers an incredible range of developmental toys and puppets, crafted with over 20 years of passion for play and children’s well-being. You can explore her collection here and use our code JUSTUS10 at checkout to get a discount on your order. (One use per customer, so make sure you get everything you want in a single order!) Offer valid until January 31st, 2026.Even more, when you sign up for MimiToys’ newsletter, you’ll get a free activity booklet featuring fun activities in French, Irish, Spanish, and English.Check it out…you and your little ones are going to love it!Don’t forget to subscribe, give us a rating & recommend to a friend. Email us any comments or queries on [email protected] if you would like support & connection as a parent - join our amazing parent space herehttps://hdcircle.framer.website/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 hereHayley 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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• Is It Just Us... Or Does Bonnie Blue Scare You Too?

  We don’t love talking about porn, but the reality is our children and teenagers are growing up in a world where names like Bonnie Blue aren’t hidden in the shadows.. they’re a click away (and they’re the chat at school).. As parents, we might feel awkward, shocked, or even scared, but pretending it doesn’t exist won’t protect our children or teenagers. In this episode we’re unpacking why it’s so important to know who and what they might stumble across online, how porn shapes expectations and self-image, and how we can open up conversations that keep our kids safe, informed, and grounded in real relationships.We’re thrilled to welcome MimiToys as the newest sponsor of our podcast! 🎉MimiToys offers an incredible range of developmental toys and puppets, crafted with over 20 years of passion for play and children’s well-being. You can explore her collection here and use our code JUSTUS10 at checkout to get a discount on your order. (One use per customer, so make sure you get everything you want in a single order!) Offer valid until January 31st, 2026.Even more, when you sign up for MimiToys’ newsletter, you’ll get a free activity booklet featuring fun activities in French, Irish, Spanish, and English.Check it out…you and your little ones are going to love it!Don’t forget to subscribe, give us a rating & recommend to a friend. Email us any comments or queries on [email protected] if you would like support & connection as a parent - join our amazing parent space herehttps://hdcircle.framer.website/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 hereHayley 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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• Is It Just Us.. or are Days Out/Holidays Kinda Stressful?

  We love the idea of them.. family memories, fresh air, new experiences, but the reality? Packing up half the house, refereeing sibling squabbles in the back seat, and making sure everyone else has a great time! Of course we know we’re lucky to be able to do these things, and we are grateful… but that doesn’t mean it’s not a lot. Sometimes the “fun” comes with meltdowns (theirs and ours). In this episode we’re unpacking why these supposedly joyful outings can feel so overwhelming, and giving ourselves permission to laugh, vent, and admit: maybe it’s not just us.We’re thrilled to welcome MimiToys as the newest sponsor of our podcast! 🎉MimiToys offers an incredible range of developmental toys and puppets, crafted with over 20 years of passion for play and children’s well-being. You can explore her collection here and use our code JUSTUS10 at checkout to get a discount on your order. (One use per customer, so make sure you get everything you want in a single order!) Offer valid until January 31st, 2026.Even more, when you sign up for MimiToys’ newsletter, you’ll get a free activity booklet featuring fun activities in French, Irish, Spanish, and English.Check it out…you and your little ones are going to love it!Don’t forget to subscribe, give us a rating & recommend to a friend. Email us any comments or queries on [email protected] if you would like support & connection as a parent - join our amazing parent space herehttps://hdcircle.framer.website/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 hereHayley 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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• Is It Just Us Or...Do We Need To Talk About YouTube?

  One minute your child is watching what appears to be a harmless cartoon, the next they’re down a rabbit hole of ads, influencers, or content that’s anything but child-friendly. Add in the rise of rapid-cut shows, with flashing edits and constant noise designed to hook attention, and suddenly you’re wondering what it’s doing to your child’s focus and regulation.In this episode, we unpack the hidden risks of YouTube, from addictive elements to the way overstimulating content can affect the developing brain. We’ll share our own parenting worries, the traps we’ve seen firsthand, and therapist insights on how YouTube and rapid cut shows can shape children’s behaviour. Most importantly, we’ll talk about what parents can actually do to keep kids safe, without resorting to bans or constant battles.Thanks for listening! Hit subscribe, rate and recommend this podcast to a friend! We really appreciate it! Email your thoughts and ideas for future episodes to [email protected] evidence backed parenting support you can trust 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 hereHayley 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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