12: Navigating parenthood: Tips, tales, and toddler tantrums with Steph McGovern
This episode of The Netmums Podcast features broadcaster, journalist and debut novelist Steph McGovern. Join Wendy and Alison for a chat about motherhood, family life, and finding balance between career and parenting. Steph shares her insights on keeping her daughter’s life private, being a same-sex parent, and how her experience of broadcasting during lockdown helped shape her debut thriller Deadline.
Key topics include:
Parenting Privacy: Steph explains why she’s chosen not to share photos or details of her daughter publicly — and the importance of letting kids grow up without the scrutiny of fame.
Same-Sex Parenting: Stories, funny anecdotes and Steph’s thoughts on how attitudes have shifted, including a moving moment of unexpected kindness from strangers.
Parenting Style: Steph talks about good cop/bad cop dynamics, teaching independence, and balancing encouragement with the perils of ‘over-correcting’
Money Matters: As host of The Rest Is Money, Steph shares practical advice on budgeting, earning points, and how to teach kids about money — even in a tap-and-go world.
Her Debut Novel, Deadline: Hear how Steph turned lockdown hours into a murder mystery, set in a money-printing factory and inspired by her days on BBC Breakfast.
Magic Breakfast Campaign: Steph supports Magic Radio’s Fuel for Success campaign, providing schoolchildren with the food they need to start the day right.
Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums
Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative
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S16 Ep11: Pizza Nights, Policy & Parenthood – Sir Keir Starmer talks to Netmums
In this exclusive episode of the Netmums Podcast, we’re invited inside 10 Downing Street for a rare, one-to-one interview with Prime Minister Keir Starmer — and we’re talking about more than politics.
From free childcare for babies from nine months to plans for paternity leave reform, Keir opens up about the big policy changes aimed at supporting UK parents and working families. But he also gets personal, sharing what it’s really like raising teenagers while running the country, how his family tackles Friday night takeaway decisions, and why changing nappies and flexible working matter just as much as parliamentary bills.
Expect honest reflections on fatherhood, candid advice for mums and dads, and a powerful reminder that there’s no one right way to parent.
This is an absolute must-listen!
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S16 Ep10: Burnout, balance and activism: Anna Whitehouse on redefining motherhood and self-care
This episode of The Netmums Podcast features Anna Whitehouse, known as Mother Peach, a campaigner, radio presenter, and author. Join Wendy and Alison as they discuss the challenges of motherhood, the importance of self-care, and flexible working rights for parents.
Anna’s new novel Influenced is released on 14th August. She has also teamed up with Lovehoney, to pull back the covers on sex and intimacy pre and postpartum, being part of Lovehoney's 'Mama Sutra' campaign. At its core this is a free ebook for Mums at every stage of motherhood, offering support and guidance, and sharing real-life experiences.
Key topics include:
- The Vulnerability of Motherhood: Anna shares how motherhood reveals strengths and vulnerabilities.
- Self-Care: Discover why prioritising personal needs is vital for mental well-being.
- Challenging Gender Roles: Anna discusses the dad strike and the importance of active fatherhood.
- Co-Parenting Insights: Anna shares her journey through separation, explains the concept of ‘Magpie Parenting’, and the value of open communication.
- Being a 'Geriatric Mum': Reflecting on societal pressures and the resilience of older mothers.
- Relationships and Intimacy: A look at emotional connections in relationships post-baby.
- Flexible Working Future: Anna's vision for flexible work to support parents.
Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums
Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative
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S16 Ep9: Navigating Tween Life, Friendship Wobbles, and the Power of Humour: Katie Kirby on Parenting in the Digital Age
In this episode of The Netmums Podcast, author and parenting favourite Katie Kirby returns to chat with Wendy and Alison. Known for the bestselling Lottie Brooks series and Hurrah for Gin, Katie brings her signature honesty and humour to a wide-ranging conversation about the joys and challenges of raising tweens and teens.
The conversation covers:
Relatable Role Models: Why kids need to see themselves in the books they read — and how Lottie Brooks became that character for so many.
Friendship Dynamics: The differences between how boys and girls approach friendships, and why having multiple friend groups can be a lifesaver.
The Smartphone Struggle: How tech and social media are reshaping childhood — and what parents can do to help kids navigate it safely and confidently.
Real-Life Parenting: From summer holiday chaos to the art of embarrassing your kids (on purpose!), Katie shares her funniest and most heartfelt parenting moments.
Open Conversations: Why honest chats with our kids — even the awkward ones — are key to building trust and resilience.
Behind the Books: Katie opens up about the origins of Hurrah for Gin, her love of stick figures, and the potential future of Lottie Brooks on screen.
Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting stories, support and laughs:
Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums
Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative
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S16 Ep8: Firm, fun And flexible parenting: Kate Silverton on emotional regulation for children
This episode of The Netmums Podcast features the incredible Kate Silverton, a former BBC news anchor turned child counsellor and advocate for compassionate parenting. Kate, Wendy and Alison unpack the crucial parenting topic of how to help our children regulate their emotions.
The conversation covers:
- The Impact of Labels: how terms like "naughty" can shape a child's identity, and why we should focus on behaviours rather than personal attributes.
- Understanding Emotional Responses: the importance of recognising our own emotional triggers as parents and how these can affect our responses to our children's feelings.
- The SAS Method: Kate introduces her SAS method for managing children's emotional outbursts, emphasising the need to 'See, Acknowledge, and Soothe' to help children regulate their emotions effectively.
- Navigating Tantrums: practical strategies for parents to support children through moments of distress.
- Rupture and Repair: how acknowledging mistakes can strengthen the parent-child bond.
Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums
Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative
The award-nominated podcast with an unvarnished take on parenting, featuring well-known guests. Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry chat with celebrities, authors and public figures about birth stories, parenting fails, teen troubles and everything in between.
Ireland