Season 1 Ep 13: Parenting with Boundaries

Feeling overwhelmed by parenting, exhausted by everyday responsibilities or struggling to find time for yourself? You're not alone! Life is not meant to feel like a giant wedgie, and neither is parenting! In the first episode of To Be Quite Frank, a new bite-sized series from The Parent Pod, Rachel explores parenting stress, the pressure to be a perfect parent and how easily we can lose ourselves while raising children. We didn't come here to play small, tolerate crap and simply survive. We came here to suck the marrow out of life and bloody well enjoy ourselves! But between managing family life, dealing with parenting guilt, meeting everyone's needs and juggling endless responsibilities, it's easy to forget that parents deserve happiness and fulfilment too. This episode is a light-hearted reminder that looking after your own emotional wellbeing isn't selfish, that parenting doesn't have to mean constant sacrifice and that our children learn about living a fulfilling life by watching how we live ours. So, if you're feeling stuck, stressed or simply going through the motions, this little snippet might be just what you need. What's giving you the giant wedgie in your life right now? And what can you do to change it? Because quite frankly, life's too bloody short to spend it with your undies up your bum!

Gen Muir joins Rachel on The Parent Pod to talk about her brand new book, Why Kids Need Boundaries, released today. Gen is a parenting educator, mum of four boys and the founder of Connected Parenting. Known for her warm, practical and refreshingly real approach to parenting, she helps families understand behaviour and build connection. In this honest and relatable conversation, Gen and Rachel unpack why kids need boundaries, why holding them can feel so hard, and how we can set limits while still creating connection. Full of great stories, practical parenting tips and real-life moments, this episode is for anyone navigating boundaries, challenging behaviour, big emotions and knowing when to hold the line. Why Kids Need Boundaries is out now. To get a copy of her books, as well as High Low Buffalo, check out: https://www.highlowbuffalo.com.au/ Discount code: WABESTIES Stay rad

Supporting a neurodivergent child at school can sometimes feel like a whole new world to navigate. Accommodations, meetings, communication with teachers, individual education plans and knowing when to advocate can all become part of the parenting journey. In this episode of the Neurospice Girls, Rachel and Leisa talk about working collaboratively with schools to support children with ADHD, autism and other neurodivergent profiles. We explore how to build positive relationships with teachers, establish effective home and school communication, understand accommodations and IEPs, and prepare for school meetings so you can clearly communicate what your child needs. We also talk about what happens when things are not working, how to navigate difficult conversations, and why supports need to be reviewed as your child grows and their needs change. Working with your child’s school does not have to be about parents versus teachers. At its best, it is about collaboration, communication and keeping your child at the centre of the conversation.

Friendships can be tricky for any child, but for neurodivergent kids there can be extra layers to navigate. Social fatigue, sensory needs, rejection, conflict and different ways of communicating can all play a part. In this episode of the Neurospice Girls, Rachel and Leisa talk about friendships and social life for children with ADHD, autism and other neurodivergent profiles. We explore making and maintaining friendships, understanding different ways of connecting, and why having one good friend can sometimes matter far more than fitting into a big social group. We also get into the practical stuff. Birthday parties, sleepovers, family gatherings and activities outside school can bring their own challenges. How much should we encourage our kids to participate? When do we help them persevere, and when is it okay to step back? It’s about helping our kids find connection, build confidence and navigate the social world without asking them to change who they are.

Parenting a neurodivergent child often means explaining their needs to teachers, schools, family and friends. But what should you share, who needs to know, and how do you advocate for your child while still respecting their privacy? In Episode 3 of the Neurospice Girls series, Rachel and Leisa talk about communicating the needs of neurodivergent children, including children with ADHD and autism. We explore how to explain your child’s strengths, sensory needs, emotional regulation, communication differences and support needs in ways that help others understand them. We also discuss communicating with teachers and schools, creating consistency between home and school, navigating judgement and misconceptions, and knowing when to educate someone and when to simply move on. We also turn the conversation around. What should you do when a parent tells you their child is neurodivergent or shares their child’s support needs? Sometimes listening without judgement, asking respectful questions and offering support rather than advice is exactly what is needed. A practical conversation about neurodivergent parenting, ADHD, autism, parenting support, school communication, advocacy, sensory needs, emotional regulation and helping your child feel understood and supported.