5: The life of a girl mum: Ferne McCann on riding the big emotions of motherhood

Family Food Made Easy: What’s Really on the School Menu? What our children eat at school isn’t just about keeping them full until home time. What they eat during the school day can affect how they feel, behave and learn that very afternoon. Teachers see it first-hand: 85% say diet affects children’s concentration, while 80% say unhealthy break and lunchtime food can contribute to disruptive behaviour. Registered nutritionist Sophie Gastman gives us the ‘why’, explaining what can happen in children’s bodies after they eat and why getting enough fibre matters – from supporting gut health and sustained energy to concentration and focus in the classroom. Then Megan Waring, Director of Nutrition at Caterlink, takes us behind the scenes of the school canteen. She explains what’s changing in school food in England, including moves to get more fibre and beans onto menus – and tackles the crucial question: what’s the point of putting healthier food on the menu if children won’t actually eat it? Megan explains why getting parents on board could be an important part of making positive changes to school food stick. And what about packed-lunch days? Qualified feeding specialist and nutritionist Catherine Lippe shares practical ideas for creating nutritious lunchboxes children will actually eat while keeping lunch realistic, affordable and achievable. What’s Really on the School Menu? is part of a special three-part series from The Netmums Podcast and Veg Power, supported by Sainsbury’s – helping families discover simple, affordable and achievable ways to get more fibre into everyday life. For more food advice and inspiration, follow Veg Power on social media, and for more real-life parenting advice, head to Netmums.com or follow Netmums on socials. This episode is proudly produced by Decibelle

If there’s one thing most parents can rely on, it’s being asked for a snack – usually about five minutes after you’ve cleared away the last meal. So rather than adding another thing to the parenting to-do list, could we make one of those snack moments work a little harder? This episode has one simple goal: to make just one of your child’s daily snacks a fresh source of fibre. And it might be easier than you think. Nutritionist Nichola Ludlam-Raine explains why fibre is so important for children’s health, and how something as simple as choosing a fresh, fibre-rich snack can contribute towards both their fibre intake and their five-a-day. Think an apple, pear or some carrot sticks: one snack, double win. But knowing what we’d like our children to eat and getting them to actually eat it are two very different things. Dr Clare Holley, an expert in child eating behaviour, shares practical ways to encourage children to try fresh foods, build familiarity and make them part of everyday snack routines – without pressure, persuasion or turning snack time into a battle. Because getting more fibre into family life doesn’t have to mean a big dietary overhaul. Sometimes, it can start with just one snack. This episode is part of a special three-part series from The Netmums Podcast and Veg Power, supported by Sainsbury’s – helping families discover simple, affordable and achievable ways to get more fibre into everyday life. For more food advice and inspiration, follow Veg Power on social media, and for more real-life parenting advice, head to Netmums.com or follow Netmums on socials. This episode was proudly produced by Decibelle.

Welcome to Family Food Made Easy, a special podcast collaboration from Netmums and Veg Power, supported by Sainsbury’s. Hosted by Louise Burke, this three-part miniseries tackles the daily challenges of feeding our families, exploring how to make healthy eating joyful, accessible, and affordable. In this first instalment, Louise is joined by two expert guests to chat about all things fibre: firstly, why getting enough fibre in our diets is so important, and secondly… how we can actually do it? About our guests:

For the Series 19 finale of The Netmums Podcast, we’re switching things up with a special video episode. After a series spent asking the questions, dad host JB Gill finds himself on the other side of the conversation as his wife Chloe joins him on the sofa in the studio – and Louise gets the chance to find out what JB is really like as a husband and dad behind closed doors. Together for 17 years and married for 12, JB and Chloe open up about the reality of making family life work around busy and unpredictable careers. They talk honestly about communication, reconnecting after time apart and how they operate as a team – even if Chloe, as the family’s self-described 'CEO of the girls' carries much of the mental load at home. The couple also share how they’re raising Ace, 11, and Chiara, 7, to stay grounded despite growing up around entertainment, travel and life in the public eye. From chores and personal responsibility to resisting the urge to fix every problem for their children, JB and Chloe explain why preparing them for adulthood matters more than making life easy. And Chloe reveals whether the JB listeners know from the podcast is the same man she gets at home! In this episode:

What happens when the parenting reality doesn't match the picture you imagined? On The Netmums Podcast this week, comedian, actress, author and mum of two Ellie Taylor joins JB Gill and Louise Burke for a special video episode full of brilliantly honest conversation about the messy, funny and emotional reality of family life. Ellie, a former Strictly contestant and also a star of the popular TV show, Ted Lasso, opens up about why she found the newborn stage so difficult, the guilt of not feeling an instant bond with her babies, and why she believes more parents need to be honest about those early struggles. She is also super honest about the moment she was struck by gender disappointment with her second child and the challenges of welcoming another baby after a five-year age gap. The conversation goes on to explore how she shares the parenting load with a stay-at-home dad, and how motherhood has reshaped her marriage. Ellie talks openly about the love for her children while also reflecting on learning to let go of control and embracing a ‘good enough’ approach to parenting. Plus, she talks about balancing a busy career with family life and filming her latest ITV show The Box out this autumn.