Podcast Summary
Dealing with unexpected situations in parenting: Unexpected situations in parenting, such as children drawing on walls or leaving concerning notes, are normal and can lead to bonding moments and learning opportunities
Parenting comes with its fair share of challenges and unexpected situations, such as dealing with children drawing on walls or leaving notes that may cause concern. These incidents, while frustrating, are a normal part of raising children and can often lead to moments of humor and bonding. The use of pen and paper or other creative outlets can help channel a child's energy and creativity, while also providing opportunities for learning and growth. Parents can find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their experiences and can learn from one another through open discussions and shared stories.
Parenting Challenges: Parenting two very different children requires constant adaptation and communication, especially during challenging times like a pandemic. Mental health issues should also be acknowledged and addressed.
Raising children, especially those with significant differences in behavior and development, can be a challenging experience that requires constant adaptation and re-evaluation of parenting strategies. The speaker shares her experience of having two very different children, one who is argumentative and engaging, and the other who is a "rogue" and difficult to communicate with. She discusses the frustration of repeating instructions that are ignored, and the feeling of being unheard, especially with her more challenging child. She also touches on the impact of the pandemic and lockdown on her family, including the birth of her second child who was large in size and required frequent medical scans due to concerns about gestational diabetes. Despite the challenges, the speaker expresses gratitude for the fact that her children get along well and that they have had more time together during the lockdown. She also acknowledges the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health issues and the impact they can have on children and their development. Overall, the speaker's experience highlights the complex and often unpredictable nature of raising children and the importance of patience, adaptability, and communication in navigating the ups and downs of parenthood.
Size advantages: Medical professionals may be more reassured by the size and strength of larger children, making injections less painful, but challenges include difficulty measuring heads and potential neglect as they become more independent.
Having a larger-than-average child brings unique challenges and advantages. The speaker shared an anecdote about his brother, who was older and the same size as him despite having a larger head. He noted that medical professionals were more reassured by their size and strength, and that their size made injections less painful. However, the speaker also acknowledged the challenges of raising larger children, such as the difficulty of measuring their heads and the potential for neglect when they become more independent. The conversation also touched on the importance of routine and the challenges of balancing work and family life. Despite the challenges, the speaker expressed gratitude for the joys of raising a big, strong child.
Shed-turned-podcast-booth: The shed, initially a passive-aggressive gift, became a source of connection for the couple during lockdown and allowed them to reconnect and chat honestly. However, they found recording their podcast in advance during holidays essential to ensure a break.
The shed in the garden, which was initially presented as a gift to Scott when he quit his job, turned out to be a passive-aggressive move by his wife Gemma, who wanted him to have a dedicated space for writing. The shed, which was converted into a podcast booth, became a source of connection for the couple during lockdown, allowing them to reconnect and chat honestly with each other. However, they found that recording their podcast in advance during holidays was necessary to ensure they had a break. The discussion also touched upon the importance of a good mattress and the strange experiences that come with being a comedian.
Parenting stress: Trusting instincts and individual experiences is crucial in coping with the unexpected challenges of parenting, rather than relying on external advice.
Becoming a parent brings unexpected challenges and it's important to find ways to cope with the stress and uncertainty. The speaker shared her experience of receiving an OBE from Prince Charles and how she approached parenting like a training program for control and organization. She also discussed the initial stresses of new parenthood, such as worrying about the baby's health and receiving unsolicited advice from others. The speaker emphasized the importance of trusting one's instincts and individual experiences with raising children, rather than relying on external advice. Despite the challenges, the speaker expressed her love for her son and the joy he brings to her life.
Open communication in relationships: Being open and honest about desires and plans early on in relationships can save time and lead to a stronger connection, allowing couples to focus on building a future together.
Being open and honest in relationships, even during the early stages, can save time and lead to a stronger connection. Dame Jessica Ennis Hill shared her experience of knowing early on in her relationship with her husband Lance that they both wanted to be parents, and they were open about their plans and desires. They named their future children in the first week of dating and had their son Robbie Ray through surrogacy after a few years of dating. This level of transparency helped them avoid wasting time on pretenses and allowed them to focus on building a future together. Additionally, they learned to let go of control and embrace the chaos of parenthood. Their journey to starting a family through surrogacy was a magical and special experience for them, and they remain close with their surrogate.
Parenting and athletic career: Transitioning from an athletic career to parenthood can be a challenging adjustment, requiring flexibility, resilience, and a new focus on being the best parent possible
Becoming a parent and resuming an athletic career can be a major challenge. Despite being naive and thinking that having a child would simply fit into her structured routine, the athlete in question experienced a significant shock when she returned to training after giving birth. People doubted her ability to come back, and her body had changed both physically and mentally. The transition from athlete to mother was a huge adjustment, and the athlete found herself struggling to run as fast as before. However, having a child also provided a new sense of motivation and perspective. Overall, the experience was a major shift, requiring flexibility, resilience, and a new focus on being the best parent possible.
Athlete parenthood challenges: Balancing athletic career and parenthood brings sleep deprivation, conflicting priorities, and potential financial losses, but many athletes find it rewarding
Having a child while pursuing a high-level athletic career comes with numerous challenges. These challenges include sleep deprivation, conflicting priorities, and potential financial losses due to missed opportunities. However, despite these challenges, many athletes find it a rewarding experience to balance both aspects of their lives and return to competition with renewed determination. The lack of supportive policies for athletes with families, particularly for women, adds to the complexity of this balancing act. Despite the difficulties, the athlete in this conversation found her experience to be one of her proudest achievements.
Podcast listening: To fully benefit from a podcast, give it your undivided attention and make the most of every moment by engaging with thought-provoking and inspiring content
The most important thing when it comes to listening to podcasts is to actually give them your full attention, rather than worrying about when or where you're listening. The podcast will be available on all your favorite platforms for you to enjoy at your convenience. So sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the content. After all, the value of a podcast lies in the knowledge and insights it provides, which can only be fully appreciated when you give it your undivided attention. So, take a break from your busy schedule, press play, and let the podcast transport you to a new world of learning and entertainment. Remember, the perfect day is not about checking off tasks, but about making the most of every moment, and what better way to do that than by engaging with thought-provoking and inspiring content on your favorite podcasts.