Who's really keeping family life running? And how much of that work goes unnoticed?

This week, we get into the realities of sharing parenting responsibilities, particularly during school holidays. We talk about the mental load — all the invisible thinking, remembering, planning and organising that happens behind the scenes — and why simply saying “just tell me what you need” isn't always as helpful as it sounds.

We also explore the importance of communication, the balance between work and family life, and whether the everyday things we do for our families should come with an expectation of recognition or gratitude.

Then, a listener question takes us somewhere a little deeper: how do we balance being a strong, dependable parent with allowing our children to see our vulnerability and the fact that we're human too?

In this episode:

• What does the mental load actually look like in family life?
• Sharing childcare and responsibilities during school holidays
• Why “just ask me” can sometimes create more work
• Communication, expectations and finding a fair balance
• Do we need recognition for the everyday things we do?
• The importance of gratitude in relationships
• Being a strong parent while still showing vulnerability to your children

As always, there's plenty of honest conversation, a bit of disagreement and some questionable contributions from our four-legged studio guest!

A bit about Plumbline

We're Dave and Hope — married for over 20 years and raising three teenagers. Plumbline is where we have honest conversations about relationships, parenting, faith, culture and everyday life.

Get in touch

📩 plumblinepod@gmail.com

📱 Instagram: @plumblinepod

Plumbline — Episode 6

This week, it's Hope's birthday, and that gets us talking about how our celebrations change as we get older, why it's okay to ask for what you actually want, and whether presents really need to be a surprise.

The conversation takes a turn towards money, spending habits and the attitudes we pass on to our children. From growing up with very different ideas about money to buying quality, looking after what we own and saving our favourite things for special occasions — are we getting the balance right?

And, perhaps more importantly, should you actually wear your best trainers, or keep them looking fresh for the next 15 years?

In this episode:

• How our idea of the perfect birthday changes as we get older
• Is it okay to tell people what you want for a present?
• The money habits and attitudes we inherit from our parents
• Teaching our children the difference between wanting something and needing it
• Spending wisely, treating yourself and avoiding a scarcity mindset
• Buying quality and looking after the things we own
• The great debate: should you save your best clothes and trainers for special occasions?

As always, there's plenty of family banter, a few unexpected tangents and some honest reflections along the way.

A bit about Plumbline

We're Dave and Hope — married for over 20 years and raising three teenagers. Plumbline is where we have honest conversations about relationships, parenting, faith, culture and everyday life.

Get in touch

📩 plumblinepod@gmail.com

📱 Instagram: @plumblinepod

This week, we're joined by our teenagers for an honest conversation about parenting from the other side. We hear what they really think about our rules, from TikTok and screen-time limits to sleepovers and how much freedom they should have as they get older.

We don't agree on everything, but that's kind of the point. How do you keep your kids safe while learning to trust them, give them independence and let them make their own decisions?

In this episode:

• What our teenagers really think about TikTok and social media
• Are our screen-time limits too strict?
• The debate over sleepovers, safety and trust
• Giving teenagers more independence as they grow up
• The parenting decision Hope wishes she'd made differently — speaking Spanish at home!
• Plenty of family banter, unexpected opinions and a little chocolate-related controversy

We'd love to hear what you think. Are we too strict, or are these the kinds of boundaries teenagers need?

A bit about Plumbline

We're Dave and Hope — married for over 20 years and raising three teenagers. Plumbline is where we have honest conversations about relationships, parenting, faith, culture and everyday life.

Get in touch

📩 plumblinepod@gmail.com

📱 Instagram: @plumblinepod