In this episode I am joined by Gillian Brown, an alcohol free coach for Mums.

We discuss:

• Why Mums drink and the effect of alcohol on women.
• The Mummy wine culture and why it's damaging.
• Why go alcohol free (and not just limit it)?
• Where to start with going alcohol free.
• What Gillian would say to someone who wanted to go alcohol free but who was worried about taking that step.
• Tips & advice for living a alcohol free lifestyle.
• Gillian's words of encouragement.

You can find Gillian here: GB Coaching (@gillianbrowncoaching) • Instagram photos and videos

If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave a review!

What would you like to hear next? Email thenonperfectparentsclub@outlook.com and let me know. Similarly, if you'd like to be a guest or sponsor an episode, apply via the above email.

In this episode in our new series, my guest (who wishes to remain anonymous) tells us her 'story' about a situation that her family found themselves in in 2017 when her son was just 3 months old.

My guest took her 3-month old son to the GP as he had a mark on his back that she'd not seen before. Medical professionals became concerned as it looked like a bruise, and a Section 47 Enquiry (Child protection assessment) was instigated.

The family underwent an incredibly challenging time, before it was discovered that baby actually had a birthmark. Congenital Dermal Melanocytosis (formerly called a Mongolian Blue Spot) is often mistaken for a bruise, leaving families vulnerable to accusations of harm.

My guest wants to raise awareness of this misdiagnosis, encourage parents to do their own research and ask questions when faced with difficult health or social care situations, and crucially, ask health professionals to always remain curious, non-judgemental and collaborative when working with families.

In this episode I am joined by Laura, the project lead on a research project at Lancaster University called Adopters Advocacy. Adopters advocacy looks at the experiences of adoptive parents and has highlighted different challenges that they may face.

Laura tells us about the project, how it started and what they've found so far.

Laura, who was adopted and is now an adoptive parent herself tells us about the challenges and struggles she's found as an adoptive parent. How it's lonely and how she wanted to see if other adopters were feeling the same. She wanted to bring adopters voices into the discussion.

She also tells us the ways in that parenting adoptive children can be difficult and how non adopters can be supportive.

Laura notes that it's not always a fairytale ending and this is why it's important to ask 'how are you'.

You can reach the Adopters Advocacy here:

Email: adopters@lancaster.acuk

Website: Adopters Advocacy - Lancaster University

If you've enjoyed this episode, please leave a review!

| Thank you to Reading Fairy Lancaster for sponsoring this episode. |

What would you like to hear next? Email thenonperfectparentsclub@outlook.com and let me know. Similarly, if you'd like to be a guest or sponsor an episode, apply via the above email.