A chat about how much we love our book club (still going strong after 15 years) and how the latest book choice has inspired us.

Shonda Rhymes, 'My Year of Yes' - got us reflecting on what rule we would set ourselves that would have the biggest impact on how our business lives look now compared to pre motherhood and adult responsibilities.

Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers

https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/

Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success

https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/

We're back!
We never really left. But life happened. As life does.
School admin, decisions, assessments and practicalities of life meant that this podcast needed to be paused.

Ellie and Louise chat about how overwhelm requires them to get clear on their priorities and how they know what to cut out and how to put down their cards following a period of retreat.

If you know that feeling of feeling a little bored by family life - uninspired by the humdrum and routines that dictate your life - then this episode is a good listen.

Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers

https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/

Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success

https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/

We are half way through the summer holiday and Ellie and Louise have a midway check-in to reflect on their summer managing motherhood, work and personal ambitions.

We learn that:

• structure can be a life saver
• Acceptance can be key to peace of mind
• Slower pace leads to more connection
• Boundaries are KEY

Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers

https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/

Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success

https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/

Not everything we ingest on Instagram and other social media platforms make us feel like a better parent.
While there's no shortage of tips and tricks, Ellie and Louise explore the insidious ways that online support often leave us feeling less empowered and more prone to shame.

We also discuss what sort of messaging we are always up for and how we can feel more empowered in our online lives

Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers

https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/

Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success

https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/

The day has come when Louise could no longer justify holding off the big step it is - to allow her 11 year-old daughter a phone.
Listen to this episode as Ellie and Louise explore what fears and worries Louise has wrestled with and how children often surprise us in the most wonderful ways when we choose to take a leap of faith.

• How does fear of judgment play into these key parenting decisions?
• When do our rules serve our child and when are they mostly serving our self-image as a 'good mum'?
• Are we to track or check our child's phone?

These are some of the questions Ellie and Louise explore in this episode - and whether you are already an old hand at parenting children with phones - or you think this might be your reality soon - this episode might feel helpful

Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers

https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/

Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success

https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/

What does it mean for a parent to have a 'school child'?
How can school become a big source of stress for the family and how might we begin to hand back some of the responsibility so that we can support our child to achieve real educational success;

A life long love of learning and curiosity to explore

Ellie and Louise feel passionately about this - and share honestly of their own experiences of raising children in a school system that feels stretched and outdated and how taking responsibility for our child's learning is not always the same as insisting that all rules are followed and the work gets done.

Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers

https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/

Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success

https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/

It feels to Ellie and Louise, that fear is part and parcel of parenthood;

- Will our little one always be this demanding?
- How are they going to be decent human beings if they can't be nice to their sibling?

But...how does fear trip us up? And what might happen when we practice trusting the process of childhood and development more?

Ellie and Louise chat about the ways front seat fear makes them respond more harshly to their children's unwanted behaviours and how things flow more easily when they put fear on the backseat.

Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers

https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/

Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success

https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/

Who would like their child to wear a bike helmet when they are out with friends because they understand the risks?

In this episode we talk about the huge benefits of risky play for our children and why it can be a hard thing to encourage and watch happen.

We cover why not to shout 'be careful' and what we can say and do to make ourselves feel more comfortable about promoting risky play.

Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers

https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/

Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success

https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/