So coming full circle with this our final episode in the series looking at how emotional development effects mental health, we are joined by perhaps one of the most influential people in the world when it comes to understanding the needs of our children. I was absolutely delighted when retired child psychologist, family therapist and author of the world’s best-selling book on raising boys, as well as other books that millions of parents have bought worldwide, Steve Biddulph, said he would join us.

Continuing the quest of understanding emotions and mental health, addictions therapist Mandy Saligari joins us for this next episode with some challenging truths and encouraging advice. We go from anxiety and out of control emotions, to eating disorders and self-harming, to toddler tantrums and teens who don’t talk. More importantly we talk about us as parents and what we can do raise our children so that they are best able to manage their emotions that they don’t need to self-medicate or shut down.

In this next episode we talk with Michael Rosen about how the language of play and an attitude of playfulness can help with emotional development and mental health. We explore play, how to build relationships with meaning, and look at how we communicate and provide a safe base for our children to grow, whilst fostering a curious attitude that isn’t held back by the fear of getting things wrong.

In this episode we are joined by Dr Dominique Thompson and start to dig deeper into the importance of emotional development. We talk about Generation Z, who they are, how they differ to us as Generation X and Millennial parents, what life feels like for them and why mental health and subsequent destructive coping mechanisms seem to be escalating out of control. We cover the fear of failure, why it is so prevalent, social media, screen time and even sexting. Enjoy!!

This is the first episode in a series looking at the emotional development of our children and how it affects their mental health longer term. We hear regularly that mental health is bringing the NHS to its knees and costing billions of pounds, so as 50% of all mental health issues are established by the age of 14, how as parents can we ensure that we are giving our children not just 5 a day for physical health, but have a strategy that ensures good mental and emotional health too?

Join parent, step parent and broadcaster Pipa Gordon embark upon the journey of parenting. Alongside various guests, she will explore concepts and ideas addressing how we parent our children in this modern world and equip them to thrive through the phases of growing up and into becoming adults who can. For more information or to join us on social media, search for @thePpodcast