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 saverAcceptance can be key to peace of mindSlower pace leads to more connection Boundaries are KEYEllie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorershttps://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 Explorershttps://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 Explorershttps://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 exploreEllie 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 Explorershttps://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 Explorershttps://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 Explorershttps://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/

In this episode we dive dive into family life.  Into how Louise connected to her anger in a very challenging situation and how Ellie really needs to go climb a mountain for the sake of everyone in her house. We mention a women's circle in this episode and the one that Ellie and Louise have attended is hosted by Charlie Leigh in Bisley. https://www.charlieleighyoga.co.uk/classesEllie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorershttps://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/

Ellie realises that her daughter has adopted a new love language over Christmas and Louise is guilty of sometimes communicating unmet needs from her husband - by criticising her children. In this episode we explore the wilderness that is love and relationships and find that the 5 Love Languages framework by Dr Gary Chapman, is a good road map to start the journey towards greater connection and satisfaction in our relationships with our children (and partner). Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorershttps://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/

Ellie's found a new parenting technique that gives her more sanity and allows her kids to move through conflict on their own. And a difficult morning was avoided in Louise's house, because she let her child rant. We talk about why life is too short to accept ill fitting jeans - and how the word 'Oops' - can help us not cry over spilt milk Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorershttps://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 don't talk enough about how our relationship changes when we become parents. When two become three  and we step into new roles with our partner. Ellie and Louise discuss the ways in which their relationships have been grown and suffered as a result of starting a family and what they wish all new parents knew and received guidance around in the first year of parenthood. Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorershttps://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/