Unschooled: When the Classroom Doesn’t Fit

Sometimes a boring week is actually a really good week.This week on Mumma Chats, I’m talking about life in our neurospicy household, the complicated feelings I had after hearing the National Autistic Society say autism is genetic, and why waiting years for an ADHD assessment is so much more than waiting for a label.I’m also talking about something I’ve been thinking about a lot as we head towards Christmas, the financial guilt that comes with not working. From being called a “lady of leisure” while doing six school runs a day, to losing the financial freedom I had before children, it’s a conversation about work, motherhood, guilt and the choices that sometimes aren’t really choices at all.And after all of that? This week I’m a Super Mumma because I achieved a boring week. And I’ll happily take it.Come and join the conversation.Visit Super Mumma at www.supermumma.co.uk to listen, explore more from this episode and find support and resources.Come and say hi on Instagram @supermummasIf something discussed in this episode has left you needing support, you can find organisations and resources at www.supermumma.co.uk.And remember, Every Mumma Matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Mumma Chats, a conversation with my husband made me realise just how different our experiences of growing up were, simply because I was a girl and he was a boy. Now, as my littles gets older, I'm navigating how to loosen the bubble wrap while still having those important conversations with her.We're also talking about the new pregnancy loss bereavement leave coming in April 2027. I share my own experience of miscarriage at six weeks, why recognising early pregnancy loss matters, and why the fact that this leave will be unpaid means I don't think the conversation should end here.Finally, we're talking about breastfeeding in public. After comments online sparked a debate about feeling uncomfortable around women breastfeeding, I'm asking: whose responsibility is that discomfort? And perhaps instead of another breast versus bottle debate, we should be asking how we can better support every mum to feed her baby in the way that's right for them.I'd love to hear your experiences and thoughts on any of this week's conversations.This episode contains discussion of pregnancy loss and my own experience of miscarriage.Chapters00:00 — Welcome to Mumma Chats00:45 — Raising girls: safety, fear and letting go04:36 — Pregnancy loss and the new bereavement leave09:20 — Breastfeeding in public: whose discomfort is it?14:05 — Final thoughtsCome and join the conversationVisit Super Mumma: https://www.supermumma.co.ukFollow Super Mumma on Instagram: @supermummasCome and join the conversation.Visit Super Mumma at www.supermumma.co.uk to listen, explore more from this episode and find support and resources.Come and say hi on Instagram @supermummasIf something discussed in this episode has left you needing support, you can find organisations and resources at www.supermumma.co.uk.And remember, Every Mumma Matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first Mumma Chats, I’m getting comfy and having a proper catch-up about those new chapters of motherhood that can feel exciting, emotional, overwhelming and sometimes all of it at once.We’re talking back to school, watching our children move into new stages, the mental load that comes with it and what happens to us as mums while we’re busy making sure everyone else is okay.I’m also chatting about some of the stories and conversations that have caught my attention recently, from maternity care and whether mums really feel heard and supported, to school attendance and the realities families are facing behind the numbers.This time I’m doing things a little differently. Mumma Chats is quite literally me, on my sofa, having a chat with you. It might not always be perfectly polished, I’ll probably go off on a tangent and you’ll definitely hear me figuring things out as I go, but that’s kind of the point. It’s just an honest Mumma to Mumma chat.No experts, no perfect answers and definitely no pretending I’ve got it all figured out. Just a Mumma, a cuppa and an honest chat about motherhood.Because sometimes, we just need to talk.Come and join the conversation Visit Super Mumma: https://www.supermumma.co.ukFollow Super Mumma on Instagram: @supermummasCome and join the conversation.Visit Super Mumma at www.supermumma.co.uk to listen, explore more from this episode and find support and resources.Come and say hi on Instagram @supermummasIf something discussed in this episode has left you needing support, you can find organisations and resources at www.supermumma.co.uk.And remember, Every Mumma Matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the Mum you’re beating yourself up for not being is actually the exact Mum your children need - once you stop masking and start understanding?In this episode, Jenny Lucas shares her late autism diagnosis at 38, the shock of not feeling that instant rush of love, the breastfeeding battles, the sensory overload, and the crushing guilt of “failing” at the motherhood she’d imagined.What You’ll Learn- The Bond That Takes Time: Why not feeling instant love when your baby arrives is common, painful, and doesn’t make you a bad Mum.- Autism Behind the Overwhelm: How undiagnosed neurodivergence turned everyday motherhood into constant struggle and the relief of finally understanding why.- You Are Enough: Letting go of the “perfect Mum” myth and embracing that doing your best with the brain you have is more than enough. Jenny’s story is a gentle reminder that lands like a warm hug: you are enough, exactly as you are – neurodivergent wiring, messy days, and all. Learn more about Jenny at audhdistically.me.Come and join the conversation.Visit Super Mumma at www.supermumma.co.uk to listen, explore more from this episode and find support and resources.Come and say hi on Instagram @supermummasIf something discussed in this episode has left you needing support, you can find organisations and resources at www.supermumma.co.uk.And remember, Every Mumma Matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Pete Wallroth, widower, single dad to Martha and Merlin, and founder of the charity Mummy's Star. Pete shares his family's story: discovering breast cancer at 22 weeks pregnant with their second child, navigating chemotherapy alongside maternity care, the joy of donor milk, and the devastating loss of his wife Maya. We explore maintaining normality for a three-year-old, the power of honest conversations, and how grief transformed into purpose through launching Mummy's Star. What You’ll Learn Navigating Diagnosis: How early referral and proactive midwifery support turned fear into a manageable plan, preserving pregnancy choices where possible. Family Resilience: Practical ways to involve young children through role play, scarf routines, and open honesty to ease the unknown and build connection. Turning Loss into Legacy: Steps to channel personal tragedy into peer support, from informal cafe chats to training thousands of health professionals on cancer in pregnancy. Pete's courage in rebuilding life as a trio while creating Mummy's Star reminds us that even in deepest grief, we can forge paths of profound support and healing for others.Super Mumma Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts.Come and join the conversation.Visit Super Mumma at www.supermumma.co.uk to listen, explore more from this episode and find support and resources.Come and say hi on Instagram @supermummasIf something discussed in this episode has left you needing support, you can find organisations and resources at www.supermumma.co.uk.And remember, Every Mumma Matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the classroom stops working for your child but the world keeps insisting it should? In this episode, I sit down with Caro Giles, author of Unschooled. Through honest, raw and hopeful conversation, Caro shares her journey as a single mother raising four children, two of whom cannot thrive in a traditional school setting. What begins as a story of education quickly unfolds into a broader exploration of identity, motherhood, and the invisible labour of unpaid carers. Caro reflects on the reality of fighting systems that don’t quite fit, the emotional toll of advocating for children who mask their struggles, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild a sense of self amidst it all. What You’ll Learn When School Doesn’t Fit: Why some children simply can’t thrive in mainstream education and what unschooling really means in practice. The Invisible Load: How unpaid caring affects identity, mental health and everyday life and why mothers’ voices matter. Finding Yourself Again: Caro’s reflections on reclaiming joy, hope and identity while parenting through complexity. Caro’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, love, and honesty. It’s a reminder to every mum who’s fighting battles no one else can see: you’re not alone, and your story matters.Super Mumma Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts.Come and join the conversation.Visit Super Mumma at www.supermumma.co.uk to listen, explore more from this episode and find support and resources.Come and say hi on Instagram @supermummasIf something discussed in this episode has left you needing support, you can find organisations and resources at www.supermumma.co.uk.And remember, Every Mumma Matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the biggest pressure in motherhood isn’t what others expect of us but what we expect of ourselves? In this episode, I’m joined by writer and journalist Rhiannon Cosslett, author of The Republic of Parenthood. Drawing from her much-loved Guardian columns and her own experiences as a mum, Rhiannon explores why so many of us feel the need to get everything “right” - from the perfect nursery to the perfect bedtime routine and how that pressure seeps into our everyday lives. Rhiannon speaks openly about the mental load of modern motherhood, the power of honest conversations, and why letting go of the idea of perfection can create space for something far more meaningful: connection, community, and self-compassion. What You’ll Learn Releasing Perfection: How social media, comparison, and unrealistic expectations feed mum guilt and how to step back from it. Redefining Motherhood: Why honest conversations and shared experiences can ease isolation and build real community. Owning Your Journey: How embracing imperfection helps you trust your instincts and reclaim your confidence as a parent. This conversation is a powerful reminder that perfection was never the goal - love, presence and doing our best is more than enough. The Republic of Parenthood: On Bringing Up Babies is a powerful and honest exploration of what it really means to raise children today. Blending personal reflection with sharp cultural insight, Rhiannon’s’ book examines how parenthood shape’s identity, community, society and why it deserves to be treated as a shared responsibility, not a private struggle.Super Mumma Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts.Come and join the conversation.Visit Super Mumma at www.supermumma.co.uk to listen, explore more from this episode and find support and resources.Come and say hi on Instagram @supermummasIf something discussed in this episode has left you needing support, you can find organisations and resources at www.supermumma.co.uk.And remember, Every Mumma Matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura Kyrke Smith MP, representing Aylesbury, shares her personal journey of loss and advocacy for maternal mental health. Following the tragic loss of her best friend Sophie, who struggled with postnatal depression, Laura opens up about the impact of grief on her motherhood journey and the urgent need for mental health support for new mothers.We discuss the challenges of motherhood, the stigma that often surrounds maternal mental health, and the systemic changes needed in healthcare to better support mothers during pregnancy and postpartum. Laura also shares how she is using her role in Parliament to raise awareness, implement meaningful changes, and highlight the vital role of community support for mothers.This episode is a heartfelt and honest conversation about the realities of postnatal depression, the importance of speaking openly about mental health, and why every mum deserves support, understanding, and connection.*A gentle trigger warning* In this episode we will be talking about suicide and mental health. They are sensitive topics so please take care of yourself while listening and it is absolutely okay to pause and come back to it if you're not ready.Come and join the conversation.Visit Super Mumma at www.supermumma.co.uk to listen, explore more from this episode and find support and resources.Come and say hi on Instagram @supermummasIf something discussed in this episode has left you needing support, you can find organisations and resources at www.supermumma.co.uk.And remember, Every Mumma Matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Super Mumma podcast, I chat with Greer Jones about the real impact of public statements on neurodivergent children and their mum. Sparked by some recent, controversial comments in the media. We dive into the emotional weight of stigma, the guilt and judgement mums often feel, and why it’s so important to shift the focus from “fixing” neurodivergence to offering support and understanding. We also talk about the role media plays in shaping perceptions of autism and why community, connection, and advocacy are so vital for neurodivergent families. This is a conversation for any mumma who’s ever felt blamed, misunderstood, or simply in need of solidarity.Come and join the conversation.Visit Super Mumma at www.supermumma.co.uk to listen, explore more from this episode and find support and resources.Come and say hi on Instagram @supermummasIf something discussed in this episode has left you needing support, you can find organisations and resources at www.supermumma.co.uk.And remember, Every Mumma Matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this honest episode I give a raw and honest experience of navigating summer holidays as a neurodivergent mumma with neurodivergent kids. From the challenges of constant demand and sensory overload to the guilt and grace of motherhood, join me as we explore the reality behind the social media snapshots and find solidarity in shared struggles. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that reminds us all that it's okay to be in survival mode.Come and join the conversation.Visit Super Mumma at www.supermumma.co.uk to listen, explore more from this episode and find support and resources.Come and say hi on Instagram @supermummasIf something discussed in this episode has left you needing support, you can find organisations and resources at www.supermumma.co.uk.And remember, Every Mumma Matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.