If Only They'd Told Me Podcast

Jacqui and Nat discuss 'Raising Girls' based on the talk by Stephen Biddulph at the Parenting Place. As Steve says: ‘A girl catastrophe is happening’ and that the world has ‘become a very toxic place for our daughters’.  In the podcast we outline some of his tips on how to keep girls feeling happy and positive. Auntie Campaign - get some positive female role models in your girls life Help them find and keep their Spark 14 is the new 18!! Things are happening at a younger age (sexual pressure, body image issues etc) Links: Parenting Place: http://www.theparentingplace.com/ Raising Girls Blog:  http://www.ifonlytheytoldme.com/raising-girls-steve-biddulphs-talk-at-the-parenting-place/ Steve Biddulph's Raising Girls: Amazon

Nat talks to long-time friend and mother-of-four Danielle Paterson. Danielle lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband Matt and boys age 5 and 3, plus 14 month old twins. They discuss pregnancy, parenting and relationships with twins and specifically: Carrying and caring for twins  Giving your other child(ten) the love and attention they deserve Prepping tips and getting 'room ready' for life with twins  The reality of having a baby in NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) Strategies and tips to make your life as easy as possible Getting whatever 'help' works for you: nanny, friend, relative, groceries delivered, cleaner… Products you need two of for twins:  carrier, exersaucer, bounciette Twin-specific products: Double stroller, double  'my breast friend' feeding pillow Looking after your self and relationship with twins plus more. Related posts: Parenting Twins plus one, two, three of more!: http://www.ifonlytheytoldme.com/1-twins/ Parenting Twins: http://www.ifonlytheytoldme.com/parenting-twins/

Safe Sleep Nat talks to Jude Clark from 'Change for our Children' about Safe Sleep.  The goal is to help reduce SUDI Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infancy through greater awareness and practice. The 3 safe sleep principles are: Face up Face clear Smoke-free They also discuss bed-sharing or 'co-sleeping', sleep aid products,  blankets, positioning, and how safe sleep changes with developmental stages. www.changeforourchildren.co.nz

Jacqui and Nat go out on the town and catch up with mother-of-two fashion store owner Kelly Coe about her gorgeous garments at 'Augustine International'. Kelly gives us some tips on how to be a stylish mummy. It's all about getting out of the rut and embracing colour and shape by swapping your T-shirt for a floaty top or tunic. Dress it up with a chunky necklace or bag or dress it down by going accessory-free. Having a style consult with a 'personal stylist' who takes into account colours, shapes and styles that best-suit you is another great way to look and feel great.  Rebecca and Megan from The Style Company http://www.thestylecompany.co.nz  highlight the impact of 'illusion dressing' where you draw the eye towards your best features and away from your 'flaws' or your least fave parts of your body. It's so easy to get overwhelmed and consumed by motherhood so spending some time on yourself is important and often a bit of a luxury. Balance all that with surrounding yourself with great friends and enjoying t

Top Tips for Water Safety and Keeping Kids Swim Safe Keeping kids safe around water is a major for all parents.  Nat talks to Lynn Cartwright, the Swim School Coordinator at Glen Innes Pool in Auckland, New Zealand. What age should kids start and stop swim lessons?  How can we get kids more prepared and give them survival skills for being safe at the beach, river, lake and at home? Top 5 tips: Supervision Proximity (Be there)  Awareness and Knowledge Water safety skills Know your child's ability Useful links: http://www.clmnz.co.nz/glen-innes-pool/ http://www.watersafety.org.nz http://pinterest.com/clmnz/ Related blogs: http://www.ifonlytheytoldme.com/accidents-happen-near-misses-and-other-scary-moments/

How do you tell the difference between 'the baby blues' and true post natal depression? Everyone seems to know someone who's had it. It's a slightly different tone on If Only They'd Told Me this week, as Jacquie shares a moving, real story of a family who has been through Post Natal Depression.  Find out what happened and how you can recognise the signs in yourself and in those you care about.  Some signs of post natal depression include: Uncontrollable crying Loss of interest in things you previously interested in Negative thoughts Self blame Severe mood swings Feeling numb Feeling isolated Tiredness, including desperately wanting to sleep, but not being able to Thoughts of self harm or harming baby ANY of these should be a warning signal. Get professional help or talk to someone if you have even one symptom.  If you have a story (your own or someone you know of) and it would be helpful for others to know, we'd love to hear from you… comments@ifonlytheytoldme.com comments@ifonlytheytoldme.com

Part 2 of 'Parenting Twins'   Michelle and Tim share their tips and stories about having twins. Nat picks up where she left off last time by asking, about having twins, "do other people 'get it'?" How you can help If Only They'd Told Me? Spread the word about our Podcast *Currently #4 on iTunes 'What's Hot' list in the Kids and Parenting section. Give us a Star Rating on iTunes (create an Applie id, sign in, it's free and takes 2 minutes!) Sign up for the Get it Done Mum Coaching Club using this link: https://www.secureinfossl.com/affProgram/Get-It-Done-Mum-Coaching-Club/69671 And we will get a small commission to put back into our blog and podcast Upcoming Podcasts: Post Natal Depression Parenting One The More the Merrier?

Jo and Janine from 'Love Your Small Business' tell us about their Coaching Club for Mum entrepreneurs who want to hit their business goals faster but also free up more time and energy for life! They give plenty of tools and tips for balancing the chaos of motherhood with business in a successful way without losing track of yourself and the other things that are important to you in your life. Mumpreneurs worldwide can benefit from this e-course Click on the affiliate links below to find out more. If you register through these links, you'll also be helping to support 'If Only They'd Told Me'. Get It Done Mum Workshop *Feb 4/5: https://www.secureinfossl.com/affProgram/Get-it-Done-Mum-Workshop/69671 Get It Done Mum Coaching Club: https://www.secureinfossl.com/affProgram/Get-it-Done-Mum-Workshop/69671

For the first time we have a couple in the studio together and they are talking about parenting twins. However their entertaining stories are relevant to all parents.  Michelle and Tim have 7 year old, identical twin boys. They've made it through the 'early years' and they share some of their tips, coping strategies and experiences. While Tim suggests booking friends who offer help, in to a specific time and date to help get through the 'dark ages', Michelle recommends writing a 'letter to yourself' at the end of your pregnancy, to look back on. Related Podcasts & Blogs: Baby Whisperer  Au Pair Link Personality Types Keeping the Love Alive Helpful Websites: Auckland Multiple Births Club Wellington Multiple Birth Club Christchurch Multiple Birth Club New Zealand Multiple Birth Assocation

A couple of weeks ago, Nat and Matt talked about being a good host. As promised, this week we turn the tables and talk to Jacqui's very special visitor - her Mum! Jacqui interviewed her Mum about being a visiting grandparent from overseas and they also discussed coping with being a grandparent from a distance.  Jacqui's Mum, Magda Campbell is currently having her Gap Year. Jacqui's even convinced her to blog about it. Check out Gap Year Granny: http://gapyeargranny.blogspot.co.nz Magda is visiting New Zealand from the UK as part of a 10 month backpacking trip. She's been staying with Jacqui in Auckland for the last month and is learning to be a grandparent again as the's normally only a 'Distant Grandparent'. A couple of Magda's tips include, accept all the hugs and kisses you can while you're there to get them, and take the kids to the park. 'Run them ragged', she explains, 'they'll be more compliant that way!'. Magda also recommends being yourself around the Grandchildren and to use Skype when you're n

Nat & Jacqui are in the studio together again, bringing in the New Year and discussing resolutions and goals for 2013.  While some resolutions are more like themes or priorities, like 'be a better mother/wife/friend', others are measurable and time-related goals like 'runs 5km race by August 1st, 2013'.  Top tip: Don't just create then shelve your resolutions. Share them with at least one other person, have them accessible and check back on them once a week. Related links: Jacqui's blog: The New Year, The New You  http://www.ifonlytheytoldme.com/new-year-new-you/ Bucket List and Resolutions Board on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/iottm/bucket-list-resolutions/

Nat co-hosts this episode with her husband (and father-of-three) Matt. They discuss the key to house guest etiquette being: Giving everyone what they need. To do this, you need to consider; length and location of their stay your existing relationship routine purpose of visit, and  overall expectation management. It also helps to 'over-communicate' about activities and routines.  Blog: http://www.ifonlytheytoldme.com/how-to-host-house-guests-and-keep-everyone-happy/ Related Podcasts:  9 Day Fortnight, Best Intentions, Getting on with the In-laws and Grandparents

In this Episode, Nat heads out of the studio and takes her microphone and iPad to meet up with CEO Bruce Pilbrow on-site at the Parenting Place. http://www.theparentingplace.com Over a cup of tea, they discuss the Parenting Place mantra of 'Family is Everything', going global with social media, parenting workshops and the importance of 'couch time' for a healthy relationship!  Bruce also gives some good tips for Christmas (or any time of year) about keeping the focus on 'family' and sometimes saying 'no' to some things so you can be present and spend more family time together. https://www.facebook.com/theparentingplace http://pinterest.com/tppdotcom/ http://www.youtube.com/theparentingplace

Diane Levy is a parenting expert, family advisor and therapist with over 15 years experience running her own counselling and supervision practice. She's written three books including the best seller Of Course I Love You... Now go to Your Room. Diane is New Zealand's Super Gran and has presented the TV show 'Demons to Darlings'. Her warm, friendly approach to addressing the interaction between family members has made Diane a popular author, speaker and trusted expert.  In last week's interview, we covered: Time out Getting children to do as they're told Dealing with temper tantrums This week, Jacqui talks to Diane about: Fussy eaters Making meal times less stressful Toilet training

Diane Levy is a parenting expert, family advisor and therapist with over 15 years experience running her own counselling and supervision practice. She's written three books including the best seller Of Course I Love You... Now go to Your Room Diane is New Zealand's Super Gran and has presented the TV show 'Demons to Darlings'. Her warm, friendly approach to addressing the interaction between family members has made Diane a popular author, speaker and trusted expert.  In this first of two interviews with 'If Only They'd Told Me',  Diane Levy discusses: - Time out - Getting children to do as they're told - Dealing with temper tantrums Tune in next week for Part 2 on - Fussy eaters - Making meal times less stressful - Toilet training  

Things that grandparents, hubby, friends, strangers and you do with the 'best intentions' that sometimes have the opposite effect.   Click on the link to hear Nat & Jacqui's stories including: 'Matt and the Muffin', Harry Potter nightmares, over-generous parents and in-laws, Christmas collage and more... Tips for successful 'best intentions' * Read the 'scene' before swooping in * Ask 'what can I do to help?'  * Mama knows best, don't ask just do! * Tell people clearly what you need (less presents for the kids, short visit…) * See the humour in it and appreciate the effort For more, visit us at: http://www.ifonlytheytoldme.com

Nat and Jacqui had a Skype interview with Emily Keniston from Simple Little Home.   Based in Maine, USA, Emily chats with us about her passions of slowing down, natural living, home schooling, the bean bin, healthy local food, meatloaf cupcakes and pumpkin smoothies! You can find Emily at: http://www.simplelittlehome.com http://pinterest.com/emily_keniston/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Simple-Little-Home/218866024821811 https://plus.google.com/109159148443640361336/posts Listen in next week for our Podcast on 'Best Intentions'. All the things that hubby, grandparents, friends and even you as a parent do to 'help' but it sometimes has the opposite effect! Also, a huge favour… To help us spread the word, please post a link to our Podcast or blog on your Facebook page or if you prefer personal message 3 friends asking them to listen to our Podcast. Cheers!  Nat & Jacqui If Only They'd Told Me comments@ifonlytheytoldme.com

Nat and Jacqui discuss practical tips for birthing plans, hospital bags, knowing when you're in labour, Braxton Hicks and wive's tales about brining on labour.  Top tips from this episode: Have a good plan, but be prepared to change it. The main goal is to hold a healthy baby in your arms. Hospital bag. Focus on being comfortable after the birth when deciding what to pack to take with you to the hospital.   Know the key signs of labour, but also know that some, or all of them, may not happen for you. Know when it's time to go to the hospital (or wherever you're going to birth). For great maternity wear, we recommend Hotmilk. See http://www.ifonlytheytoldme.com/products/sexy-mama/

As a follow up to one of our most popular podcasts Episode 6 on 'Getting Tidy', this week we're happy to bring you a podcast on de-cluttering and getting organised.  Nat talks with fellow Mumpreneur, Robyn Waterfall from Sort Me Out: http://www.robynsortmeout.co.nz 'Robyn to the Rescue' has services to help you get your home and office organised, as well as skills to help you out with life coaching, setting goals and reducing stress. Listen in for some top tips on getting sorted and to find out more about how Robyn can help Mums, Dads and also seniors at home, in the home office and in life.