Raising with the village

Maeva
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  • Parenting

Raising with the Village Because it really does take a village to raise a child — and most of us don’t have one anymore. Raising with the Village is a podcast about the real stories of parenthood — from pregnancy to the early school years and everything in between. Each episode shares an honest, unfiltered conversation with a parent who’s been there: through the highs, the lows, the unexpected turns and the moments that change everything. No experts. No judgement. Just real people sharing their experiences — because when we talk openly about what we’ve been through, we help someone else feel less alone. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby, navigating the chaos of toddlerhood, or simply figuring it out one day at a time, this is your virtual village — a place to listen, relate, and remind yourself that you’re doing better than you think. 🎧 Hosted by Maeva,Parent, storyteller, and believer that there’s power — and comfort — in sharing our stories.

  1. 3d ago

    #22 - Nina - The Maternity Care We Deserve: A Mum in Sydney on Pregnancy, Birth and What the UK is Missing

    What does pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood look like on the other side of the world? Today, we find out. In this episode, I sit down with Nina, who takes us through her experience of pregnancy and motherhood in Sydney, Australia. From her antenatal care to her birth story, to those precious and overwhelming early days with a newborn — Nina shares it all with warmth, honesty, and a perspective that had me nodding along, laughing in recognition, and at times, quietly thinking: why don't we have that? Because while so much of the experience of becoming a parent is universal — the anticipation, the fear, the love that hits you in a way nothing could have prepared you for — the way different countries support women and families through it varies enormously. Nina talks about what continuity of care looks like in her experience — the idea that the same midwife who supports you through pregnancy is there with you in the delivery room. She talks about pelvic floor physiotherapy — not as a luxury, but as something that is simply common knowledge among women in her circle. Two appointments, one before birth and one after, with remarkable results. And she talks about second parent leave, and what it meant for her family to have that time together at the very beginning. None of these are revolutionary ideas. They exist. They are working. And this conversation is a gentle but powerful reminder that we are allowed to ask why they are not yet standard everywhere. But above all, this is Nina's story. And it is a beautiful one. In this episode we talk about: Pregnancy and antenatal care in Sydney, AustraliaContinuity of care — and what it looks like when it is done wellNina's birth experience and delivery in AustraliaPelvic floor physiotherapy before and after birth — and why it should be common knowledge everywhereSecond parent leave and the difference it makes in those early daysThe similarities and differences between the Australian and UK experience of pregnancy and early parenthoodThe universal emotions of becoming a parent, wherever you are in the worldPelvic Floor Physiotherapy — why it matters Nina's experience with pelvic floor physiotherapy is something every parent deserves to know about. Whether you have had a vaginal birth or a C-section, pelvic floor health matters. Here are some resources to explore: Squeezy App — squeezyapp.co.uk — the NHS-recommended app for pelvic floor exercise reminders and guidancePelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) — pogp.csp.org.uk — find a specialist pelvic health physiotherapist in the UKPelvic Floor First — pelvicfloorfirst.org.au — Australian resource Nina may recognise, with excellent guidance for all parentsThe Pelvic Hub — thepelvichub.com — a brilliant online resource for pelvic health information and finding specialist supportContinuity of Care in the UK If you are pregnant and want to explore your options around continuity of carer midwifery models in the UK: Tommy's Midwives — tommys.org — information and support throughout pregnancyWhich? Birth Choice — which.co.uk/birth-choice — helps you explore your birth options and maternity services locallyBirthrights — birthrights.org.uk — a charity protecting human rights in childbirth, including the right to informed choice in maternity careSecond Parent Leave in the UK Want to know more about parental leave rights in the UK? Gov.uk Paternity Leave and Pay — gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave — everything you need to know about your rights as a second parentMaternity Action — maternityaction.org.uk — advice and support on all parental leave rightsIf this episode made you think, made you ask questions, or made you feel like you deserved more support than you received — share it. With your partner, your antenatal group, your pregnant friend. The more we talk about what is possible, the harder it becomes to settle for less. And as always, thank you for being part of this village. 💛 💛 Raising with the Village This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.  New episodes every Thursday! 🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/ 📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms. If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.

  2. Jul 9

    #21 - Monique - When Nobody Believed Me: A Story of Cerebral Palsy, Medical Gaslighting and Trusting Yourself

    When Nobody Believed Me: Monique's Story of Cerebral Palsy, Medical Gaslighting and Trusting Yourself This episode contains themes of medical mistreatment and dismissal. If you have experienced something similar, please know that your instincts matter, your voice matters, and resources to support you are listed below. Most of us like to think of ourselves as open minded. Non-judgmental. But what if our judgment isn't something we're aware of — because it lives quietly inside our own experience, our own circumstances? What if we can only see as far as where we have stood? That is where this conversation begins. Today I'm sitting down with Monique. A mother who noticed early on that something wasn't quite right with her child. Who raised her concerns — and wasn't believed. Who kept pushing, kept questioning, kept advocating — until she finally got the answers her child needed. Answers that confirmed her daughter had been born with a mild form of cerebral palsy. But this episode is about so much more than a diagnosis. It is about what happens when the medical system dismisses a mother's instinct. About the mistreatment Monique experienced along the way. About the choices she made — some of which were unconventional, some of which raised eyebrows, and all of which were hers to make. About a woman who questions the world around her, who challenges what doesn't convince her, and who refuses to accept an answer simply because it comes from authority. And it is about what she says, quietly and with great kindness, at the end of it all: my choice is my choice, and your choice is yours. This episode may challenge you. It may make you uncomfortable at moments. But I'd invite you to listen with openness — and with kindness. Because Monique isn't here to convince you of anything. She simply wants to share her story, and to remind us all that there is not only one right way. In this episode we talk about: Becoming a mother and the early signs that something wasn't quite rightNot being believed by medical professionals — and what that experience felt likeThe diagnosis of mild cerebral palsy and the road to getting thereThe choices Monique made along the way and the responses she receivedTaking matters into her own hands when the system let her downQuestioning authority, doing your own research, and trusting your instinctsWhat she has learned about herself — as a person and as a motherHer powerful closing message: my choice is my choice, your choice is yoursIf you feel you have been dismissed, mistreated, or not listened to by the NHS, here is how to raise a complaint: PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) is a free, confidential service available in most hospitals. They can help you resolve issues informally without needing to make a formal complaint. A great first port of call if you are not sure where to start — nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service NHS England NHS England Complaints — you can make a formal complaint directly to NHS England by emailing england.contactus@nhs.net, marking it "For the attention of the complaints team." Full guidance here — england.nhs.uk/contact-us/feedback-and-complaints/complaint NHS England Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA) is an independent charity that can help patients consider their options after suffering a medical accident, including providing contacts for specialist solicitors. Find them at avma.org.uk House of Commons Library Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) — if you are not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled, you can escalate to the Ombudsman. It is a free, independent service. Visit ombudsman.org.uk or call 0345 015 4033. NHS England Healthwatch — an independent statutory body that helps make sure your feedback is heard. Search for your local Healthwatch online to find support and complaints advocacy in your area. House of Commons Library Resources for Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral Palsy UK — cerebralpalsy.org.uk — information, support and guidance for familiesScope — scope.org.uk — disability charity offering support for families of children with cerebral palsyContact — contact.org.uk — support for families of children with any disability or medical conditionIf this episode resonated with you — whether because you have felt dismissed by the medical system, or because Monique's story challenged the way you think — please share it. There is a parent out there who needs to hear this today. And as Monique so beautifully puts it: my choice is my choice, your choice is yours. 💛 💛 Raising with the Village This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.  New episodes every Thursday! 🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/ 📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms. If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.

  3. Jun 25

    #20 - Liz - I Didn't Want Kids ... Until I Did: One Mum's Hilarious Take on Life with Twins

    Some episodes make you think. Some make you cry. And some make you laugh so hard you forget you're even listening to a podcast. This is one of those. Today I'm sitting down with Liz — self-proclaimed mum of four year old twins, and honestly, the funniest guest I have had on this show to date. Fair warning: the giggles are very much part of this episode. I am not sorry. Liz didn't grow up dreaming of motherhood. For a long time, children simply weren't part of the picture. And then she met her partner. And everything changed. Suddenly she knew — she wanted this. She wanted a family. What she didn't see coming was two. In this conversation, Liz takes us right back to the beginning — what she really thought about having children when she was younger, the moment everything shifted when she met the right person, and then the moment she found out she wasn't just expecting a baby. She was expecting twins. We talk about the pregnancy, the preparation, and the beautiful, exhausting, hilarious reality of bringing two tiny humans into the world at the same time. Liz has this incredible gift of finding the funny in everything — the chaos, the sleepless nights, the moments that are equal parts adorable and completely unhinged — and she shares it all with a warmth and an honesty that will leave you smiling long after the episode ends. And running underneath all the laughter is something quietly profound. A woman who once couldn't picture herself as a mum, who now cannot imagine how she ever thought she didn't want this life. If you've just found out you're expecting twins — this one is for you. If you're in the thick of twin life — this one is definitely for you. And if you just need a feel good episode today — well. You're in the right place. In this episode we talk about: What Liz really thought about having children before she met her partnerThe moment she knew she wanted to become a mumFinding out she was expecting twins and what that moment was likeThe twin pregnancy — the highs, the lows, and everything in betweenBringing two babies home at the same time and surviving to tell the taleThe funniest and most chaotic moments of twin lifeHow life with twins has completely exceeded every expectation she hadIf this episode made you smile, share it with someone who needs a feel good listen today. And if you are a twin parent with a story to tell, I would love to hear from you — get in touch and come join the village. 💛 💛 Raising with the Village This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.  New episodes every Thursday! 🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/ 📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms. If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.

  4. Jun 11

    #19 - Simon - Breaking the Cycle: How Sye MC Chose to Become the Dad He Never Had

    Breaking the Cycle: How Sye MC Chose to Become the Dad He Never Had Some people drift into parenthood. Others walk into it with their eyes wide open, having done the quiet, unglamorous work of looking at their own childhood and deciding — consciously, deliberately — to do things differently. Simon, known to many as Sye MC, is one of those people. In this episode, Simon takes us back to the beginning. Growing up in an unconventional family set up, navigating a childhood that didn't always look like everyone else's. And then, at twenty years old, becoming a dad himself. Young, but already asking the right questions. What kind of father do I want to be? What patterns do I want to break? What do I want my son to feel that I didn't always have? He talks about the relationship he built with his first son — the intention behind it, the love that drove it, and the version of himself he was still growing into at the time. Then life shifted. In his late twenties, Simon met his now wife. And by the time he became a father again in his mid thirties, he was standing in a completely different place. Financially stable, emotionally grounded, and equipped in ways his younger self simply wasn't. The contrast between those two chapters of fatherhood — and what he learned in the years between them — is at the heart of this conversation. This is an episode about growth. About generational healing. About the courage it takes to look at where you came from and choose a different path. And about what it really means to parent with intention. In this episode we talk about: Growing up in an unconventional family set up and what that looked likeBecoming a dad at twenty and the conscious choices that followedBreaking generational cycles and parenting with intentionBuilding a deep and meaningful relationship with his first sonMeeting his wife and becoming a dad again in his mid thirtiesThe difference between who he was at twenty and who he becameGenerational healing and what we choose to pass on to our childrenGrowth, self-awareness, and showing up as the parent you want to beIf this episode resonated with you — whether you're a young parent finding your feet, someone actively working to break a cycle, or simply a parent who wants to show up with more intention — I'd love for you to share it with someone who might need to hear it today. And if you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, get in touch. This village is always growing. 💛 💛 Raising with the Village This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.  New episodes every Thursday! 🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/ 📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms. If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.

  5. May 28

    #18 - Anita - Pregnancy Loss, a Lung Defect, and the First Year Nobody Prepares You For

    Anita: Pregnancy Loss, a Lung Defect, and the First Year Nobody Prepares You For Please note: this episode contains a discussion about pregnancy loss. Please take care of yourself as you listen. Anita first joined us in episode seven, where she shared her birth experiences with an elective and an emergency C-section — and mentioned, almost in passing, that her daughter had been born with a lung defect. Today, she comes back to tell us the rest of the story. Before she does, Anita opens up about something she hadn't shared before — the loss of a pregnancy in her late first trimester. She speaks about it with honesty and tenderness, and with the kind of quiet courage that I know will resonate with so many of you. And then she takes us into her daughter's first year and a half of life. Her daughter was born with CPAM — Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation — a rare lung condition that was picked up during pregnancy. What followed was a journey of scans, hospital appointments, consultants, and waiting. The kind of waiting that sits with you every single day. Until the surgery. This episode is for every parent who has started their parenting journey on a hospital ward. Every parent who has learned a medical language they never wanted to know. And every parent who has loved their child through something terrifying, and found a strength they didn't know they had. In this episode we talk about: Experiencing pregnancy loss in the late first trimesterReceiving a CPAM diagnosis during pregnancyWhat CPAM is and what it means for your babyThe follow-up appointments, scans, and hospital visits in the first yearPreparing for and navigating your baby's surgeryThe emotional load of parenting a baby with a medical conditionFinding community and support when your parenting journey looks differentWhat is CPAM? CPAM (Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation) is a rare congenital lung condition where abnormal tissue develops in the lung during pregnancy. It varies in severity — some babies require surgery, others are monitored over time. If your baby has been diagnosed with CPAM, know that you are not alone. Resources & Support CPAM Community & Support Groups Parents of CPAM — Facebook group recommended by Anita, a community of parents navigating a CPAM diagnosis togetherCPAM Support Group UK — search on Facebook for UK-based parent communities around CPAM and congenital lung conditionsGreat Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) — gosh.nhs.uk — offers information and guidance on congenital lung conditions and treatment pathwaysBritish Lung Foundation / Asthma + Lung UK — asthmaandlung.org.uk — resources on lung conditions in childrenContact (for families of disabled children) — contact.org.uk — provides support and advice for families of children with any medical condition or disabilityFor Pregnancy Loss Support Tommy's — tommys.org — leading UK charity supporting parents through pregnancy loss, with information, helplines, and communityThe Miscarriage Association — miscarriageassociation.org.uk — support and information for anyone affected by pregnancy lossSands — sands.org.uk — supports anyone affected by the death of a babyFor Finding Your Village Peanut App — peanut-app.io — an app designed to help mums connect with other mums nearby. Anita uses it and loves it! Available in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia among others — worth checking availability in your country.If this episode resonated with you — whether you've been through pregnancy loss, you're navigating a diagnosis, or you've spent time on a hospital ward with your little one — please share it with someone who might need to hear it. And if you'd like to share your own story on the podcast, get in touch. As always, thank you for being part of this village. 💛 💛 Raising with the Village This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.  New episodes every Thursday! 🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/ 📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms. If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.

  6. May 14

    #17 - Phil - The Other Half of the Village: A Chef, a Dad, and the Honest Truth About Hospitality Parenting

    The Other Half of the Village: A Chef, a Dad, and the Honest Truth About Hospitality Parenting If you listened to last week's episode with Hollie, you'll know the reality of parenting when your life runs opposite to everyone else's. This week, we hear from the other side of that story. Phil is a chef. His days start when most people's are ending. His weekends look nothing like yours. And his version of fatherhood has been built around late nights, long shifts, and a schedule that leaves very little room for the ordinary rhythms of family life. In this conversation, Phil opens up about what it really means to be a present dad in the hospitality industry — the solo parenting days, the exhaustion, the joy, and the quiet weight of doing it all while the rest of the world is asleep. We also get into some bigger questions. Could he imagine having more children with this life set up? And what do we really think about people who choose not to have children at all — and does our judgement change depending on who's making that choice? This is a rich, honest, and at times unexpected conversation. One that goes beyond the kitchen and into the heart of what modern fatherhood can look like. In this episode we talk about: What a typical day looks like as a chef and a dadParenting solo when schedules don't alignBecoming a father and how it changed his perspectiveWhether having more children is possible — or desirable — with this lifestyleThe societal pressure around parenthood choices, and the gender divide in how we judge themIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent who might need to hear it — or leave a review. It means the world and helps this village grow. 💛 Raising with the Village This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.  New episodes every Thursday! 🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/ 📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms. If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.

  7. Apr 30

    #16 - Hollie - Raising a Child When You Work Nights, Weekends and Opposite Schedules

    What happens when both parents work when everyone else is at home? In this episode of Raising with the Village, I’m joined by Hollie to talk about the reality of raising a child while working nights, weekends, and opposite shifts in the hospitality industry. When your family life runs against the rhythm of society, parenting can look very different. Nursery pick-ups, mealtimes, weekends, holidays, even time with your partner — everything takes more planning, more sacrifice, and often comes with a level of loneliness that many people don’t see. Hollie shares what it’s like to parent as a couple when you’re often simply passing each other, how their relationship has adapted, how they protect connection as partners, and the silent exhaustion that can come with feeling like a solo parent, even within a two-parent household. This is an honest and important conversation about invisible labour, shift work, modern family life, and a side of parenting we don’t talk about nearly enough. In This Episode We Cover  Parenting while working nights, weekends and irregular hours  What it means to raise a child on opposite shifts  The hidden loneliness of parenting in hospitality  Feeling like a solo parent while co-parenting  Protecting your relationship when you barely see each other  The emotional and practical realities of shift work family life  Why non-traditional working families deserve more visibility Why This Episode Matters This episode shines a light on a reality many families live, but few talk about openly. Whether you work in hospitality, healthcare, emergency services, retail, aviation, or any job involving shift work, this conversation may feel deeply familiar. And if you don’t — this episode offers an important window into a version of parenting many people don’t often see. Mentioned in This Episode  Life as a hospitality family  Parenting on opposite schedules  Relationship resilience after becoming parents  The invisible mental load of non-traditional family life Connect with Raising with the Village 🌿 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk 📷 Instagram: https://instagram.com/raisingwiththevillage 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ If this episode resonated with you, please follow, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need to hear it. 💛 Raising with the Village This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.  New episodes every Thursday! 🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/ 📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms. If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.

  8. Apr 16

    #15 - Siobhan - Unexpected Birth Abroad: Navigating Premature Birth & New Motherhood (Part 2)

    What would you do if your baby arrived early… while you were on holiday, in a country where you don’t speak the language? In this powerful two-part story, Siobhan shares her experience of going into labour at just 32 weeks while abroad in France—completely unprepared for what was about to happen. From the shock of a premature birth in a foreign healthcare system, to time spent in the NICU, and the emotional rollercoaster that followed, this is an honest and eye-opening account of how quickly plans can change—and how resilience takes over when it has to. In Part 1, we follow the unexpected lead-up to labour and the birth itself. In Part 2, we explore the practical and emotional realities of life after NICU, navigating early parenthood abroad, and what it really means to care for a premature baby far from home. 💬 In this episode, we cover:  Premature birth at 32 weeks while travelling abroad  Navigating a foreign healthcare system without speaking the language  NICU experience away from home  The transition from NICU to maternity ward  The emotional impact of unexpected birth experiences  Practical challenges of early parenthood in another country  Preparing (or not!) for a baby arriving early ✈️ Travelling While Pregnant or With Young Children If you’re pregnant or travelling with little ones, this episode highlights just how important preparation can be. Some key things to consider: Travel insurance when pregnant: Make sure your policy covers pregnancy-related complications, premature birth, and neonatal care. Not all standard policies include this. Essential documents to carry:  Maternity notes / pregnancy records  Passport + copies  European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC) or equivalent  Emergency contact details  Birth preferences (if later in pregnancy) Before you travel:  Check airline policies for pregnant passengers  Know where the nearest hospital is at your destination  Discuss travel plans with your midwife or doctor 🩺 Additional Topics Mentioned Group B Strep (GBS): A common bacteria that some women carry without symptoms, but which can be passed to babies during birth. Awareness and testing can be important, especially in premature deliveries.👉 Learn more:  https://www.gbss.org.uk 🤍 Final Thoughts This story is a reminder that birth doesn’t always go to plan—and sometimes, the most unexpected journeys become the most defining ones. 💛 Raising with the Village This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.  New episodes every Thursday! 🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/ 📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms. If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.

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About

Raising with the Village Because it really does take a village to raise a child — and most of us don’t have one anymore. Raising with the Village is a podcast about the real stories of parenthood — from pregnancy to the early school years and everything in between. Each episode shares an honest, unfiltered conversation with a parent who’s been there: through the highs, the lows, the unexpected turns and the moments that change everything. No experts. No judgement. Just real people sharing their experiences — because when we talk openly about what we’ve been through, we help someone else feel less alone. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby, navigating the chaos of toddlerhood, or simply figuring it out one day at a time, this is your virtual village — a place to listen, relate, and remind yourself that you’re doing better than you think. 🎧 Hosted by Maeva,Parent, storyteller, and believer that there’s power — and comfort — in sharing our stories.

Information

  • Creator
    Maeva
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Raising with the village
  • Show Website
    Raising with the village