Growing Pains

HoneyKids Asia
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  • Parenting
  • Updated weekly

Growing Pains is a podcast from HoneyKids Asia for the conversations parents want to have after the kids go to bed. In each episode, we speak to experts, parents, and people with lived experience about the realities of raising kids today — from relationships, identity, mental health and screen time to school pressure, family dynamics, and everything in between. These are honest, thoughtful conversations that say the things many parents are thinking, but rarely say out loud. No judgement, no perfect parenting, just real stories, practical insights, and a reminder that none of us are figuring it out alone.

  1. When Your Child Says "I Don't Fit In" | James Sweeney, One World International School

    1 day ago

    When Your Child Says "I Don't Fit In" | James Sweeney, One World International School

    Most parents wait for belonging to happen. James Sweeney says that's exactly the problem. James is the head of One World International School's Nanyang Campus, with students from over 70 nationalities. He's also spent his whole career watching children walk into rooms where they don't know anyone and figuring out how to make that okay. In this conversation, he unpacks what schools that get this right actually do differently, what parents say on the hard nights that help versus hurt, and how to tell the difference between a rough week and something that needs action. He also goes on record, carefully, about what school is actually for. And it is more than just grades. "I don't think I fit in." Few things hit a parent harder than those words. This episode is the conversation to have before, during, or after your child says them. James Sweeney has led schools across the UK, South Korea, China, and Singapore. He knows what belonging looks like when it's working, what it looks like when it isn't, and what the difference usually comes down to. Spoiler: it isn't luck, personality, or finding the right buddy on day one. Steph brings her own experience too, moving to Singapore at 13, crying every day for months, and the buddy assigned to her who she didn't connect with at all. About JamesJames Sweeney is Head of One World International School, Nanyang Campus, Singapore, a school of over 70 nationalities built around a single core value: kindness. He began his career as an early years and primary school teacher in Birmingham and has since led schools in South Korea, China, and Singapore. One World International School: owis.org Chapters00:00 — Cold open02:30 — Belonging is by design, not luck04:40 — How schools spot the child who is struggling07:20 — What to say to your child that night09:00 — Kindness across 70 nationalities: defining it when it means different things12:00 — The quiet child who sang Japanese rock on stage13:00 — When a best friend leaves: friendship grief is real16:00 — The difference between a hard day and bullying18:20 — What school is actually for (a Singapore school head goes on record)22:00 — Rapid fire Connect with Growing PainsGrowing Pains is HoneyKids Asia's podcast for the conversations you want to have after the kids go to bed. YouTube: @growingpains.honeykidsInstagram: @honeykidsasiaWebsite: honeykidsasia.com Hit subscribe so you don't miss an episode. If this one helped, send it to a parent in their first few weeks of new school fog. It might be exactly what they need. Growing Pains is produced in partnership with Poddster, Singapore's podcast studio. #GrowingPains #HoneyKidsAsia #JamesSweeney #OneWorldInternationalSchool #Parenting #ExpatParenting #SingaporeParenting #BelongingByDesign #SchoolTransition #ChildWellbeing #ParentingTips #KidsAndFriendships #SchoolLife #BackToSchool #RaisingKids

    25 min
  2. Colic, COVID & Career Curveballs: One Mum's Story of Survival

    25 May

    Colic, COVID & Career Curveballs: One Mum's Story of Survival

    What do you do when everything falls apart at once and nobody's coming to save you? Shireen Jones has lived a version of that question most of us can't imagine. She was one of Singapore's first 200 COVID-19 cases. She lost a nine-year teaching career weeks after discharge, for a reason that has to be heard to be believed. Then came a pregnancy that broke her, a baby who wouldn't stop crying for three months, and a comeback story she didn't see coming. Chris sits down with the mum-of-one, content creator, and host of the Rawmama podcast for a conversation about survival, mom rage, broken systems, and the kind of advice every new parent actually needs but rarely gets. Some weeks, motherhood is hard. Some weeks, life piles on so much that you genuinely wonder if you'll come out the other side. Shireen Jones has had a lot of those weeks and this conversation is what happens when you talk to someone who's lived through several at once and is willing to share the raw truth outloud. She and Chris cover what it was actually like inside NCID as Singapore's COVID case #200, how systems and communities fail the people they're supposed to protect, the mental toll of a colicky newborn, and what helped her crawl back to herself. (In partnership with Poddster) About ShireenShireen Jones is a Singapore-based content creator, mum of one, and host of the Rawmama podcast. A teacher of nine years before motherhood, she now uses her platform to talk about parenting without a filter, the rage, the recovery, the dark comedy of it all. Instagram: @shireenbruha What You'll Take AwayWhat 26 days inside NCID was actually like as one of Singapore's earliest COVID casesThe real story behind Shireen's termination, and the ten months of job-hunting that followedWhy community failure (not just system failure) is happeningWhat infant colic genuinely looks like from the inside, and why most "quick fixes" don't workShireen's 50,000-view rule for protecting her mental health from comment sectionsThe postpartum symptoms nobody warned her about, including 18 months of night sweats she mistook for early menopauseWhy "trauma bonding" with other new mums creates friendships that last decades Timestamps00:00 | When everything falls apart 02:39 | 26 days trapped in a COVID hospital as Singapore's case #200 03:47 | Fired after COVID 06:15 | Broken systems 10:11 | Bedridden for nine months 12:11 | How a million-view Instagram started out of pure boredom 14:06 | Three months of colic 16:14 | When your husband goes back to work 17:05 | Trauma-bonding over newborns 18:51 | The postpartum symptom that nobody warns 20:18 | Advice for parents in their own crazy storm 23:26 | Any mom can be a content creator 25:06 | The one thing to whisper to yourself 26:07 | Three things to take away Connect with Growing PainsGrowing Pains is HoneyKids Asia's podcast for the conversations you want to have after the kids go to bed. YouTube: @growingpains.honeykidsInstagram: @growingpains.honeykidsWebsite: https://honeykidsasia.com/podcast/ Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss an episode. If this one resonates, share it with a parent who needs to hear it. Growing Pains is produced in partnership with Poddster, Singapore's podcast studio. #ShireenRawMamaPodcast, #GrowingPainsPodcast, #HoneyKidsAsia, #SingaporeCOVIDStory, #InfantColic, #Postpartumdepression, #Traumabondingmotherhood, #NewMomMentalHealth, #ParentingPodcastSingapore, #MomBurnout, #MaternalRegret, #Momsbeinghonest

    28 min
  3. Growing Pains by HoneyKids Asia

    Season 8 Trailer

    Growing Pains by HoneyKids Asia

    Welcome to Growing Pains by Honey Kids Asia! I'm Steph Dickson, a mother of one with another on the way, and this is the podcast for the conversations parents actually want to have. We're diving into things like: Am I accidentally gaslighting myself with my own beliefs? Is telling my kids to "think positively" actually making things worse? Why does my partner suddenly forget how the washing machine works? And where exactly did I stop feeling like me? (And which kid is my favourite? Just kidding!) This season, we've lined up incredible guests: a New York Times bestselling author who teaches us how to be indestructible, a psychologist who calls "happy wife, happy life" an emotional cage, an entrepreneur who puts 'woman first, mother second,' and a happiness scientist who will be the first to tell you that she's not happy all the time. This podcast is no judgment, no fluff, just the real stuff. New episodes are coming weekly, so subscribe wherever you listen or watch, and we'll look forward to seeing you again soon. #GrowingPainsPodcast #HoneyKidsAsia #ParentingConversations #ModernParenting #MotherhoodUnfiltered #MentalHealthInParenting #RealParentingTalks #WorkLifeBalance #ParentingJourney

    1 min
  4. Parenting Playbook Ep 9: Should my preschooler be using AI?

    08/12/2025

    Parenting Playbook Ep 9: Should my preschooler be using AI?

    From the workplace to our children’s schools, AI is gradually becoming the norm in our daily lives. But how young is too young for children to be using AI? Our latest episode of Parenting Playbook discusses the use of AI in preschool classrooms with Wu Jing, CEO and co-founder of House on the Hill. Jing will touch on the pros and cons of using AI in early childhood education, share best practices for doing so, and explore how AI can enhance rather than replace hands-on learning at this young age. She will provide insights from early childhood education and discuss how AI is connected to our daily lives, showing how we can better support children’s healthy growth and development. Featured voices Syazana Hishamuddin, Editor, HoneyKids Asia and mother of three.Wu Jing, CEO and co-founder of House on the Hill and mother of two. Visit the HoneyKids Asia website for more information on all things family fun, and join in on the conversation on Facebook or follow us on Instagram to keep up-to-date on our latest discussions.

    37 min

  5. 24/11/2025

    S7 Episode 8: Christmas gift guide for the whole family

    It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — and gift panic season is here! In this episode, Syaz and Andrina unwrap their favourite Christmas gift ideas for the whole family. From DIY craft kits and cuddly toys for the little ones, to gadgets and gift cards for teens, and spa-day treats and festive sleepwear for parents, they’ve got every name on your list covered (even dads!). Tune in to this fun chat with practical ideas, and a sprinkle of holiday humour with “Mini Mouth Moment”. Grab your hot chocolate and let the holiday shopping begin — merry, bright, and stress-free! Time Codes: 03:35 - Gift ideas for children 05:00 - Gift ideas for teens 07:20 - Gift ideas for Mum or any tired parent! 09:25 - Gift ideas for Dad 10:10 - Gift ideas for the entire family 10:51 - Mini Mouth Moments of the week Check out our full Christmas gift guide for the whole family and 40 of our favourite toy stores in Singapore! Featured voices Syazana Hishamuddin, Editor, HoneyKids Asia and mother of three.Andrina Loo, lifestyle writer at HoneyKids Asia and mother of one. Visit the HoneyKids Asia website for more information on all things family fun, and join in on the conversation on Facebook or follow us on Instagram to keep up-to-date on our latest discussions.

    16 min

  6. 17/11/2025

    S7 Episode 7: Kid-friendly restaurants and cafes in Singapore

    Eating out with kids CAN be enjoyable, we promise! Syaz and Andrina share kid-friendly restaurants and cafés in Singapore, all tried-and-tested (and loved) by the team at HoneyKids Asia. Tune in as they take you around Singapore, from lush enclaves to hilltop views, from beachside dining to brunch vibes — to places where parents can actually finish a meal! Bonus, some restaurants even have playgrounds or bouncy castles on site!  Time Codes: 00:47 - Arbora @ Mount Faber Peak 01:39 - Small Batch at Botanic Gardens 02:24 - Tiong Bahru Bakery 03:04 - Open Farm Community 03:39 - Trapizza on Sentosa 04:22 - Coastes on Sentosa 05:00 - Wheeler’s Estate at Seletar Aerospace Park  05:56 - Fusion Spoon at Jurong Lake Gardens 06:50 - Café Melba 08:00 - Mini Mouth Moments of The Week Check out the full list of 60+ Kid-friendly restaurants and cafes in Singapore. And we’ve got a vegan version too! Featured voices Syazana Hishamuddin, Editor, HoneyKids Asia and mother of three.Andrina Loo, lifestyle writer at HoneyKids Asia and mother of one. Visit the HoneyKids Asia website for more information on all things family fun, and join in on the conversation on Facebook or follow us on Instagram to keep up-to-date on our latest discussions.

    12 min

  7. 10/11/2025

    S7 Episode 6: Best indoor playgrounds in Singapore

    Rain or shine, parents — we’ve got you covered! In this episode, Syaz and Andrina chat about one of the top parenting MVPs: indoor playgrounds. They cover everything from cool slopes and thrilling rides to science-filled fun and themed play areas, so every kid, big or small, gets their fun. Find out about some of their favourite spots for kids to climb, explore and burn energy, while parents sit back with a coffee ☕! Plus, they share handy tips on what to pack, when to go, and more. Tune in, stay dry, and make your next playday a fun day — no sunshine required! Time Codes: 02:00 - Snow City 03:13 - KidsSTOP (Science Centre Singapore) 03:53 - SuperPark (Suntec City), watch on Instagram 05:02 - Kiztopia, various locations around Singapore 05:40 - T-Play by HomeTeamNS at Bukit Batok and Khatib 06:29 - The Artground (Goodman Arts Centre) 07:45 - Practical tips to note 09:25 - Mini Mouth Moments of the week Check out the full list of 60+ best indoor playgrounds in Singapore: Playgrounds kids of all ages will love! Featured voices Syazana Hishamuddin, Editor, HoneyKids Asia and mother of three.Andrina Loo, lifestyle writer at HoneyKids Asia and mother of one. Visit the HoneyKids Asia website for more information on all things family fun, and join in on the conversation on Facebook or follow us on Instagram to keep up-to-date on our latest discussions.

    12 min

  8. 03/11/2025

    S7 Episode 5: How to order coffee and tea like a local in Singapore

    Before cafes, there were kopitiams – which come with a language of their own! If you’ve ever stood at a hawker stall wondering what on earth kopi C peng siew dai means, this one’s for you! In this episode, Syaz and Andrina spill the teh (tea) on how to order coffee and tea like a true local in Singapore. From kopi O kosong (think, rich Americano) and teh tarik (pulled milk tea) to special concoctions like yuan yang (tea and coffee) and everything in between, they break down the lingo and share tips for your next kopi session. In true ‘kopitiam talk’ spirit, they even share a few hilarious “Mini Mouth Moments” from their kids. Tune in and learn to caffeinate the local way. You might just find your next favourite drink that’s not a strawberry matcha!  Time codes: 1: 06 - Kopi siew dai 1: 44 - Kopi C peng 2: 07 - Back to basics of kopi and teh 2: 15 -  Kopi O 2: 20 - Kopi C 2: 25 - Kopi 2: 34 - Teh 2: 41 - Teh O 2: 47 - Teh C 3: 26 - Teh Tarik 3: 53 - What to expect at different drink stalls 4: 18 - Yuan Yang 4: 50 - Kopi C peng siew dai gao 5: 25 - Kopi ti lo 6: 11 - Kopitiam culture  7: 52 - Mini Mouth Moment of the Week Don’t forget to check our full guide to Ordering coffee and tea like a local in Singapore. Featured voices Syazana Hishamuddin, Editor, HoneyKids Asia and mother of three.Andrina Loo, lifestyle writer at HoneyKids Asia and mother of one. Visit the HoneyKids Asia website for more information on all things family fun, and join in on the conversation on Facebook or follow us on Instagram to keep up-to-date on our latest discussions.

    11 min
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Trailer

About

Growing Pains is a podcast from HoneyKids Asia for the conversations parents want to have after the kids go to bed. In each episode, we speak to experts, parents, and people with lived experience about the realities of raising kids today — from relationships, identity, mental health and screen time to school pressure, family dynamics, and everything in between. These are honest, thoughtful conversations that say the things many parents are thinking, but rarely say out loud. No judgement, no perfect parenting, just real stories, practical insights, and a reminder that none of us are figuring it out alone.

Information

  • Creator
    HoneyKids Asia
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 HoneyKids Asia
  • Show Website
    Growing Pains