Parent Unplugged

Charis Halsall
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Parent Unplugged is a parenting podcast built on real stories. Through raw, honest conversations, we explore what it actually feels like to raise children - the moments no one prepares you for, the thoughts you don’t say out loud, and the experiences that change you. From everyday overwhelm to life-altering challenges, each episode brings you inside the reality of parenting - not the polished version. If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one struggling, thinking or feeling a certain way… you’re not.

  1. 11h ago

    Autistic Elopement: The Day My 3-Year-Old Drowned

    When Alex Jean received a frantic phone call telling her that her three-year-old daughter Ayda was in a lake, her first thought was: “She must be dead.” Ayda had never run off before. At the time, Alex had never even heard of autistic elopement or understood the particular risks that water can pose for autistic children. By the time Alex arrived home, emergency crews were fighting to save her daughter’s life. Ayda had been pulled from the water unresponsive and given CPR. At hospital, Alex was warned that even if she survived, she could be left with severe brain damage. What happened next was extraordinary. In this episode of Parent Unplugged, Alex takes Charis through the terrifying events of that day, Ayda’s remarkable recovery, and the lasting trauma of almost losing her child. She also explains what she has since learned about autistic elopement and water safety, the measures she now takes to keep Ayda safe, why she believes families need greater awareness and access to swimming lessons, and the judgement parents can face when a child elopes. Following the devastating death of three-year-old Noah Woods, Alex also shares why his story brought everything flooding back - and why she has so much compassion for a family experiencing unimaginable loss. ⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses child drowning, near-drowning and contains descriptions of a child in distress. Ayda survived and is alive and well today. #AutismAwareness #AutisticElopement #WaterSafety #ParentingPodcast #ParentUnplugged

    Autistic Elopement: The Day My 3-Year-Old Drowned

  2. Sep 20

    Amy Hart: Motherhood After Miscarriage

    Amy Hart joins Parent Unplugged to talk openly about her journey to motherhood - from fertility testing and freezing her eggs to experiencing two miscarriages, pregnancy after loss and adjusting to life with two young boys. Amy shares why she always knew she wanted to be a mum, how miscarriage changed the way she experienced pregnancy, the reality of going from one child to two, and why she’s already thinking about growing her family again. A warm, funny and honest conversation about fertility, loss, motherhood and learning to embrace the chaos while it lasts.

    Amy Hart: Motherhood After Miscarriage

  3. Sep 13

    Ollie Locke: The Journey To Fatherhood

    Ollie Locke joins Parent Unplugged to share the deeply personal journey that led him and his husband Gareth to becoming dads to their twins. From the challenges and financial pressures of surrogacy, to multiple failed pregnancies and losing six embryos, Ollie opens up about the heartbreak, uncertainty and moments when he wondered if fatherhood would ever happen for them. He shares how they eventually welcomed their twins, the terrifying experience of their premature birth, and what it was really like spending weeks in NICU. Ollie also talks honestly about becoming a parent, the unexpected challenges of raising twins, the importance of kindness and equality, and his hopes for his children growing up with two dads. This episode is an honest and emotional conversation about surrogacy, LGBTQ+ parenting, premature babies, NICU, fatherhood, fertility, parenthood and the long road to building a family. If you're considering surrogacy, navigating fertility struggles, parenting premature babies, or simply want to hear an honest story about the highs and lows of becoming a parent, Ollie's story is one you won't want to miss. 🎙️ Listen to the full episode of Parent Unplugged now.

    Ollie Locke: The Journey To Fatherhood

  4. Sep 7

    This Wasn't Just Morning Sickness

    What if pregnancy meant being violently sick up to 40 times a day, spending months bedridden, and questioning whether you could survive another day? This week on Parent Unplugged, Charis sits down with Amy Never, who shares the devastating reality of living with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) - a severe pregnancy illness that affects around 1% of pregnancies but is so much more than "morning sickness." Amy opens up about: Being bedridden for months and unable to keep even water down. Repeated hospital visits, feeling dismissed, and the trauma of spending hours in A&E. Losing weight, losing her confidence, and considering pregnancy termination out of sheer desperation. The emotional toll HG took on her marriage, career and identity. Why she believes women with HG deserve better support and understanding. Finding hope, healing and purpose after the darkest chapter of motherhood. This is an incredibly honest conversation about maternal mental health, invisible illness, the pressure of motherhood, and why so many women suffer in silence. Whether you've experienced HG yourself, supported someone who has, or simply want to better understand what some parents endure, this episode is an important listen. 🎧 Topics covered: Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) Pregnancy complications Maternal mental health Pregnancy trauma Miscarriage after-effects Career and motherhood Hospital experiences Support networks for mums Parenting after trauma Women's health awareness

    This Wasn't Just Morning Sickness

  5. Aug 30

    Rebuilding Life After Everything Changed

    When Francesca Amber found herself pregnant with twins during the pandemic, everything changed. Already a single mum, she suddenly faced losing her business, financial uncertainty, isolation, and the overwhelming reality of raising three children alone. In this honest conversation, Francesca opens up about the grief of losing the motherhood experience she imagined, why she struggled to bond with her twins, the guilt she still carries, and how she rebuilt her life one step at a time. Together, we explore single motherhood, identity, resilience, and what it really takes to keep going when life doesn't go to plan. Whether you're a single parent, feeling lost in motherhood, or simply navigating a difficult season, this episode is a reminder that it's possible to rebuild - even when everything feels like it's falling apart.

    Rebuilding Life After Everything Changed

  6. Aug 26

    When OCD Took Over Motherhood

    Ashleigh was diagnosed with OCD before becoming a mum, but when she fell pregnant with her daughter Aurora, her intrusive thoughts became all-consuming. In this powerful highlight episode, she opens up about the fear that her baby would die, the compulsions and constant reassurance-seeking that took over her pregnancy, and how the loss of her mum's baby before she was born shaped her deepest fears. She also shares the reality of her postpartum OCD, the terrifying health anxiety that followed Aurora's birth, and the guilt she carries over feeling like she couldn't fully enjoy those precious first weeks with her baby. But this is ultimately a story of hope. Ashleigh talks about finding the right treatment, having another baby, and learning that the thoughts that once consumed her don't have to last forever. A raw and honest conversation about OCD, intrusive thoughts, pregnancy, postpartum mental health, motherhood and finding your way back to yourself.

    When OCD Took Over Motherhood

  7. Aug 23

    Our IVF Journey & Heartbreak

    What happens when your dream of becoming a parent is met with heartbreak? In this deeply honest episode of Parent Unplugged, Peggy opens up about her IVF journey, the hope of finally seeing a positive pregnancy test, and the devastating moment everything changed. Peggy shares the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, and the reality of navigating grief while sharing her story online. She also reflects on the unexpected support she found from complete strangers, the resilience it took to keep going, and why she's determined to help others feel less alone. This is a powerful conversation about hope, heartbreak, and finding strength when life doesn't go to plan. If you've experienced infertility, IVF, miscarriage, or pregnancy loss, we hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone. ❤️ Subscribe for more honest conversations about parenting, fertility, mental health and family life. #IVF #Miscarriage #PregnancyLoss #FertilityJourney #ParentUnplugged

    Our IVF Journey & Heartbreak

  8. Aug 19

    Christine McGuinness On Autism & Motherhood

    Christine McGuinness opens up about raising three autistic children, receiving her own autism diagnosis, navigating motherhood, divorce and family life, and learning to embrace parenting on her family’s own terms.

    Christine McGuinness On Autism & Motherhood
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Parent Unplugged is a parenting podcast built on real stories. Through raw, honest conversations, we explore what it actually feels like to raise children - the moments no one prepares you for, the thoughts you don’t say out loud, and the experiences that change you. From everyday overwhelm to life-altering challenges, each episode brings you inside the reality of parenting - not the polished version. If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one struggling, thinking or feeling a certain way… you’re not.

Information

  • Creator
    Charis Halsall
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    122
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Charis Halsall
  • Show Website
    Parent Unplugged
  • Provider
    Charis Halsall