Parent Unplugged

Charis Halsall
  • 5.0 (3)
  • 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. How Much Screen Time Is Too Much?

    1D AGO

    How Much Screen Time Is Too Much?

    What age should kids get a smartphone - and are we getting it wrong? In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest parenting debates right now: screen time, smartphones, and how to support children’s emotional development in a digital world. From toddler tantrums to teenage group chats, we unpack what’s actually going on beneath behaviour - and why emotional regulation is a skill that takes practice, not punishment. We talk about why telling kids to “calm down” often backfires, how to respond to big emotions in a way that actually works, and why perfection isn’t the goal when it comes to parenting. The conversation also explores the reality of screen use today - breaking down the difference between screens vs content, the pressures parents face, and how to set healthy boundaries without guilt. You’ll also hear practical advice on: Managing tantrums and emotional outbursts Teaching kids lifelong coping skills Setting realistic screen time boundaries Navigating smartphones, social media, and peer pressure Modelling healthy behaviour as a parent This is an honest, relatable conversation for any parent trying to do their best in a world that feels increasingly overwhelming. Because it’s not about getting it perfect - it’s about making small, meaningful changes that actually stick.

    58 min
  2. ADHD Parenting No One Talks About

    APR 27

    ADHD Parenting No One Talks About

    Parenting advice often assumes the parent is organised, patient and consistent. But what happens when the parent themselves has ADHD? In this episode, I’m joined by ADHD parenting coach Lauren, who shares her honest experience of raising children while navigating ADHD herself. We talk about the hidden challenges of parenting with a dysregulated nervous system, why traditional parenting advice often doesn’t work for neurodivergent families, and the shame many ADHD parents quietly carry. Lauren opens up about her own diagnosis, the emotional impact of growing up with undiagnosed ADHD, and the moment she realised just how overwhelmed she had become as a parent. Together we explore the realities of raising neurodivergent children, why self-compassion is so important, and how parents can begin to regulate themselves so they can better support their kids. This is an honest, validating conversation for any parent who has ever wondered if they’re doing enough. In this episode we discuss: What it’s really like parenting with ADHD Why most parenting advice isn’t designed for neurodivergent parents The shame many ADHD parents carry Why ADHD isn’t a “lack of attention” How self-compassion can transform parenting

    41 min
  3. Signs of Anxiety in Children

    APR 22

    Signs of Anxiety in Children

    In this highlight episode, child anxiety specialist Dr Katie Bartsch explains how anxiety shows up in children - and why many anxious kids are simply deeply feeling and highly sensitive. Dr Katie shares how to recognise the difference between normal childhood worries and true anxiety, why phrases like “you’re fine” can actually invalidate children’s feelings, and how parents can create a sense of safety that helps calm a child’s nervous system. You’ll also learn why anxious children often show their emotions through tummy aches, irritability, meltdowns or anger, and why many children mask their struggles at school before releasing them at home. Dr Katie also discusses some of the biggest causes of anxiety she sees in families today - including undiagnosed ADHD, autism and the impact of social media - and explains why highly sensitive children often grow into creative, empathetic and resilient adults. In this episode we cover: The difference between worry and anxiety in children The hidden signs of anxiety parents often miss Why validating emotions doesn't make anxiety worse Why some children mask their struggles all day The surprising reason kids explode at home after school Why anger and irritability can actually be fear The simple ways parents can help children feel safe If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s emotions are normal, or how to support a sensitive child, this conversation is full of practical insight and reassurance.

    6 min
  4. Divorce at 30 With a Toddler

    APR 20

    Divorce at 30 With a Toddler

    When Daisy got divorced at 30 with a two-year-old son, her life flipped upside down overnight. In this raw and honest conversation, she shares what no one talks about - the heartbreak of handing your child over for the first time, rebuilding financially from scratch, navigating co-parenting, dating after an 11-year relationship, and overcoming postnatal depression. We talk about: Divorce with a young child The emotional rollercoaster of separation Co-parenting and putting your child first Losing your identity in motherhood Rebuilding confidence after divorce Dating again as a single mum Mental health, resilience and starting over This episode is for any mum who feels lost, overwhelmed, or like this chapter might define her forever. It won’t. Subscribe for more honest conversations about motherhood, identity, relationships and rebuilding after life doesn’t go to plan.

    33 min
  5. How to Handle Tantrums Calmly

    APR 15

    How to Handle Tantrums Calmly

    Why do kids “lose it” - and why do we lose it with them? In this highlight episode, Dr Holly Symons from Rising IQ explains: • Why children under 7 can’t regulate their emotions alone • What’s happening in your child’s brain during a meltdown • Why your nervous system matters more than you think • How to stay calm when your child is dysregulated • The difference between validation and “giving in” • Why boundaries actually make children feel safe We talk about emotional intelligence in families, school-to-home transitions, restraint collapse, and how your own childhood can show up in your parenting. Because parenting isn’t about ending the tantrum - it’s about holding the space. If you’ve ever Googled “why does my child behave worse at home?” or “how do I regulate my child’s emotions?” - this conversation is for you.

    10 min
  6. When Your Baby Won’t Settle

    APR 13

    When Your Baby Won’t Settle

    When your baby cries all day and nothing seems to help, it can leave you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and like you’re somehow failing as a parent. In this episode of Parent Unplugged, we talk honestly about the reality of silent reflux and dairy allergies in babies - the constant crying, the sleep deprivation, the endless advice, and the guilt that many new parents carry when they can’t soothe their child. This is a raw conversation about the emotional toll of those early months, the moment of finally getting a diagnosis, and the realisation that so many parents are quietly going through the same struggle. If you’ve ever felt alone in the chaos of a newborn who won’t settle, this episode is for you.

    5 min
  7. “I Knew My Baby Was Autistic at 5 Months”

    MAR 24

    “I Knew My Baby Was Autistic at 5 Months”

    When Charlotte’s baby was just five months old, she had a feeling something was different - a feeling doctors initially dismissed. Months later, her son was diagnosed with autism and global developmental delay, beginning a parenting journey she never expected. In this deeply honest conversation, Charlotte shares what it’s really like raising autistic, non-speaking children, the grief and uncertainty that can come with diagnosis, and the invisible emotional load many parents carry. She talks about pushing for answers when she wasn’t believed, the loneliness that followed the diagnosis, the reality of parenting children with complex needs, and how motherhood can reshape your identity in ways no one prepares you for. This episode explores: • Early signs of autism in babies • What it’s like raising non-speaking autistic children • The grief parents rarely talk about after a diagnosis • Parenting multiple children with very different needs • Anxiety, burnout, and the invisible load of motherhood An incredibly raw and powerful story about intuition, resilience, and what it truly means to advocate for your child.

    52 min
  8. The One Baby Food Mistake Parents Don’t Realise They’re Making

    MAR 17

    The One Baby Food Mistake Parents Don’t Realise They’re Making

    What if the way we’ve been taught to feed children is actually working against them? In this episode of Parent Unplugged, we’re joined by paediatric nutritionist Charlotte to unpack why food rules like “eat your dinner before pudding” can create pressure, hierarchy, and long-term food struggles - even when they’re well-intentioned. We talk about: Why putting dessert on a pedestal can backfire How pressure at mealtimes leads to food refusal The difference between restriction and guidance Why exposure (not force) builds food confidence The “1% change” approach that actually works for fussy eating And why pouches alone aren’t appropriate - without the guilt or fear-mongering This conversation is honest, compassionate, and grounded in real parenting - messy moments, wobble days, and all. If you’re exhausted by fussy eating, confused by conflicting advice, or worried you’re “doing food wrong,” this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now - and breathe. You’re not failing.

    53 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 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
    106
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Parent Unplugged Media
  • Show Website
    Parent Unplugged
  • Provider
    Charis Halsall

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