The Messiness of Parenting – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Messiness of Parenting

Karen Bulmer

Kids & Family

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/8d. Total Eps: 13

The Messiness of Parenting is a podcast where we talk about the ups and downs - and all the joys - of parenting. Raising children is the hardest job anyone can do. Join us as we share genuine, raw moments from parenting and create a supportive community where every parent can feel seen and heard. We'll be offering practical tips, innovative parenting ideas, and comforting stories that highlight the universal challenges of raising children. Through our discussions, we hope you’ll find reassurance that you are not alone and that you are the best parent for your child.

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
30/09/2025
#94
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
25/09/2025
#74
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
09/05/2025
#97
🇨🇦 Canada - parenting
08/05/2025
#67

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://www.brantford.ca/en/living-here/ccel-child-care-and-early-learning.aspx
13 shares
https://cfsge.ca/
13 shares
https://woodview.ca/
4 shares

https://www.instagram.com/cfs.granderie
12 shares
https://www.instagram.com/messinessofparentingpod
11 shares
https://www.instagram.com/woodviewmhas
2 shares

https://www.facebook.com/CFSGrandErie/
12 shares
https://www.facebook.com/woodviewmhas
2 shares
https://www.facebook.com/lansdownechildrens
2 shares

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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 68%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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Hello to 'The Messiness of Parenting'

Season 1

Thursday, September 5, 2024 • Duration 02:44

As parents, we often find ourselves questioning if we're doing enough or if we're doing it right. On The Messiness of Parenting, we're opening up the conversation about the real, unfiltered world of parenting, brought to you by the City of Brantford Children's Services and Early Learning and Child and Family Services of Grand Erie.

Join us as we dive into the heartfelt discussions that may resonate with every parent out there. We've lined up 11 episodes where we're not just sharing advice but creating a community of support through honest reflections and practical tips. From innovative parenting ideas to comforting stories, we touch on the universal challenges that unite us all.

Don't forget to hit subscribe and follow so you can join us every week. Let's navigate the beautiful mess of parenting together—you are the best parent for your child, and we can't wait to share this journey with you.

This podcast is for general information purposes only and is not considered advice from the co-hosts and guests. The information and opinions expressed do not reflect any agency or organization or company associated with the podcast.

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Co-Regulation

Episode 2

Thursday, October 3, 2024 • Duration 57:02

Join Shalyn and Karen in a conversation with Theresa Vidal Child and Youth Worker and EDI Coordinator with Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services as we talk all about all things Regulation. We will talk about what regulation is, how we as the adults need to self-regulate and then how we can co-regulate with our children, and teaching them how to self-regulate.

Episode Highlights:

(00:06) Understanding Emotions and Regulation in Parenting

(15:45) Parenting and Self-Regulation Amid Challenges

(24:45) Parenting and Co-Regulation Techniques

(31:35) Emotional Regulation and Co-Parenting Repair

(45:21) Teaching Repair and Growth Through Mistakes

This podcast is brought to you by the City of Brantford Children's Services and Early Learning and Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CFSGE).

Links to mentioned resources:

Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services
Best Start Network
Community Equity Council
Brantford Immigration Partnership

Good Enough Parenting

Episode 3

Thursday, October 10, 2024 • Duration 48:44

Join Shalyn and Karen in a conversation with Deanna Thomas, Child Development Worker with Child and Family Services EarlyON team, as we talk all about good enough parenting and what that means. We will talk about how we as parents and caregivers show up for our children, how we connect with them and how we think about ourselves as parents and caregivers.

Episode Highlights:

(00:07) Good Enough Parenting and Self-Regulation

(11:38) Teaching Children Resilience and Self-Regulation

(22:38) Parenting With Boundaries and Growth

(28:27) Building a Supportive Parenting Community

(40:20) Social Media, Reflection and Mistakes

This podcast is brought to you by the City of Brantford Children's Services and Early Learning and Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CFSGE).

Links to resources mentioned:

Here’s more information on the Circle of Security Parenting Program

Read some of Brene Brown’s work on Parenting

All Things Sleep

Episode 4

Thursday, October 17, 2024 • Duration 01:07:23

Join Emily and Karen in a conversation with Emily Dunn, Public Health Nurse with Brant County Health Unit, as we talk all things sleep! We will talk about typical sleep patterns for children from newborn stage and on. The impact of sleep deprivation, sleep regression, sleep training and conversations we can have to help us prepare for those first stages of parenting.

Episode Highlights:

(00:08) Navigating the Unpredictability of Child Sleep

(08:35) Navigating Baby Sleep Challenges

(22:07) Understanding Baby Sleep Habits and Temperament

(28:38) Navigating Parenting and Sleep Training

(35:18) Recognizing and Addressing Postpartum Mood Disorders

(44:55) Building Your Support Network for Parenthood

(55:58) Parenting Success in the Long Run

(01:00:21) Parenting Grace and Self-Compassion

This podcast is brought to you by the City of Brantford Children's Services and Early Learning and Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CFSGE).

This podcast is hosted by Karen Bulmer. Karen has worked with children and families for over 20 years at Child and Family Services. She is currently the Service Manager for the Child Development Unit with CFSGE. Karen works with her team to provide a wide variety of programming and support for families through EarlyON Child and Family Centre programming. Karen is an avid podcast listener, enjoyer of music, craft enthusiast and lover of books!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Safe Sleep for Your Baby video (youtube.com)

Milestones and What to Expect

Episode 7

Thursday, November 7, 2024 • Duration 50:34

Join Karen and Emily in a conversation with Barb Mitchell, Early Years and Child Care Coordinator at the Brant Haldimand and Norfolk Catholic District School Board, as we talk about developmental milestones. We will talk about child development, typical milestones of development, signs a parent might see if there are some concerns with their little one’s growth and development and where we can go to find resources and support.

Episode Highlights:

(00:08) Child Development and Milestones Discussion

(15:01) Effective Communication in Child Development

(23:37) Navigating Child Development Resources

(30:48) Parent Advocacy and Child Development

(40:58) Supporting Child Development Conversations

This podcast is brought to you by the City of Brantford Children's Services and Early Learning and Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CFSGE).

This podcast is hosted by Karen Bulmer. Karen has worked with children and families for over 20 years at Child and Family Services. She is the Service Manager for the Child Development Unit with CFSGE. Through this position, Karen works with her team to provide a wide variety of programming and support for families through EarlyON Child and Family Centre programming. Karen is an avid podcast listener, enjoyer of music, craft enthusiast and lover of books!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Learn more about the LookSee Checklist Barb mentioned.

Connect on social media:

Follow The Messiness of Parenting Pod on

Who’s In Your Village

Episode 6

Thursday, October 31, 2024 • Duration 38:31

Join Karen in a conversation with Karlina Belbeck and Holly VanEvery, both Family Gathering’s EarlyON Facilitator, Indigenous led EarlyON, as they talk about Who’s in Your Village. We will talk about the people we surround ourselves with, how those we call family may not be related biologically to us, and how we learn and grow in our relationships with one another.

Episode Highlights:

(00:08) Building Your Parenting Village

(09:56) Nurturing Your Personal Village

(18:40) Fostering Relationships in Parenting Villages

(25:08) Building Strong Parenting Village Bonds

This podcast is brought to you by the City of Brantford Children's Services and Early Learning and Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CFSGE).

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Learn about Brantford’s Equal Grounds Community Garden.

Post Partum - When It's Not What Is Expected

Episode 5

Thursday, October 24, 2024 • Duration 50:13

Trigger Warning: In this episode we talk about the postpartum period, perinatal mood disorder and suicide, which can be distressing. Please take care while listening - and see a list of important resources below.

Join Shalyn and Karen in a conversation with Kelly Gascoigne, Outreach Midwife with Grand River Health Centre, as we talk about the post-partum period, and when it’s not what we thought it would be. We will talk about the first six to eight weeks after childbirth, a period often underestimated but teeming with unexpected hurdles, from sleep deprivation to lifestyle upheavals. Kelly underscores the importance of balancing the focus on labour with realistic expectations of early parenting, stressing the need for communal support and open, honest discussions about the journey ahead.

Episode Highlights:

(00:01) Navigating Postpartum Period and Expectations

(14:06) Identifying Postpartum Depression and Seeking Help

(20:43) Mental Health Support Resources and Partners

(32:45) Parenthood Challenges and Self-Care

(42:27) Balancing Parenting Expectations and Support

(48:20) Embracing Support and Speaking Out

This podcast is brought to you by the City of Brantford Children's Services and Early Learning and Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CFSGE).

Routines and Expectations

Episode 8

Thursday, November 14, 2024 • Duration 56:53

Join Karen and Emily in a conversation with Katrina Macri, RECE support worker at EarlyON Community Living Brant, as we talk about routines. We will talk about what routines can bring for families, including comfort or stress! How routines serve us, how we can balance routines with flexibility and spontaneity, as well as how we might change up routines that aren’t working for our families any longer will all be discussed.

Episode Highlights:

(00:06) Navigating Parenting Expectations and Routines

(13:44) Creating Meaningful Routines and Connections

(23:21) Adapting Routines to Changing Needs

(27:40) Adapting Parenting to the Individual Child

(32:36) Emotional Regulation in Parenting

(47:16) Parenting Through Unknown Challenges

This podcast is brought to you by the City of Brantford Children's Services and Early Learning and Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CFSGE).

This podcast is hosted by Karen Bulmer. Karen has worked with children and families for over 20 years at Child and Family Services. She is currently the Service Manager for the Child Development Unit with CFSGE. Through this position, Karen works with her team to provide a wide variety of programming and support for families through EarlyON Child and Family Centre programming. Karen is an avid podcast listener, enjoyer of music, craft enthusiast and lover of books!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Learn more about Community Living Brant.

See Brene Brown talking on Ellen about surrounding yourself with people playing the same game as you.

Time for Kindergarten!

Episode 9

Thursday, November 21, 2024 • Duration 53:20

Join Karen in a conversation with Andrea Peras, Early Years Consultation with Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic School Board, Kataisha McQueen, Early Years Consultant with Grand Erie District School Board and Laura MacEachern, DECE with Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic School Board, as we talk about our littlest learners starting school! We will talk about how families can prepare for their littles to start school, how to build relationships with the school team and how to support our littlest learners in this next stage!

Episode Highlights:

(00:08) Starting School

(09:37) Preparing for Kindergarten Transition

(17:50) Fostering Early Learning Through Play

(27:12) Enhancing Learning Through Play-Based Education

(31:24) Supporting Families Through School Transitions

(36:54) Encouraging Multilingualism for Childhood Development

(48:00) Building Relationships for Lifelong Learning

(51:38) Celebrating Community Support in Education

This podcast is brought to you by the City of Brantford Children's Services and Early Learning and Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CFSGE).

This podcast is hosted by Karen Bulmer. Karen has worked with children and families for over 20 years at Child and Family Services. She is currently the Service Manager for the Child Development Unit with CFSGE. Through this position, Karen works with her team to provide a wide variety of programming and support for families through EarlyON Child and Family Centre programming. Karen is an avid podcast listener, enjoyer of music, craft enthusiast and lover of books!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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The Messiness of Parenting – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Messiness of Parenting – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other34

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Facebook8

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other34

Instagram5

Facebook8

Apple Podcasts

Spotify