Explore every episode of the podcast The Wild Child Parent Coach

Have you ever found yourself thinking…
“why can't they just....?!"

Maybe it's sharing, getting out the door for school, going to a party, losing a game without it completely derailing everything.

It’s such a small sentence… but it carries a huge amount of weight.

Because underneath it is an expectation.
An image of who our child is meant to be in that moment.

And when reality doesn’t match that image?

That’s where the frustration kicks in.

Because we’re reacting to the version of them we expected.

This episodes shares a family story from a holiday that didn’t go to plan. We look at how quickly pressure, frustration, and overwhelm build when we assume capability instead of recognising development. And how this can lead to repeating ourselves, pleading, losing patience, and feeling increasingly out of control.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in repeating arguments, guilt after losing your temper, or the sense that your child only listens when things escalate, this conversation will help you see what’s really happening - and what actually begins to shift it.

A grounding, honest episode about leadership, connection, and learning to meet your child where they are, not where you expected them to be.

To work with Fiona, visit www.thewildchildparentcoach.com

Follow Fiona on Instagram @the_wild_childparentcoach

You love your kids.
But if you’re honest… this isn’t how you thought it would feel.

In this episode, we’re talking about the gap -
the space between the parent you want to be, and the one who shows up when you’re overwhelmed, stretched, and running on empty.

Because it’s not that you don’t know what to do.
It’s that in the moments that matter most… something else takes over.

We’ll explore:

• why you keep reacting in ways you didn’t intend to
• the cycle so many parents find themselves stuck in
• and why trying harder, staying calmer, or learning more strategies isn’t closing the gap

If you’ve ever thought,
“Why did I just react like that?”
or
“That’s not the parent I want to be”
— this episode will land.

This isn’t about judgement.
It’s about understanding what’s really going on, so things can actually change.

If this resonates, I’m opening a small number of conversations this month for parents who are ready to do this work properly.

If you'd like to explore my 12 week programme and break this cycle for good, book an initial consultation here and let's talk.

Connect with me via Instagram @the_wild_childparentcoach

Visit www.thewildchildparentcoach.com

Email: hello@thewildchildparentcoach.com

If you've ever looked at your child mid-meltdown and thought "I just don't know what's going on" — this episode is for you.

This week I'm joined by Julia Gudinchet, founder of the award-winning Sunflower Autism Consultancy, who has spent 20 years working with neurodivergent children, young people, and their families — and is also a neurodivergent parent herself.

We talk about what neurodiversity actually is (and what it isn't), why the word "spectrum" confuses more than it helps, and what to look for if you're wondering whether your child's big reactions are typical development or something worth exploring further.

Julia shares her brilliant "mixing desk" analogy for understanding your child's individual profile, how to spot amber before you hit red, and what you can actually do right now — with or without a diagnosis.

This one is packed with insight, warmth, and some really practical tools. Timed perfectly for Neurodiversity Celebration Week, 16th–22nd March.

Find Julia at Sunflower Autism Consultancy or search for her on Instagram and Facebook.

To find out more about working with Fiona, visit her website or connect via Instagram ⁠

Tracey Butcher is a mum of four and the founder of Founder Mums Club — a community of incredible women who’ve stepped away from the 9–5 to build something on their own terms.

In this conversation, we talk about the honest, unglamorous reality of turning your back on the safety of a monthly paycheque, the wobbles that come with building something from scratch, and the unexpected shifts that happen when mums start putting themselves first.

We talk about:

• The slow burn of doing work that doesn’t light you up — and why it doesn’t stay at the office

• What the move from corporate to self-employed actually looks like with four kids and a mortgage

• The tipping point — why it’s different for everyone and how you know when yours arrives

• Guilt: how much Tracey carried, what mindfulness helped her see, and the moment she chose pride instead

• Why looking after yourself first isn’t selfish — and the small habits that make everything else possible

If you’ve ever felt pulled between who you are at work and who you want to be at home — or wondered whether wanting something different somehow makes you ungrateful — this one’s for you.

You can connect with Tracey online via Instagram

@foundermums

To find our more about Fiona's work, please visit www.thewildchildparentcoach.com or connect via Instagram @the_wild_childparentcoach

What Actually IS a Wild Child... and How Do You Parent Them?

You watch other parents bundle their kids up and head out the door like it's no big deal. Meanwhile, you can't even get your child to put their shoes on without a full negotiation.

If you're parenting a wild child, you know the exhaustion. The constant battles. The loneliness of feeling like you're the only one struggling this hard.

In this episode, I'm answering the question I probably should have tackled in episode one: What actually is a wild child, and how on earth do you parent them?

I'll share a sledging story that taught me everything about the shift wild children need from us - and the one question that changes how you see their resistance.

Because wild children aren't being difficult. They're struggling. And when we stop pushing and start asking the right question, everything changes.

Resources mentioned:The Village membership

Find out more on the Village Section of my website.

Book a session with Fiona

Visit www.thewildchildparentcoach.com to see my full services.

If day-to-day parenting feels heavy, or you're looking for ways to create more ease, this episode is for you.

My last episode shared the backstory to my business. My breakdown, my husband's addiction, and my son's regression. This week? We go behind the scenes of what it actually looks like to bring yourself back when life knocks you down.

I share the real cost of "trying too hard"- of pushing through, piling on the pressure, and asking more of ourselves than we're able to give. And I walk you through 6 tiny but mighty shifts that started to move the needle for me.

Whether you're struggling with the basics and can't see a way through, or you're looking to go from plodding to thriving, there's something here for you.

Sometimes the answer isn't to try harder. It's to work differently.

If this sounds like the kind of work you're ready to explore, The Village Membership is where you want to be. I'm hosting a free online talk this Thursday called "The One Thing That Changes Everything" ONLY for those on The Village waiting list.

Join the list here.

This is the story I've never told publicly.

Four years ago, I was a head teacher of three schools, solo parenting through a crisis I couldn't talk about. My son was in meltdown every morning. I was depleted, alone, and trying to hold it all together.

I had all the professional training. All the strategies. But I couldn't help my own child.

So I did what I'd always done—I tried harder. Exercise, self-development, grit, determination. I pushed through for 15 months.

Until my body said no. Complete collapse. Breakdown. Six months off work.

In this episode, I share the full story:

• What was really happening in my home
• The hallway moment that changed everything
• Why trying harder almost destroyed me
• What recovery actually looked like (spoiler: a lot of Disney)
• Where I am now—and how I help parents do the same

This is vulnerable. This is real. And if you're barely holding on right now—this is for you.

If this resonates:

Join the waitlist for The Village—a space where parents in crisis are met exactly where they are. Launching end of January.

Or book a free call to talk about working together 1:1.

Follow me on Instagram @the_wild_childparentcoach

Are you micromanaging your child’s every move this Christmas?

In this episode, we explore Police Car Parenting - the kind of constant supervision and judgement that can actually make behaviour worse. Using stories from my own family, including epic road trips and driving lessons from my dad, I share how standing beside your child (without policing every action) can build confidence, resilience, and joy.

We’ll cover:

• How to plan ahead with your child so they’re prepared for tricky moments like gift disappointments or sharing challenges.

• Why it’s okay to stand back in the moment when things don’t go perfectly.

• How to offer guidance without judgement so your child can learn and grow safely.

If you’re ready to enjoy a calmer, more supportive holiday season and let your kids navigate life with your calm presence beside them, this episode is for you!

Book a session with Fiona

Trigger warning: This episode discusses baby loss and domestic abuse.
In today’s episode, I sit down with the incredible Siobhan Marshall, who shares her deeply personal journey through some of life’s hardest moments. With raw honesty and courage, she talks about the challenges she’s faced as a Mum and how she found strength, resilience, and joy through dance, fitness, and her passion for helping others. Siobhan’s story will move you, inspire you, and leave you cheering from the side-lines as you hear the true grit of a mother whose love knows no limits.

Connect with Siobhan via Instagram

I’m Siobhan. A personal trainer, dance teacher, and proud owner of 2 businesses. My passion is helping people become the best version of themselves through movement, mindset, and exercise. Nothing makes me happier than seeing others grow in confidence, strength and self-love.I’m so honoured to be invited by Fiona to be part of her podcast. When I’m not working you’ll find me dodging nerf guns from my 3 boys or pretending to be a superhero.

https://www.instagram.com/movewithsiobhanandmegan/?hl=en

Book a FREE consultation with Fiona

https://calendly.com/thewildchildparentcoach/30min

“When women come to me, they are usually asking how to help their family. But I always start with them, because when your nervous system calms, everything in your home starts to follow.”
This week on The Wild Child Parent Coach Podcast, I’m joined by Rachel C-K, holistic practitioner, coach and mentor, who blends oils, empowerment and energy to help women thrive in their wellbeing.
Rachel shares her powerful story of navigating early motherhood, breast cancer and the healing that came from building a toxin free, emotionally calm home one small shift at a time. Through her work, Rachel is especially passionate about supporting mums in both life and business, helping them to reduce overwhelm, reconnect with themselves, reduce fear and thrive.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about taking life one room, one breath and one day at a time.
 Listen Now: Episode 10: Providing a Sanctuary Through Tough Times

Book a session with The Wild Child Parent Coach

Connect with Rachel C-K

What happens when you feel like your relationship with your child is broken beyond repair? When you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and convinced your kids would be better off with someone else?

In this episode, Sal shares her incredible journey from that rock-bottom place to building a safe, loving home where her daughter now asks her to read stories again. It’s raw, honest, and full of hope — showing just how much can change when you take the first step toward healing yourself and reconnecting with your child.

This conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

✨ Connect with me:Instagram → @the_wild_childparentcoach

Email → hello@thewildchildparentcoach.com

Ever feel like your child’s behaviour is a puzzle you’ll never solve? In this episode, we’re flipping the script on common parenting myths — from entitlement, anger, and defiance — and showing you that behaviour is not the enemy, it’s a symptom.

Join me as we explore:

By the end, you’ll see your child in a whole new light, and learn how to respond in ways that actually help. Behaviour isn’t the problem — it’s the message.

I recorded this episode a while back… but as we enter the summer holidays, it feels like the perfect time to open up the conversation around capacity — what it is, why it matters, and how it quietly shapes everything in our parenting.

Over and over, I hear the same thing from parents: “I don’t need more advice. I need to be able to actually do the things I already know.”

This episode is an honest, empowering invitation to move away from parenting on push, force, or fumes — and toward something more sustainable. I walk you through a framework that helps you gently check in, reset, and reconnect with your energy in a way that’s deeply human. Yes, even on the days when there’s absolutely nothing left in the tank.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, this conversation is here to hold you — not to fix you.

What do you do when your child flat-out refuses something you know they’d love — like football club? When you’ve tried the gentle encouragement, the empathy, the patience… and it still feels like you’re going nowhere?

In this episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal story - of post-COVID shutdowns, family upheaval, and a once-confident child who wouldn’t leave the house. I’ll walk you through the messy middle of playing the long game: the meltdowns, the slow rebuild, and the quiet but powerful moment when he finally said yes — on his own terms.

We’ll talk about how to respond to refusal without shame. How to honour your child’s gut instinct without giving up on growth. And how to stay rooted in your values — even when progress looks like a wobble.

If you’re navigating resistance, anxiety, or big feelings in your child right now, this one’s for you. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing it the slow, sacred way.

Book a session with Fiona here

https://calendly.com/thewildchildparentcoach/30min

What Is Real Connection — And Why It Changes Everything

In this episode, we’re getting right to the heart of what parenting is really about: connection.

We’ll explore:

• What connection truly looks like (beyond quality time or praise)

• How to tell when it's off — and why that matters

• How your own reactions might be unintentionally escalating your child’s big feelings

• What your child actually needs in those stormy moments to feel safe and secure

Whether you're navigating tantrums, shutdowns, or everyday resistance, this conversation will help you shift from reactivity to real, lasting connection.

I’m also sharing my brand-new offer — The Calm & Connected Reset — a 7-day challenge to help you go from conflict to connection and restore more balance in your home.

You can sign up for my Calm and Connected Reset here...

https://www.thewildchildparentcoach.com/products/the-calm-and-connected-reset

(Introductory price - £27.99)

If you’ve ever lost it with your kid… this episode is for you.

This podcast is a space for the good, the bad, and yes, the ugly. And today’s episode? It’s all kinds of ugly!

A few months ago, I found myself in a full-blown stand-off at the side of the bathtub. Ouch. Unexpected, brutal and humbling.

Come and hear the build-up, the blowout, and the repair… and how even these moments can become powerful opportunities for growth, connection, and healing for both you and your child.

Click below to schedule a FREE 30 min consultation with Fiona.

https://calendly.com/thewildchildparentcoach/30min

Starting school is a big milestone — for kids and parents.
In this episode, we’re diving into the emotional side of it all: the wobbles, the clinginess, the tears at drop-off (yours or theirs), and how to gently support your child through this transition.

You’ll get clear, step-by-step guidance on how to:
🧠 Understand what’s really going on in your child’s nervous system
💬 Talk about school in a way that feels safe and grounding
🤍 Support those big feelings without over-prepping or overexplaining
🎒 Create calm, connected routines that help your child feel secure

Whether you're a parent navigating this for the first time, or a school wanting to offer extra support to new P1 families, this episode is full of practical advice, connection-first strategies, and a whole lot of reassurance.

And while we’re talking about starting school, the tools in this episode can support any big change - new clubs, new teachers, new siblings, even holidays or family events.

Because this isn’t just about school readiness... It’s about emotional readiness.

Work in a school? Share this episode with your P1 families!

Schedule a FREE consultation with Fiona here.

https://calendly.com/thewildchildparentcoach/30min

In this episode, we’re talking about what it really means to parent from the heart. Not from fear, overwhelm, or the long list of “shoulds” you’ve picked up along the way... but from that internal voice that KNOWS what your child needs from you in that moment.

So often, we look outside ourselves for the right answers - books, blogs, experts. But the truth is: your intuition is the most powerful tool you have.

This isn’t something you have to go find.
It’s something you’ve always had…
You may have just lost touch with it along the way.

When you learn to tune in to what your child actually needs (and trust what you know deep down), life gets lighter. Parenting gets clearer.

Less second-guessing.
More connection.
Less reacting.
More responding.

This episode is your permission slip to stop striving and start listening - to yourself, to your child, and to the wisdom in the quiet moments.

Looking for support?

Schedule an initial FREE consultation here. https://calendly.com/thewildchildparentcoach/30min

Welcome to The Wild Child Parent Coach Podcast!

In this very first episode, I’m keeping things raw and real — no scripts, no edits, just me sitting down to tell you where this podcast came from and why it matters.

If you’re raising a sensitive, spirited, or strong-willed child and often find yourself wondering, “Why isn’t this working?” — you’re not alone, and this podcast is for you.

I share a bit about my background, what I’ve learned over 18 years working with children and families, and the heart behind this space. This isn’t about fixing kids — it’s about understanding them. And more importantly, understanding yourself as a parent.

Each episode will be like a conversation — unfiltered, practical, and rooted in connection. Let’s walk this path together.

Want to work with me? Book a FREE consultation here.

https://calendly.com/thewildchildparentcoach/30min