Being Real Parents

In this episode, we're joined by Phil Clarke from the IHC Library to explore the wide range of resources available to support people with disabilities, their whānau, and the professionals who work alongside them.

Whether you're supporting a child, a young person, or an adult, this conversation highlights how the IHC Library can help connect you with trusted information.

Tune in to discover how the IHC Library is making knowledge more accessible.

Communication is about much more than words. In this episode, Anna talks with Keryn O'Neill from Brainwave Trust Aotearoa about how our children's communication and language skills develop, why connection matters, and what parents can do to support communication at home. Together they explore brain development, relationships, listening, conversation, and practical ways to help children feel heard, understood and confident communicating.

Kate speaks with Nikki Bould, an FDR mediator and a divorce coach from The Helpful Human. Together we explore how parents can navigate separation while keeping their tamariki needs at the centre of care arrangements. We kōrero around supporting our tamariki with transitions between homes, trying to maintain consistency through communicating the best way we can. This episode offers compassionate and real guidance that supports parents through this challenging time.

Kate speaks with Keryn from Brainwave Trust about sleep for our rangatahi. Together, they explore the biological and social changes that shape teenage sleep patterns, why adolescents are naturally wired for later nights, and the challenges whānau can sometimes face in helping young people get the rest they need. This kōrero offers practical, realistic strategies parents can use to support healthy sleep habits - not only for teens, but for younger tamariki too.

In this honest Q and A episode, Anna and Kate kōrero about the parenting questions many parents quietly carry but don’t always ask out loud. We talk screens and device use, neurodivergence, emotional regulation, swearing, big feelings, and when to start talking about emotions with tamariki. A warm, practical, judgement free kōrero full of reassurance, reflection, and real life parenting support.