Who's Raising Who?: Recent Episodes
Louise and Ellie
Mums, friends and entrepreneurs, Ellie Kelly and Louise Brooks, explore the ups and downs of family life.
A chat about how much we love our book club (still going strong after 15 years) and how the latest book choice has inspired us.
Shonda Rhymes, 'My Year of Yes' - got us reflecting on what rule we would set ourselves that would have the biggest impact on how our business lives look now compared to pre motherhood and adult responsibilities.
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
We're back!
We never really left. But life happened. As life does.
School admin, decisions, assessments and practicalities of life meant that this podcast needed to be paused.
Ellie and Louise chat about how overwhelm requires them to get clear on their priorities and how they know what to cut out and how to put down their cards following a period of retreat.
If you know that feeling of feeling a little bored by family life - uninspired by the humdrum and routines that dictate your life - then this episode is a good listen.
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
We are half way through the summer holiday and Ellie and Louise have a midway check-in to reflect on their summer managing motherhood, work and personal ambitions.
We learn that:
- structure can be a life saver
- Acceptance can be key to peace of mind
- Slower pace leads to more connection
- Boundaries are KEY
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
Not everything we ingest on Instagram and other social media platforms make us feel like a better parent.
While there's no shortage of tips and tricks, Ellie and Louise explore the insidious ways that online support often leave us feeling less empowered and more prone to shame.
We also discuss what sort of messaging we are always up for and how we can feel more empowered in our online lives
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
The day has come when Louise could no longer justify holding off the big step it is - to allow her 11 year-old daughter a phone.
Listen to this episode as Ellie and Louise explore what fears and worries Louise has wrestled with and how children often surprise us in the most wonderful ways when we choose to take a leap of faith.
- How does fear of judgment play into these key parenting decisions?
- When do our rules serve our child and when are they mostly serving our self-image as a 'good mum'?
- Are we to track or check our child's phone?
These are some of the questions Ellie and Louise explore in this episode - and whether you are already an old hand at parenting children with phones - or you think this might be your reality soon - this episode might feel helpful
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
What does it mean for a parent to have a 'school child'?
How can school become a big source of stress for the family and how might we begin to hand back some of the responsibility so that we can support our child to achieve real educational success;
A life long love of learning and curiosity to explore
Ellie and Louise feel passionately about this - and share honestly of their own experiences of raising children in a school system that feels stretched and outdated and how taking responsibility for our child's learning is not always the same as insisting that all rules are followed and the work gets done.
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
It feels to Ellie and Louise, that fear is part and parcel of parenthood;
- Will our little one always be this demanding?
- How are they going to be decent human beings if they can't be nice to their sibling?
But...how does fear trip us up? And what might happen when we practice trusting the process of childhood and development more?
Ellie and Louise chat about the ways front seat fear makes them respond more harshly to their children's unwanted behaviours and how things flow more easily when they put fear on the backseat.
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
Who would like their child to wear a bike helmet when they are out with friends because they understand the risks?
In this episode we talk about the huge benefits of risky play for our children and why it can be a hard thing to encourage and watch happen.
We cover why not to shout 'be careful' and what we can say and do to make ourselves feel more comfortable about promoting risky play.
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
In this episode we dive dive into family life.
Into how Louise connected to her anger in a very challenging situation and how Ellie really needs to go climb a mountain for the sake of everyone in her house.
We mention a women's circle in this episode and the one that Ellie and Louise have attended is hosted by Charlie Leigh in Bisley.
https://www.charlieleighyoga.co.uk/classes
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
Ellie realises that her daughter has adopted a new love language over Christmas and Louise is guilty of sometimes communicating unmet needs from her husband - by criticising her children.
In this episode we explore the wilderness that is love and relationships and find that the 5 Love Languages framework by Dr Gary Chapman, is a good road map to start the journey towards greater connection and satisfaction in our relationships with our children (and partner).
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
Ellie's found a new parenting technique that gives her more sanity and allows her kids to move through conflict on their own. And a difficult morning was avoided in Louise's house, because she let her child rant.
We talk about why life is too short to accept ill fitting jeans - and how the word 'Oops' - can help us not cry over spilt milk
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
We don't talk enough about how our relationship changes when we become parents.
When two become three and we step into new roles with our partner.
Ellie and Louise discuss the ways in which their relationships have been grown and suffered as a result of starting a family and what they wish all new parents knew and received guidance around in the first year of parenthood.
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
Happy 2023
Holidays and half-term is easily anything but a break for parents.
All too often we end up holding our breath, merely surviving the intense togetherness, the conflicts, the boredom and incessant needs of others - counting down the days to.. SCHOOL, WORK AND .. a break.
Granted, this episode was recorded in the post summer holiday season, but what you'll hear in this episode is every bit as relevant for where we are now.
Beginning of the new year.
We explore why taking time out for ourselves when with our family feels rebellious and courageous.
What it looks like to break with generational ideals around motherhood.
And how you might be able to have a different experience next half -term should you feel inspired by what Louise shares in this episode.
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
What does it actually mean to connect with our child?
And why does it often feel like children make incessant bids for our attention - even though we're constantly together?
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
We would love to keep in touch and continue our conversation over on Facebook.
We have set up a closed group if you would like to share with us what our conversations bring up for you and inspire us and others with your thoughts and insights.
Head over there:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/518962100272917
Meltdowns seem contagious.
When our child's having big feelings to seemingly insignificant things, it can feel hard not to have a meltdown of our own;
"Get over it"
We explore how hard it can be for us to 'get over it' when our child is ready to move on.
Ellie Kelly is a mum of 2 and owner of Buttons Children's Parties and Wonderwood Explorers
https://www.instagram.com/wonderwoodexplorers/
Louise Brooks is a mum of 2 , parenting coach and family advisor and owner of Parenting Success
https://www.instagram.com/parentingsuccesscoaching/
We would love to keep in touch and continue our conversation over on Facebook.
We have set up a closed group if you would like to share with us what our conversations bring up for you and inspire us and others with your thoughts and insights.
Head over there:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/518962100272917