Raise Them Free: Recent Episodes
Raise Them Free
Parenting isn’t for the faint hearted so join us for a big dose of encouragement and real life. Get yourself free so you can parent from a healthy place and in turn RAISE THEM FREE.
Let me be honest with you from the start...this podcast wasn't my idea! and honestly I had no intention of talking about Breach babies. It's not happened to many people I know and there is so much we could talk about but Meg Russell got in touch and I knew this was an episode with her story I couldn't miss serving you with. Megs real, honest open and hope giving. So for all of you where your baby hasn't turned yet, you're having a breach baby or you're just curious...enjoy. Meg gives us a dose of the reality of fast labours, Breach births and w hole lot of positivity!
As always we believe You've got this
Lova Saz and Meg x
Imagine Giving birth in 23 minutes, its been done! we all pray for a quick labour but do we really know what it means for our bodies and minds! It's not all easy. I talk with Naomi Coppock Mum of 5 birth children who talks us through a few of her labours as a woman who has them fast!
Honest, real and facinating ive loved this episode.
We are sorry as Myself (Saz Thomas) and my family have moved to the USA we are still working on the tech side of this podcast, it was a quiet jan as we make tech advances. So its not the best sound quality but still full of wisdom.
As always we believe YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz
This episode comes with a warning. Tracy and Dave have been through a deep and personal journey with their heroic Son Finley. In this episode we talk openly about their journey as Finley was diagnosed with Hypoplastic left heart syndrome at their 20 weeks scan. Deeply emotional, real and powerful Tracy gives us the depths and pain they went through to get their son to the strong young man he is today.
This episode comes with a trigger warning as we talk about the options and life and death moments they faced.
We talk about the birth, operations and decisions they faced as a family in Finleys journey.
Get your tissues this ones emotional.
If anything in this episode is for you a trigger and you need support please check Tracys Facebook or the support agencies on our Instagram acc.
As always YOU'VE GOT THIS
love Saz x
It’s not always simple, it’s not always birth, it’s not always what you plan but they are always yours. Jo Wright talks us through her labour journey. Not the birth type but the beautiful, complex and divine adoption type. Jo and I (Saz Thomas) get real and open about the journey of adopting and the first time we met our children.
- We cover the process
- We talk preparation
- Jo gives us the straight up truth on how you look after you in it all.
As always we are honest, open and most of all we believe YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz x
Let's be honest we could talk to the women all day long about labour and meeting your children for the first time but how many men get real and chatty about it all? I (Saz Thomas) join Dave Thomas as we talk about the variety of experiences we have had with our children all arriving in wonderful and different ways. We go into detail about...
- How Dads can prepare for the birth and labour
- How best to support your partner
- Whats is it really like and
- What moments really moved you
Dave's honest and encouraging with a touch of reality to keep you ready for the most life changing moment of your life.
YOU'VE GOT THIS DADS
Rosie Snowzell and I go there...yes C sections, emergency ones, planned ones, the recovery and journey of birth plans. It doesn't always go to plan so how do we handle
Disappointment
Expectations
and Recovery!
I love this episode as Rosie gets real about her journey through labour.
Naturally you know it...we believe YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz
Rosie Snowzell and I go there...yes C sections, emergency ones, planned ones, the recovery and journey of birth plans. It doesn't always go to plan so how do we handle
Disappointment
Expectations
and Recovery!
I love this episode as Rosie gets real about her journey through labour.
Naturally you know it...we believe YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz
I join Scarlett Trottman for some positive Labour thinking. We cover it all from hormones, the inevitable pooing during labour and what we should be saying to first time parents in the park.
Why do mums always talk about the details of labour?
How can you prepare for a positive birth?
What are some of the things no ones tells you
We get real, honest and are super open about our experiences. Plus Scarlett brings us some of the 3 year journey Matt and her had to go on before their little miracle arrived.
Join us for laugh, an education or a mind Shift. But most of all join us so you know we believe YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz x
Lets be honest it sometimes feels like leadership and motherhood is too much but Rosie Snowzell and I (Saz Thomas) unpack all the details of what it really looks like to be a female leader within church (although you can apply this to any role you have) and be a mother at the same time.
We get honest about
- How to share responsibilities of the home and parenting with your partner
- How to start the day well and send the kids to school happy (you all know my morning challenge)
- How to beat the feeling of Overwhelm!
THIS ONE IS GOLD! Rosie unpacks her life from the past few years and the beautiful was she balances it ALL!
Remember we believe YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz x
We get real and honest about what it's like as a Mum being a boss of your own business and managing it all. I talk to Chanelle Knapp about what life looks like for her running business with 3 boys and a husband who works away at times. we talk about
- How to plan life practically
- How to handle the emotions of the good seasons and the bad
- What it does for her kids as they watch her run business
Chanelle nails it, real, open, comical and a few series recommendations in there too!
join us for a chilled but real episode!
YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz x
Struggle is real, the pressure is real and mum guilt when you’re Pursuing your dreams is real!
Charlotte Snowzell and I talk real Mum life as she takes on studying and life’s responsibilities at the same time.
We get into details like …
- How to fight mum guilt in the dream pursuit
- Will pursuing our dreams make our kids happy?
- What does sharing parenting look life with your partner?
Pivot, change, live the dream, go for it and be inspired by this podcast!
YOU’VE GOT THIS
Love Saz x
Single, partners away, got to do this parenting mission solo for a while...whatever your story Cat joins me to talk about her journey as a single parent. Raising 3 children from teen to toddler, starting business and living a full life Cat talks us through her life balance and what she does to build community round her children.
we focus on
- Why community is everything
- What families can do to support those who Parent solo, for whatever reason
- What time for yourself looks like
Cat really speaks deep to our hearts about her journey and has a beautiful joy in her story. A must for those of us in a parenting team or doing this solo.
YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz x
We delve deeper than diaries (although Sian gives some great apps for life organisation) and we talk about those inner thoughts and feelings that really make balancing life hard. Sian is real and honest about the internal driving thoughts and attitudes that really drain her energy and ability to hold all she does. Expectant mum with two young boys, business woman and Church pastor who runs a leadership academy, Sian's life is full but well managed.
Join us as we cover
- Inner dialogues
- Diary planning
- How to sort your days to live a full life that serves everyone you hold.
As always we believe YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz and Sian Vermaut
I join Rose Snowzell as we talk about what it really means to understand your kid emotions and how from birth we learn to use our own mother intuition. Taking that deeper look into why they are reacting the way they are. But also how Josh and Rose
- Use music in their home
- Prevent the big emotions getting too much
- Employ laughter as medicine
- Give their kids their own emotional intelligence
Its funny, real and packed with great advice.
YOU'VE GOT THIS
Saz x
Naomi Coppock walks us through how She approaches emotions with her kids. She talks openly with her 5 kids about their feelings, Talks through when and how best to go on their own personal little journeys.
- Is time out right?
- When is it best to talk emotions?
- How do we make a safe space for our kids to express their emotions?
Laugh with us and if you do know how to stop kids interrupting...please let me know .
YOU'VE GOT THIS
How do dads do it? Control their emotions? Keep their cool? I join Dave Thomas as we talk about how Dads parent emotions. We talk about therapeutic parenting, getting involved in the big joyful emotions and how we as parents can use words to change a situation.
Join me (Saz Thomas) as I give you an overview of this series. My heart behind why its so important we parent our own emotions before we try and parent our children's. You asked for a series on emotions so we are talking about how to handle BOTH your emotions and your kids emotions.
Through some painful parenting moments I realised I’m not always capable of controling my emotions and it got me thinking...we must always parent ourselves first. In this episode I talk about leading your child out of emotional places and self control.
Join me for a powerful series and remember
YOU'VE GOT THIS
We would love to hear your opinion of our podcast so please rate and comment on the platform you’re listening on. Also thank you to all who share us on social media.
Thank you so much love
Saz x
It's a contentious parenting podcast...but know our hearts we believe you're the best one to make decisions for your kids. In this final episode in our "You Asked For It" series we tackle the question "Should I use Reigns for my child?" Naomi Coppock and I talk openly and honestly about our experiences and choices. We also talk about teenagers and letting your child go so don't limit this podcast to just those toddler parenting years.
we answer the questions
- Should we use reigns for our kids?
- How to grow trust with your children?
- Should we give our children boundaries?
We are honest, real and non judging...Take confidence your decisions matter.
YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz x
So we set our new year resolution to not being shouty parents, a fresh start and our kids got that post Christmas arguing down to a T. Should we step in when they are arguing? Should we let them learn in the moment? Tired of being the family peace negotiator?
We’ve got some tips and tricks for handling those inevitable moments.
Naomi Coppock and I talk
- What age and when to step into arguments
- How to manage those emotional moments
- How to teach your kids to take responsibility, say sorry and forgive.
Let’s be honest of you have more than one child this is a must!
YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz x
We all want our kids to be super grateful when they get that knitted jumper from Aunt Karen!!! But How?
In this episode we talk about how to
- Cultivate gratitude in your home family culture all year round
- The importance of modelling gratitude as parents
- Why Generosity helps build gratitude
- Why "Be thankful some poor kids don't have anything" just doesn't work
I (Saz Thomas) join Dave Thomas as we talk honestly about values and parenting methods for building grateful kids.
On that note...THANK YOU, thank you for joining us, being a parent who passionately seeks to be the best you, listens to our beautiful community and if you have chance writes us a review.
YOU'VE GOT THIS
Merry Christmas
Saz x
We tell our kids not to lie, but with the same breath tell them Santa is coming to their home to deliver presets. Where's the line between lying and imagination? Naomi Coppock and I (Saz Thomas) but Church leaders, talk in detail about how we navigate the journey of talking about Santa and Jesus at Christmas.
Should we tell such a big imaginative story alongside the story of Jesus? How do we handle our kids asking us about Santa? and what about the Tooth Fairy?
Be warned this isn't one you want to listen to in front of little ears.
YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz x
Stress, work, business, events, parties and life events…all a part of Christmas but how do we move away from the stress of a season to make sure our children get happy present parents.
Dave Thomas and I (Saz Thomas) talk about
- How to finish work well so you can bring peace to your mind
- How to plan work so projects don’t distract you
- How to switch of mentally when you own business or work from home
Christmas is about family, new starts, hope and joy…let’s protect those beautiful gifts of the season for our kids.
YOU’VE GOT THIS
Love Saz
Our kids want our presence more than 🎁 presents, so how do us parents give them attention in all the Christmas madness. I (Saz Thomas) join my husband Dave as we talk about why it’s so important to give our kids uninterrupted attention and switch off from the pressure in this season.
Enjoy our short school run podcast designers just for this season…you asked for it.
YOU'VE GOT THIS
love Saz
This is part 2 of 2 where Bryony Ashcroft and I (Saz Thomas) talk in detail about Parenting our teenagers through their Mental health journey. In this episode we talk more in detail about
- How to look after your own Mental Health as a Parent
- How to support your Teenager as they Navigate Self Harm
- What are the best next steps for Teenagers struggling with their Mental Health
Trigger Warning - Please note we do talk about self harm
Please head over to www.youngminds.org.uk if you need more support.
I (Saz Thomas) talk with Bryony Ashcroft a mental Health nurse who currently works with Teenagers about how we as parents understand and help our Teenagers through their Mental Health Journey. Parenting post Pandemic throws up a whole new set of challenges for young people and us parents. In this social media world our teens are more surrounded by voices, opinions, information and people meaning theres a door into their lives we don't always know about.
Bryony and I talk through
- How a teens Brain is growing and how it affects behaviour
- How to communicate with your Teen to develop Healthy Neuro pathways
- The affects of social media on Teens mental health
This is Part 1/2 because i got so much from my time with Bryony i didn't want to cut any. Join us next week as we talk more in detail about our Mental Health as Parents and How to walk your teenager through Self Harming.
If you need more support or information please check out www.youngminds.org.uk or if you're a parent contact me Saz Thomas i would love to help you find some next steps.
You've Got This
Love Saz x
Do you feel nervous about talking about sex with your teenager? Do you know where to start? want to avoid leaving it to their mates and the media?
Previously I (Saz Thomas) was a Sex and Relationships Educator in secondary schools, I'm passionate about seeing young people equipped with accurate and healthy sex education...and I believe you're the answer. As parents you don't need to know it all but provide the safe space for you teen to answer their questions as they navigate this new part of life.
I talk through…
-
Where does Sex education come from in society
-
Why you're so important in this area of your Teens life
-
How to navigate that conversation
-
Topics to cover with your Teen
YOU'VE GOT THIS
love Saz x
This ones just for those parents of pre teens...and what I mean is those of us who's kids are 10-13. It's coming those teenage years and let's not wait until the hormones start raging and they sleep in for hours.
Let's prepare our children for what's to come, get them ready for the season they they are going to thrive in.
we simply answer 3 questions
- How to prepare your child for Teen life?
- How to prepare yourself for Parenting a teen?
- How to prepare your relationship for this new season?
YOU'VE GOT THIS
Love Saz x
THIS IS A BIG ONE...1 hour of stories, wisdom and challenge as Pastor Gary and Heather Snowzell talk us through the teenage years Parenting 5 Young Men.
This podcast covers
- Why adventure is so healthy in your parenting
- How to hold the line
- Why a trip to Scotland included shrunken heads and Friday night fight night!
Its spiritual, real, honest and funny. Everything you would expect from G and H.
YOU'VE GOT THIS
SAZ X
FOR REAL WE TALK ABOUT P*RN
Dave Thomas and I (Saz Thomas) talk all about how to find the right perspective on p*rn with your teenagers. From how to create a good environment for those conversations to tacking how it may have affected your own life.
Join us...We recommend you listen to this podcast away from your children and teenagers as we talk openly about s*x and culture.
Saying No to your teenager may feel like the hardest job in the word because it may start another world war...but it's essential. Claire Hailwood and I talk about why, how and when to say no to your teenagers.
we also cover...
- Why parenting in agreement is essential
- How to hold the line
- Boundaries and their power
Parenting Teenagers its a window of opportunity not a season of dread! Our teenagers grow and develop so much in these teenage years. Claire Hailwood talks us through how the teenage brain changes to a beautiful neoiroplastic state as hormones develop and in turn we get chance to build something deeper, relational and safe for our teenagers as they grow. Join us as we talk about
- Handling Arguments
- Creating a safe space for them to thrive
- and why we need a cuppa and space every now and then
You've Got This Parents
Love Saz
When the storms come for your Teenager what do you do? When they fly off the handle what do you do? When they go silent in their room what do you do? Karin Cooke and I (Saz Thomas) talk all things connecting with your teenager. From shouting up the stairs, door slamming and quality time. connection is Key! We also answer why car journeys are so important! So join us for some laughs and stories as we unpick how to successfully connect with your teenager and build secure relationship with them through their stormy years.
This mini school run series gives you little bits of advice from a variety of parents. Wisdom, comedy and those hacks that make parenting easier. Join us as you head to work, shopping or home after dropping your kids at school, laugh with us and unwind in those precious moments of car calm.Today we talk to Irene Bonsu and Maria and Wayne Batty about Laughter, prayer and the fact our kids are watching us!
This mini school run series gives you a little bit of advice from a variety of parents. Wisdom, comedy and those hacks that make parenting easier. Join us and unwind in those precious moments of calm in the car.
Today we talk to Bryony Ashcroft (guest in one of our most listened to episodes) and Sarah Putt our early years specialist. They tell us why it takes a village to raise a child and why is distraction a great parenting tool.
This mini school run series gives you little bits of advice from a variety of parents. Wisdom, comedy and those hacks that make parenting easier. Join us as you head to work, Aldi or home after dropping your kids at school, laugh with us and unwind in those precious moments of car calm.
Today we talk to Naomi Coppock and Claire Hailwood about baby wipes and What battles to pick!
What's on your bucket list for 2021? Do you even have a bucket list now you're a parent or have you left that behind in a former life. Why is it so important you make memories for yourself now you have kids. Life has the opportunity to be taken hold of not a list of cleaning, washing and career steps.So I join Dave Thomas as we get honest a real about why we find it so hard to have our own life's additional to being parents. Be inspired, find comfort that you aren't alone and understand why making memories personally is a powerful foundation to give to our kids.
Ever considered that those years of watching paw patrol with your 3 year old actually paid off in giving your child a secure base? A deep feeling that they are safe, belong and can trust you. Forward 10 years and you'r now 13 year old knows you are the place to go to for safety and security as they navigate those teenage years. Claire and I talk about how memories aren't just for the family photo album but they are the foundation for identity. and how those moments are so key with teenagers. So Join us and if you havent already check out part 1 too.
Our brains area built by a series of memories, brick upon brick, layer upon layer of moments, laughs, tears and pictures. all joined together to create who we are and how we live. Claire talks about how our brain is built and why memories not only build a great picture album for the bookshelf but also the foundation for relationships that makes us safe to be the real us. We cover attachment, building a secure base and why laugher and fear cant coexist.Claire talks about parenting toddlers, primary kids and teenagersThis is just part one 30 minutes of laughing and wisdom
Today we get some Dad wisdom on why spontaneous off the path adventure is so important! Josh gives some beautiful and wild examples of how he as a Dad makes time and preserves energy to make memories with his 4 kids. Hope you’re ready for some really fun and everyday ideas.
What if you could build a home with such a powerful culture and bond that your children will draw to you and your family? What if you could build the scaffolding of their lives so they can grow tall and on firm foundations? What if making Memories was the glue to holding you all together so they thrive? Beautiful, strong and wise Naomi Coppock Joins us this week as we talk about making memories at home. But don't be fooled this family live a life of adventure around the world too.
Karin talks us through some amazing memories or her traveling and parenting life and answers questions like How does traveling completely alter your child's future? and whats better rules or relationship?Join us as we talk about why the table is one of the most important places in our homes and why you should have a draw in your fridge full of chocolate!Lets make big and small memories our kids lives will be changed by!
Where do we get joy from as parents when there really is so much to do? how do we make our home a house of laughter? Can joy and fear coexist? all questions we answer in this podcast. I am joined by Sarah Putt an early years professional as we talk about having a memorable home thats fun. Bringing in examples from our lives and the professional world, join us and get some ideas for yourself.
So when was I ready? Well never really. Join Dave and I as we talk about when I, as a mum, felt ready to have kids. But also the classic labour advice, our changing bodies and Dads what should you say about her figure after she has had a baby? So if you're questioning is it time to start trying have a listen. But also you can always contact us on social media and we will be happy to help.
Dads when do you know you're ready? Whats birth like from your perspective? What to expect when you're expecting and what to do when your little one arrives. Dave Thomas gives us his side of the story from when he realised he was ready to be a dad and that first year of sleepless-nights and a hormonal wife!
Special Guests today give us the real deal for connecting with you teenagers, from Burger and Loud music night to wifi passwords. Join me as I ask Wayne and Maria Batty about their journey raising their Daughter Rebecca. They talk about what they have done to raise a confident daughter when for them their past was an interesting journey. Funny, Real and insightful. Perfect for those with preteens or teenagers.
This is the second part of our How to get Patience podcast. How empty do you feel? How do we really fill our lives when we are so limited? Sometimes out shouting as a parent isn't about the kids its about us, we need to take some time to self reflect and we talk about a way to really look at yourself and review how you're doing. How are you? no really how are you?
Having a baby in baby in this pandemic? Want to know what to really pack in the hospital bag? First time parent wondering what matters? Well I talk to Irene Bonsu, mum of 3 girls who had her third in May 2020. Full of wisdom, support for others and lots of real life (plus she loves a birth Video) Join us
We asked you - What have you learnt about your parenting through this pandemic? other than the trial of year 9 maths the most common answer was we all need more patience! We have been under the pressure for so long and the combination of work, homeschool, business and lack of social interactions is causing us to crack. And what goes first our patience. So this is part one of How to get Patience!
As we parent through a pandemic we can't help but consider our children's mental health. So this week I connected with Bryony Ashcroft a Psychiatric Nurse to ask her our burning questions. How will this pandemic affect my kids' mental health? What can I do to help them? What do I need as a parent to keep my mind clear? I'm sorry for some of the sound issues because we recorded on a zoom call...blame Covid!Bryony answers what our children will be going through, how their minds work and what to do in those inevitable meltdowns!
I thought it was about time to chat to a dad. This series looks at the challenges that face us as we parent through a pandemic. What does escaping look like when we are so trapped? Can we really do this all at once? And will I ever remember my husbands birthday? So take a listen to our journey as we reflect on 2020 and change our lives for 2021. #dadlife
When the motivational speech runs out and so does the patience! sometimes we just have to admit we don't have it all together and accept some help. From someone who struggles to admit she can't and sets up crazy high internal expectations join me in letting yourself go and admitting you need something outside of yourself.
Each month we will give you the stories and wisdom from an inspiring parent we know. So let's kick off with Sharon Kosobuckska, singer song writer for her band Eny, first time mum who gave birth during this pandemic miles from home and trained primary teacher. We cover the loneliness of the pregnancy, being away from family and trying on your jeans 4 months after having a baby! Plus should you show your kids all your raw emotions?Join us on this podcast andCheck out her music on Spotify and You Tubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEJ2j8Q4YJSt2-Dc-17l0fg
We all have those moments when you feel like you're falling apart, failing and have most certainly forgot something! Those are the moments we need someone just to come along and say YOU HAVE GOT THIS. So journey with me, Saz, as i talk through panic attacks, forgetfulness and leaving the house and what I needed in those moments. Parenting isn't the list of nursery items and milestones its looking at ourselves and changing to raise them free.
A little introduction into the heart behind Raise them Free and that crazy afternoon in March 2020 that so many of us became home school parents! Come get to know me, Saz Thomas and the journey we are going to take together as parents. In this first ever episode I talk about what we want to bring to you as a collective of parents but also fill you with a fresh dose of confidence that you are the ones for the unique leadership job of raising your world changers.