How Not to Screw Up Your Kids

Spoiler alert: a tantrum isn’t bad behaviour. It’s a developmental event that happens when your kid’s nervous system is really overwhelmed. When your children have tantrums, it is never a reflection of you or your parenting. It’s a completely normal and age appropriate thing. So in this episode, I’m diving into the world of toddler tantrums - what causes them, what happens in your child’s brain at that moment, and the five things that genuinely help. You’ll learn why reasoning never works during a meltdown, how your calm becomes their co‑regulation, why naming the feeling (not the behaviour) changes everything, and how staying close and reconnecting afterwards builds emotional regulation, resilience, confidence and long‑term self‑belief. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated or unsure how to respond when your toddler explodes, this episode gives you a clear, compassionate roadmap that works. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 00:58 - The spiky beaker 03:36 - Look through a wide lens 09:10 - Co-regulation 11:06 - Do not try to reason 16:20 - Name the feeling 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you know if your child is confident, or just masking? In today’s episode, I explain the two core skills that create genuine, lifelong confidence, and once you understand these foundations, helping your child become braver, more resilient, and more willing to try new things becomes so much easier. I walk you through the wide‑lens approach I use with families, showing you how confidence grows through lived experience AND I share the five practical strategies I recommend for toddlers, primary‑aged children, and teenagers. If you’ve ever worried about a child who won’t try new things, who crumbles at the first sign of difficulty, or who compares themselves harshly to others, this episode will give you the language and mindset to help them grow real confidence from the inside out. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 01:06 - Confidence is not fearless 05:28 - Self-effigacy and self-worth 09:47 - Confidence is trying anyway 13:41 - How to deal with pre-schoolers 17:13 - Age and stage appropriate levels 21:48 - Watch the labels 27:42 - Separate worth from performance 32:42 - Hold first, help second 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever asked your children “How was school?” and received “Fine” , “I don’t know” , or total silence, you’re not alone. Our children walk through the door with a full emotional bucket, tired from holding themselves together all day, so the usual questions just don’t work. In today’s bucket emptying episode, I give you five simple questions you can start using today that help your kids open and help you connect deeper and communicate better. If you want to strengthen your relationship with your child, reduce after‑school battles, and finally hear what their day was really like, this episode gives you the exact language and structure to do it. These five questions are so much more than ice-breakers. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 00:55 - Stop asking impossible questions 04:09 - Talking is not the same as being ready to connect 08:09 - Consistency is safe 10:26 - Plant the seeds 12:40 - The 5 questions 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the real key to raising a child who genuinely loves learning - not because of school pressure, grades, or how much homework they do, but because curiosity and resilience have been built from the inside out? As a psychologist and parent, I’ve seen again and again that children do the best academically and emotionally when we stop focusing on homework battles, reading resistance, or low motivation, and instead think about the deeper skills that make learning fun and self‑driven. In today’s episode, I walk you through the two main skills every child needs - curiosity and resilience - and give you five practical ways you can start strengthening them today. From following your child’s natural spark, to praising the process instead of the outcome, to letting them see you get things wrong, protecting unstructured time, and resisting the urge to rescue them too quickly… these are the tools that build lifelong learners who don’t need pushing, bribing or nagging. This episode will help your child become more confident, capable, motivated and engaged, at school and beyond. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 00:47 - Playing the long game 05:39 - 2 skill gaps you need to know 08:41 - Failing is how you learn 13:19 - Identity and outcome 15:55 - Get things wrong 18:30 - Teach your kids to be curious 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first day at a new school can be a scary experience for many children, as well as us parents! But what do you do if your kid is super nervous? We often feel like the bad guy making them go in when they clearly don’t want to, even when we know it’s the best thing for them, so in this week’s bucket emptying episode, I give you my ten top tips for managing those first day jitters. So pour yourself a cuppa, find a comfy seat, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 01:21 - It’s normal to feel nervous 05:33 - Active listening 09:28 - Pulling back bedtime 13:28 - Role play problem solving 14:55 - Prep ourselves 18:03 - Protect their energy 21:35 - A happy child is more likely to learn 24:51 - Pulling everything together 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether your child is starting reception, moving into secondary school, returning to a familiar classroom, or stepping into a brand‑new environment like college or university, there is one important conversation you should be having, but most parents miss it. In today’s episode, I walk you through exactly how I approach this conversation in my own family and with the families I support: how to choose the right moment, how to open the discussion without triggering anxiety, how to validate their feelings, how to widen the emotional picture, and how to end with the kind of certainty that genuinely steadies a child’s nervous system. I’m going to give you the practical steps to help your children feel safe, prepared and connected, without the overwhelm. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 00:49 - Ch-ch-ch-changes 04:00 - How to know when your child is ready 08:06 - Worst case scenarios 10:49 - What to ask… and what not to ask 13:29 - Validate whatever they say 17:03 - This is what certainty sounds like 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Results week doesn’t end on results day - in fact, the days and weeks following results day is where the real emotional work happens. In today’s bucket emptying episode, I give you three precise, ready‑to‑use conversation starters that help your child feel seen, steady and supported, regardless of whether they’re celebrating, disappointed, confused or quietly struggling. As a parent, your words shape how your child processes their results, how they rebuild their confidence, and how they move forward. These conversation starters work for GCSEs, A‑levels and any moment where your child is facing uncertainty, shame, pride or a changed plan. If you want to be the supportive presence your child needs, reduce overwhelm, and strengthen their emotional resilience, this episode gives you the exact language to do it. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 00:41 - What about afterwards? 02:23 - No pressure 05:03 - Resist reassurance 08:02 - Love is not conditional 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GCSE results day isn’t really about grades - it’s about emotions. Everyone is feeling a lot of things, from the moment you wake up, to opening that envelope, and then processing whatever is inside. In this episode, I explain why teens react so differently to results, and how your own exam memories resurface to influence your parenting. Remember: this day belongs to our children. Let them lead and be there to help them navigate whatever they’re feeling. To help you get through results day, I am giving you five tools you can use today that help your child feel safe, supported, and seen, because a calm parent changes everything. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 00:40 - Results day stays with us 05:08 - Signs to look for 08:33 - Why does our response matter so much 12:11 - 5 things you need to do 14:47 - Do not compare 17:05 - You don’t need to talk about the future today 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your teenager’s exam results were not what you expected, your plans might be making some sudden changes. That’s ok, and this episode is for you. Whether your child didn’t get the grades they hoped for, is suddenly unsure about university, or is facing a future that looks different from what they imagined, I will walk you through the five things I want you to do this week to help them move forward. Disappointing results can trigger shock, anxiety and fear, because teenagers aren’t just losing a plan, they’re losing the version of themselves they thought they were becoming. I show you how to name the loss, how to slow the decision‑making process so your teen isn’t making life choices in a state of distress, and how to help them build a new story that feels hopeful rather than catastrophic. I also give you the exact language to separate their identity from their grades, and the questions that help them lead the next step with confidence rather than panic. If your teenager is hurting, overwhelmed or unsure what comes next, this episode will give you the guidance you need to support them in the weeks and months ahead. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 00:50 - Grieving your imagined future 02:21 - How to acknowledge your child 05:35 - Help them write a new story 09:11 - Let them lead 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Results Day is one of the most emotionally-charged moments in your teenager’s life, and what you say in the first hours after they open that envelope can shape their confidence, their resilience, and their future selves. No pressure 😂 Today I am going to give you the exact sentences to use on A‑level Results Day, GCSE Results Day, or any high‑stakes academic moment. No clichés, no “at least” statements, no accidental pressure, just clear, grounded language that helps your teen feel seen, supported and safe. You’ll learn why teens process results so intensely, how to avoid the most common parental mistakes, what to say before they open their grades, how to respond if they’re devastated, and how to hold the emotional space so they can think clearly again. If you’re stressed about how to help your child through results day, this episode is exactly what you need! So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 00:40 - Your role on results day 05:04 - 4 things to do before they open the envelope 10:34 - What to do on the day 14:45 - Follow their lead 18:10 - It’s their news to tell 20:09 - Avoid these things 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A must‑listen for every parent navigating the screen‑time battle this summer! Today, I cut through the overwhelm with one simple, highly effective rule that stops arguments, protects your child’s sleep, stabilises their mood, and restores calm at home. If you’re seeing bedtime resistance, evening meltdowns, wired behaviour at night, or grumpy mornings, this episode explains why screens are disrupting your child’s emotional regulation - and exactly how to fix it without becoming the screen police. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 01:06 - A different rule for Summer 03:20 - Screens are not the enemy 06:06 - 2 minute conversations 09:21 - What are your endpoints? 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Screens aren’t just distracting your child - they’re quietly disrupting the one thing their brain and body cannot function without: sleep. And when sleep quality drops, everything else follows: mood, behaviour, emotional regulation, impulse control, learning, resilience and family harmony. In today’s episode, I explain the real screen‑time problem most parents miss, how it impacts your child’s sleep, and give you five practical things you can start doing tonight to fix it. So if you’re constantly in a battle with the screens, and it’s turning bedtime into a war, this episode is a must listen. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 00:38 - The biggest danger of screen time 03:10 - Does your child do this? 06:52 - The science of sleep 12:06 - 5 things you can do tonight 18:04 - The one week experiment 20:24 - We’re not fighting the robots 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fear of failure is one of the most misunderstood challenges parents face, especially when you’re raising a bright, capable child who refuses to try anything unless success is guaranteed. Today, I break down exactly why children avoid new experiences, quit the moment things get hard, melt down over mistakes, or insist “I can’t do it” before they’ve even begun. I am going to give you 5 practical strategies you can start using today to build resilience, confidence and emotional regulation, without pushing too hard. If your child avoids homework, quits activities, panics about getting things wrong, or compares themselves constantly to others, then I promise this episode will help you. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 00:55 - A quick reminder 02:52 - What’s the worst that can happen? 07:46 - Model imperfection 11:30 - They are never doing it alone 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re watching your bright, capable child refuse to try anything unless success is guaranteed, this episode is going to feel like oxygen. I’m breaking down exactly what’s really driving fear of failure in children - the avoidance, the perfectionism, the “I’m not doing it if I’m going to be bad at it” - and I’m giving you five practical things you can do right now to close the resilience gap. You’ll learn how fear of failure forms, how to spot it, and how to help your child build the confidence to try, struggle, persist and grow… even when things don’t go perfectly. If you’ve ever worried that your child’s fear of getting it wrong might hold them back, this episode will show you how to turn it around starting today. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 01:24 - Fear of failing is NOT this… 05:57 - How to spot a fear of failure 11:23 - 3 mistakes you might be making 16:05 - 5 things you can do right now 18:33 - Normalise failure 21:22 - Separate your child from the performance 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m tackling one of the most confusing challenges parents face: how to support a highly sensitive child without wrapping them in cotton wool or pushing them too hard . If your child feels everything deeply - the party overwhelm, the criticism that undoes them, the emotional intensity that seems bigger than everyone else’s - then you need this episode. I explain what high sensitivity actually is , how it overlaps with anxiety, ADHD and autism , and why so many parents misinterpret sensitivity as fragility or a sign that something is “wrong”. I walk you through five practical, evidence‑based strategies you can start using today to build your child’s resilience without dismissing who they are . If you’ve ever worried that you’re either protecting your child too much or not protecting them enough, this episode will give you the middle path - one that honours their depth, strengthens their confidence, and helps them grow into the extraordinary person they’re wired to be. So take a seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation… Highlights from this episode: 01:18 - The biggest mistake you will make 05:22 - A flooded nervous system cannot take information 08:14 - Manage, don’t avoid 10:40 - What adult do you want to raise? 13:16 - Be your child’s counter narrative 15:19 - Be a role model 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most misunderstood traits I see in children every single week: high sensitivity . If your child feels everything deeply - the loud places, the scratchy clothes, the emotional intensity of a birthday party they actually enjoyed - you may have wondered whether it’s anxiety , ADHD , autism , or something you’ve somehow caused. So let’s clear it up. I explain the difference between high sensitivity, anxiety, and neurodivergence , why they overlap, and how to tell what you’re really looking at. You’ll learn the five patterns that reliably show up in highly sensitive children, why their nervous system processes the world more deeply, and how this trait can be a profound strength when it’s understood rather than pathologised. Most importantly, I will give you five practical tools you can start using today. If you’ve ever been told your child is “too sensitive”, or you’ve quietly wondered whether something is wrong, this episode will help you see what’s actually happening, and what your child truly needs. Highlights from this episode: 01:21 - Can labels be limiting? 03:13 - Highly sensitive is not a diagnosis 06:26 - 5 signs of high sensitivity 13:41 - Sensitivity versus neurodivergence 19:36 - What you can do right now 26:07 - Sensitivity is a superpower 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I will walk you through the real first week of the school holidays - the meltdowns, the boredom, the clinginess, the explosions over nothing - and why this week is always the hardest for anxious children. I explain exactly what’s happening in your child’s nervous system when the school‑day scaffolding disappears, why their bucket fills before lunchtime, and the three practical tools you can use immediately to stabilise the week. So if you’re standing in your kitchen wondering how you’re going to survive six weeks, this episode gives you what you need to get through the first seven days without losing yourself! Highlights from this episode: 01:11 - When the scaffolding comes down 03:00 - What is the bucket? 05:09 - Name the state, not the behaviour 08:50 - Predictable moments 11:01 - Lower your expectations 14:33 - Holiday rhythm card 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer holidays are tough for parents, but it can be a hidden superpower! In this episode, I explain exactly why anxious children struggle the moment school ends, why the holidays bring out their anxiety, and the five practical tools that genuinely help. I walk you through the real reason behind the meltdowns, the boredom‑to‑explosion cycle, the clinginess, and the screen‑time battles. You’ll learn how predictability, scaffolding, social structure and nervous‑system load change dramatically once term ends - and why this shift hits anxious children harder than anyone expects. I also break down the three groups of children who improve in the holidays: separation‑anxious children school‑specific anxious children, and children who monitor family safety. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear, compassionate framework for understanding your child’s behaviour, plus five actionable tools you can start right now. Highlights from this episode: 01:22 - Anxiety is information 04:45 - How to spot anxiety 09:23 - Social comparison 12:19 - The trigger has left the building 16:54 - Contrast is the signal 20:57 - Where does overwhelm come from? 23:18 - 5 tools to use now 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s bucket‑emptying episode, I’m giving you the exact words to use in one of the hardest parenting moments: when your child looks at you and says “I’m not good enough.” If you’ve ever watched your child crumble after a mistake, a test, a football practice, or a moment that didn’t go their way, and your reassurance only made things worse, you need this episode. I walk you through three specific tools that work with an overwhelmed nervous system, not against it. You’ll learn why reassurance backfires, what’s actually happening inside your child’s emotional bucket, and how to respond in a way that builds resilience, emotional regulation, and self‑worth. If your child struggles with perfectionism, anxiety, low confidence, big feelings, or shutdowns, this episode is your secret weapon. Highlights from this episode: 02:12 - This is what your child really means 04:31 - Do this before anything else 07:16 - Permanence is terrifying 09:24 - Empty the bucket 11:48 - My give to you 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com ☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re a woman in your 40s or 50s who feels like everything has suddenly become harder - the brain fog, the overwhelm, the burnout, the emotional crashes, the sense that you’re “failing” at things you used to manage - this episode may explain more than you realise. I’m joined again by Jessie Hewitson to talk about a phenomenon we’re seeing everywhere: women in peri‑ and post‑menopause receiving an ADHD or autism diagnosis for the very first time. Jessie shares her own story, how supporting her neurodivergent son led her to recognise lifelong patterns in herself, and how the hormonal shifts of perimenopause made previously manageable struggles suddenly impossible to ignore. We talk about why so many women were missed as children, how inattentive ADHD presents completely differently in girls and women, why masking works until it doesn’t, and how executive function collapses under hormonal change. We also dive into rejection sensitivity dysphoria, people‑pleasing, burnout, the “good girl” conditioning so many women carry, and why the perfect storm of midlife - teenagers, aging parents, senior roles, and hormonal upheaval - pushes long‑standing neurodivergence to the surface. If you’ve ever wondered why you’re suddenly overwhelmed by tasks you used to juggle, why anxiety has spiked, why your coping strategies have stopped working, or why menopause feels like more than menopause, this conversation will give you clarity, and help you understand what might really be going on. Highlights from this episode: 01:44 - Neurotypical strategies don’t work! 04:43 - Inattentive versus hyperactive 10:25 - Executive function 16:43 - ADHD and burnout 19:25 - Rejection sensitivity 25:17 - Anxiety of falling short 28:59 - The shame of ADHD 32:51 - Task initiation 💚 Please share with at least one friend, and let’s build our village together 💚 For all previous episodes, and to submit episode topics you want me to talk about, visit https://drmaryhan.com/podcast/ 💚 For the free resource library, visit https://drmaryhan.com/library 💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 💚 Brands and advertisers, email contact@drmaryhan.com DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.