The Parenting Space

In this final episode, Croydon dads Dom, Tristan and Mike talk about how life changes when a baby arrives, and how easy it is to lose sight of your own wellbeing. They reflect on the reality that you can’t be your best self for your partner or your children if you’re not looking after yourself, even though finding the time to do that can feel impossible. The dads discuss the importance of talking to friends and family and having the courage to ask for help, something that doesn’t always come naturally to men. They explore how neglecting your own wellbeing can affect those around you, and how routines, structure, and honest communication can help prevent resentment and bring balance back to family life. Watch, share, and join the conversation about how dads can care for themselves while caring for everyone else.

In this special episode, the Croydon dads open up about postnatal depression, a subject that affects more families than many realise. They share their own experiences of low moods, exhaustion and feeling powerless, and talk about how these challenges can touch both parents, especially when juggling life’s other pressures. From sleepless nights to the strain of supporting a partner while struggling yourself, this honest conversation explores how easy it is to bottle things up and why talking to your partner, friends, or other parents and groups really matters. It’s a heartfelt look at the long road through postnatal depression, the power of communication, and the reminder that things do get easier with time. Watch, share, and help open up the conversation about mental health and fatherhood.

In this episode, the Croydon dads share their stories of meeting their babies for the first time, from the excitement and emotion of the birth to the early days of nappies, sleepless nights, and learning as they went. They talk honestly about the mix of pride, stress, and joy that comes with bringing baby home, figuring out feeding and routines, and watching those first flashes of personality appear and grow. There’s chat about teamwork too, dividing up care, supporting partners, and the importance of taking initiative and preparing before baby arrives.

In this episode, three Croydon dads open up about their relationships, with partners, friends, and family. They talk about the changes that come when a baby arrives, from shifting priorities to learning new ways to communicate and stay authentic as a couple. It’s an honest and thoughtful chat about partnerships, teamwork, and the adjustments that come with family life. Watch, share, and join the conversation about what it means to keep relationships real through fatherhood.

In this first episode of Fathers Becoming a Dad, Croydon dads Jamal, Elliot and Michael talk honestly about the journey to becoming a father. Some pregnancies were planned, others came as a surprise, but all brought an avalanche of emotions: pride, excitement, fear, purpose and everything in between. They open up about how their relationships shifted, what they learned along the way, and how becoming a dad changed their sense of direction and responsibility. Watch, share, and be part of the conversation about what it really means to step into fatherhood.

This week's episode focuses on ways that parents can use communication to strengthen family connections and model problem-solving to their children. This podcast was developed by parents and practitioners from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, who share their experience of parenting and parenting strategies. Created as a collaboration between the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) team and the CAMHS Digital Clinical Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.  For more information about parenting, please visit: https://slam.nhs.uk/ www.theparentingspace.org.uk Parenting Tips & Tricks - Families Under Pressure - Maudsley Charity Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds 

This week's episode focuses on the importance of looking after ourselves, as parents, and the role that communication can play in this.  This podcast was developed by parents and practitioners from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, who share their experience of parenting and parenting strategies. Created as a collaboration between the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) team and the CAMHS Digital Clinical Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.  For more information about parenting, please visit: https://slam.nhs.uk/ www.theparentingspace.org.uk Parenting Tips & Tricks - Families Under Pressure - Maudsley Charity Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds 

This week's episode reflects on how clear, calm communication can support with the use of planned discipline strategies in response to behaviour that is challenging.  This podcast was developed by parents and practitioners from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, who share their experience of parenting and parenting strategies. Created as a collaboration between the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) team and the CAMHS Digital Clinical Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.  For more information about parenting, please visit: https://slam.nhs.uk/ www.theparentingspace.org.uk Parenting Tips & Tricks - Families Under Pressure - Maudsley Charity Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds 

This week's episode reflects on the role of household rules and considers helpful strategies that can be used to implement these in the home.  This podcast was developed by parents and practitioners from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, who share their experience of parenting and parenting strategies. Created as a collaboration between the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) team and the CAMHS Digital Clinical Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.  For more information about parenting, please visit: https://slam.nhs.uk/ www.theparentingspace.org.uk Parenting Tips & Tricks - Families Under Pressure - Maudsley Charity Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds 

This week’s episode focuses on rewards and how they can be an effective way to support positive behaviour.  This podcast was developed by parents and practitioners from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, who share their experience of parenting and parenting strategies. Created as a collaboration between the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) team and the CAMHS Digital Clinical Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.  For more information about parenting, please visit: https://slam.nhs.uk/ www.theparentingspace.org.uk Parenting Tips & Tricks - Families Under Pressure - Maudsley Charity Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds 

This week's episode reflects on labels and the ways in which both positive and negative labelling can impact children’s self-esteem and confidence.  This podcast was developed by parents and practitioners from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, who share their experience of parenting and parenting strategies. Created as a collaboration between the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) team and the CAMHS Digital Clinical Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.  For more information about parenting, please visit: https://slam.nhs.uk/ www.theparentingspace.org.uk Parenting Tips & Tricks - Families Under Pressure - Maudsley Charity Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds 

This week's episode reflects on ways that parents can use descriptive praise to support positive behaviour and improve communication as a family.   This podcast was developed by parents and practitioners from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, who share their experience of parenting and parenting strategies. Created as a collaboration between the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) team and the CAMHS Digital Clinical Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.  For more information about parenting, please visit: https://slam.nhs.uk/ www.theparentingspace.org.uk Parenting Tips & Tricks - Families Under Pressure - Maudsley Charity Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds 

This week's episode focuses on how parents can use play to support their child’s emotional development. We explore the idea of child-led play, a type of play where the child is in control and the parent takes the child’s lead, resisting asking any questions or using it as an opportunity to teach.  This podcast was developed by parents and practitioners from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, who share their experience of parenting and parenting strategies. Created as a collaboration between the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) team and the CAMHS Digital Clinical Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.  For more information about parenting, please visit: https://slam.nhs.uk/ www.theparentingspace.org.uk Parenting Tips & Tricks - Families Under Pressure - Maudsley Charity Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds  

This week’s episode focuses on acknowledging feelings. We discuss how encouraging children to express their feelings can boost self-esteem, the importance of parents managing and expressing their own emotions, and ways to recognise and validate their child's feelings. This podcast was developed by parents and practitioners from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, who share their experience of parenting and parenting strategies. Created as a collaboration between the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) team and the CAMHS Digital Clinical Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. For more information about parenting, please visit: https://slam.nhs.uk/ www.theparentingspace.org.uk Parenting Tips & Tricks - Families Under Pressure - Maudsley Charity Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds 

This week's episode focuses on what it means to be a 'Good Enough Parent' and the pitfalls of trying to be the 'Perfect Parent'. We discuss the importance of having realistic expectations, not putting ourselves down, and practicing being kind to ourselves as parents.This podcast was developed by parents and practitioners from the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, who share their experience of parenting and parenting strategies. Created as a collaboration between the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) team and the CAMHS Digital Clinical Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. For more information about parenting, please visit:https://slam.nhs.uk/www.theparentingspace.org.ukParenting Tips & Tricks - Families Under Pressure - Maudsley CharityParents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds