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Pods for all parents of preschoolers. Parenting Download looks at the topics gripping your group chats, while we take your calls and put them to the experts on Parenting Helpline.
41 Episodes
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How do you fit movement and exercise into family life when you are tired, busy and juggling everything at once? Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore realistic, low‑pressure ways to get active with your little ones. From five‑minute bursts at home to quick trips outside, the focus is on doing what you can, when you can, so everyone feels better. Harry Aikines‑Aryeetey (Gladiators star Nitro) talks about keeping activity playful and letting children lead the way. He explains how becoming a parent shifted his motivation from performance to wellbeing and connection. Whether it is seizing a sunny hour after school to ride a new bike, turning a trampoline park into a family workout, or joining in alongside them at a class, his message is to take part and look for balance, even on busy days.The nation’s PE teacher, Joe Wicks MBE, brings a short and doable outlook for parents who are pressed for time. He champions five‑minute resets, home workouts even in small spaces, and quick walks in fresh air that lift energy and mood. Exercise, he says, is a tool for patience as much as fitness, and he highlights the importance of encouraging active play for families, even when you do not feel in the mood.For more ideas and resources on getting active and playing with your kids, visit the CBeebies Parenting website.Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.com or WhatsApp 0800 022 4808
Parents often worry that their children just aren't ready to take the step up to school. Early years educator Christina Lydon takes questions on how to help kids start school with confidence.
For BBC AI Unpacked Week Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore Artificial Intelligence chatbots, where they can genuinely help parents and when to be cautious, offering practical ideas to save time and stress while keeping human judgment at the centre.Singer, songwriter and Grammy, BRIT and Ivor Novello award-winner Kamille shares how she uses AI to help organise her parenting life from navigating missed naps to managing her busy schedule.BBC technology editor Zoe Kleinman explains what AI chatbots are, how they work and why some people can become over reliant on them. Zoe recommends we use AI as a 'second brain' and gives expert advice on how to use this technology safely and effectively.For more ideas and parenting resources, visit the CBeebies Parenting website.Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.com or WhatsApp 0800 022 4808
Recorded in front of a live audience at London’s Natural History Museum, this bonus episode brings Katie Thistleton and Guvna B together with CBeebies legend, Andy Day, research psychologist and founder of the Good Play Guide, Dr Amanda Gummer, and celebrity parents, Olivia and Alex Bowen. The group share playful childhood memories: from Olivia’s forest dens to Alex’s love of drawing, Andy’s dinosaur games with his brothers and Dr Amanda’s board game evenings with her grandparents, setting the scene for how early experiences shape the way we play with children today.They explore why play can feel difficult to prioritise, how busy routines add pressure and why even short bursts of focused attention can help little ones learn. The guests talk openly about finding ideas in everyday life, whether that’s outdoor time, quick imaginative games or playful routines inspired by children’s favourite shows.This bonus episode offers reassurance that play does not have to be perfect to be meaningful. For more ideas and resources, visit the CBeebies Parenting website.Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.com or WhatsApp 0800 022 4808
Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore how to build a balanced play diet that helps children learn, imagine and unwind, even when time is tight. They focus on turning everyday routines into quick games, choosing ideas that work indoors and outside, and using short bursts of activity to keep things fun without adding pressure.Research psychologist and founder of the Good Play Guide Dr Amanda Gummer explains how to blend active, social, solo and calm moments across the day, and why letting children lead makes play more engaging. DJ and presenter of the CBeebies Parenting Helpline podcast Charlie Hedges offers what is working in her home right now, including small ‘silly’ rituals that build connection and make ordinary moments feel special. From treasure hunts for leaves and stones and a morning coffee machine dance, to simple make believe, she shows how a cardboard box and mud pies can deliver big smiles on any budget.For more information, research and guidance, visit the CBeebies Parenting website.Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.com or WhatsApp 0800 022 4808
Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore how to get ready for another baby when there is already a child or children at home, focusing on what to say, how to keep routines steady and the small moments that help everyone feel settled and involved.Professional child development and parenting support specialist Lorraine Lee explains how to handle big feelings around scans, baby showers and changing routines. From using a simple 'feelings' chart to keeping language calm and age appropriate, and why aiming for equality rather than sameness helps children feel valued. She also shares phrasing to avoid negativity about the baby, such as attributing every change to ‘because of the baby’, and offers tips for tricky school days when an older child imagines home is more exciting than class.6Music presenter and DJ Jamz Supernova, who is expecting her second child, shares what is working in her home right now, including small rituals that build connection, and a collaborative family approach to planning life around the new arrival. Together they underline that there is no perfect age gap, and that simple, consistent steps can help older children feel prepared and confident about their new sibling.For more information and guidance, visit the CBeebies Parenting website.Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.com or WhatsApp 0800 022 4808
Romance after kids can look and feel very different, but CBeebies Parenting Download is here to help reignite that spark. Katie Thistleton and Guvna B are joined by TV personality and presenter Scarlett Moffatt, psychologist Dr Lalitaa Suglani and dating coach Hayley Quinn to decode love languages, shifting routines, and share Valentine’s ideas for tired couples and single parents.Former Gogglebox star, Scarlett offers a playful way to defuse petty rows, suggests keeping some individual interests and hobbies so there is more to talk about than nappies, and encourages parents to accept the inevitable changes that come with parenting. Dr Lalitaa explains how priorities shift, why naming feelings of guilt or shame helps, and how short, consistent moments of emotional intimacy can begin to rebuild connection. Hayley talks about her own parenting experience and recommends micro rituals like a quick phone-free walk and, for single parents, advises honesty, plus small weekly steps toward dating at a manageable pace.Expect practical takeaways on sharing the load without scorekeeping, cherishing bite-size time together and keeping Valentine’s low pressure. For more ideas and parenting resources, visit the CBeebies Parenting website. Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.com or WhatsApp 0800 022 4808
Friendships often shift when children arrive, from missed invites and new routines to the relief of finding people who are in the same boat as you. Katie Thistleton and Guvna B look at why these changes happen and how to handle them with confidence, offering relatable stories and practical ideas to keep connections strong.TV personality and presenter Dani Dyer shares what helped her after becoming a mum at 24, from leaning on childhood friends to using baby groups as a pressure free place to talk with other parents. She also explains why time with non-parent mates helps her stay connected and feel like herself. Journalist and author Claire Cohen explains the 'friendship gap' that opens when life stages no longer match and shares straightforward ways to stay close, including speaking up when you feel left out and giving each other flexibility while routines change.For more ideas and parenting resources, visit the CBeebies Parenting website. Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.com or WhatsApp 0800 022 4808
Finding time to read with your child is not always straightforward. Recent research suggests fewer families are reading aloud and some parents have said it doesn't feel enjoyable. Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore why this happens and how a small, workable routine can make story time feel easy and fun again.Camilla Reid, author of the Pip and Posy and the Peekaboo book series, explains how short, simple plots and interactive pages help young children stay engaged, and why a few minutes most days can be enough to build a lasting habit. Performance storyteller and author of Bedtime Stories: Beautiful Black Tales from the Past, Wendy Shearer, offers confidence‑building guidance on voice, pace and expression, and reassures parents that perfection is not required. If reading feels daunting or difficult, you can tell the story from the pictures, or make up your own version and still get the same benefits.Whether the barrier is tiredness, time pressure or low confidence, this conversation offers reassurance, expert perspective and practical ideas to rebuild a joyful, sustainable story time. For more ideas and resources, visit the CBeebies Parenting website.Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.com or WhatsApp 0800 022 4808
67% of couples say their relationship satisfaction dropped in the years after having kids. Can it be repaired?Psychosexual therapist Kate Moyle talks to Charlie about re-prioritising our relationships, navigating the invisible load and building intimacy back from the ground up.Callers share their vulnerable stories of disconnection and hope for the future.
Parental anxiety can appear in countless forms, from restless nights and racing thoughts to the constant feeling that you need to be one step ahead. Katie Thistleton and Guvna B look at why these feelings surface for so many parents and how they might shift over time.Former Traitors winner Leanne Quigley shares her experiences as a mum of twins, reflecting on the uncertainty of IVF, the shock of premature labour at 26 weeks and the intensity of raising two lively children after such a difficult start. Psychologist Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo offers clear, practical guidance on what can sit beneath these emotional responses, how the mind interprets everyday challenges and what simple techniques can help parents steady themselves when things begin to feel overwhelming.Whether your moments of doubt come from disrupted sleep, big transitions, growing independence or the mental load of keeping family life moving, this conversation offers reassurance, expert perspective and useful ideas to help you feel more confident and supported in your parenting.For more information, wellbeing advice and parenting resources, visit the CBeebies Parenting website.Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.com or WhatsApp 0800 022 4808
Tom Piccirilli gives straight-talking support for new dads. How can you support your partner, bond with your baby and become a new and confident you?Callers share honest stories and get practical tips to help them show up and thrive as dads. Plus, Tom opens up about his experience of baby loss and grief.If you're affected by issues raised in this programme, BBC Action Line have details for organisations that may be able to help - https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/
Pelvic physiotherapist Clare Bourne talks to Charlie about why prevention beats panic.
Is there a how-to guide to healing after birth? And when is it time to seek help?Callers share their pain journeys and Clare guides them to reclaim movement, intimacy and everyday wins!
Charlie is joined by pediatric sleep consultant Rosey Davidson to talk about surviving sleep deprivation, controversial sleep myths and the science behind controlled crying. From co-sleeping to nighttime wake-ups, Rosey shares practical and reassuring advice for tired families.
What does it mean to be a man and a father? Do genetics affect our ability to bond?
Male fertility advocate Shaun Greenaway talks to Charlie about his powerful journey through male infertility and identity and the realisation that changed his whole life. If you are affected by the issues raised in this episode, BBC Action Line has links to organisations that may be able to help - https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/
Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore why the art of negotiation is such a vital parenting skill and share practical ways to handle everyday standoffs without the stress.They’re joined by former international hostage and crisis negotiator Nicky Perfect, who reveals how techniques from her high-pressure career can help parents stay calm and in control. Comedian and mum-of-three Hannah East brings stories from her own parenting life, including the time she booked a family trip to Lapland in the middle of the night.Whether you’re dealing with bedtime battles or family friction, this conversation offers practical strategies to make negotiations easier and parenting more peaceful.Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.com or WhatsApp 0800 022 4808
How do we set healthy screen limits, build family boundaries and become our child's best digital role models?Clinical psychologist Dr. Marta Collado helps Charlie answer all your tricky questions about kids’ screen time and online safety.
Katie Thistleton and Guvna B explore why Christmas can feel overwhelming for children and share practical ways to keep the magic alive without the meltdowns.They’re joined by comedian and dad of three George Lewis, who reveals how his family adapted festive traditions to reduce stress, and parenting and child behaviour specialist San Mehra, who explains why children experience Christmas overwhelm and how empathy and planning can make all the difference.Whether you’re planning your first Christmas as a parent or juggling multiple family expectations, this conversation offers practical strategies to reduce sensory overload, manage routines, and create stress-free festive fun for children.Find more information and resources on the CBeebies Parenting website.Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.com or WhatsApp 0800 0224808
Early years expert Sophie David packs this festive Parenting Helpline special with loads of practical takeaways! Sophie shows Charlie that the magic of Christmas truly happens in the home. She demonstrates her top budget-friendly Christmas crafts, homemade gift ideas and creative ways to make magical family memories without overspending.
Katie Thistleton and Guvna B unpack paternal mental health and the often-overlooked challenges dads can face during pregnancy and the early years after their child’s birth.They’re joined by rapper and mental health advocate Professor Green and podcaster and former Made in Chelsea star Ryan Libbey, who share honest experiences of fatherhood and reveal the barriers men can face when they need help, and why breaking the silence matters.Clinical psychologist and researcher specialising in perinatal mental health, Dr. Jill Domoney, explains how paternal mental health impacts the whole family ecosystem. She highlights common signs that dads might be struggling and offers practical advice on where to find support.Whether you’re a new dad, a partner, or simply want to understand more, this episode provides essential insights into spotting symptoms early, reducing stigma, and creating open conversations about mental wellbeing.This episode contains discussion about depression and difficult pregnancy and birth experiences. Find more information on the CBeebies Parenting website.
Details of help and support with mental health and pregnancy-related issues are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.Get in touch: parentingdownload@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 0224808
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