Things Nobody Tells You

School is more than just classrooms and homework - it's friendships, inclusion, self-worth, extracurriculars, parent politics, and the relentless juggle of getting three kids to five different places while remembering which one needs their library book. In this episode, Emmy sits down with Kiindred’s own resident mum, Julia, for a deeply honest conversation about navigating primary school life across kindy to year six. From the early days when everyone's invited to birthday parties, to the gut-punch moment when your child is the one left out - they unpack the stuff nobody prepares you for. They talk about friendships and how they can make or break whether your kid wants to go to school, the impact COVID had on social development for that whole cohort and why some kids fly under the radar while others collect certificates every assembly. They also dive into the pressure of after-school activities, the guilt around not doing enough (or doing too much) and how to build a healthy relationship with your child's teacher without becoming that parent. With real talk on masking, neurodivergence, the comparison trap between siblings, why the school report card doesn't always reflect effort, and the importance of raising kids who can see things from someone else's perspective - this is a grounding, relatable conversation for anyone in the thick of primary school life.

From the beauty counters of the early 2000s to the spotlight of Gogglebox, Sarah-Marie Fahd has navigated a lot - career shifts, motherhood, media attention, and the messy reality of raising two boys while learning to trust her gut along the way. In this episode, Emmy sits down with her longtime friend Sarah-Marie for a deeply honest conversation about the stuff nobody prepares you for. From the overwhelming fog of postnatal depression and anxiety with her first baby during COVID, to the stark difference she felt with her second - finally understanding what people meant when they said "this is how it's meant to feel." They unpack the pressure to have it all together, the myth of the perfect parenting timeline, why deleting the milestone app was one of the best decisions she made, and how her two boys - Zen Master Malik and "Hulk Baby" Leon - taught her that every child is completely different. They talk about the beauty industry's obsession with perfection, losing yourself in early motherhood, the mental load of being the default parent, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is lie on the kitchen floor and look at the ceiling with your toddler. Real talk. Real friendship. Real motherhood.

Perimenopause. The word alone can make you feel like you're losing your mind - wondering if it's stress, relationship issues, or just you being 'crazy.' But what if the brain fog, the rage, the dryness, the exhaustion, and the overwhelming mental load aren't about you at all - but about a hormonal shift nobody prepared you for? In this episode, Emmy sits down with her OG crew - the friends she's known since high school - for the most honest, unfiltered conversation about perimenopause you'll ever hear. From dry vaginas to joint pain, hair loss, anxiety spikes, and the internal rage that comes out of nowhere, nothing is off limits. Together, they unpack what it's really like navigating this phase while raising kids, managing relationships, working full-time, and trying to remember what you walked into the room for. They talk about the stuff nobody tells you - that your cycle might go wild, your libido might tank, your skin might change overnight, and you might cry at a bird ad on TV. They also dig into the lack of education, the dismissive doctors, the self-doubt, and why so many women are told they're "too young" when they know something's not right. With raw stories about single parenting through perimenopause, long-distance friendships, the pressure to do it all, sexual wellness, pelvic floor physio, HRT patches, and why pleasure matters just as much as everything else - this is a grounding, laugh-out-loud, cry-in-your-wine kind of conversation. Real talk. Real women. Real bloody perimenopause.

Consent starts with nappy changes, hugs from relatives, and the language we use when our kids are still tiny. But somewhere along the way, many of us were taught that children's bodies aren't really their own - that they should hug on command, stay quiet during bath time, and never question what adults do to them. In this episode, Emmy sits down with Vanessa Hamilton - Sex and Health Educator, author, and one of the original expert voices behind the work we do. Together, they unpack what body autonomy actually looks like from birth, how to talk about private parts without shame, and why teaching consent early is one of the most protective things we can do as parents. They cover the practical stuff but also go deeper - into grooming, online safety, sexual extortion, gender diversity, and how to be the ‘askable parent’ your child needs as they grow. With real examples, scripts you can actually use, and a reminder that it's never too early (or too late) to start these conversations - this is an empowering listen for anyone raising kids in a world that doesn't always respect their boundaries. Be curious. Start early.

Milestones are everywhere - the apps, the books, the comments at playgroup. But what happens when your child's timeline looks completely different? When sitting up takes months of therapy, or walking is still a work in progress at two? In this episode, Emmy sits down with Christa, mum to gorgeous Frankie - a little one born with Down syndrome who has already navigated heart surgery, feeding tubes, and a development path that doesn't fit the textbook. Together, they unpack what it's really like to parent outside the milestones, the weight of comparison, and why sometimes an innocent question can trigger what Christa calls a "milestone meltdown." They talk about reality of advocating for your child in spaces that weren't built with them in mind. From daycare to dance classes, keyword signing to crawling at two, this is a raw and grounding conversation about pressure, isolation, community and why you don't owe anyone an explanation. With reflections on finding your people, letting go of control, the power of inclusive environments, and why checking in on a parent navigating extra needs can mean everything - this one's for anyone who’s ever worried their child is “behind” or felt unseen in the early years. Real, honest, and full of heart.

Immunisations are one of those big early milestones - not just for your baby, but for you. The tiny body, the sting, the cry, the weight of knowing you're doing the right thing while also wishing you could take the discomfort away. In this episode, Emmy brings together three trusted voices to give you a truly holistic view of how to navigate immunisations with confidence - from preparation and emotional support, to managing pain, fever, and everything that comes after. First up is Gen from Connected Parenting, who walks through how to prepare your child (and yourself) before the appointment, what to do during those big feelings, and how to support them afterwards - with real scripts, play-based prep ideas, and a reminder that connection is everything. Then Chris Minogue, Mothercraft Nurse and the original baby whisperer, steps in to unpack what actually happens after immunisations - the irritability, the sleep disruptions, the feeding changes - and why most of it settles within 48 hours. She also shares when to watch, when to wait, and when to check in with your GP. Finally, Dr Michaela Sorenson braks down the different types of pain our little ones experience - from teething and earaches to fevers, headaches, growing pains, and post-immunisation discomfort. With clear advice on what to look for, how to treat it, and when to seek help, this is the kind of practical, reassuring information every parent needs. Whether it's your first baby or your fourth, this episode will help you feel more prepared, more informed, and more confident in supporting your child through one of the most protective things we do as parents.

Big feelings in little bodies can feel huge for parents too – especially when you’ve got a child who’s extra sensitive, struggles with drop-offs or seems to fall apart the second they’re back in your arms. In this episode of Things Nobody Tells You, Emmy sits down with clinical psychologist and mum of three, Jacquie Ward, to unpack what’s really going on for our highly sensitive kids – and why it’s not about “bad behaviour” or you doing it wrong. They chat about why sensitivity is a biological trait (not a parenting fail), what’s normal clinginess versus separation anxiety, and how to think differently about tantrums, meltdowns and those impossible transitions out the door. Jacquie also shares how our own nervous system, stress levels and upbringing shape the way we respond to our kids, and why getting support for you can be just as powerful as a strategy for them. This is a grounded, honest conversation for any parent who’s ever wondered, “Is this normal… or is it just us?”

Birth advice is everywhere, but what actually helps is the stuff that makes the intense parts feel normal and the choices feel clearer. In this episode, we chat with Lauren Severiano, a registered nurse and doula who has supported more than 300 births. With Lauren’s background across both medical and holistic care, we go beyond the textbook to unpack how birth is approached from a provider’s perspective, how hospital language and timelines can shape decisions, and how to use a birth plan without rigidity. We also demystify the messy but common realities; pooing, shaking, vomiting, delivering the placenta, delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin, newborn quirks, and recovery. This is a grounded, judgment-free chat for anyone preparing for birth, with simple ways to balance preparation and flexibility, protect your headspace, and find your voice. Real talk, real examples, and reassurance you can carry into the birthing suite.

Crying is one of the most primal sounds in parenting - and also one of the hardest to sit with. From that first night home to the peak of the witching hours, it can feel like your job is to stop the crying, fix the problem, and prove you've got this. But what if we've misunderstood what crying actually means? In this episode, Emmy sits down with Genevieve Muir, a social worker, parenting educator, author, and mum of four - to unpack the truth about baby cries. Not just the physical needs like hunger or sleep, but the emotional release, the developmental leaps, and the moments when your baby is simply having a cry because that's how they lower their cortisol. Together, they explore why crying makes us feel so distressed, what to expect during that brutal 6-8 week peak, why some babies settle better when you put them down and how every child teaches you something completely different. They also talk about the stuff that actually helps in those early weeks: self-compassion over self-care, tapping out instead of competing over who's more tired or the power of saying no to visitors. With real talk on parenting styles that don't fit, the myth of the 'good baby,' and why your baby's cortisol drops just hearing your voice - this is a grounding, honest conversation for anyone in the thick of those early days. You don't need to fix every cry. You just need to keep showing up.

Sleep training. The phrase alone can make a new parent's heart race - conjuring images of crying babies, rigid schedules, and guilt-laden choices. But what if the real question isn't whether you're sleep training your baby... but whether your baby is sleep training you? In this episode, Emmy sits down with Chris Minogue, a Mothercraft Nurse and the original baby whisperer who's been supporting families for decades. Together, they unpack what sleep actually looks like in those early months, why awake windows matter more than you think and how to create a framework that works for your family without losing yourself in the process. They talk about the pause - that moment before you rush in that changes everything. The feed-bath-feed that becomes your anchor point when the day feels chaotic. Why babies don't sleep through at 12 weeks and why comparing notes online will only make you feel worse. And the truth that sleep isn’t something babies do naturally. Whether it's your first baby or your fourth, this episode will help you feel less alone, more informed, and ready to trust yourself through the sleepless nights and the tiny victories that follow.