{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/69afec20b58ea3074d035816/6a4f4a01f8a80edf8520740f?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"How to Survive a Renovation with a Newborn","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/69afec20b58ea3074d035816/1783580995838-67f7105c-35eb-47bc-a7c2-b9af4104fe10.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p><strong>Renovating a house is stressful, but doing it with a newborn baby while navigating grants, planning delays, and multi-generational living is a masterclass in survival.</strong> 👶🛠️</p><p>In this debut episode of <em>The Tribe of Parents Experience</em>, host Hannah sits down with corporate tech professional and mom <strong>Jenny Diamond-Kelly</strong>. Jenny pulls back the curtain on the raw reality of ripping the roof off a 1960s bungalow while raising her baby boy, Louis. Shifting away from polished social media feeds, this episode functions as a practical guide for young parents tackling the property market.</p><p><br></p><p>Tune in to discover the exact strategies, AI tools, and grant hacks they used to survive a year of construction chaos without breaking their budget—or their marriage.</p><p><br></p><h3>🕒 Useful How-To's &amp; Episode Timestamps:</h3><ul><li><strong>00:00</strong> – How to survive the newborn phase during a house sale and renovation</li><li><strong>01:09</strong> – Introduction to corporate professional and mom, Jenny Diamond Kelly</li><li><strong>01:53</strong> – How to navigate life with a two-year-old and toddler mispronunciations</li><li><strong>04:08</strong> – How we decided to rip the roof off a house with a 10-month-old</li><li><strong>05:26</strong> – How to handle the planning permission process and layout challenges</li><li><strong>08:57</strong> – How to pivot when facing planning delays and losing your original builder</li><li><strong>09:29</strong> – How to survive a 12-month build by moving in with parents and in-laws</li><li><strong>13:24</strong> – How to manage the reality of moving back home in your mid-30s</li><li><strong>14:42</strong> – How to choose design vibes and plan a home layout for the future</li><li><strong>17:37</strong> – How swapping a bedroom to build a dedicated laundry room creates a functional haven</li><li><strong>21:20</strong> – How to handle the corporate culture shock of dealing with unreliable tradesmen</li><li><strong>23:40</strong> – How to project manage the site and catch costly plumbing errors early</li><li><strong>26:00</strong> – How to evaluate one-stop-shop builders versus independent project managers</li><li><strong>27:32</strong> – How to keep future neighbours happy using wine and chocolates</li><li><strong>29:25</strong> – How to find real renovation style inspiration from Studio McGee and online accounts</li><li><strong>31:24</strong> – How to navigate the reality of SEAI Grants and preferred supplier costs</li><li><strong>33:23</strong> – How to utilize AI platforms (ChatGPT &amp; Claude) to check construction costs and contracts</li><li><strong>36:15</strong> – How to protect your mental health against influencer pressure versus real-life baby timelines</li><li><strong>39:07</strong> – How to overcome severe decision fatigue by spraying the whole house white</li><li><strong>41:42</strong> – How to select durable, child-proof materials and engineered wood flooring</li><li><strong>46:14</strong> – How to shift your parental expectations away from \"unicorn baby sleep routines\"</li><li><strong>52:01</strong> – How a 10% to 15% budget contingency saves you from disasters like attic termites</li><li><strong>54:05</strong> – How to safely navigate Vacant and Derelict Property Grants in Ireland</li><li><strong>57:06</strong> – How to reflect on motherhood and find grounding six months into a build</li><li><strong>01:00:25</strong> – How postpartum nesting can be used to create a dedicated toddler space</li><li><strong>01:02:41</strong> – How to balance blood, sweat, tears, and property luck.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>✨ Top 3 Key Takeaways for Parents:</h3><ul><li><strong>The 15% Rule:</strong> A financial buffer isn't optional. From unexpected architect redraws to attic termites, hidden costs <em>will</em> appear.</li><li><strong>AI is Your Best Assistant:</strong> Learn how pasting contractor quotes into ChatGPT or Claude can help you spot missing clauses and compliance gaps before signing a contract.</li><li><strong>Ditch the \"Perfect Nursery\" Guilt:</strong> Babies stay by your side for months. Focus your initial build energy on structural practicalities (like storage and durable flooring) rather than temporary decor.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>💡 <strong>Found this useful?</strong> Please follow or subscribe to <em>The Tribe of Parents Experience</em> on your favorite podcast app, and leave us a review to help other parents find these survival guides!</p><p><br></p><p><em>Connect with us online or share your thoughts on this episode by visiting our website or social channels.</em></p>","author_name":"Hannah Donovan"}