Share
Happy Mum Happy Baby
What impact do gender stereotypes have on raising boys? Parenting SOS with Kirstie Beaven
Season 15, Ep. 21
•
On this month’s Parenting SOS, Giovanna sits down with Kirstie Beaven, Founder and Editor in Chief of Sonshine, a quarterly magazine all about raising boys in a more equal world.
Kirstie felt like the messaging around being a ‘boy mum’ was always one dimensional - it was all about stinky socks, dirty houses and muddy football boots! And so she was inspired to create a space that spoke about the many other aspects of motherhood, and provide resources that could help us as parents talk to our boys about gender equality.
Kirstie and Gi discuss the importance of encouraging emotional intelligence in our children and why we shouldn’t be afraid to challenge gender stereotypes. Plus Kirstie answers our community’s questions.
More episodes
View all episodes
41. Olivia Bowen on body image struggles, birth challenges, and life after Love Island
55:52||Season 15, Ep. 41Giovanna quite literally fell off her chair from laughing so hard with this week’s guest Olivia Bowen!Reality royalty Olivia was runner-up on the second series of Love Island in 2016 with her now husband Alex Bowen. And six years later they became parents to baby Abel!Olivia and Gi talk body confidence, with Olivia opening up about her struggles with body image after giving birth, plus how much she loved dressing her baby bump.
40. Victoria Derbyshire on breaking the cycle of domestic abuse
53:10||Season 15, Ep. 40This week we have journalist and broadcasting legend Victoria Derbyshire in the studio! Victoria tells Gi all about life as a mum of two teenage boys, blending motherhood with a hugely successful career, and how her 2015 breast cancer diagnosis inspired her to marry her partner of 17 years.Plus Victoria speaks about the domestic abuse she faced in her childhood growing up with a violent father.Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions about domestic abuse. If you feel this may be a difficult listen, please choose another episode.
39. Melissa Hemsley on fertility, food and feeling like a failure
56:13||Season 15, Ep. 39Giovanna sits down with Melissa Hemsley for this week’s delicious episode!Melissa is a former private chef, a writer, and a huge champion of sustainable, nourishing food. Now mum to baby Summer, Melissa and Gi had so much to catch up on, from IVF and pregnancy to ultra-processed foods and placenta smoothies…Melissa also opens up to Gi about her struggles with fertility and postnatal anxiety, and the steps she took to healing.
38. Your mental health questions answered: Parenting SOS with Professor Sam Wass
29:43||Season 15, Ep. 38This week’s Parenting SOS is another bonus episode brought to you by Bupa, who have identified some of the most urgent questions when it comes to helping our children with their mental health.Giovanna welcomes back child psychologist Professor Sam Wass to guide us through these questions, which include how to have conversations about drugs and alcohol, and how to support a child through a period of change or stress.
37. Kellie Bright on her fight for SEND support
54:36||Season 15, Ep. 37On this week’s episode, Giovanna is joined by Bad Girls and Eastenders actress Kellie Bright, who is also mum to three boys!Kellie talks about having two of her babies via IVF, plus tells Gi what it was like being pregnant at 44.Kellie also talks about her fight to get her son an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP), a document which describes a child’s special educational needs and should entitle them to support in school from the local council.
36. Olly & Amelia Murs on juggling popstar life with new parenthood
54:10||Season 15, Ep. 36An exclusive this week as new parents Olly and Amelia Murs join Giovanna for their first interview as a couple!They tell Gi all about life with baby Madison, and Olly shares his heartbreak at having to leave Amelia and their newborn baby daughter to go on tour.Plus bodybuilder Amelia talks about training during pregnancy and her struggle with recovery after her c-section.
35. Anton Du Beke on IVF, Strictly, and fatherhood at 50
53:04||Season 15, Ep. 35Prepare to be dazzled on this week’s episode as Giovanna is joined by none other than Strictly Come Dancing legend Anton Du Beke!Anton speaks candidly about his IVF journey with wife Hannah, who was initially told she wouldn’t be able to have children, and their joy at becoming parents to twins. Plus, Gi and Anton talk writing books for children, learning to dance, and even throw in some spontaneous singing!
34. How do I talk to my child about mental health? Parenting SOS with Professor Sam Wass
31:16||Season 15, Ep. 34Did you know that 50% of mental health conditions start by the age of 14? Child psychologist Professor Sam Wass, who you might recognise from Channel 4's The Secret Life of 4- and 5-Year Olds, joins Gi to chat all things young people’s mental health, in a special Parenting SOS episode brought to you by Bupa. Sam shares his tips and strategies for parents to have open conversations about their children’s mental health, plus the steps to take if you’re feeling concerned.
33. Andrea McLean on parenting through divorce
01:02:10||Season 15, Ep. 33This week, Giovanna catches up with Loose Women royalty, tv presenter and mum of two, Andrea McLean!There was so much to talk about with Andrea, from her childhood in Trinidad, to getting diagnosed with endometriosis, and feeling the pressure to go back to work as the breadwinner.Plus, Andrea opens up about the ending of her marriages and navigating her role as a stepmum.