Share

cover art for Sadiq Khan: Not trying to be the perfect dad, parenting teenagers and free school meals

Not Another Mummy Podcast

Sadiq Khan: Not trying to be the perfect dad, parenting teenagers and free school meals

Season 11, Ep. 1

Season 11 of Not Another Mummy Podcast kicks off with a chat with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Previously a lawyer and Labour MP, Sadiq has been mayor since 2016. As well as creating policies for the smooth-running of the city, he is a dad of two daughters, now in their twenties.


Sadiq talks to me about how his own upbringing with seven siblings in a South London council flat has influenced his own parenting, what it was like to raise two teenage girls and how they navigated things like phones and social media.


Sadiq also discusses the importance of women's safety, what we need to do to improve it and why providing free school meals for every primary school child in London has been so important to him.


If you enjoyed this episode then please leave a rating or review - and you can follow the podcast to ensure you don’t miss future episodesThank you!

 

Not Another Mummy Podcast is brought to you by me, journalist and author Alison Perry. I'm a mum of three and I love interviewing people about parenthood on the podcast. You can check out my other episodes and you can come chat to me on Instagram: @iamalisonperry or on Twitter: @iamalisonperry. You can buy my book OMG It's Twins now.

 

Music: Epidemic Sound

Artwork: Eleanor Bowmer

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 4. Ferne McCann: Age gaps, blended families and social media comparison

    31:26
    I'm joined on this episode by Ferne McCann - star of The Only Way Is Essex and Ferne McCann: My Family & Me.After being a single mum to daughter Sunday for five years, Ferne met husband Lorri and the couple now have one-year-old Finty.Ferne chats to me about the six year age gap between her girls and how they make it work as a blended family with her step son.She also talks about social media comparison, manifestation and running her business Shoorah.Follow Ferne on Instagram and watch Ferne McCann: My Family & Me on ITVX.This episode is brought to you by Eurocamp. You can book a summer getaway or get a head start on 2025 and book for next year, taking advantage of their early booking offer with up to 20% off! See all the details and book at Eurocamp.co.ukIf you enjoyed this episode then please leave a rating or review - and you can follow the podcast to ensure you don’t miss future episodes. Thank you! Not Another Mummy Podcast is brought to you by me, journalist and author Alison Perry. I'm a mum of three and I love interviewing people about parenthood on the podcast. You can check out my other episodes and you can come chat to me on Instagram: @iamalisonperry or on Twitter: @iamalisonperry. You can buy my book OMG It's Twins now. Music: Epidemic SoundArtwork: Eleanor Bowmer
  • 3. Tamu Thomas: Toxic productivity and the importance of rest

    51:04
    We've had a short mid-season break which I'd love to tell you was intentional but was actually due to mounting work deadlines and a lack of time.My guest on this episode would approve of a) me taking a break and b) me sharing it with you because Tamu Thomas is the author of Women Who Work Too Much - Break free from toxic productivity and find your joy.Tamu and I talk about why we often find it hard to say no to work, the allure of being busy and why rest is just as important as work.We also delve into how to role model a healthy work/rest balance for our kids to ensure they don't pick up unhelpful habits from us.This is a great episode if you feel stressed by work and find it hard to get balance in your life!Check out Tamu's book here and follow her on Instagram.If you enjoyed this episode then please leave a rating or review - and you can follow the podcast to ensure you don’t miss future episodes. Thank you! Not Another Mummy Podcast is brought to you by me, journalist and author Alison Perry. I'm a mum of three and I love interviewing people about parenthood on the podcast. You can check out my other episodes and you can come chat to me on Instagram: @iamalisonperry or on Twitter: @iamalisonperry. You can buy my book OMG It's Twins now. Music: Epidemic SoundArtwork: Eleanor Bowmer
  • 2. Laura Dockrill: Postpartum psychosis and maternal mental health

    35:21
    My guest today is award winning author and mum of one Laura Dockrill. Laura went viral back in 2018 when a blog post she wrote about her experiences of postpartum psychosis went viral. She went on to write memoir What Have I Done in 2020, sharing more on her experiences but she’s also the author of YA books, kids' books and her first adult fiction book I Love You, I Love You, I Love You comes out in June.Her latest project is a beautiful picture book, Grey, illustrated by Lauren Child. It's the story of a child who feels as though all their colours have disappeared. Despite the joyful orange balloon, the huge yellow sun and the bright green trees, the child still feels grey.Since it's Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, it's a good time to talk about mental health for mums but also open up the conversation with out kids about emotions and feelings.Check out Grey here and follow Laura (or not Laura, as she explains!) on Instagram.
  • 10. Harriet Shearsmith: Cycle breaking parenting

    41:00
    I’m joined on this episode by Harriet Shearsmith. Harriet is a mum of three and the presenter of the Unfollowing Mum podcast - about breaking the parenting cycle, unsubscribing from drama by healing generational trauma and putting ourselves and our mental health first. Harriet talks to me about what cycle breaking parenting is, why we might want to do it and the things she personally is breaking the cycle with.We also delve into parental estrangement with Harriet talking about her own experiences of breaking contact with her mum. As a qualified coach, Harriet offers helpful insight - and does a bit of a therapy session on me too, which is lovely!Follow Harriet on Instagram and listen to her podcast here.
  • 9. Rosie Nixon: Midlife reinvention, parenting tweens and using AI in family life

    41:15
    My guest on this episode is a returning guest! Rosie Nixon is a mum of two tween boys and passionate about reclaiming midlife.We chat about everything from how she is reinventing midlife - and her recent career pivot away from being Editor-in-Chief of Hello! magazine towards coaching and creating - to parenting tweens, tackling screentime and more.We also touch on how Rosie uses AI - namely Microsoft Copilot in Windows - to plan memorable holidays, how her kids are creating amazing artwork and how it's helping her with basic family life admin.This episode is brought to you by Microsoft, whose groundbreaking AI tool, Copilot in Windows, can make your life easier across work, home and family.If you enjoyed this episode then please leave a rating or review - and you can follow the podcast to ensure you don’t miss future episodes. Thank you! Not Another Mummy Podcast is brought to you by me, journalist and author Alison Perry. I'm a mum of three and I love interviewing people about parenthood on the podcast. You can check out my other episodes and you can come chat to me on Instagram: @iamalisonperry or on Twitter: @iamalisonperry. You can buy my book OMG It's Twins now. Music: Epidemic SoundArtwork: Eleanor Bowmer
  • 8. Lydia Bright: Single motherhood, co-parenting and writing her first children's book

    35:18
    TV personality best known for The Only Way Is Essex, influencer and entrepreneur Lydia Bright joins me on this episode. Lydia is a mum to toddler Loretta and has her debut picture book coming out on February 1st – Mummy and Me.Lydia chats to me about single motherhood, how giving birth two weeks into the first 2020 lockdown was a blessing for her, what the term co-parenting means to her and how growing up in a family that fostered children has influenced her as a mum.We also talk about her picture book, Mummy and Me which celebrates single motherhood and is a gorgeous read.Check out Lydia's book here and follow her on Instagram.If you enjoyed this episode then please leave a rating or review - and you can follow the podcast to ensure you don’t miss future episodes. Thank you! Not Another Mummy Podcast is brought to you by me, journalist and author Alison Perry. I'm a mum of three and I love interviewing people about parenthood on the podcast. You can check out my other episodes and you can come chat to me on Instagram: @iamalisonperry or on Twitter: @iamalisonperry. You can buy my book OMG It's Twins now. Music: Epidemic SoundArtwork: Eleanor Bowmer
  • 7. Jessica Chalmers: Teaching your kids how to be safe online

    42:08
    I'm joined on this episode by Jess Chalmers, who runs workshops on online child safety. As a mum of two tweens herself, Jess got the fear after watching The Social Dilemma on Netflix and took matters into her own hands by training herself up on the latest online child safety information. She now goes into schools and workplaces to talk to parents and kids about online safety.Jess chats to me about the mantra you should be drumming into your children (screenshot, block, report), why setting your underage child up on a social platform with a fake age is a really bad idea, how to talk to your kids about porn and more.If you're listening to this with small people around, please note, this episode contains a reference to Father Christmas not being real.Follow Jess on Instagram here.If you enjoyed this episode then please leave a rating or review - and you can follow the podcast to ensure you don’t miss future episodes. Thank you! Not Another Mummy Podcast is brought to you by me, journalist and author Alison Perry. I'm a mum of three and I love interviewing people about parenthood on the podcast. You can check out my other episodes and you can come chat to me on Instagram: @iamalisonperry or on Twitter: @iamalisonperry. You can buy my book OMG It's Twins now. Music: Epidemic SoundArtwork: Eleanor Bowmer
  • 6. Nicola Lewis aka This Girl Can Organise: Getting organised in the new year (REPLAY)

    42:48
    We've got a replay episode this week - this episode originally went out in January 2022 and if you're in the mood to declutter and organise as 2023 draws to a close, this episode is for you.My guest is Nicola Lewis. If you’re not already familiar with Nicola, she can be found offering hints, tips and practical real life solutions on keeping organised on social media as well as providing a home decluttering and organising service to people all over the UK. She is also the author of Mind Over Clutter: Cleaning Your Way to a Calm and Happy Home.On this episode, Nicola shares all of her brilliant new year organisation tips – from fridges to wardrobes to that Monica cupboard you might use as a dumping ground. You can find her online on Instagram and you can check out her book Mind Over Clutter here.If you enjoyed this episode then please leave a rating or review - and you can subscribe to ensure you don’t miss future episodes.  Thank you! Not Another Mummy Podcast is brought to you by me, journalist and author Alison Perry. I'm a mum of three and I love interviewing people about parenthood on the podcast. You can check out my other episodes and you can come chat to me on Instagram: @iamalisonperry or on Twitter: @iamalisonperry. You can buy my book OMG It's Twins now.