The Netmums Podcast

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise Burke and JB Gill are joined by TV presenter, podcaster and ADHD UK ambassador Sam Thompson for an honest conversation about ADHD and autism, and why understanding our children matters more than ever.
Sam was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 30 after years of feeling different, overwhelmed and misunderstood. In this episode, he opens up about the relief of finally understanding how his brain works, why he spent years believing he was simply the ‘naughty kid’, and how that diagnosis helped him forgive himself for struggles he'd carried since childhood.
Drawing on insights from his new book, You, Me and ADHD, Sam shares practical advice for parents navigating ADHD at home, from handling big emotions and meltdowns to helping children recognise their strengths and build confidence.
Together, Louise, JB and Sam explore how ADHD can show up in everyday family life, why behaviour is often communication, and how parents can move from frustration to understanding.

In this episode:

The hidden impact of labels like ‘naughty’, ‘lazy’ and ‘disruptive’

What ADHD actually looks like beyond the stereotypes

How to support children through overwhelm, meltdowns and big feelings

Why understanding emotions is often more important than managing behaviour

The surprising strengths and talents that can come with ADHD

Practical ways to help neurodivergent children thrive at home and at school

Why ADHD isn't something to fix – it's something to understand

Whether you're parenting a child with ADHD, supporting a neurodivergent family member, or simply want to better understand the children in your life, this is a warm, reassuring and incredibly helpful conversation packed with practical takeaways.
Sam’s book, You, Me & ADHD is out now, £9.99 (Puffin books)
Read more expert advice at Netmums.com and join the conversation on social @Netmums.
JB and Louise also want to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas. Email thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and you could be part of a future episode.
The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Netmums – trusted by parents, backed by experts.
Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative.

In this powerful live episode of The Netmums Podcast recorded at The Baby Show, Atomic Kitten star Liz McClarnon-Cho opens up about her emotional road to motherhood after eight rounds of IVF, two miscarriages and years of uncertainty.
Now a first-time mum at 44 to baby Alexander, Liz speaks candidly about the emotional toll of fertility treatment, why she stepped away from social media during IVF and the moment she finally saw a positive pregnancy test after believing parenthood might never happen.
Joined by hosts JB Gill and Louise Burke, Liz shares what it was really like becoming a mum later in life – from difficult pregnancies and pelvic girdle pain to the overwhelming reality of those first newborn weeks.
In this episode, Liz discusses:
• Her eight-round IVF journey and coping with repeated failed cycles
• Miscarriage, grief and the emotional impact of fertility struggles
• Why IVF can feel isolating and misunderstood
• The moment she discovered she was pregnant
• Becoming a first-time mum at 44
• Stepping away from social media during difficult times
• Newborn life, anxiety and leaving the house for the first time
• Parenting after infertility and learning to trust herself
• Raising baby Alexander with both Liverpool and Korean heritage
• Why motherhood now feels like ‘being given the world.’
Liz also reflects on how her relationship with husband Peter Cho who helped carry her through some of the darkest moments – and why becoming parents together has changed everything.
This is an honest, emotional and reassuring conversation for anyone navigating IVF, miscarriage, fertility struggles or the realities of becoming a new parent.
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Read more expert advice at Netmums.com and join the conversation on social @Netmums.
Got a parenting question or dilemma? Email us at thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com – we’d love to hear from you.
The Netmums Podcast – backed by experts, trusted by parents.

As your children grow into teenagers, knowing when to step back can be one of the hardest parts of parenting.
This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise Burke and JB Gill are joined by Boyzone’s Shane Lynch and his wife Sheena, from ITV2’s The Real Housewives of Cheshire, as they share what family life really looks like behind the scenes while raising two teenage daughters.
From earning their own money to finding their own path, Shane and Sheena explain how they’re raising their girls to stay grounded – even while growing up in the spotlight. They talk about social media, teenage ambition and why boundaries still matter, even when they’re pushed.
They also share their honest take on the ‘nepo baby’ debate, and the reality behind the assumptions people make about their family life.
At the heart of the conversation is that shift so many parents recognise – moving from being hands-on to learning to let go. Sheena describes the hardest part of that transition as “fear”, admitting she’s the worrier at home, while Shane takes a more relaxed approach. Together, they reflect on what it really means to trust your teenagers, even when it’s not easy.
The couple also open up about their relationship, including their separation during lockdown and how they found their way back to each other. It’s an honest look at balancing marriage, work and family life, and what it takes to stay connected through change.
There are lighter moments too – from raising “girlie girls” and teenage humour to the reality of what comes next, including the thought of becoming empty nesters.
Warm, relatable and full of real-life takeaways, this episode is a reminder that raising teenagers isn’t about control – it’s about guidance, trust and, sometimes, having the courage to let go.
In this episode:

Raising grounded teens – independence, work ethic and values

Their thoughts on the ‘nepo baby’ debate

Letting go and trusting your teenagers to find their own way

Social media, smartphones and setting boundaries

Supporting ambition without creating entitlement

Parenting girls and navigating teenage dynamics

Keeping your relationship strong through change

Therapy, communication and modern family life

Honest advice for parents – from early years to teens

The Real Housewives of Cheshire is back on Tuesdays at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX from next week
Read more expert advice at Netmums.com and join the conversation on social @Netmums.
Got a parenting question or dilemma? Email us at thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com – we’d love to hear from you.
The Netmums Podcast – backed by experts, trusted by parents.

Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise and JB are joined by Rosie Kelly Smith, for an insightful and heartfelt conversation about the realities of new motherhood.
Rosie shares her experiences navigating the early days with her 18-month-old daughter, Billie, and reflects on the overwhelming pressure new parents face from societal expectations and the deluge of advice. 
Rosie discusses the generational shifts in parenting, sharing how her grandmother and mother approached motherhood and the wisdom that has been passed down through the family.
In this episode, Rosie opens up about her struggles with postpartum anxiety and the often-unspoken challenges that come with being a new mum. She discusses the impact of social media on parenting and the need for kindness towards ourselves.
In this episode:
- The overwhelming pressure of parenting advice and societal expectations
- Rosie’s journey through postpartum anxiety 
- Reflections on motherhood across generations
- The impact of social media on new parents
- Trusting your instincts and embracing imperfection in parenting
- The joy and challenges of navigating life with a toddler
This episode of The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Aldi Mamia.
Read more expert advice at Netmums.com and join the conversation on social @Netmums.
JB and Louise also want to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas! So please share them with us at thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and we can bring you into the conversations that matter on The Netmums Podcast.
This podcast is brought to you by Netmums: backed by experts, trusted by parents. 
Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

What does parenting really look like when you’re raising seven children – across completely different ages and stages – and learning, in real time, when to hold on and when to let go?
This week on The Netmums Podcast, Louise Burke and JB Gill are joined by Paris Fury – mum of seven, businesswoman and star of Netflix’s At Home with the Furys – for an honest, warm and revealing conversation about modern family life.
Paris opens up about the organised chaos of a busy home, the juggle of raising children at every stage of childhood, and the emotional shift that comes as your role as a parent begins to change. From hands-on parenting with younger children to stepping back and giving independence to older ones, she shares how family life evolves – and how you grow with your children through it.
The conversation also explores some of the more emotional sides of parenting. Paris reflects on her eldest daughter Venezuela’s engagement at 16 – a milestone she supports, having married young herself – while admitting that ‘letting go’ is one of the hardest parts of motherhood. She also speaks candidly about raising teenagers in today’s world, navigating social media pressures, and instilling confidence and individuality in her children.
Warm, relatable and full of honest insight, this episode is a reminder that whether you’ve got one child or seven… parenting is a constant journey of learning, adapting and, sometimes, letting go.
In this episode:
- The daily chaos and joy of raising seven children
- How to balance parenting with personal ambitions
- Paris’ eldest daughter Venezuela's journey to married life in her teens
- The importance of instilling confidence in and individuality in her children
- Paris’s thoughts on body image and social media influence
- Paris’ wellness routine and how she finds moments for herself
This episode of The Netmums Podcast is brought to you by Aldi Mamia.
Read more expert advice at Netmums.com and join the conversation on social @Netmums.
JB and Louise also want to hear your parenting stories, questions and dilemmas! So please share them with us at thenetmumspodcast@netmums.com and we can bring you into the conversations that matter on The Netmums Podcast.
This podcast is brought to you by Netmums: backed by experts, trusted by parents. 
Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative