Podcast · Kids & Family

Talking Sense with Dr Martha

by Martha Deiros Collado · English · Kids & Family

Come and join Dr Martha Deiros Collado, clinical psychologist and mother, every Monday to get your parenting questions answered. Get a thought provoking lens on child behaviour that all parents witness and see every day and find ideas to support you and your child. Make sense of children’s behaviour

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 33 min
Latest: 24 Jul 2023
Language: English

Latest episode

24 Jul 2023 · 35 min

I Think My Child Is A Bully. What Do I Do?

We often talk about bullying from the point of view of the victim, but what of the children who engage in bullying behaviour? This conversation can be confronting because it means deconstructing the narrative that child who bully are 'bad kids' and it means we need to look inwards - at ourselves, the adults who are around children - to consider what messages our words and actions are giving children, and explore with compassion what may be going on for a child who chooses to engage in bullying behaviour. Dr Martha sensitively walks you through this offering you ideas to guide your next steps…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E54 · 18 Jul 2023 · 32 min
Oh No! I Just Lost It. How Do I Repair With My Child?
As a parent there are going to be times when you lose it, shout, say things you don't mean or put in actions you regret. This doesn't make you a bad parent, it makes you human. In these moments, repairing the relationship with your child is the step you need to take. But how do you do this when they are little and when they get older? What if your child doesn't seem to respond or even acknowledge your apology? What do you need to be mindful of and what work might you need to do to make repair a meaningful act, not just saying the words "I am sorry"? Dr Martha talks you through this with…
S1 · E53 · 10 Jul 2023 · 35 min
What Can I Do When My Child Says "I Feel Sad"
As a parent it is normal to want your child to be happy and have positive experiences. And one of the hardest things to learn is that you cannot make your child happy, and fixing their feelings is not your job. Dr Martha speaks about emotion to help you make sense of what your child means when they say "I feel sad", how to work with the emotion rather than trying to fix it or remove it, and the things to watch out for if sadness is getting stuck around your child and it's not longer a temporary emotion but low mood impacting on their quality of life. Pre-order my first book 'How To Be The…
S1 · E52 · 3 Jul 2023 · 37 min
I Just Saw My Child Touching Themselves. HELP!
We don't tend to talk about little ones' sexual behaviour. As adults we may find this is wrong or perverse, and yet there is a difference between 'sexual behaviour' that comes from curiosity and exploration and 'sexualised behaviour' with an intention for sex. Children are born wanting to explore the world and learning about their bodies is a part of it. When it comes to little ones masturbating this conversation is often taboo, can feel embarrassing or bring shame to adults. And yet - it is healthy and natural for children to explore their own bodies. There are however some 'red flags' to…
S1 · E51 · 26 Jun 2023 · 33 min
How On Earth Do I Talk To My Child About Porn?
With technology literally in our pockets it is no surprise children have access to porn easily. How can you talk about porn to your child in a way that is age appropriate and helpful rather than scary and shaming? Dr Martha talks you through some ideas of how to begin he conversation with your child, whether you have found they have watched porn or you want to prepare and educate them about it. Some of the guidance and ideas are to help you feel prepared and confident and small reminders that what you choose to talk about (and what you choose not to...) has a ripple effect into your child's…
S1 · E50 · 19 Jun 2023 · 34 min
How Can I Make My Child To Do As They Are Told?
Do you have to repeat instructions to your child? Does it make moments throughout your day frustrating, such as mornings or evenings? If you have ever heard yourself say "please hang your coat up" more than 20 times (with no success in your child following through with this action), then this podcast is for you! Dr Martha discusses why older children struggle listening and following through with instructions and what you can do to make your requests more effective and less frustrating for all. Pre-order my first book 'How To Be The Grown Up' here: https://bit.ly/HowtoBetheGrownUpAMZ…
S1 · E49 · 12 Jun 2023 · 41 min
If We Shouldn't Punish Our Kids What Should We Do?
To punish or not to punish, that is the question. In a society that continues to ask us to 'control our kids', it makes sense that punishments feel familiar, nearly instinctive to offer as a strategy for 'good discipline'. Dr Martha talks about punishments, the good the bad and the ugly, and the evidence base around their effectiveness. She offers non-judgmental ideas around punishment and explains why to be an effective parent making children feel bad first is not the most useful way. My first book ‘How To Be The Grown Up’ is available NOW for preorder here:…
S1 · E48 · 5 Jun 2023 · 33 min
How To Help My Child Overcome Perfectionism?
We all want children to strive to. do their best. When we catch a glimpse of perfectionism we may think it's a 'good thing', that it will motivate them to push forwards towards a goal. However, if you spot the 'critical voice' that accompanies perfectionism that tells your child they are 'bad' at anything they can't do or when they make a mistake, then it may be time to look at perfectionism in a different way. Dr Martha talks about what perfectionism is (and is not) and how you can shrink its power over your child and offers actionable strategies you can put into place for you and for your…
S1 · E47 · 29 May 2023 · 33 min
What Can I Do When My Child Wants To Quit Activities?
Children sometimes want to quit doing things and knowing when to encourage them to persist and when to support them to keep going can feel like a tricky balance. Dr Martha offers a reframe on the idea of 'quitting' and guides you through some of the talking points that can help both you and your child come to a decision based on curiosity, understanding and problem solving. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old? The Confident Parent is a practical, video-based course for parents and caregivers from Clinical…
S1 · E46 · 22 May 2023 · 35 min
How To Talk To Kids About The Climate Crisis
The climate crisis affects all of us and our children are going to hear about it and want to talk about it. How do we work through the worries they bring up without overwhelming them with the scale of the challenge? Dr Martha discusses ways to move through climate change anxiety (for you and your child) and take steps towards positive action that can have collective impact into the future. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old? The Confident Parent is a practical, video-based course for parents and caregivers…
S1 · E45 · 15 May 2023 · 36 min
How Do I Help My Child Through Competition?
Competition is everywhere and we need to help our children learn how to navigate the wins and the losses. Dr Martha discusses what competition can teach us all that is more than the ideas of 'winning vs losing'. With focus on how to reframe hardship into an opportunity to learn, grow and improve, Dr Martha shares some the areas you can focus on to teach a child resilience, grit, and a growth mindset. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old? The Confident Parent is a practical, video-based course for parents and…
S1 · E44 · 8 May 2023 · 33 min
How Do I Talk To My Children About Our Separation?
Making the decision to separate as a couple is never an easy one. Considering how you share the new with your children show how much you care about the relationship you have with them and can help you all adjust to the changes a separation brings. Dr Martha talks through how to talk to children about an adult separation, the areas to consider for you and for them, as well as what to do when children witness adult conflict. Because your story is unique you will need to adapt the words and ideas suggested here but Dr Martha hopes it will offer you some comfort and grounding in the…
S1 · E43 · 1 May 2023 · 32 min
How Do I Respond When My Child Calls Their Body Fat?
How do you speak about your body? We all have a self-critical voice and for some this is louder than others. How do you then respond when it's your child talking about their body as 'fat' in a way that is shaming or negative of themselves? Dr Martha talks about the importance of talking about 'fat' in ways that are neutral and helping children accept and value difference in themselves and others sharing ideas and strategies you can implement in every day life. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old? The Confident…
S1 · E42 · 26 Apr 2023 · 10 min
Talking Sense X Blended Podcast
On this Special Episode of Talking Sense Dr Martha shares her favourite three podcasts from Blended, by Kate Ferdinand and discusses why she thinks they are a useful listen. i) The Mother's Day Episode - A moving listen on the lesser spoken stories of mothering. If mothers day is hard for you this may be a useful listen you wish to come back to ii) The importance of embracing heritage with Adrienne Herbert - A deep dive into celebrating our cultural differences and why this matters for children. iii)How to effectively engage with our children with Dr Martha - In this episode Kate interviews…
S1 · E41 · 24 Apr 2023 · 35 min
How Can I Manage My Children's Fighting?
If you have more than one child do you see them fighting over toys, winding each other up, and/or competing about who 'wins' or gets to the swings first? Sibling rivalry is common and there is a reason why siblings wind each other up and have conflict. Dr Martha discusses sibling rivalry in this podcast, where it stems from, what it communicates, and the things you can do to manage it. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old? The Confident Parent is a practical, video-based course for parents and caregivers from…
S1 · E40 · 17 Apr 2023 · 34 min
How do I help my child with a toilet regression?
When children learn how to use the toilet they sometimes go through phases of 'not getting it quite right'. If your family has had a recent change, such as welcoming a new baby, then toileting accidents can be more likely, especially when a child is 'learning' this skill rather than fully mastered it. Dr Martha discusses what is happening for children at these times of family change and transition, and the more useful things you can do to support them to continue learning how to use the toilet which is a process that takes time. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after,…
S1 · E39 · 10 Apr 2023 · 33 min
How to help my child deal with 'shyness'?
Do you think of your child as "shy"? What is the best way to respond to others when they call our child "shy"? And what is the best language to use around your child to promote confidence and help them overcome "shyness"? Dr Martha talks about "shyness" from a different perspective and answers all these questions to offer you practical strategies you can put into place right away. "Shyness" doesn't have to be something we think of as negative and Dr Martha will help you reframe this in a way that can support your to build your child's inner confidence. The Confident Parent course is out! Do…
S1 · E38 · 3 Apr 2023 · 34 min
How To Teach Little Boys That It's Ok To Have Big Emotions?
Little boys gets taught from an early age the rigid rules of 'masculinity' in terms of what is acceptable to say, do, and like. This can turn toxic in the long term and have a detrimental impact on the health and well-being of men. Dr Martha discusses what 'toxic masculinity' is and how it differs from healthy masculine behaviours, she breaks down some for he stereotypes we have absorbed in Western Society and offers you ideas to reflect on and work with if you wish to break the cycle of 'toxic masculinity' for your child and for yourself. Dr Martha's Recommended Book list for book on this…
S1 · E37 · 27 Mar 2023 · 31 min
How Do I Build Body Positivity With My Child?
'Body Positivity' is a bit of a movement at the moment. The idea that feeling good about yourself comes within, not from how you look. There is a wealth of research on this topic and the things that support children in developing positive self-worth outside of what their physical appearance looks like. Dr Martha explores the main areas that you can focus on as parents and adults around children, and how working on developing body positive attitudes for you is the most powerful. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years…
S1 · E36 · 20 Mar 2023 · 31 min
What Should I Do When My Child Won't Listen To My "No"?
Does your child ever seem to ignore you when you say "no" and keep asking or doing the thing you have asked them to not do? If your answer is "yes", you're not alone! There is a reason why children tend to ignore "no" that has nothing to do with stubbornness, defiance or rudeness. Dr Martha talks you through what is happening from a child's view and gives you actionable strategies to help you get heard more easily. For more support with challenging behaviours and strategies to guide your parenting check out Dr Martha's Confident Parent Course, details below. The Confident Parent course is…
S1 · E35 · 13 Mar 2023 · 34 min
How To Help Children Build Friendships?
When your child says to another "I don't want to play with you" how does it leave you feeling? Do you want to help them be kinder to others and/or be more inclusive of children in play? If you do, this podcast is for you! Children don't develop social skills naturally, it takes time, practice and some gentle guidance from you. It also helps to understand what you bring with you when talking about friendships with your child. Dr Martha explores the art of socialising, the ways you can build these skills with your child, and what you may also need to work on for yourself to get there. The…
S1 · E34 · 6 Mar 2023 · 34 min
What Do I Do When My Child Doesn't Want To Go To School?
When a child says "I don't want to go to school!" and this happens regularly, what's the best way to respond? How can you support your child while letting them know their feelings are important? Dr Martha discusses this offering some key steps to offer understanding, empathy, and active support to a child who is struggling to go to school. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old? The Confident Parent is a practical, video-based course for parents and caregivers from Clinical Psychologist Dr Martha. Over eighty 3-6…
S1 · E33 · 27 Feb 2023 · 34 min
How Do I Prepare My Child For a New Sibling?
When you are expecting a new baby it can be a time full of excitement. You may also worry about how to share the news with your child(ren), how to prepare them (and you) for the changes that are coming, and keep your connection throughout this family transition. Dr Martha talks through all of this on the podcast offering you actionable ideas to prepare before the baby arrives and suggestions to support you and your child(ren) when baby comes. There is a whole chapter on welcoming a new baby into the family that goes deep into this topic in the Confident Parent Course. For books to support…
S1 · E32 · 20 Feb 2023 · 34 min
How Do I Deal With Others Judging My Parenting?
Do family members ever feel the need to give you an opinion or advice on your parenting that makes you feel criticised or judged? If it's happened, you're not alone. And if you respond by trying to convince and educate and it falls on deaf ears, this isn't your fault. Dr Martha talks about some of the reasons why judgment from family and others may happen and what you can control and do about it. There are no easy answer or quick fixes, judgment is something most parents experience at some point in time. Learning how to respond in way that fits for you and helps you be more empowered in…
S1 · E31 · 12 Feb 2023 · 32 min
Do Only Children Grow Up To Be Weird?
There are many stereotypes and stories about 'only children' - but are these valid and true? And what (if anything...) can we do about it? Dr Martha explores the main stereotypes around 'only children', breaks down the myths and offers the facts to share the evidence around what children benefit the most from (spoiler alert: it's not necessarily a sibling). The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old? The Confident Parent is a practical, video-based course for parents and caregivers from Clinical Psychologist Dr…
S1 · E30 · 6 Feb 2023 · 32 min
How Do I Keep My Child Safe Online?
Technology is part of our life and our children get to use it. But how do we ensure as parents that we keep our children safe when they are online? How do you set boundaries around screen time that give you the reassurance you need that your child is safeguarded when they are watching their favourite YouTube? Dr Martha talks about this from a personal and professional point of view and shares some steps all parents may benefit from talking to safeguard their children online. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years…
S1 · E29 · 30 Jan 2023 · 31 min
How To Help Children Find Their 'Inside Voices'?
Does your child appear to speak loudly all day whether it's during play or talking at you? If this is the case - don't worry, it's very normal. Children need time and practice to learn how to modulate their voice. Dr Martha talks you through this and what you can do to help your child find their quieter 'inside voice' in comparison to their booming 'outside voice'. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old? The Confident Parent is a practical, video-based course for parents and caregivers from Clinical Psychologist…
S1 · E28 · 23 Jan 2023 · 29 min
How Can We Meet Sibling's Individual Needs?
If you have more than one child you cannot split yourself in half to care for their needs. So how do you manage your children's competing demands? What can you do when you feel like you are constantly being pulled in different directions? Dr Martha answers these questions and offers a thought provoking perspective on parenting multiple children and the importance of boundaries, for them and for you too. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old? The Confident Parent is a practical, video-based course for parents and…
S1 · E27 · 16 Jan 2023 · 29 min
How Can We Help to Grow Our Children's Self-Esteem?
We know that self-esteem (self-love, self-worth) is important, but how can we ensure we take steps to grow this in our children in ways that are long-lasting? And what can we do when our child rejects our offers of love and acceptance that can help them build resilience and a sense of 'good enoughness'? Dr Martha talks about all of this and offers you ideas on how to build this with your child, and also importantly - for you too. The Confident Parent course is out! Do you have, or look after, children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years old? The Confident Parent is a practical,…
S1 · E26 · 9 Jan 2023 · 22 min
How to Support a Child After a Frightening Episode?
When something scary happens, what can you do to bring back safety? In today's episode of Talking Sense, a mother asks about how to support her child after a choking episode. Dr Martha talks about what happens to children's bodies when they feel scared and the things that are most effective in helping them move through this. Despite the specific question this episode touches on elements that will support you as a parent at times when your child goes through a scary event. Want to hear the latest news, get insightful reflections from Dr Martha, and her monthly recommendations on books and…

About Talking Sense with Dr Martha

Talking Sense with Dr Martha is a English kids & family podcast from Martha Deiros Collado. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Martha Deiros Collado
Language: English
Category: Kids & Family
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 33 min
Latest episode: 24 Jul 2023
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1633092453
Rights: Martha Deiros Collado

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