Honey You're Ruining Our Kid (Jarlath and Tina Regan)

Three great questions from three brave listeners this week and to start with a discussion about online safety. "Cilter" is a new technology that is being developed to ease every parents nightmares. Mobile phones seem to be an essential item our kids have to have, yet the minute they possess one we are putting them in danger. It’s a hard circle to square. We need safety systems to protect our kids. Cilter needs your help. Get in touch http://www.kidsonlinesafetyresearch.ie/ and help inform the development of this much needed technology. 

Question 1- 

A very sleep deprived mom of four gets in touch after trying everything to keep her 7 year old in his own bed at night. It’s a daunting one for Tina as this incredible mum seems to have already exhausted all the go to resources.

Question 2:

Friendship problems just never go away. How do we help guide our kids through the constant friendship turmoils. Do we need to watch our own language and emotions that tend to resurface when we are triggered by our own past friendship experiences? 

Question 3- 

What do you do when what used to make your baby a sassy little lady is now more worrying. Hitting out not only at home but at strangers in the supermarket. How can you help your toddler know what we use our hands for and how to appropriately express their feelings. Listen in to this week's episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid and see if you agree with Jar and Tina’s advice. 

Send any parenting questions, situations and solutions to honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. Zero judgement is guaranteed. See www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad for even more episodes and content from Jar and Tina.

Can you ban non-believers from your house at Christmas? One Mom just did it! Tina has a way of keeping the magic alive. 

Question 1 - what do you do if you're raising a Harry Houdini? If you can’t relax in your house because you never know what your little adventurer is up to, you need to hear this one.

Question 2- when your child is rude to your friends and family what can you do? When they refuse to engage socially how do you get them to start interacting with people. These parents say they are already modelling their desired behaviour they want from their kids? But are they prepping them? Find out how to successfully navigate social gatherings with your children. 

Question 3: if you grew up in a house with an aggressive sibling what do you do when you see similar patterns of behaviour emerging in your own child. How do you help them cope? Teaching them how to process and reflect upon their emotions is key. Think sheets are incredibly helpful for encouraging older children to reflect on their behaviour and recognise what caused them to act out in the first place. 

If you have a parenting question fire it over to us at honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. No question is too big or too small. 

Head on over to Patreon to hear the juicy stuff. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Over on Patreon with hear from a mum who Tina has spent a lot of time working with. She gives an update on her kids situation which makes Tina feel like she can finally relax the cax about this situation. 

Kids can be very mean - even tiny little ones! What do you do when you find out your kid is being isolated by her "new best friend". Flying into a fit of rage is one option but Tina has a few other approaches that won't land you in front of a Judge. Today on HYROK a lot of the conversation is around confidence and how to build it in a child. Don't let anyone tell you that self-belief is organic or just in their DNA. It is a learned behaviour and a quality we can help grow in the younglings! Having a fungal infection sure won't help. One Mom gets in touch with a very tricky skin situation. As a very sweaty man, Jarlath knows the pants this kid should be wearing and as a child behaviour expert with 20 years of experience in the business, Tina knows what steps to take to help this kid through this.

Over in the extended cut on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad you can hear Tina's ultimate life hack for parents with kids that won't sleep. Come on over and join us. Come see Jarlath live on tour - his new show is all about growing up and coping with the world. www.jigser.com/gigs is where you can find all his tour dates. Move fast they are all selling out - he's added two more dates at Dublin's 3Olympia!

Are some little kids just trying to wind their parents up? Jar and Tina delve into this and three other great questions anonymously supplied by you, the listeners of Honey! You're Ruining Our Kid! (The zero judgement parenting podcast)

Question 1: An uncle worried about how rude his brother's kids are. Can step in or has he any role in breaking this behaviour?

Question 2: What to do about Trichotillomania? This is a disorder that can get out of control if your child is using is as a comforting technique. 

Question 3: What do you do when siblings have a very strange relationship? How do you get your kids to believe in each other?

Proudly sponsored by Buymie. Email- honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Follow us on Instagram for even more https://instagram.com/honeyyouareruiningourkid?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Get bonus episodes and support the show www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

The number one zero judgement parenting podcast is back with child behaviour specialist Tina Regan and comedian/parenting chancer Jarlath Regan. This week on the show… 

Question 1: An overwhelmed mum gets in touch seeking help with her out of control 5 year old. What do you do when your older child is assaulting your younger child and you can’t get them to stop? Tina and Jarlath draw up a plan of action that will hopefully get her on the path to a happier home life. 

Question 2: There is a lot of talk about bed bugs at the moment, what do you do though if your child can’t sleep because they are convinced that they are covered in them. Tina suggests pivoting the other way completely. Embrace your kids irrational fear of bugs and feed them information that will help them understand an insects purpose. If you’ve had a similar experience please get in touch so we can pass on your advice to this desperately sleep deprived mum. 

Qu 3 : How do you get twins who are refusing to eat to eat their meals? If feeding your twins is all you’re doing in your day you will lose your mind. No mum should have to spend her whole day just trying to get a spoon in their child’s  mouth. What are the alternatives? Listen in and see if you agree with Tina and Jars advice. 

Thank you for supporting our show. Extra bonus content available on our Patreon. www.Patreon.com/irishmanabroad 

Jarlath and Tina want your parenting emails. Get them in to - honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

We cannot believe it’s the final episode of season 2 of Honey You’re Ruining Our kid. 

We will be back in September with a brand new season for you all to enjoy. Thank you for supporting our show, you guys are just the best. Our show has grown because you guys have supported it and we are so appreciative. Emails will stay open all summer long, you need me, I’ll be there for you, that’s the whole reason for our show. I want mums and Dads to feel less alone. 

Question 1 "The Worst Waiting Game"

Waiting for your child to have their needs assessed is the longest waiting game you’ll play as a parent. While you wait the feeling of isolation and worry can be overwhelming. This week a mum gets in touch wondering how she can help her son while they wait. There are so many online resources available to us these days. Once we know how to access them we can absolutely take control and try different things while we wait for the assessments teams to catch up. 

Question 2 "My Kid Is Worried At Night"

If your child is complaining of a pain in their belly and the doctor can’t find a reason why, then anxiety probably is the reason. We see it all the time, children who are feeling worried but that worry is manifesting as a real pain in their stomachs. How do we help them through? How do we teach them how to cope? When it starts affecting their sleep, then this rolls out to affect the house, what can you do to both help your child and get the house back on track?

Question 3 "My Kid Is Testing The Limits"

How do you get your out of control 5 year old back on track. If he’s exhibiting new behaviours and testing your limits how do you get him back to being a calm and happy boy. Fair rules, set boundaries and seeing through consequences can change your life. Listen in to hear how best to put them in place. 

We wish you guys a happy summer ahead. Emails will remain open, pop one over whenever you need us and we will try our best to be there for you - honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Why not play catch up while you wait for the next season? Season 1 and 2 are available wherever you get your pods. 

Become a Patreon member by www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

The Regan’s are back with another episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our kid, accompanied by the tranquil sound effects of storm Debi. Jarlath and Tina start the show talking about the storms that can pass through our own parenting life. How do we navigate them? How do we get over them and how do learn from them? 

Question 1.

When you’re separated from your partner, but you’ve been co-parenting really well for years, what do you do when they move house and start moving the rules. How can you reach them and get them to understand your worries? Or do you need to just have these open conversations with your kids? 

Question 2. 

If your child is about to have surgery how do you manage their anxiety and yours? Jarlath has brilliant advice for this mum. Through lived experience he knows the most important care is the after care. He directs this mum to seek that out. 

Question 3.

If you’re already trying everything what can you do to possibly help your child with their separation anxiety. Tina traces everything back to feelings and if our children know how to process them. There is never too much work that can be done on feelings. We need to help our children understand and face them. 

Pop over to Patreon to get so much more Honey! You're Ruining Our Kid! laughs and email replies. How did the advice work out for the parents involved. What do you do when your teenager is starting to push your buttons on purpose! Email honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com

Welcome back to another episode of "Honey! You’re Ruining Our Kid". On this week's episode we explore this new generation of natural born critic kids, healthy sibling relationships and Tina’s favourite subject- menstruation misery. To hear even more on when it might be time to take your kid to a specialist go to the XL episode on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Question 1-

Have we shaped our kids to criticise rather than celebrate talent? In this week’s episode we discuss the steps you can take to retrain your children to enjoy rather than destroy what they are watching on tv and in the wider world.

Question 2- 

Raising teenagers is so hard, even harder if your wife has passed away and you’re now navigating all the teenage girl stuff on your own. When she feels like she has never needed her mum more how can you fill those shoes? Is 14 years too old to not have started getting your period? Where can this dad go for advice and how can he reassure his daughter that everything is going to be okay? 

Question 3 

Sibling relationships can be so tricky. As parents we try our best to manifest healthy relationships between our kids. It’s not always possible. What do you do if you notice that the older sibling isn’t being kind or fair to the younger kid. How do you rebalance the relationship ensuring fairness going forward? 

Thank you for listening in to another episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our kid. 

Our show only exists because you guys support it and help it grow. We are so grateful. 

Anxiety in little kids can be sparked by almost anything including cracking an egg off their head for the sake of a TikTok video trend. Tina tries to help a Mom trying to get her child to understand that making mistakes is ok. There's a battle at bedtime in most houses at some point. Can Tina help a Mom who finds her child enjoying the game of going to bed way too much? Jar has a novel approach to making kids relax and Tina helps another kid that has regressed with their toilet training. There's a lot of laughs and a lot of information as usual. Buymie.ie is the proud partner of Honey! You're Ruining Our Kid the zero judgement parenting podcast. Why not get groceries delivered to someone in your life in as little as an hour? It's easy it's fast and it's cheaper using the offer code "HONEY10".

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN EMAIL THE SHOW. Tina replies and helps everyone. Simple send your problem to honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com and she will get back to you as soon as she possibly can.

Meeting the principal of your kid's school when you are not happy with what is happening there is very tough. How can you get the most out of these meetings? Tina has experience from both sides of the fence. Is your kid a bit of daredevil? How do you reign them in without crushing that adventurous spirit? When a kid regresses to wetting themselves over a certain age, what do you do? This jam packed episode continues over on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad.

Here are Tina's questions:

Question 1- 

A mom gets in touch about her thrill seeking daughter and how stressful it is to manage her kid's cowgirl dreams. Jarlath gets super honest about his feelings towards ponies and horses and once I catch my breath from laughing, we try and come up with a plan. 

Question 2. 

What do you do if your son’s teacher is being "extra mean" to him and taking away lunchtimes, isolating him from his friends? How can you help your child survive his days at school? Can you reach out to the teacher in an attempt to get her to change her ways?

Question 3. 

It’s hard to believe that some parents walk out on their families but unfortunately this is a reality that some children have to learn to live with. Rejection affects us all in different ways. In this case a little eight year old boy has started to wet and soil himself. A very worried mom gets in touch begging for help. We think this regression in toilet training is a result of another behavioural factor. If we can guide this mom is surviving this storm hopefully we can get her boy back to himself soon. 

Pop on over to Patreon for the extra parenting content. This week we take a super dive into the challenge that is parenting teens. Jarlath Regan | creating Irishman Abroad Podcasts | Patreon

Welcome back to another episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid. What a week we have had, thank you to everyone who is coming out to Jarlath’s shows. We love getting to meet you guys. 

If you have any questions do not hesitate to email us here at honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. No question is too big or too small. 

This parenting lark isn’t getting any easier this week we have a host of questions from our lovely listeners. Ranging from hair problems to potty mouths. There's a heap of great recommendations and big laughs in this fantastic episode.

Question 1-

A single dad gets in touch looking for advice on how best to care for his little girl's hair. Luckily we have the best solution for this particular question. Braid Maidens! An online or in person braiding tutorial to suit all parents including the ones who have never brushed long here before. It's allrun and created by the lovely Annis. Her success rate is 100 percent. https://www.braidmaidens.com/

Question 2- 

How do you clear your name if your reputation in your home is "Evil Step Dad"? Can the relationship with your step kids be saved if they’ve already decided their new dad is a big ogre. Does the problem stop with you or them? Who needs to take action? Can it be fixed? 

Question 3- 

For whatever reason when children curse we find it adorable. Obviously a potty mouth toddler isn't ideal but who can you stop the habit before it's too late. Is it ever too late?

Are you in a situation with your kids? Drop us an email honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com

Every week the extended cut of our episode is available on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad - this week we hear from a Dad who is simply not enjoying fatherhood. That sense that being parent is not what was advertised can leave you feeling very low. You are not alone if you're feeling this way.

This week on the show fussy eaters, bed wetters and kids who just want to be naked. As always Tina has the solutions you need. Tune in to hear her advice and stay for the laughs. 

First up on the show we hear from a mom whose child is regressing with their toilet training. Not unusual at all. This mom is completely on it and so tuned in to her child. Tina offers up two options, depending on how fast this mom wants change but both are definitely hopeful that this little girl will start using the toilet again. 

Next up we hear from a mum who is at loggerheads with her own mother about how she’s parenting her child. Is there anything worse than our own parents questioning or overriding out parenting style. Tina has some sound advice for this mum that she hopes will work and transform this unpleasant situation.  

Fussy eaters are everywhere. How do you get your child to try new foods. Tina’s Tapas are back. Listen in to see how Tina suggests you should present your dinner. This technique is a game changer. 

If you have a parenting problem that is driving you all kinds of bananas get in touch today. We can help. Email - honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. There is nothing we haven’t seen before. We can and will help. 

Come on over to Patreon and listen in to the juicy stuff. Thank you so much for supporting our show. 

Question 1:

If you can’t get your partner to have your back and your parenting styles are very different how can you get your kids to do what you’ve asked them to do? When one parent tells them they don’t have to and the other is making threats - things get messy fast! Feeling alone and isolated as a parent is never a good feeling. Tina and I try to guide this mom through a very difficult personal situation.

Question 2-

A mom gets in touch about her out of control teenager. Her daughter wrecked her car and physically assaulted her. Should she cancel her party as a punishment? Or is that a step too far when your daughter is showing signs of frustration and unhappiness. Is being this strict actually helpful?

Question 3-

What’s the best approach when relocating your family. How do you prepare your child for the move? How do you persuade them it’s for the best when they are being vocal about not wanting to go.

Finally... over on Patreon

Tina reads an email from a listener who followed her plan and has seen a miraculous change in her kid. And yes, I did see a ghost. Or was it just some lad in a weird night dress. Who knows! It was definitely a ghost.

Email any questions into honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. Pop on over to Patreon to get the juicy stuff. Jarlath Regan | creating Irishman Abroad Podcasts | Patreon

Just like you guys, our heads are melted after a very busy midterm. As always we are here to help you guys survive and enjoy your kids. We have three great questions to get to today and then we have a very important announcement in this week's episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid. 

Question 1- 

How do you navigate the terrible twos? When the parents will is challenged by the toddlers will things can get out of control so fast. If your child is refusing to do anything they are asked how do you get them to play ball and live by the family rules? 

There are three simple steps which if followed can impact your life immediately, listen in to today’s episode where Tina explains and breaks down the mechanics of each step. 

Question 2- 

Fussy eaters can drive you round the twist. Worrying about your child getting enough fuel into their body is a never ending stress. What can you do about food refusal? How can you get your kids to explore new tastes? Tina explains her full proof Tina’s Tapas technique. Trust us, this method works every single time. 

Thank you for tuning into another episode of Honey You’re Ruining our Kid, for the bonus question head on over to Patreon. 

www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Question 3-

Teenagers are they our friends or our foes? We think they shouldn’t be either. Surely our role as their parents is to be their constant. Their rock of stability in this crazy world. How do you navigate the teenage years without losing them completely? Is it even possible to maintain a relationship with your child during these tumultuous years. 

Just as discussed in today’s podcast - Honey You’re Ruining Our kid is hitting the pause button. Emails will remain open, we will always be here for you guys but the podcast won’t be recorded for a few weeks. Life is a bit bananas at the moment and we are playing catch up. 

Thank you for all your understanding and support. See you soon. 

www.jigser.com/gigs

We open this week’s episode with a little parents guide to parent teacher meetings.School reports are arriving, realities are being brought to your attention and the dreaded parent teacher conferences are just around the corner. How will you navigate them? Listen in to find out. 

Question 1- 

School refusal is one of the most common problems facing parents worldwide. What do you do when they reach 18 though and the pattern is cemented? How do you emotionally cope with the toll of having to force them out of bed and out of the house every day. When the professionals have let you down what are your options? Is your child doomed to not embrace his/her life? How can you smash this habit? 

Question 2- 

The mom gaze haunts us all. Other moms making us feel bad about its mumming can stop us asking for help when we really need it. Honey You’re Ruining our Kid exists for this very reason. Zero judgement here. This week a mom gets in touch who is struggling to get her 3 year old to stop asking for the bottle. She’s ashamed that she can’t switch her kid to a zippy cup. Should she Feel this pang of shame or should she just do what suits her and makes her child feel happy and content? 

Question 3 will feature over on Patreon. So if you are thirsty for more why not head on over to Patreon for the extra juicy stuff. 

Thank you to everyone who is listening in, sharing our pod and who are getting in touch. We really appreciate it.   

www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad to access the full ad free episode

www.jigser.com/gigs to come and see Jarlath live!

We open the show talking about Tina’s time on the Pat Kenny show this week. With school refusal being such a huge problem, what are parents supposed to do and how are schools able to help? 

If you need help with this or anything like this email is at honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Question 1- 

Teenage life is incredibly hard to navigate. Trying not to keep your child close and not lose them completely during those years is all consuming. This week an exhausted mother gets in touch in need of an intervention with her rebellious teenage daughter. It’s Jarlath who has the advice this lady needs this week. Introducing her to an incredible book that has changed his approach to parenting. As always we recommend checking out Jigsaw.ie.  A free online parenting resource available to all. 

Question 2 -

If your child is aggressive and struggling at school how do you decipher whether they are just misbehaving or if they have additional needs? We try our best to point this parent in the direction of the avenues they need to go down for help. 

Question 3- 

Sleep deprivation is no joke. This week a family gets in touch about their three year old's sleep regression. After going on a cosy holiday where all the rules when out the window, they are now home and really struggling to get their toddler to sleep in his own bed. Is it possible to get him back on track? Tune in and follow our few simple steps to getting your child to sleep in their own bed again. 

For more pop on over to Patreon to hear the extra bits. Jarlath Regan | creating Irishman Abroad Podcasts | Patreon 

Thank you so much for tuning in. Please spread the word if you can. Don’t forget to subscribe, listen and share. 

Surviving mid-term is not easy but if you're tuning in today, you did it. Jarlath and Tina look back on a crazy week of bringing a kid to work. Have play dates gotten out of hand and how do you explain the US election to your kids? Has it affected their relationship to the truth and women?

Here's a break down of the episode's questions from the only expert on this show, Tina.

Question 1- 

As you all know and as Jarlath loves to remind me I am indeed the queen of irrational fears. So when I get an email in about a kid who is struggling with an irrational fear I can definitely relate. This week it's a fears of swings!  Like all irrational fears they feel very rational to the person going through it. I give some trusted and well practiced techniques on helping people live with them and hopefully move on from them. 

Question 2- 

Lies, why do our kids even bother trying to lie to us. I get emails about lying every single week. This week a mother of a 13 year old boy gets in touch desperate for some advice on how to best navigate the lies she is having thrown her way. Jarlath breaks down some of the language that can help get across the need for absolute truth with your teen.

Question 3- Potty Training Difficulties (Available on Patreon)

What do you do when your toilet training goes wrong. When your three year old has decided that life is easier in nappies and they are flat out refusing to ever use the potty. Is there hope? Can you get through to them that the nappies have to go. Every child is so different when it comes to toileting but I definitely have 2 strict rules that if you follow will lead to success. Visit www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad to gain access to this extra questions and discussion.

Thank you for tuning in and supporting our show. We love making it. I hope to catch up on all the emails this week. If you are having a problem big or small please know you are not alone. Send your email over to honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com and I will do my best to help you out. 

The smell of summer is upon us or is that just panic in the air? How the hell are we going to entertain our kids? Tina can help with that worry on this week’s episode. Plus Jarlath looks back on some hilarious childhood tales, we hear about a kid that treasures his poo and a kid that is all of sudden rude to their mother. Can you get on top of a behaviour that suddenly appears? Tina thinks so.

Question 1- 

What do you do when your kid starts being rude? What is the appropriate response? How can you get your child to stop?

When daddy has fast become the favourite and you feel personally attacked at every turn how do you manage your emotions while surviving your toddler. 

Question 2- 

We all want our children to be proud of themselves but what do you do when they have taken pride in their waste disposal management. This week we hear from a mum whose kid has started storing their poos, spurred on by immense pride in their shites they have fallen into the habit of not only showing their poos off proudly but of saving them and displaying them. 

Question 3- 

The summer break is fast approaching. How will we keep our kids entertained? How will we stop ourselves from losing our minds. Get the family meeting going. Get the wall chart out. Plan the summer as a team. Make it fair, make it fun, make it workable. 

Thank you for listening in to another episode of our parenting podcast. If you want more head on over to our Patreon. 

Email any questions into honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. For an extra chunk this week head to www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad - Jar and Tina talk about regulating kids and their technology. Patreon is how we fund this podcast - please considering supporting us and its creation today.

Tina needs all 20 years of her experience in child behaviour and teaching to find answers for this week's questions. Honey! You're Ruining Our Kid - the zero judgement parenting podcast - returns for another week of anonymously submitted questions from listeners across the world. Everyone thinks their kid is the only one with oddly specific difficult behaviours. You are never on your own.

Question 1

An imaginary friend who is leading a child astray. How do you get your child to engage their conscience so that they can know the difference between right and wrong?

Question 2

A kid who won’t stop cutting her friends' hair at school. How do you make her stop? Tina suggests more cutting opportunities at home with different textures. Finding a way to fulfil this child’s sensory need without it resulting in another unwanted haircut is the challenge.

Question 3

A parent gets in touch worried their child is being bullied. This is a concern that is shared by just about every parent at some point or another. Tina and Jarlath offer some guidance in how to find out for sure. 

Thank you for listening in to our show. Please get in touch anyone but emailing - honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Pop over to www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad for extra large episode, bonus pods and much more.

Find us on instagram https://instagram.com/honeyyouareruiningourkid?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

If you're exhausted and out of ideas, if you can't summon the energy to deal with another one of your kid's tantrums, if you feel like you just need 30 minutes with people who get it. You are in the right place. Welcome back to another episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid. Thank you to the legend that is Bridget for this extra Monday off in Ireland. If you're not in Ireland, take today off and say it's part of your religious beliefs.

Question 1- 

A parent gets in touch about a teenage sleep over dilemma! What do you do when your daughter wants a sleep over with 4 of her close friends but one of them is her girlfriend? Is it okay to say no to partners in the house before the age of 16. How do you navigate this intimate situation when other parents have expressed their approval. Do you dig the heels in or is there another way?

Question 2 - 

How do we help our children understand what they are feeling? This week a mum gets in touch exhausted by her child’s dramatic outbursts. How do you educate your child about their feelings and how to navigate the constant emotional waves? 

Question 3- 

Weight issues are the thing that’ll keep any parent up late at night. Trying to get your child to love themselves and be body proud is a constant battle in the current image obsessed media age. What do you do if you uncover that your child is secretly eating while you all sleep?

Pop on over to Patreon to support the creation of this show and to hear further section on family etiquette and teenage difficulties. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

If you are having any parenting nightmares, if they just won't listen, if some shit just hit the fan and you have nowhere to turn...get those parenting questions into honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

If you like your parenting chats to have zero judgement in them, you're in the right place. This week, child behaviourist and early learning expert Tina Regan deals with three questions from our listeners.

Question 1- what can you do to motivate your child? How do you spark their interests in new activities or just normal day to day ones. Tina and Jarlath tease out this question and try and give this parents some guidance on how to ignite the passion for adventure and learning new skills in their child. 

Question 2- deals with a child who is biting, kicking and hitting his mom. She is so overwhelmed and exhausted by his behaviour she doesn’t want to get up in the morning. Jarlath and Tina try and come up with an intervention that will get this family back on track and hopefully help this little person to manage their big emotions. 

Question 3 is from a lovely Dad who feels like he’s pushed his son too far. He’s starting to notice signs of anxiety in his sons behaviour and he feels he is the one to be blamed for this. What can you do? How can he repair his relationship with his son? Jarlath and Tina have loads of suggestions to help him through this tricky period. 

Email any questions into honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Get even more of the Pod - www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Is your Mother telling you you're too tough on your kids? Does she think kids shouldn't have chores when back in the day she made you clean the gutters! Welcome back to another episode of our zero judgement parenting podcast. So many questions to get through this week ranging from potty panic to the over bearing grandparent. 

Question 1- 

The throwing box! What exactly is it? We’ve talked about it loads on the show but this week we realised we have never fully explained the ingredients needed to make one. Listen in to find out what we think should be in your throwing box and how best to make it a success within the walls of your home. 

Question 2- 

What do you do when the crèche won’t support your toileting efforts. If you’ve laid the ground work but they are unwilling to keep placing the bricks in place. 

Is it possible to be successful without their support? If you’re wondering what are the important steps and which is the optimum age to start listen in to this week’s episode to find out our thoughts on all things toilet training. 

For our third question about lies and the Irish Mammy Effect on parents please head on over to Patreon www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

We tend to keep the extra juicy stuff over there and this week is a little ripper!

Email us anytime at honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. We get back to everyone even if sometimes it can take a little while. No parent left alone. 

Are your kids melting your head? Are you worried for someone else's kids? Are you allowed to check your kid's phone? Welcome to our penultimate episode of HYROK for this season. Season 3 will return in September. Our emails will always be attended honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com is the address to send whatever issues you're having or solutions you have stumbled upon. We would love to hear from you.

Question 1 "That Won't Be Cute Much Longer!"

This week a worried aunt gets in touch about her nephew's out of control behaviour. She is worried about his transition from the "isn’t he cute" phase to the "can you stop being such a little bollox" phase. Can she intervene and help his parents or is any intervention deemed as over stepping? 

Question 2 "Should Their Phone Be Your Phone?"

We are in the Wild West of mobile phones. Children seem to be getting access to them younger and younger every year. When we hand over such a massive responsibility to our children without any real guidance can we really blame them when it ends up getting them in all kinds of trouble. When we can’t really avoid our kids having mobile phones, how can we help direct them to stay safe while using them? 

Question 3 "Nightmare At Home, Angel In School!"

The troublesome three year old has taken over from the terrible twos. Every week we get emails in from parents at the end of their tether with their three year old mood swings. This week is no different. Frustration is nearly always the explanation to why your child might be misbehaving. Identify the frustration and you’ll get to the root of the cause. It is only then that real change and emotional growth can begin. Trust me, three year olds are my bag, these suggestions on coping with their outburst really do work. 

Thank you for listening in to another episode of Honey You Are Ruining Our Kid.  If you've got any worries pop an email over your us at honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

For the extra juicy stuff swing on over to our Patreon www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad. 

We are not alone in parenting tricky kids. With Christmas just around the corner how do you manage your kids expectations. How do you get them to follow your lead and appreciate the Christmas magic? Tina offers advice based on her 20 years of experience in early years education and Jarlath brings the funny on 3 superb listener questions.

Question 1-  What do you do when you tiny little human won’t let you change their nappy. Tina helps this mum manage the changing time stress by giving her three very workable strategies to wrangle this wriggler. 

Question 2 - Together as parents we all know the pain that comes along with screens and screen addiction. It’s nearly impossible to avoid gaming and all the behaviours that come along with it. In this episode Tina and Jar try to empower a dad to set boundaries in his home.

Question 3 - If your kid can’t stop asking ‘why’ questions? What can you do?

Thank you to everyone whose been getting in touch. Email us any question to honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Pop on over to Patreon to listen into the juicy and way too honest stuff. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

We are back. Season 3 kicks off with a bang after a long summer break Honey! You’re Ruining Our Kid! has a bulging sack of emails from parents with all kinds behaviours they need to sort out. Get involved and email us at honeyyoureruiningourkid@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram.

Question 1 Restoring Boundaries When Tantrums Break Them Down!

Is your child testing your boundaries? Has your patience worn thin? You are not alone. In this week’s episode Tina tries to help a mum who is struggling with meltdowns, tantrums and risk taking. How can she bring some balance back into her home? How can she reset the boundaries and return her house to the calm she is craving? 

Question 2 Throwing It Back In Your Face!

Children all experience different phases in terms of the interest in developing or acquiring new movement skills. Developing your child’s ability to throw something is actually a huge milestone. However what do you do when your 1 year old seems to have an innate ability to throw. Not just balls, but everything. This behaviour can quickly become out of control and sometimes dangerous. How do you go about redirecting the interest whilst still nurturing the skill? 

Question 3 I Think My Child Is Gifted!

Navigating your child’s development can be so incredibly stressful. Worrying about them reaching all their milestones so the health-nurse can tick her/his agenda for ‘normal’ development off her chart. What do you do and where do you go if your child is showing signs of giftedness? Everyone will have advice but like everything, is it your mammy gut that should guide you in deciding how best to approach this with your child. There are always other areas that children need to develop. So if learning is coming easy, use that free time to help them grow their interests in sport, music, social and emotional areas. 

Finally a parent gets in touch about their 9 year old boy who is terrified of putting on weight. What can you do if a negative body image had taken hold this early in life. Tina has seen this a lot and has a few excellent strategies that might be able to help.

Thank you for supporting our podcast. If you want to hear more why not head over to our Patreon to listen to the extra large episode and our archive of episodes. This week a parent gets in touch about her 7 year old who is terrified about putting on weight. What can we do if our kids already have a negative relationship with food and their body image.

If you're feeling the Christmas frazzle or worried about what's coming from your kids this month, you're in the right place. Tina and I have some great questions and a little bit of a look back at our own childhoods in this one.

Question 1- 

The expectation that our children need to be best friends is sometimes too much a burden of responsibility for them to bare. Most siblings argue from time to time. Most siblings long for time to themselves and fairness within the home. What do you do if one sibling has contempt for the other. If it has gotten out of hand and all you can see is now full-on sibling bullying. Is there any way back? 

Question 2- 

Moving country is such a huge task. Moving your family is even bigger. How do you ensure a smooth transition. It won’t be plain sailing but there are definitely techniques that will help it be less heartbreaking for the little ones you are having to uproot and resow. 

Question 3- 

Skid marks are always a sign of something else. Ranging from lazy wiping to chronic constipation. How do you puzzle out what is causing the soiling if your little one seems unaware as to why it’s happening? 

We would love to wish you all a very merry Christmas. Thank you for supporting our podcast. Emails will remain open over the Christmas holidays. If you need help, Tina be here. honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com 

Episode 8 will drop in January. Visit www.jigser.com/gigs to come see Jarlath live on tour. There are worse gifts to be found than comedy tickets.

What a weekend we’ve had at Regans. Tour show madness and A&E panic. Like so many parents we juggled a million different things this weekend and somehow managed to survive it. Thank you for tuning into another episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our kid. On this weeks episode we talk about keeping promises, invasiveness and aggression. 

Question 1- 

What do you do when you can’t leave your two kids together without them beating into each other. How can you teach your kids to get along? Is that even possible? Can we retrain the behaviour and get calm back into a frazzled house?

Question 2- 

We all worry about our children talking but what can you do when they won’t stop! When they don’t understand that they shouldn’t get involved in every conversation. How do you guide them through knowing when is okay and when it’s absolutely not okay to get involved in someone else’s chitty chitty chat chat. 

Question 3-

Breaking promises. If you make a deal with your kid and they not only live up to it but surpass their side of the bargain what do you do if you can’t actually fulfil your side. Apart from panicking is there any way out of this. 

Thank you for subscribing, sharing and listening to our pod. You guys keep this show alive and we are so grateful. Only 7 more episode left till we break up for the summer holidays so please get your emails in honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. Visit www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad and in a few clicks you can hear the extended episode, the archive of Irishman Abroad interviews and what really upset Jar this week.

Heads and hearts are low at the moment. Everyone feeling particularly helpless while we just watch on as the devastation unfolds in Gaza. Very hard to feel like celebrating anything, never mind Christmas. In today's episode we talk about getting there for the sake of our children. Christmas magic is essential for them but so hard to conjure. Reminding them that there is always some light is flipping hard and not helped by the deadlines of the year.

Question 1- 

What do you do when your toilet training has been a total disaster. Christmas is just around the corner and your child keeps ruining their clothes, carpets and bed!! When toilet training isn’t working and is actually causing turmoil, is it okay to shelve it and start again at a later date? 

Question 2- 

While scrolling through her daughter's phone this mum finds out that her daughter has started having sex with her boyfriend. While reaching out to us for advice is the scariest question we’ve ever received our advice is unanimous. It’s time to mom up, your personal feelings need to be put to one side and you need to be there for your young woman. 

Question 3- 

Favouring one child over the other, carving out more time for some grandchildren than others? The emotional impact this leaves on our lives is sometimes too hard to bare. In this episode we try our best to help this mum navigate the emotionally exclusionary situation she finds herself in. 

If you have any parenting questions please email them over to honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. Or follow us on Instagram. 

Pop on over to Patreon to hear the extra mail about a dad struggling to get his son to love sport. Jarlath Regan | creating Irishman Abroad Podcasts | Patreon

Happy new year everyone. We hope 2025 is kind to all of you. Just like you we can’t believe we survived another Christmas with our families. With the children finally back at school it’s time to stick that kettle on, pop those feet up and get this podcast into your ears. Today's show is all about those kids that won't open their ears. Whether it results in throwing or tantrums or Mexican stand offs, the impact of a kid that won't listen to their parents can be life altering. In terms of the stress in your day, this one thing can change everything. Tina has some great strategies that will help you and our three questioners.

Question 1 

We all know the terrible threes are the new terrible twos. How do you get your three year old to calm down when they are mid stand off, when it has become a battle of the wills, you versus them. Is it even possible. This week we try and arm a very distressed mum with techniques to walk back a few of her kids newly acquired behaviours. 

Question 2- 

When behaviour moves from acting out to becoming an actual danger to themselves you need to get act fast and get help. It’s okay to ask for help. Some times there is nothing you can do. Sometimes there are bigger reasons for the behaviours. Seek out the supports available in your area in the knowledge that that is the best thing you can do for your kid right now. 

Question 3- The Patreon exclusive question looks at a case where the child will only listen to their father. This is causing Mom to question her appraoch to parenting. Tina takes a look at the major trigger points that are proving most difficult with this kid.

Pop over to www.patreon.com/irishmababroad to hear it or go to www.jigser.com/gigs to come and see Jarlath's all new standup show in 2025.

Jarlath did it. He ran another London Marathon. This time raising much needed funds for the brilliant Kidney Care UK. Even though his knee decided to give him trouble from 3km in, he never gave up. Kept going and finished like the champ he is. Myself and Mikey are so proud of him. Yesterday was so full of all the emotions. The wonderful Sonia O’Sullivan sorted us out with finish line seats. The view, the atmosphere, the hospitality and the people were absolutely amazing. 

While travelling to london I’ve been reading the most amazing book, "Anxious Children in an Anxious World".

Massive shout out to the incredible Dr Mary O Kane who has taken the time to write a book that will help all of us be better parents. We absolutely recommend this book, so informative and such an easy, relaxing read. 

Question 1. 

This week an exhausted mum gets in touch about her 5 year olds continuous soiling in their pants. She has tried everything and feels like she is certain her little one is doing this from attention. For the reaction she gets every time and because of FOMO when playing with her friends or at family events? 

Is there anything left to try?? Tina goes for her most strict approach, one she only uses when shit gets real. Listen in to see what you think. 

Question 2- 

Parent alienation is such a tough subject and one we are really only beginning to fully understand. Last week a mom got in touch looking for help this week she is back with more detail. 

Question 3- 

How do you help your child become a gracious winner. Is it possible to tame the competitive spirit while also nurturing a natural desire to win. If post game tantrums are ruining your families fun times is it possible to retrain your child’s behaviour and make family game night a calm event again? 

Huge thank you to all our listeners who donated to Jars marathon charity. We are so grateful. Thank you as always tor listening to our show and helping it grow. We absolutely love making it. Emails always welcome, pop them over to honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Whether you're toilet training, navigating a teen's feelings of isolation or just trying to get your kid to stop being such a picky eater - this is the episode for you. Parenting is flipping hard but we are not in it on our own. Hearing the troubles of others can help. Having 20 years experience helping parenting of children with severe behavioural issues, Tina is here to help. And Jarlath is here to read out the emails!

Question 1 

What do you do if you’re toilet training your toddler, you do everything right and they still regress? Do you bang your head off the wall and get the nappies back out or do you change it up and start again.  There's a bit more to it than that.

Question 2- 

Do we ever stop worrying about our kids and their friendships? It’s extra tough if your child isn’t a sharer. Without any info it's tempting to go straight to panic? Worrying that your kids are lonely, isolated and withdrawn is so common. Is there a way to gain insight into their day? How do you get them to share their private life and keep some of your worries at bay?

Question 3- 

Picky eaters are the reason so many parents are completely exhausted by bedtime. They spend energy they don’t have trying to prepare a healthy meal and it’s met with refusal time after time. How do you stop this pattern from gaining ground in your home? "Tina’s Tapas" have come to the rescue again. Listen in to see how this process works. 

We love getting your emails. Keep them coming. No parenting issue is too big or too small for Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid. 

Email us at honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

If you want to hear more why not head over to our Patron and listen to our extra bits. Thank you for listening in and supporting our podcast. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

What do you do if your kid won't let you leave their sight? What do you do if your kid is returning to wetting themselves after being successfully potty training years ago? What do you do if your kid isn't a fan of your partner and only wants to hang out with you? The good news is "Honey! You're Ruining Our Kid" the zero judgement parenting podcast is back. Tina bring here 20 years of experience in child behaviour and early years education to help parents from all over the world. They email the show anonymously and comedian Jarlath Regan reads them out! Strategies and solutions for every possible situation you find yourself in, proved for free by the best woman in the business. Come for the info and stay for the laughs. Raising kids is hard. We shouldn't have to do it alone and shouldn't have a bit of fun in the process. Email us today - honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com - Tina replies to every single email personally.

Buymie.ie are our proud partner on this show. Sign up for the Buymie app in the App store today and get Dunnes Stores groceries delivered to your house or your friends' houses in as little as an hour. It makes the perfect time saver and pick me up for someone you might know who could do with a bit of help. Who wouldn't like a bag of treats dropped on their door step.

See Jarlath’s standup live and in person in 2023/24 www.jigser.com/gigs 

Welcome back to another episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our kid. Slightly delayed episode this week but totally worth the wait. We have a new segment as Jarlath starts this week's episode with some of the weirdest shit of the week. From being Papped to children on planes to saving a kid from drowning - this episode is great craic and has heaps of helpful information regardless of what relationship you have with the kids in your life.

Question 1- 

If you have a kid who is struggling with anxiety don't worry an all too common problem for our children these days. A wonderfully generous mother has gotten in touch with a portfolio of help for us all. How do we help our kids push through? Should we make our kids push through? Are we actually building resilience by forcing our kids to take part or are we adding to the problem. All of us are flying blind when it comes to equipping our children for this modern world so it’s so incredibly helpful when parents come together to pool their resources. 

Question 2-

Bed wetting is everyone’s nightmare problem. Nothing makes a morning more stressful than additional showers, more laundry and mattresses hanging out windows in an effort to get them dry for round 2, later that night. How can we help our kids get through the night without having an accident? I believe a consistent plan is key, but how can an already very tired parent push through with a consistent plan? Is the return of some sleep motivation enough? 

Question 3- 

Everybody poops but goodness is it stressful when your kid starts refusing to. Holding onto their poos is a very common early childhood problem. How can we help our kids navigate this uncomfortable phase.  When they are teeney tiny we absolutely encourage you to bring them to the GP. Is there anything else that can help?

Thank you for tuning in to this weeks episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our kid. Pop on over to Patreon for the extra bits. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad to join up in a few clicks - help us continue the podcast and get bonus episodes on American and fitness.

Email us anytime at honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Our links mentioned in podcast. 

https://www.katieodonoghueart.com/work

https://www.ispcc.ie/helping-your-child-cope-with-anxiety-ispcc-with-author-katie-odonoghue/

https://www.ispcc.ie/how-space-from-anxiety-can-help-children-teens-and-parents/

Boy do we have a banger of an episode for you. Not only have we three great questions, we also have advice on what questions you should ask your kids to get them to reflect and open up to you.

Question 1.

Phobias, we all have one - don't we? If you don’t, well well done on your mental health and/or living in denial. This week a mother gets in touch about her daughter’s phobia of stickers. Tina knows only too well the hell of pittakionophobia. She has suffered with it for years. Maybe you are dealing with it too. Listen and maybe get in touch with your ideas to how to move through a phobia with a small child.

Question 2.

Eating disorders are so scary and as parents we all have the responsibility of feeding our kids but also keeping a watchful eye for any dysfunctional thinking around food. How do we teach our kids about fuelling? How do we help our children to be happy and at home in their miraculous individual bodies? Where do we go for help if and when we need it? We absolutely recommend going to your doctor and seeking a referral if you feel like you need that.

Question 3.

When a loved one suddenly passes how do you help your kids cope with their grief while you manage your own? What do you share, how do you share? We think you just try and be as open and honest as possible. Find your comfort level. Allow them to be part of the funeral celebration, try not to exclude them from the mourning, instead help them feel part of the goodbye.

If you have questions ping them into honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com.

There's even more of this episode and all our episodes on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad - pop over and see what you're missing. This week Tina follows up on a previous email and we get to hear the most imporatant question you will ever ask your child.

Does your kid refuse to do any chores around the house and if they do, it's a HUGE deal? Was your kid an angel last week but now won't listen to a word you say? Take a deep breathe. The kids back at school. Now it's time to examine what the hell happened over the midterm. Jarlath and I have a banger episode to help you make sense of it all.

Question 1- 

No matter how much they might want you to believe it, getting your child to pull their weight around the house is not a violation of child labour laws. If you’re raising your children on a farm how do you get them to be stake holders in the farming process? Motivating our kids to be active participants in how the family runs it’s day to day is a major issue in almost every house. Have we unwittingly raised entitled kids who don’t think they have to help out in the home? Children who don’t even consider that to be one of their responsibilities? How can we get that them involved and get everything back on track. 

Questions 2- 

The Terrible Threes are a real thing. This week we hear from a mom whose behaviour has flipped upside down. She’s gone from being overly obedient toddler to a completely independent young woman toddler who can’t be reached. Tantrums for days and a mom struggling to cope. How can we help her and get her three year old to be reasonable and approachable again? 

Question 3- 

Picky eating kids are a dime a dozen but that doesn't have ot be a reality we accept. Today we hear from another exhausted mom who is worried about how little her kid eats. Tune in to hear how Tina’s Tapas technique can change your life! No exaggeration this technique works every single time. 

Thank you for listening in, subscribing and spreading the word. If you need to email our show get your emails over to honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com.

To hear the full XL episode each week and gain access to the back catalog of our podcasts including interviews with Sharon Horgan, Mary Robinson, Marian Keyes, Cecelia Ahern and Imelda May pop on over to www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Is your husband trying to turn the kids against you? Is your kid in a toxic friendship and needs your help to get out of it? Does your kid have an unhealthy obsession with your new partner? Yes? No? What the hell? Either way today's HYROK episode is a scandalously good listen with Tina on form answering some of the toughest questions we have ever received.

Question 1- 

A single mum gets in touch wondering how she can best protect her children while coping with her ex husband’s negative behaviour towards her. 

Parental alienation is thankfully a recognised crime now. Are there enough supports out there when it happens at a very early age and hard to pin point what’s actually happening. Who can you ask for help? How do you survive and maintain your mental health. Moms tend to only care about the welfare of their children but sometimes putting yourself first really matters too. 

Question 2

Friendship issues are a daily worry for most kids. A lot of the time it is agonising to observe as a parent. What is the best approach? Shut down the friendship? Go to the parent? Or get the school involved? An incredibly hard one to navigate but arming our children to stand up for themselves and to be happy in their own company is equally important. 

Question 3

What do you do if your child think he’s in love with your new partner? For this listener the crush might have developed into an infatuation and their child's entire behaviour is changing. How do you get them back on track? How do you curb their new obsession while teaching them boundaries and respect? This week a stressed out dad gets in touch with this exact problem.

Easter break is in the books. Maybe you got a rest. Maybe your kids ran you ragged and their return to school is your first chance to breathe out. According to the recently published Aldi Mammies and Daddies Report into the lives of Irish parents the later is probably the case if your're the Mammy. Jarlath was invited onto Jen Hogan's "Mamia And Me" podcast panel to discuss the findings to see if they match up to what we are seeing here on Honey! You're Ruining Our Kid. Along with our 3 brilliant questions from the listeners, this week we dive into those findings and the disproportionate impact parenting has on women rather than men. How important is it for us to change the old school views that form the seed of these problems. Shout out to the amazing little toddler who brought the entertainment on the day of the live recording. She won the room.  You can listen to the episode very soon here.

There's a big extra chunk over on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad - why not come over and join us in a few clicks. It's how we support the show and it's the place where you can here "what happened next" when the listeners apply Tina's advice.

And just like that a new year is here and we are all full of hope for the year ahead. Many parents making resolutions to do and wishing they had better kids. Worry not because myself and Jarlath are here to help. Email us at honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com with any concerns and we will get back to you with a workable plan. 

Question 1- 

Parenting as good cop vs bad cop never really works out. One parent always ends up feeling taken for granted and burned out. This week a mom gets in touch about feeling isolated from her boys. She has approached her husband and revealed how she feels out of the loop and not part of the gang. He thinks she’s imagining this. She wants help getting through this situation and through to him. 

Question 2- 

Has an Xbox arrived into your home and ruined everything. Stress not! First of all you are not alone. Secondly there is help and solutions to take the power back. This week we help a mom and dad who thought bringing an Xbox into their life would make their kids happy, instead they are grumpier and more strung out than ever before. 

Question 3. 

An embarrassed mom gets in touch with a very tricky situation. Her daughter found her naughty drawer and is eager to know why her mom needs to use a dildo. We tease out all the possible paths this mom can take making sure feeling any shame about having a naughty drawer is not one of them. 

Does your kid refuse to talk to you? Pop on over to Patreon for the extra bits - that's exactly what we are talking about over there this week.

Jarlath Regan | creating Irishman Abroad Podcasts | Patreon

We are back, Honey! You’re Ruining Our Kid drops every two weeks, which means there is only one more episode before Christmas. So if you need help getting your child ready for the Christmas madness that is approaching fast get in touch. Email honeyyoureruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Question 1- 

What do you do about head lice. Once the infestation starts how do you get it under control? Head lice is the secret we all feel we cannot  share. A school will send your kid home if they notice you they have lice so why don’t we take it more seriously. I have some really easy ways of staying on top of the nasty buggers. It does mean you need to fall into a routine but trust me it will work. 

Question 2- 

Every parent fears bedtime. The idea of uninterrupted sleep becomes something you reminisce about. The feeling that it might someday return is something you cling onto when you find yourself in the misery of sleepless nights. 

How can you stop your kid coming into your room every night? Is it even possible to break this habit. When you genuinely worry that they are afraid is it easier to just let them sleep in with you rather than battling against the will of your kid. 

Question 3- 

How do we help our child navigate a death in the family when we ourselves are also consumed with grief. How do you teach them to cope and to remember. Leading with comfortable honesty is definitely something I have observed through the years. When they ask you difficult questions answer them as honestly as you can while respecting your own honestly comfort levels. 

Thank you so much for tuning into another episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

If you are hungry for more why not pop over to Patreon and listen to the extra juicy stuff. Email us anytime at honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

We have three very different parenting scenarios to discuss today on the podcast. Welcome to the Christmas episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid. Our very last episode of 2023. We want to say a huge thank you to all of you sound heads!! You guys are the reason our show is growing and growing. We are so grateful to you, our listeners, for making our show what it is today. There will be no podcasts over the Christmas holidays but emails, as always, will remain open. Get in touch anytime, we will be there for you, email - honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Question 1- Unsupervised 14 Year Old Vacation?

At what age is it appropriate for your teenagers to go away on holidays together? A very worried mum has gotten in touch to see if she’s being unfair by not allowing her 14 year old daughter to go away on an unsupervised holiday. Is she being unreasonable? Are other parents allow similar trips?

Question 2- Coping With Grief.

We all cope and deal with grief in our own way. When grown ups struggle with grief how can we expect our children to be able to understand or comprehend what they are going through. In this week's episode we try our best to help a mom guide her child through the loss of not only her grandad but her father as well. 

Question 3-  My Kid Won't Talk To Me?

A mom and dad get in touch about their struggle to get their 11 year old daughter to open up. How do we help our children process their feelings, reflect on their day and then get to a place where they want to share their experience with their parents?

We hope everyone has a very special Christmas holiday season. Podcasts will be back in January but emails will remain open. Pop any question over to honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Over on Patreon Tina examines the options facing parents who regret getting upset with their kids at Christmas. How to best walk it back without losing respect?

Jarlath Regan | creating Irishman Abroad Podcasts | Patreon

Lying. Why do our kids lie? Are they just experimenting with the truth or are they fully sure we are all fools and that they can get away with anything? One thing is for sure, if you don't get on top of it early, you could be raising the next President of the United States of America. Massive laughs and huge insight in today's episode. As always we have three great questions from three of our great listeners. 

Question 1 "My babysitters drink on the job. Can I ask them not to?"

Parents looking after your kids. Is it possible to direct your parents on how they should mind your children. If you’re asking them to break their fully formed routines. Is it ever going to be worth rocking the boat? What if alcohol is involved?

Question 2 "The child that only wants boob!"

When your baby is demanding and nothing seems enough you might find yourself feeling completely frazzled from the exhaustion of it all. What can you do if they refuse to eat and they only want the boob. If your baby is hurting themselves from feeling frustrated it might be from the lack of rules rather than the limitless freedom. 

Question 3 "When love breaks down, what can you do when your partner is out to get you?"

When a marriage breaks down it’s hard on everyone. What effect can it have on your children if one side is trying to be mature about the situation while the other side is trying to paint you as villain. How do you navigate them gently through transitional period when the kids just want the living situation to be what it was. What is the best way to approach it with them and how honest do you have to be?

Thank you for listening in to another episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid. With the summer holidays fast approaching there are only a few more episodes before we break up till September. So please get your questions into honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Enjoy the show? Want more? Want to support its creation? Get bigger episodes and archive access in the space of a few click www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid is about to save your mind and soul this summer. Listen in for the top 5 survival skills for parenting during the holidays. Tina will walk you through how you can enjoy and survive your kids this summer. 

Question 1- 

How do we get our children to be rational about their irrational fears? How can we help them cope so that they can get to a place where they can push through? Coupled with needing to get the grandparents on board. Is any of this even possible? 

Question 2- 

When your child starts throwing how do you stop it? Are they really throwing objects in frustration or are they doing it for a laugh? Is it a language frustration, can focusing on how they communicate actually help them stop throwing. 

Question 3- 

How do you nurture your sore loser, it is possible to funnel that fiery spirit and transform your ultra competitive child into a team player who doesn’t mind the odd loss? 

Thank you for tuning into another episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid. Emails are open and while are podcast is nearly about to break for its summer holidays, emails will remain open all summer long. So please email any questions you have into honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Come see Jarlath Regan's standup comedy show www.jigser.com/gigs

From your kids giving you no privacy to tantrums that go off the deep end - this episode has got it all. Tina has to dig deep to find the right strategies to help these parents, Jar goes back to getting pantsed in public and an unexpected response from the biggest star in children's tv. It’s our bank holiday Monday special and boy do we have an episode for you.

Question 1 - Listen to me!

A very frustrated dad gets in touch this week to figure out why his kids insist on ignoring him?  Family meeting are a must. Iron out those creases.  Get some rules in place. Explain what behaviour you expect from your kids and get ready for a much more enjoyable summer with your children. 

Question 2 - Caught In The Lady Garden!

If you live in a house with doors that have no locks how are you expected to have any privacy? Is it even fair for your partner to employ a "no key in doors" policy? How many times does your kid need to walk in on you naked before you’re allowed to pop a lock on a door?

Question 3 - Non-sleeping Beauties!

We love hearing from friends. A wonderful one got in touch this week seeking out advice for her sleep deprived single mom friend. When your kids have no respect for bedtime how to do address it and establish a bedtime routine that will actually work? 

Thank you so much for tuning in to this weeks episodes of Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid. Why don’t you head on over to a Patreon to hear about the hilarious A list kid star I got in touch with this week in my attempts to help a very stressed out mom. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad You will also find Tina's top three tips for keeping your cool with the kids this summer.

Emails open all summer - honeyyoureruiningourkid@gmail.com. 

Halloween is just around the corner and like any celebration it can sometimes lead to our little ones losing the run of the themselves in the excitement of it all. "Honey! You’re Ruining Our Kid" is always here if you need help getting your kid back on track. On Wednesday we went to a special Aldi Halloween celebration which we loved. It reminded me, I watched way too many films that I shouldn’t have when i was very young. I know first hand the long lasting damage this can do. Jarlath find this hilarious of course and often jokes that I’m afraid of everything. He's right, I really am terrified of a lot of things. Trying to find the best way to keep things spooky rather than scary is the opening segment of our show today.

Question 1- 

What do you do if your kid never seems happy. Bursting into inconsolable tears 8-10 times a day. How can you possibly keep your patience while coping with this much distress? Can this behaviour be changed? At Honey! You’re Ruining Our Kid we believe every habit can be broken, every child can be reached and every parent can be helped.

Question 2- 

A supportive friend gets in touch wondering how she can help her friend who is struggling with single motherhood. This one has us stumped. Is it ever really okay to offer advice or help an individual who hasn’t asked for it?Do you risk causing offence or worse, ending the friendship? 

Is it better to just be the rock they need rather than the solution they didn’t seek? 

Question 3- 

Are the Terrible Twos a real thing? As a parent do you just have to resign yourself to this being a particularly tough time or is there a way to navigate your family through it. 

Thank you so much for listening in to our show. If you want more please head on over to Patreon for our ad free plus extra content. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Tina has three coping strategies for three parents trying to get on top of their little angels’ persistent behaviour. With 20 years in education, special needs and severe behaviour schools, she has seen it all. However gentle parenting seems to be getting bad wrap. Is it for you? Is it a misused term? Where are people going wrong with it? We think it’s just generally misunderstood. 

Question 1- 

What do you do when your six year old son is still pooping in their pants. When your head is melted and you’ve exhausted every toilet training trick in the book, is there any hope? Jarlath and Tina assess the options available.

The excellent Dr David Coleman has sparked a discussion about kids and their right to defend themselves if being bullied. This is of course an every day worry for parents and kids alike. How do you deliver the permission for your child to hold strong though? When your words carry such weight, you need to tread carefully with your delivery. 

Question 2- 

This week a dad gets in touch concerned with what he sees as his daughter’s imminent weight gain. He is looking for ways to educate her so that she does not develop an eating issue. Currently she has no issue and exercises regularly. We get the feeling it’s dad who needs to reflect on his relationship with food. Maybe if we as parents are worried about the food our kids are eating in the home, we should stop bringing those snack foods into the house.

Question 3. 

When they are small we break our backs establishing the perfect bedtime routine only to let it slide away as they grow up. But we all need a bedtime routine. So how to we re establish one? This week a mum gets in touch because her 9 year old daughter thinks her 9pm bedtime is too early! In this episode we try and help this mom reintroduce an age appropriate bedtime routine so that she can have some well earned ‘me’ time at the end of her very busy days. 

Thank you so much for subscribing, listening in and sharing our podcast. We love you guys. If you want to hear more and support our podcast please pop over and become a Patron by clicking on this link. https://www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Welcome to the annual books edition of Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid. Our picks of the year and the reasons why you need certain books in your life. All the books recommended can help you contend with the most common issues we have been emailed about in 2023.

Huge thanks to all our lovely listeners who shared their parenting book recommendations. Massive thank you to the wonderful Helen Carr who got in touch with the most beautiful books for your Xmas stockings this Christmas. 

We run through all our favourite books that we think are essential for your children’s bookshelf. 

Debi Giliori - No Matter what. 

Owl Babies- Martin Waddell.

The Invisible String - Patrice Karst. 

Arlo the Lion- Catherine Rayner. 

How Do You Feel - Lizzy Rockwell. 

Llama Llama Mad At Mama- Anna Dewday. 

Millie Fierce- Jane Manning. 

Where Happiness Begins - Evo Eland. 

Breathing Makes It Better- Christopher Willard and Wendy O Leary. 

The Unbudgeable Curmudgeon- Matthew Burgess. 

Big Feelings - Alexandra Penfold. 

Ellen Ryan - Girls who slay monster.  And her new book: Gods Don’t Cry. 

Let’s Talk …. Richie Sadlier. 

Parenting books:

Good Enough - Dr. Becky 

Brainstorm & The Whole Brain Child - both by Dan  Siegel. 

The 4-7 zone - Dr Colman Noctor. 

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read - Philippa Perry. 

Irish books for gifts this Christmas. 

https://obrien.ie/tread-softly

https://obrien.ie/its-too-dark-puffling

https://obrien.ie/twin-power-the-lost-cup

https://obrien.ie/sally-in-the-city-of-dreams

Shout out to Threshold listening library an incredible online resource for parents this Christmas. Threshold Listening Libraries

Email us on honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com

Join us on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad to access bigger episodes and the full archive of bonus content.

This week our house has been germ central which reminded us just how hard it is to juggle work while trying to mind a sick child. Heartfelt hugs going out to all the parents who found themselves juggling that nightmare this week. As always we have three very different anonymous emailers bravely looking for guidance on three very different kid scenarios.

Question 1- 

Our first question is actually about how applicable general advice is to neurodiverse kids. A mom gets in touch to ask whether general parenting tips can be applied to every child, especially kids with additional needs. 

Question 2. 

An exhausted mum reaches out for help with the terrible tantrums of her two year old. The constant whining and crying is driving her round the twist. How can she make it stop? How can she get her house to be a happy home again? 

Question 3- 

Definitely our toughest question yet. A worried parent gets in touch about her very young daughter’s anxiety issues. With behaviours ranging from school refusal to full blown panic attacks, this mum definitely needs help. Where can she get it though? How can we help her while she waits for the services she requires to access the care ahead of she needs. 

Thank you for tuning into another episode of Honey You’re Ruining Our Kid. If you need any help email us at honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com. If you want more? Pop on over to Patreon for the juicy stuff. Jarlath Regan | creating Irishman Abroad Podcasts | Patreon

The first few weeks back at school are hard enough without your child refusing to wear shoes! What do you do when your kid flatly refuses to something as basic as footwear? If you have ever come face to face with the determination of a 4 year old, you will know that ultra marathon runners look like big softies compared to them. Tina knows how to defuse and rewire these situations. In her 20 years working with kids with severe behavioural issues, she has seen the shoe issue over and over again. Today she explains the key strategies that she has seen work with stubborn kids.

The red mist rage of an otherwise good kid can be hard to comprehend. Spitting, punching, screaming and name calling for extended periods can leave any parent wondering, "Where did I go wrong?" It's not your fault. In a lot of cases, something else is happening with the rage filled kid. Tina walks us through the steps towards talking them off the ledge and the calm needed to observe where this emotion is coming from.

Finally, an email comes in from a mother whose daughter is mourning the loss of an older friend. She hasn't passed away. She just doesn't get to see her any more. The absence has revealed what some might consider an obsession. What do you do if your kid has developed an unhealthy reliance on one friend or infatuation with another person? It's a very tough challenge to face as a parent and Tina admits, it's a tough one to handle as an educator. All behaviours can be changed. This one really is an eye opening episode.

There's also a fun extra section where we look a bit deeper into figuring out if something is happening at school. How do we get our kids to open up to us about their life beyond the school drop off. The tip Tina has on this are going to help a lot of people fretting over the happiness of their kids on the playground. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad is the only place to hear the whole episode each week and to support the continued creation of this show. Email honeyyouareruiningourkid@gmail.com with your issues, problems or life hacks for kids of all ages. Come see Jarlath on tour www.jigser.com/gigs