In this episode I am joined by Kieron, dad of 2. I really loved recording this episode with Kieron who is one of our good friends. We talk parenting ALL the time, so when he agreed (without any persuading needed) to come on the podcast I knew it would be a great episode! We talk lots about discipline- lots of 80's/90's parenting techniques are mentioned, and it's clear to hear from Kieron talking how much his upbringing has influenced his own parenting. He talks about how the strong, confident women in his family have been his role models for his own parenting and how his strong sense of family has come from his Mum who he's really close with. Kieron tells us how his own parents divorce has shaped his own parenting, particularly now he's also separated from his children's Mum. His fear is not being there for his children even though his conscious thoughts are that he can't not be there. We talk about how it's challenging having 2 children, treating them equally and how when Kieron's first child was born, he didn't get that overwhelming feeling of love immediately- it took a couple of days. I feel like this is important to acknowledge as so often we talk about this for Mum's but not Dad's. When asked what he'd change for us all, Kieron says free childcare and talks about how there should be more help for working parents. One thing I want to highlight from this episode is a comment that Kieron makes when talking about him and his Mum looking back at him as a child; 'My Mum said "God you were the worst", but it's still love...' - IT'S STILL LOVE. I think that's a very poignant statement in highlighting how love can look different. It's not always how we think it should look. And possibly relief from Kieron that after all he did as a teen, his Mum still loves him!! (Haha)Another honest conversation about parenting.
