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Madeleine Stanimeros is an author, writer, consultant, speaker and Mum. She has been writing and speaking on parenting for 14 years and regularly meets with parents to encourage and support them with strategies to enrich family life and strengthen connections through the easy and not so easy moments.
Episodes

Monday Dec 15, 2025
Ten Christmas peace hacks
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Christmas can feel magical and exhausting all at once. In this episode, I’m speaking to the weary, wonderful parent who wants Christmas to feel meaningful without feeling crushed by expectations.
Together, we’ll explore ten gentle reminders to help you tune back into what really matters, and create a Christmas atmosphere rooted in presence, emotional safety, and connection rather than performance. This isn’t about doing more, it’s about softening the pace, lowering the pressure, and trusting that love, steadiness, and warmth are already enough.
Whether your December feels joyful, complicated, tender, or all three, this episode is here to remind you: you don’t have to manufacture magic. It’s already there, in the small moments, the shared pauses, and the grace you give to your children and to yourself.
Resources & Links:
📖 Get Madeleine's parenting book:
Explore Madeleine’s practical, grace-filled guide to raising resilient children — from toddlerhood to young adulthood and beyond. click here
🗓️ Book a session with Madeleine:
Want to go deeper? You can book a one-to-one parenting session with me click here
Connect with me on Instagram: @thecourageousmumma

Friday Nov 21, 2025
Friday Nov 21, 2025
Ever found yourself pleading “Pleeease, come on!” or threatening consequences?
In this episode, we’re diving into a simple, eye-opening framework that reveals why we slip into those moments, and how tiny shifts in our tone and presence can completely transform everyday conversations into parenting battles. From school-run stand-offs to bedtime drama, you’ll start to see these patterns everywhere and laugh at how human we all are.
Join me as we explore the three ego states of transactional analysis (Parent, Child, and Adult) and learn how to stay in that grounded, calm, connected space - even when your child is doing everything they can to pull you into the pit.
If you want clearer communication, fewer power struggles, and a home where boundaries and kindness co-exist, this episode hands you the tools to get there - starting today.
📬 Contact Madeleine:
Have a question or comment
Email me at madeleinstani@icloud.com — I’d love to hear from you.
Resources & Links:
📖 Get Madeleine's parenting book:
Explore Madeleine’s practical, grace-filled guide to raising resilient children — from toddlerhood to young adulthood and beyond. click here
🗓️ Book a session with Madeleine:
Want to go deeper? You can book a one-to-one parenting session with me click here
Connect with me on Instagram: @thecourageousmumma

Thursday Oct 16, 2025
Get out of the drama!
Thursday Oct 16, 2025
Thursday Oct 16, 2025
Do you ever find yourself in an argument or debate with your child?
Do you wonder how you got so engaged and how to get out of it?
Are you made to feel guilty for holding a boundary, then frustrated when it slips?
You’re not alone. In this episode, we’ll unpack why these patterns keep repeating and how to step out of the emotional back-and-forth that leaves everyone drained.
You’ll learn what’s really happening beneath the surface when you feel blamed, bad, or backed into a corner — and how to bring calm, clarity, and courage back into the moment.
If you’re ready to stop reacting and start leading with confidence, this one’s for you.
I'd love you to leave a review 😀
Contact Madeleine: madeleinestani@icloud.com
Order the book: https://www.thecourageousmumma.com/parenting
Read the script from this episode: https://www.thecourageousmumma.com

Thursday Sep 11, 2025
How to parent THE ENTHUSIAST
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
How do you tether a child with an insatiable appetite for adventure without curbing their enthusiasm?
In this last of our season on Parenting through the different character types of the Enneagram, we're looking at that child who is always chasing the next thrill, activity, adventure....they love the dazzle of life and seem to have boundless enthusiasm. But facing the minor keys of life is a gift too!
I'm talking today about how to help them to embrace emotions, disappointments and acknowledge their feelings so they can truly connect with people, but without losing that zest for life.
If you have a child who fits this description, or a partner or friend, or even if it's you - this podcast is for you...
Resources & Links:
📖 Get Madeleine's parenting book:
Explore Madeleine’s practical, grace-filled guide to raising resilient children — from toddlerhood to young adulthood. click here
🗓️ Book a session with Madeleine:
Want to go deeper? You can book a one-to-one parenting session with me click here
📬 Contact Madeleine:
Have a question or comment
Email me at madeleinstani@icloud.com — I’d love to hear from you.
Connect with me on Instagram: @thecourageousmumma

Thursday Jul 24, 2025
no-cry SLEEP SOLUTIONS
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Sweet Dreams, No Drama
Michelle is a qualified sleep coach who has supported hundreds of families to peaceful nights through 1-1 and group coaching.
She is also Mum to three football-mad boys and understands the challenges of parenting, especially the toll of sleep deprivation and the juggle of trying to return to work on sleepless nights.
Michelle’s approach equips mothers with the knowledge and confidence needed to transform their little one's sleep— all without leaving your child to cry.
Resources & Links:
📖 Get Madeleine's parenting book:
Explore Madeleine’s practical, grace-filled guide to raising resilient children — from toddlerhood to young adulthood. click here
🗓️ Book a session with Madeleine:
Want to go deeper? You can book a one-to-one parenting session with me click here
📬 Contact Madeleine:
Have a question or comment
Email me at madeleinstani@icloud.com — I’d love to hear from you.
Connect with me on Instagram: @thecourageousmumma
Michelle's Website: https://www.thebabysleepexperts.co.uk/
Michelle's Free Guide and average sleep needs chart: https://www.thebabysleepexperts.co.uk/free-resources/

Friday Jun 20, 2025
Stop rescuing, start building: The gift of struggle
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Friday Jun 20, 2025
I’m joined by my friend David for an honest conversation about something so many of us wrestle with: letting our kids struggle. From the urge to fix everything to the challenge of holding boundaries, we explore why stepping back is often the most loving thing we can do. Whether it’s toddler tantrums or teen defiance, we talk about what it really means to support rather than rescue — and how those moments of struggle can lead to growth, resilience, and deeper connection. If you’ve ever felt torn between helping and holding back, this one’s for you.
Resources & Links:
📖 Get the book:
Explore Madeleine’s practical, grace-filled guide to raising resilient children — from toddlerhood to young adulthood. click here
🗓️ Book a session:
Want to go deeper? You can book a one-to-one parenting session with me click here
📬 Contact me:
Have a question or just want to say hello?
Email me at madeleinstani@icloud.com — I’d love to hear from you.
Connect with me on Instagram: @thecourageousmumma

Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Parenting the anxious loyalist
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
The Enneagram Type Six is a wonderful character type, a great friend, a competent, compassionate disciplined achiever, but they can get themselves in an anxious muddle which stops them from progressing with confidence.
Come and hear five ways that you can help them to flourish
- to keep those strong, healthy character traits without tipping into overdrive.
Pop here for the book Parenting For Life
Pop here for a consultation
Pop here for the blog
Pop here to email Madeleine: Madeleinestani@icloud.com

Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Overheard in Fulham!
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
I'm back!
I hope you've had a fun summer.
I'm launching this term with a fun book, perfect for your friends for Christmas. It's snippets of overheard conversations to make you titter, raise your eyebrows, question yourself and/or the quotee. How would you respond to this one?
"Why does everyone suddenly need a second screen? It's a post-Covid thing...You know, we're not all operating air traffic control from home!"
Open to conjecture on that one.
We also chat about the anxious side of early motherhood and how Natasha coped.
Snippets of conversation from Emphatic Middle-Class Women, by Natasha May can be found at Waterstones.com, Amazon and for a signed copy, message Natasha.t.may on Instagram.

Friday Dec 08, 2023
Toilet Challenges for older and younger children - Rachel Thomas
Friday Dec 08, 2023
Friday Dec 08, 2023
Today we talk about pooh and wee and what happens for children emotionally and physically when there are difficulties.
Rachel Thomas is the lead specialist nurse for Children's Bladder and Bowel Team for Gloucestershire. She talks us through the early and late interventions. There are lots of laughs but lots of great info too.
She recommends:
https://eric.org.uk to answer all your questions.
and
the book, Amy Gets Eaten, by Adam Kay
Email me if you're thinking about the day or evening course: Madeleinestani@icloud.com
For your copy of Parenting For Life, pop here
For a parenting chat/consultation, pop here
Find me on IG @thecourageousmumma

Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Laugh and Learn First Aid - debunking myths with Meg Sawford
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
What should you close before you doze?
Do your kids know what to do if there's a fire?
What are a credit card and cling film doing in with your Meds?
A gripping tour of first aid and how to support your children (or anyone) in common difficulties. Come and learn new things and examine your existing perspectives.
To Contact Meg Sawford: sawford@hotmail.co.uk
Meg signposts to these two
For your copy of Parenting For Life, pop here
For a consultation, or a chat about a consultation, pop here
Find me on IG @thecourageousmumma
or pop me an email... Madeleinestani@icloud.com
