Most kids I've met love screen time. I don't know about yours, by if my kids aren't hooked up, they're asking to plug themselves in. As a mother, I can see the benefits of screen time for kids (not least, a bit of peace and quiet for me.)

But what about our kids' brains? I worry that young brains get hooked on screen time (not to mention my own, older brain!) 

Plus I notice that there's often an undercurrent of stress surrounding screen time. When can we have more? Can I play longer? The screaming and crying when it's over. 

We've experimented with not having screen time at all. It works remarkably well. After a few days, my kids will start playing cards together. 

But I don't feel this is a long term solution. How can us parents manage screen time so that our kids can enjoy it in a healthy way?

How to Balance Screen Time Limits Podcast

Dr Tara Egan is here to help us out.

What are the Benefits of Technology for our Kids?

Nowadays we’re able to connect with people all over th...

As a parent of 4 young kids, I've noticed that kids can add a lot of stress to my day. All the shouting, screaming and big emotions.

I want life to be calm and stress free. And I want to enjoy my kids! I want to have fun with them rather than feeling I'm battling them all the time.

Connecting with Kids Reduces Family Stress Levels

Dr Orlena chats to Kristina Campos from The Impactful Parent about easy ways to connect with our kids so that we can all enjoy a calm and less stressed family life. And so our kids can grow up fit and fabulous.

What Can Parents of Younger Children do to Set the Stage for Success for the Adolescent Years?

It’s all about creating connection. It’s normal for kids to start to pull away from their parents as they enter the teenage years. It’s a time of transition and self discovery for our children.

Inevitably, they’ll face problems during these years. If you’ve build a good connection with your child, they’ll feel more comfortable coming to you for help.

Part of a healthy life is being able to reduce and manage our stress levels. 

EFT is a simple tool that we can all implement to help us and our family relax.

EFT stands for emotional freedom technique. It involves tapping on acupressure points around the arms, head and face whilst reciting phrases that target an emotional issue in your life.

Kate Mouryousesef EFT Coach

Kate Moryoussef is a registered EFT and wellness coach and explains what it is and how it can transform your life.

Connect with Kate on her website: https://www.coachingbykate.me.uk/

Kate's FB page: https://www.facebook.com/coachingbykateuk/

Healthy habits aren’t about discipline, they’re all about how you set up your life to make them easy. Including your house!

A cluttered house increases feeling of stress and make it harder for you to maintain your healthy habits.

Equally a decluttered house is calming, relaxing and supports your healthy habits.

Today I welcome Lisa Zarwrotny from Positively Productive to help us declutter so our healthy habits happen without us thinking about them.

Why Is Decluttering so Important when it comes to Healthy Habits?

“It’s not just the stuff on the floor! Clutter is anything that gets in-between you and the life that you want to live!” Peter Walsh

Clutter can get in the way of living a healthy and fit and fabulous life. For example, if you walk into your kitchen and it’s so cluttered you can’t find what you need, you’re more likely to reach for easy, unhealthy foods, or even order a take out.

But if your kitchen is a tidy and enjoyable space to be in, you’re more likely to take de...

I'm super excited to open my new Fit and Fabulous Family Program. A 12 week group program  for families who want to create healthy habits they love so they can all feel fit and fabulous without having to think about it.

Is it right for you and your family?

Here's a podcast to answer all your questions.

Find out more here: https://www.drorlena.com/fit-and-fabulous-family

Today I’m really excited to share Punam’s story with you. She has totally transformed her life from “couch potato” to “fit and fabulous”. She says she even feels younger than she used to!

I want you to be inspired by her story and realise that if she can do it, so can you!

 Transform Your Life and Feel Younger Podcast 

Punam Used to Eat Junk Food

When Punam was approaching 40 she had 4 kids aged 12, 10 and twins of 8. Both her and her husband were working long hours. She couldn’t find any time for herself. She found herself turning to junk food.

“Literally I could eat an entire bag of chips and drink 3 coke colas in one sitting.”

She knew this wasn’t a healthy way of living.

When she turned 40, realising that diabetes and heart disease ran on both sides of her family, she knew she had a choice to make.

She could either continue on the path of unhealthiness.

Or she needed to make a change.

The Hardest Part Was Making A Decision to Change

Something in her brain changed. On...

It’s normal for kids to shout and scream because of big emotions. It can be really stressful for families leading to siblings fighting and parents feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

How can we deal with big emotions to restore calm to yourself, your kids and your family?

How to Stop Kids Shouting Podcast Episode with Dr Orlena and Psychologist Natasha Tiwari

Natasha Tiwari, Award Winning Psychologist

Today Natasha Tiwari, an award winning psychologist is chatting on the podcast to help us help our kids with their big emotions.

Why Do Kids Have Such Big Emotions?

These days kids are exposed to far more stimulus than we were when we were kids. (For example media, social media, life style.)

We grew up in a time when we were expected to emotionally regulate. Many children are very good at allowing all their emotions out! This is better than bottling them all up but thanks to mirror neurones, can leave parents feeling exhausted.

Does Your Child Have an “Orchid” Temperament?

There ...

People say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But so often we rely on breakfast cereals for a quick and easy meal.

Are breakfast cereals healthy? Or are they really sugar in a box?

If breakfast cereal isn't the solution, how can we make a healthy breakfast quickly?

In this episode I look at healthy alternatives to "sugar in a box".

Healthy Breakfast Podcast with Dr Orlena

Are Breakfast Cereals a Healthy Start to the Day?

• Full of sugar
• Spikes glucose levels
• Often marketed at kids. Or as healthy (when not really)
• Very easy to eat.
• We will override hunger signals to eat it.

Essentially eat it as a treat rather than a “healthy breakfast”.

What are Alternative Healthy and Easy Breakfasts?

• Oats. Not perfect but better than cereal. Look for whole grain ones (much better than rolled oats.)
• Chia seeds (great source of fibre!)
• Eggs
• Beans
• Vegetables

Is Breakfast the most Important Meal of the Day?

People used to say that breakfast is the most important m...

Siblings fighting is enough to raise any parent's stress levels. Even the most patient! When parents get stressed we often take it out on our kids creating a "down the plug hole" spiral.

Rachel Bailey explains how we can stop siblings fight and restore peace and calm to the family. Calmer family, happier parents, happier children.

Connect with Rachel Bailey

Rachel's website: http://rachel-bailey.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelBaileyParenting/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbaileyparenting/

Dr Orlena's "healthy eating systems" video: https://www.drorlena.com/healthy-family-meal-plan

As an adult I realise that my "life long swimming habit" started in childhood. How did my parents help me to love swimming without me even realising it?

How can we in turn help our kids to form healthy eating and living habits so can grow into healthy adults without having to think about it?

Dr Orlena's Healthy Eating System: https://www.drorlena.com/healthy-family-meal-plan