In this episode, Charlie gets honest about the parts of motherhood no one prepares you for: the bone-deep exhaustion, the guilt of wanting five minutes alone, and the shock of realising you don't recognise yourself anymore.

What we cover:

* Why loving your kids doesn't automatically refill your cup

* The guilt that comes with wanting space (and why it's completely normal)

* The "identity split" — losing yourself between who you were and who you are now

* How to reconnect with yourself without choosing between being a good mum and being you

Resources mentioned:

* Back to Me — Charlie's 5-week programme: Learn more https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages/p/back-to-me--34toq9xg

* The Identity Audit (included in Back to Me)

Loved This Episode?

Share it with a mom who needs to hear it - And if you haven't already, leave a review — it helps other moms find the podcast.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community & all other tools for motherhood)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

In this deeply personal episode, Charlie shares her experience of four c-sections — two emergency, two elective — and breaks down everything mums need to know about this often misunderstood birth experience.

What You'll Learn:

* Charlie's full birth story across five babies (including why her second birth became traumatic)

* The real difference between emergency and elective c-sections — emotionally and physically

* Why the "easy way out" myth needs to end

* Practical tips for preparing mentally and physically for a c-section

* Recovery essentials every c-section mama needs to know

Loved This Episode?

Share it with a mom who needs to hear it - And if you haven't already, leave a review — it helps other moms find the podcast.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community & all other tools for motherhood)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

Just because you didn't have surgery doesn't mean your body didn't go through something massive. In this episode, Charlie shares her honest experience recovering from her first natural birth — and why the "you should be fine" narrative is harmful.

In this episode, you'll learn:

* Why natural birth still requires serious recovery (and why the "hierarchy of birth" is a myth)

* What's actually normal in postpartum recovery — bleeding, soreness, hormones, and the emotional weight no one warns you about

* The 4 biggest recovery mistakes Charlie made (so you don't have to)

* What actually helps: rest, support, and giving yourself permission to struggle

* The identity shift no one talks about — grieving your old self while loving your new life

Key takeaways:

* Your body grew a human for 9 months, shifted organs, expanded your pelvis, and pushed out a baby — that is not nothing

* You're allowed to say no to visitors, ask for help, and not feel okay

* Recovery isn't just physical — it's about your whole identity shifting, and that takes way more than 6 weeks

Resources mentioned:

* Back to Me — Charlie's program helping moms reconnect with who they are beyond "just mom"

Loved This Episode?

Share it with a mom who needs to hear it -  And if you haven't already, leave a review — it helps other moms find the podcast.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community & all other tools for motherhood)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

Your body just did something miraculous — so why do we spend so much time hating it?

 In this episode, Charlie gets real about postpartum body image: the impossible "bounce back" expectations we're sold, what actually affects your body's recovery (spoiler: it's not willpower), and how to start being kinder to yourself when the mirror feels like the enemy.

If you've ever stood in front of your reflection and not recognised the woman looking back — this one's for you.

You will Learn:

* The lie we've been sold about "bouncing back" after baby

* Expectations vs reality: why your body isn't "failing" you

* The 4 things that actually impact postpartum recovery (hormones, sleep, nutrition & movement)

* Why being kind to yourself is harder than any workout — and how to start

* 5 practical steps to rebuild your relationship with your body

* A reminder of what your body has been through — and why it deserves your respect

🔔 Back to Me is coming at the end of May 2026 to help moms with exactly this. Follow @charliesparentingpages on Instagram to be the first to know.

Loved This Episode?

Share it with a mum who needs to hear it -  And if you haven't already, leave a review — it helps other moms find the podcast.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community & all other tools for motherhood)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

You can love being a mum and still need space to breathe.

In this episode, Charlie dives into something that could genuinely change your entire experience of motherhood: boundaries.

Not the aggressive, wall-building kind. The gentle, honest, "this is what I need" kind.

We're talking about why we don't set them (hello guilt, people-pleasing, and fear), why we desperately need them, and exactly how to start — without the crushing guilt that makes you want to take it all back five minutes later.

If you've ever said yes when you meant no, let someone hold your baby when every fibre of you wanted to say "not right now," or answered the door to visitors when you hadn't eaten all day — this one's for you

🔔 Something new is coming at the end of May to help moms with exactly this. Follow @charliesparentingpages on Instagram to be the first to know.

Loved This Episode?

Share it with a mum who needs to hear it -  And if you haven't already, leave a review — it helps other moms find the podcast.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community & all other tools for motherhood)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

Following last week's deep dive into losing yourself in motherhood, this episode lifts the energy with real, doable self-care — not the "book a spa day" kind, but the small-but-mighty moments that keep the "you" in motherhood.

What We Cover:

* Why self-care feels impossible for moms (and what happens when we skip it)

* What self-care actually looks like — for me, it's my hair and makeup routine

* Permission to prioritise yourself without guilt

* 8 affirmations to carry with you on hard days

* 5 practical action steps you can start this week

* A sneak peek at something launching end of May

🔔 Something new is coming at the end of May to help moms with exactly this. Follow @charliesparentingpages on Instagram to be the first to know.

Loved This Episode?

Share it with a mum who needs to hear it -  And if you haven't already, leave a review — it helps other moms find the podcast.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community & all other tools for motherhood)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

You were one person your whole life — with dreams, opinions, passions, and a sense of who you were. Then you became a mum… and suddenly, you don't know how to connect the two anymore.

In this episode, Charlie opens up about losing yourself in motherhood — even when becoming a mum was part of the dream. She explores:

→ Why something still feels missing, even when you're living what you always wanted

→ How motherhood asks us to give constantly from the moment baby arrives — and why no one teaches us how to refill the cup

→ Why you're allowed to make space for your needs too (and how to actually do it)

→ Small shifts that helped Charlie regain herself after 5 babies

→ A mindset shift that changed everything

Charlie also shares the mistakes she made along the way — and what she learned from them. Because she's been putting it all together to help you find an easier path: one where you can enjoy motherhood AND love yourself again.

🔔 Something new is coming at the end of May to help mums with exactly this. Follow @charliesparentingpages on Instagram to be the first to know.

Loved This Episode?

Share it with a mum who needs to hear it -  And if you haven't already, leave a review — it helps other mums find the podcast.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

Charlie dives deep into one of the most Googled topics in motherhood: sleep. From what newborn sleep actually looks like (spoiler: it's not what you expect) to the 4-month sleep regression, she shares what she learned across five babies. This episode covers sleep safety essentials, practical survival tips for exhausted mums, and how to cope when you're running on empty — without the judgement.

What You'll Learn

* What newborn sleep really looks like and why your baby isn't broken

* How to help with day-night confusion in the early weeks

* The key sleep safety guidelines every parent needs to know

* Why mum sleep matters and practical ways to protect it

* What the 4-month sleep regression actually is (and how to survive it)

* Seven actionable tips for sleep-deprived mums

Loved This Episode?

Share it with a mum who needs to hear it -  And if you haven't already, leave a review — it helps other mums find the podcast.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community & The First Time Mum Ultimate Handbook)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

Charlie opens up about the reality of 3am feeds — the loneliness, the exhaustion, but also the unexpected tenderness of those quiet hours. Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you survive (and even enjoy) the night shift, from prepping bottles in advance to finding your night time Netflix companion.

What You'll Learn

* Why you're never really alone at 3am (welcome to the club)

* How to set up simple "feeding stations" around your home

* The bottle prep hack that saves your sanity during night feeds

* Why room temperature bottles might be your best friend

* How to steal sleep before the night shift begins

* Finding comfort in podcasts, shows, and mum friends who get it

Loved This Episode?

Share it with a mum who needs to hear it -  And if you haven't already, leave a review — it helps other mums find the podcast.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

Ever felt like leaving the house with your baby requires the same level of planning as a two-week holiday abroad? You're not alone — and you're definitely not doing anything wrong.

In this episode, Charlie shares everything she learned (the hard way, across five babies) about actually getting out the front door with a newborn. From the mental load that makes a simple trip to the shops feel impossible, to the practical systems that finally made outings manageable — this is the honest, no-judgement guide every first-time mum needs.

Whether you're struggling to leave the house at all, or just want to feel less frazzled when you do, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and ready to try again.

What You’ll Learn:

* Why leaving the house with a baby is genuinely hard (and why it's not your fault)

* The mindset shift that changed everything for Charlie

* How to have a bag that's always ready to grab and go

* The "feed just before you leave" trick that stops the endless cycle

* How to find your local "reset spots" for when things go sideways

* What to do when it all falls apart in public

* Why getting out — even imperfectly — matters more than you think

RESOURCES MENTIONED

* The First Time Mum Ultimate Handbook — Find it in Charlie's Stan Store (link in Instagram bio @charliesparentingpages) or on Charlie’s website below

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

In this episode, Charlie breaks down the parenting admin that catches so many first-time mums completely off guard — the paperwork, the deadlines, and the government websites nobody warns you about.

From registering the birth to claiming Child Benefit to navigating free nursery hours, Charlie shares the practical steps and emotional reality of managing it all while sleep-deprived and in the newborn fog.

After five babies, she's been through this admin more times than she can count — and she's here to make sure you don't have to figure it out alone.

What you’ll Learn:

* Why nobody talks about parenting admin (and why that needs to change)

* The Big Three: Birth registration, Child Benefit, and free nursery hours

* Key deadlines you can't afford to miss

* Why this hits so hard emotionally — and why it's not your fault

* Practical tips to make admin less overwhelming

* How the How To Handbook can help

RESOURCES MENTIONED

* The How To Handbook — Find it in Charlie's Stan Store (link in Instagram bio @charliesparentingpages) or on Charlie’s website below

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

In this week's special episode, Charlie welcomes her FIRST EVER GUEST — Hannah, a financial advisor with 11 years of experience in the financial sector (9 years in specialist mortgage sector). Together, they unravel the often overwhelming world of finances for young couples, first-time parents, and single parents who dream of gaining financial stability and getting on the property ladder.

Hannah shares her journey from high street banking to becoming a mortgage broker after having her youngest, and opens up about her own experience buying a home as a single parent. This is real talk, no jargon — just practical advice for families who feel like homeownership is out of reach.

What You'll Learn

* Why mortgages aren't as scary as they seem (and where to start)

* Options if you haven't been able to save a deposit

* What shared ownership actually is and how it works

* The truth about 100% mortgages and why Hannah doesn't recommend them

* Practical budgeting tips for young families in survival mode

* How to meal plan and shop smarter to save money

* Teaching your children about saving from an early age

* What a Lifetime ISA is and how it can help you buy a home

Resources Mentioned

* Lifetime ISA (LISA)

* Skipton 100% Mortgage

* Shared Ownership Scheme

* Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert

Connect with Hannah

Email: hiwrixen@outlook.com 

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

Tik Tok: Hannah_financial_coach

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

In this honest and heartfelt episode, Charlie opens up about what happens to your relationship once babies arrive. Drawing from 13 years of marriage and five children, she shares what worked, what didn't, and what she wishes she'd done differently. This isn't therapy — it's real talk from a mum who's been in the trenches, offering support and practical steps to help you stay connected with your partner through the chaos of early parenthood.

What You'll Learn

* Why your relationship will change after having a baby — and why that's not a bad thing

* How resentment creeps in quietly and what to do about it

* Small, consistent ways to look after each other (no grand gestures required)

* Why remembering you were a couple first matters more than you think

* 7 practical action steps to stay connected — even when you're exhausted

* What Charlie wishes she'd known in those early years

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

In this deeply honest episode, Charlie unpacks mum guilt — when it starts, how it shows up, and why it can feel impossible to shake. From the moment you see those two lines to the daily battles with comparison and self-doubt, Charlie shares her own stories from five pregnancies and offers practical ways to manage the guilt without letting it consume you. This is your reminder that the worry itself is proof you're a good mum.

What You'll Learn:

* Why mum guilt begins during pregnancy, not after birth

* How guilt shows up in feeding, sleep, and your emotions

* The comparison trap and why social media makes it worse

* Charlie's personal mum guilt stories across five babies

* Five practical strategies to manage (not eliminate) guilt

* How to reframe guilt as a signal of what you value

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

In this heartfelt episode, Charlie opens up about one of motherhood's most unspoken struggles: losing yourself in the process of becoming someone's everything. She shares her own 2am kitchen moment of realisation with her first baby and offers gentle, practical advice for any mum feeling like she's disappeared into the role. This episode is a reminder that you're not gone — you're growing.

What You'll Learn

* Why identity shifts happen so suddenly after becoming a mum

* The emotional rollercoaster of loving your baby while missing yourself

* Charlie's personal experience of feeling "lost" in early motherhood

* Small, practical ways to reconnect with who you are

* Why "bouncing back" isn't the goal — moving forward is

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

In this deeply personal episode, Charlie opens up about the quiet, overwhelming moment when motherhood truly hit her — not during pregnancy or birth, but in the still of the night, holding her baby when the world was finally quiet. She explores the identity shift that no one warns you about, what it really means to "become a mum," and why growing into motherhood is messier, slower, and more beautiful than anyone tells you.

*What You'll Learn:*

- Why the "I'm a mum" realisation doesn't always happen straight away

- The identity shift of matrescence — and why it's completely normal to feel like a different person

- What Charlie wishes someone had told her as a first-time mum

- How to give yourself grace while growing into motherhood

- 5 gentle action steps to help you in the early days

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

In this episode of Chat with Charlie on Mum Matters, Charlie shares honest and compassionate reflections on breastfeeding, bottle feeding, combination feeding, and making baby feeding choices without guilt or pressure. From early feeding struggles to rediscovering confidence across five children, this episode reassures mums that fed is best, support matters, and your mental health matters too.

Perfect for pregnant women, first-time mums, and parents navigating newborn feeding decisions, this episode encourages you to make informed, pressure-free choices that work for you and your baby.

If you’re looking for ongoing mum-to-mum support, reassurance, and real-life guidance in early motherhood, you can join the Mum Matters Community via my website below.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

In this episode of Chat With Charlie on Mum Matters, Charlie shares honest insights on choosing a birth partner, managing visitors after birth, and protecting your recovery in the postpartum period. This episode is perfect for first-time mums preparing for labour, birth, and the early days with a newborn, especially if you’re unsure how you’ll feel about support, boundaries, and family visits.

For more guidance, there’s a dedicated section on birth partners, postpartum recovery, visitors after birth, and early motherhood support inside the First Time Mum Ultimate Handbook course, available on my website below.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages 

A new episode is released every Sunday!

Support the show

As your due date approaches, the emotional preparation for motherhood can feel just as big as the physical preparation. In this episode, we talk about the mix of feelings before labour and simple ways to prepare your heart and mind for meeting your baby. A gentle reminder that you don’t need to feel completely ready to become a mum.

If you’d like more step-by-step support, my First Time Mum Ultimate Handbook course walks you through pregnancy to baby’s first birthday with practical advice, tools, and checklists. You can find the link below for my website.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

A new episode is released every Sunday :)

Support the show

In this episode Charlie shares the essential conversations every couple should have before having a baby — and how to gently have them even if your baby is already here.
This episode covers:
Why communication matters before and after baby arrives
Key conversations about visitors, housework, finances, and support
How unspoken expectations can affect your relationship after birth
Practical ways to talk without blame, resentment, or overwhelm
Reassurance for parents who feel they’re already “behind”
If you’re pregnant, preparing for a baby, or navigating newborn life, this episode will help you feel more connected, supported, and like a team — not two exhausted people trying to cope alone.
A must-listen for expectant parents and new mums wanting to protect their relationship, reduce stress, and feel more grounded during early parenthood

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

Support the show

In this episode Charlie gently explores the feeling so many mums carry — the quiet fear of not being good enough.
We talk about:
Mum guilt, comparison, and feeling like everyone else has it together
Why the “not good enough” voice shows up in motherhood
The truth behind social media and invisible struggles
What being a “good enough mum” really means
Gentle reassurance for mums who feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or disconnected
This episode is a compassionate reminder that struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you care. If you’re doubting yourself as a mum, feeling burnt out, or questioning your parenting, this conversation will help you feel seen, supported, and less alone.
Perfect for mums needing reassurance, comfort, and a reminder that they are already enough 

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

Support the show

In this episode we talk honestly about the real magic of being a mum — not the picture-perfect moments, but the quiet, unseen work that happens every day.
This episode explores:
What the “magic of motherhood” really means
The mental load and emotional labour mums carry
Why motherhood is unpaid but never worthless
Feeling invisible, exhausted, or disconnected as a mum
Reassurance for mums who aren’t feeling the magic right now
If motherhood feels heavy, overwhelming, or far from magical, this episode is a gentle reminder that your love, effort, and presence matter more than you realise.
Perfect for mums listening during nap time, car rides, or those quiet moments when you just need to feel seen and understood.

Stay connected with Charlie

Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages (Mum Matters Community)

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

Support the show

I'm so happy to have you here and that you are about to embark on this wonderful journey with me. It was so important to me that I managed to get the message across ands the mission of this podcast and that is where 'Mum Matters' was born. Because not only are we going to discuss all of the Mum Matters there are on this incredible journey of motherhood but it really is as true as I say.... Behind every child is a Mum who Matters. I'm so excited to take this journey with you. And if these episodes are enough support then there is my Mum Matters community that offers ongoing support, helping you even more on your motherhood journey. 

Mum Matters Community 

https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages

Stay connected with Charlie

 Website: https://stan.store/Charliesparentingpages

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charliesparentingpages

Support the show

Welcome to Chat with Charlie on Mum Matters! I'm Charlie, mum of 5, and this podcast is for mums who feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or like they've lost themselves somewhere along the way. Each episode brings honest conversations, practical tips, and the kind of support I wish I'd had as a first time mum. No judgement. No pressure. Just real talk for the early days of motherhood and beyond. Hit subscribe — new episodes coming soon.

Support the show