FREE BONUS EPISODE: The Child Welcome Key 2

Striking the Balance: Healthy Boundaries and the Authoritative Parenting Approach

In this episode, Dr Jo explores the evidence behind effective boundary-setting and introduces the concept of authoritative parenting. Drawing on current psychological research, Jo discusses not only how to support our children’s development but also how to foster a calmer, more confident parenting experience. The episode offers practical examples, addresses common pitfalls, and reassures listeners that perfection isn’t necessary.

Key topics covered:

• The core characteristics of authoritative parenting and why it leads to healthier outcomes for children and parents alike
• Clear, practical examples of setting boundaries using calm and predictable leadership
• Differences between authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian parenting styles, and why the balance matters
• A thoughtful discussion on punishments: why they are not usually recommended and what to do when things don’t go as planned
• The importance of self-compassion for parents and embracing imperfection

Tune in for evidence-based insights and real-life reassurance from Dr Jo that finding your balance is both doable and enough.

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

FREE BONUS EPISODE: The Child Welcome Key 1

Setting Effective Boundaries: Safety, Values, and Transitions

In this episode of the Guilty Parent Club, Dr Jo unpacks the different types of boundaries we set for our children and why they matter so much in family life. Exploring the three main types - safety, values, and transition boundaries - Dr Jo offers practical guidance for parents looking to create a nurturing and predictable environment. She encourages parents to consider not just what boundaries are set, but also how they are taught and maintained in partnership with co-parents. With a calm and thoughtful approach, Dr Jo outlines how boundaries aren’t just about rules, but also about learning, feeling loved, and maintaining parental well-being.

Key topics covered:

• The difference between safety, values, and transition boundaries, and why each is important
• How to approach boundary-setting collaboratively with your co-parent
• The role of boundaries in helping children feel safe, loved, and secure
• Why boundaries matter just as much for parents’ wellbeing as for children’s development

For further reflection, Dr Jo encourages listeners to identify the trickiest boundary-setting situations in their own lives and consider which type of boundary each represents, setting the stage for deeper exploration in future episodes.

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

In this special testimonials episode, clinical psychologist Dr Jo welcomes listeners to hear authentic feedback from parents who have taken part in the Guilty Parent Club. This episode captures stories of support, self-compassion, and practical growth, all designed to show you’re not alone on your parenting journey.

Key topics covered:

• The value of community: Parents reflect on not feeling isolated and finding solidarity with others in similar situations.
• Gaining practical tools and a shared language for approaching parenting challenges.
• The importance of self-compassion, accepting imperfection, and focusing on personal growth as a parent.
• Integrating a science-based yet practical approach to everyday parenting issues, with tools that genuinely work in real life.
• How co-regulation and understanding one’s own triggers can positively influence the whole family dynamic.

Join Jo for this reassuring listen, and find out why so many parents now feel calmer, more confident, and better equipped as part of the Guilty Parent Club. For more on joining, or to listen to past episodes, visit drjothepsychologist.com/guiltyparentclub

(Some quotes are voiced by actors to protect parent anonymity, but rest assured that everything said was real verbal feedback from real parents in the Club)

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

In this episode of the Guilty Parent Club, Dr Jo introduces the final "child key" in her evidence-based parenting approach: the Child Physical Support Key. Building on earlier episodes exploring keys like predictability, perspective, playfulness and power, Dr Jo explains how parents can use physical support to help children succeed, especially when words aren't quite enough.

Dr Jo wraps up the Guilty Parent Club series, summarising what we've learned together, and how the 6 P Key framework provides practical techniques for fostering confidence and emotional regulation - both in children and parents - whilst embracing imperfection. This approach helps you and your partner or co-parent feel more on the same page, and brings your kids onto your team, all without the toxic pressure parents can face. You can take a breath of fresh air, and a sigh of relief knowing The Guilty Parent Club is here for you.

Key topics covered:

• The importance of physical support in encouraging children to meet boundaries successfully
• Helping children develop independence through techniques such as scaffolding and backward chaining
• Using calm, practical strategies to maintain safety and reduce stress at home
• Adapting expectations based on a child’s development and neurodiversity
• How the parent and child keys integrate to create a calmer, more confident family environment

Whether you're seeking fresh ideas or a reminder to be kinder to yourself, Dr Jo invites listeners to explore these keys further, offering details on the deep dive podcast course, accompanying workbooks and the support available through the Guilty Parent Club community.

PLUS: Look out for the FREE bonus welcome episodes from the Club, available now to listeners of this series!

For more information and access to additional resources, visit Dr Jo’s website at drjothepsychologist/guiltyparentclub.

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

In this episode, Dr Jo takes us through the next steps in her 6P key framework, focusing on how harnessing both playfulness and a sense of power can transform those tricky parenting moments. Building on her previous insights into perspective and predictability, Jo shares practical, evidence-based approaches that help parents feel more connected and assured, but without piling on any pressure.

Key topics covered:

• The importance of embracing play as your child’s natural language for learning and boundary-setting
• Using playful strategies proactively to dial down tension and diffuse difficult situations
• How giving children appropriate autonomy helps to reduce power struggles and encourages cooperation
• Tips for offering genuine choices and responsibility without overwhelming your child
• Ways to foster your child’s resilience, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation through everyday routines

Whether you feel stuck in endless power struggles or simply want smoother, more joyful moments with your child, this episode is filled with compassionate advice and down-to-earth tips for building understanding, connection, and calm.

For more in-depth resources and to become part of the Guilty Parent Club, visit drjothesychologist.com/guiltyparentclub.

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

Welcome back to the Guilty Parent Club with Dr Jo Mueller. In this episode, Jo delves deeper into her 6P key framework, focusing on the child perspective and predictability keys. She explores how understanding your child’s viewpoint and creating a more predictable environment can foster a calmer, more connected home life: all while embracing imperfection as a parent.

Key topics covered:

• Understanding and applying the child perspective key to build empathy and stronger connections
• Strategies for ‘connection before correction’ and decoding children’s behaviour
• Practical tools like the CTO (context, trigger, outcome) chart and ‘Name it to Tame it’
• Creating predictability through routines, visual aids, and simple language to reduce household stress
• Why predictability, playfulness, and power work together as essential pillars for positive boundary-setting

For those keen to go further, Jo shares how you can access private podcasts and resources in the Guilty Parent Club.

Find out more at drjothepsychologist.com/guiltyparentclub

Tune in to learn practical tips that help shift family life from fraught to collaborative, without aiming for perfection.

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

In this episode of the Guilty Parent Club series, Dr Jo moves on to introduce the Child 6 P Keys: a toolbox of practical ideas designed to help parents navigate those classic moments of boundary-setting with their children. In the introduction to the Child ImPerfection Key, Jo explains how understanding the neuropsychological reasons behind children’s behaviour can help us respond with greater confidence and calm. Find out how to create a more emotionally regulated environment for both you and your child, whether neurotypical or neurodivergent, leading to better listening, learning and connection.

Key topics covered:

• An introduction to the purpose of the Child P Keys and how they differ from the Parent P Keys
• The importance of recognising different types of boundaries and parenting styles
• Why boundary-setting is more about teaching and guiding than laying down the law
• The Child Imperfection Key: accepting both child and parental mistakes, letting go of unrealistic expectations and using repair strategies to strengthen relationships

If you’re keen to feel less guilty and more equipped with practical tools for everyday parenting challenges, this episode is for you.

For more support and access to exclusive resources, visit Dr Jo’s website: drjothepsychologist.com/guiltyparentclub

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

In this episode of the Guilty Parent Club, Dr Jo continues her gentle, evidence-based approach to supporting parents feeling overwhelmed, reactive, or battling self-doubt. This time, Jo focuses on the final piece of her 6P Key framework: the Parent Physical Support Key. She explores why finding and accepting help isn’t as straightforward as it sounds and offers practical steps to more supported parenting.

Key topics covered include:

• Why “it takes a village” is more than just a saying, and why for many, that village feels out of reach
• How to confidently ask for help and communicate your needs without escalating conflict - step by step
• The challenge of accepting support: unpicking perfectionism, control, and vulnerability
• Practical strategies for using and strengthening your support networks, including Jo’s “Five Ds” hack to clear the mental load
• A recap of all six Parent P Keys for breaking the guilt-reactivity cycle and helping you parent with more confidence and ease

If this episode strikes a chord, do consider joining the Guilty Parent Club a much deeper dive into more confident, imperfect parenting. For full details, visit drjothepsychologist.com/guiltyparentclub.

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

In this episode, Dr Jo digs deeper into the Guilty Parent Club’s 6P Key Framework, focusing on how parents can reclaim their sense of purpose and find balance through the Parent Power and Parent Imperfection keys. Jo explores how understanding your own values, strengths and unique triggers can help you become a calmer, more confident parent, without falling into the trap of perfectionism. With practical exercises and real-life strategies, this episode is your invitation to press pause, reflect, and approach parenting with a bit more gentleness (towards yourself as much as your child).

Key topics covered:

• The Parent Power Key: discovering your direction as a parent and as an individual
• How unmet emotional needs and shifting identity can drive parental reactivity
• An adapted approach to the Japanese concept of Ikigai for parents
• The realities of imperfection in parenting and the dangers of chasing perfection
• Techniques for self-compassion, adjusting expectations, and breaking the cycle of self-criticism

Tune in for thoughtful advice and evidence-based tips to help you feel more anchored and supported, both as a parent and as a person.

For more support and resources, visit Dr Jo’s Guilty Parent Club community.

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

In this episode of Guilty Parent Club series, Dr Jo explores two more of her ‘parent P keys’ - the Playfulness and Predictability keys - designed to help parents break out of the guilt and self-doubt cycle. Drawing on practical tools and scientific evidence, Jo discusses the reality of unmet parental needs, why we react so strongly to our children at times, and how understanding our own triggers can make daily life more manageable. Jo offers actionable steps for rebalancing self-care and regaining calm in the chaos of family life.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why parental needs often go unmet, and how embracing playfulness can support emotional regulation.
• The ESCAPES framework for identifying and meeting your own needs, plus pouring in more positive experiences including practical "tweakments" for daily life.
• Understanding what triggers strong reactions in us as parents, and how these often reflect deeper beliefs or past experiences.
• Using the Predictability Key to plan ahead for tricky moments and minimise parent guilt and shame.

To get more in-depth resources, workbooks, and private episodes from Jo, visit drjothepsychologist.com/guiltyparentclub.

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

In this episode, Dr Jo explores how understanding our own emotional reactions as parents is vital for breaking cycles of guilt, reactivity, and self-doubt. Drawing on the Parent Keys of her 6P key framework, Dr Jo begins with the 'Parent Perspective Key', the starting point for breaking cycles of self-doubt, reactivity, and guilt. Listeners are guided through self-awareness techniques and practical exercises designed to support regulation and build confidence, whilst fostering a more connected relationship with their children.

Highlights from the episode:

• Introducing the 6P key framework, starting with the parent perspective key
• Practical self-awareness tools such as the mental videotape and pause signal exercises
• Dr Jo’s BALM technique: a flexible approach for soothing parents in stressful moments
• Building a toolkit of body-based strategies for self-regulation

If today’s episode resonated with you, consider joining the Guilty Parent Club for access to exclusive private podcasts, workbooks, and deeper dives into Dr Jo’s 6P key framework. For further details, visit drjothepsychologist.com/guiltyparentclub.

Thank you for joining us, and look out for the next episode where Dr Jo continues with the next key to breaking free from unhelpful parenting cycles.

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

In this third episode of the Guilty Parent Club, Dr Jo takes us deeper into the inner workings of our ‘parent brains’, exploring why we so often find ourselves caught up in guilt and even shame when it comes to raising our children. Building on the previous discussions around emotional regulation and the science behind our reactions, Jo untangles the evolutionary and psychological roots of these feelings.

Join Dr Jo as she sheds light on the difference between guilt and shame, explains how our brains respond in moments of stress, and why these responses are much more common, and much less our ‘fault’, than we might think. She also offers a glimpse into the 6P key framework that helps parents break free from unhelpful cycles.

Key topics covered:

• How our brains’ threat mode is triggered by parenting stress and external (as well as internal) pressures
• The difference between guilt and shame, and why shame can be so toxic for parents
• Evolutionary reasons behind guilt and its role in keeping us connected and safe within our social ‘pack’
• The impact of constant guilt and shame on our mental health and parenting approaches
• A brief introduction to practical strategies for emotional regulation, with more to come in upcoming episodes

If this episode resonated with you, consider joining the Guilty Parent Club for exclusive content and practical resources. For more information, visit drjothepsychologist.com/guiltyparentclub.

Thank you for listening!

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

In this second episode of the Guilty Parent Club podcast, Dr Jo delves into the psychology underpinning parental guilt, stress, and emotional reactivity. Building on the introduction to the 6P key framework, Jo explains why we fall into cycles of stress, self-doubt, and guilt as parents, and how our brain biology plays a crucial role.

Tune in for comforting insight into why so many of us struggle with explosiveness or self-criticism and learn why it’s not simply down to willpower, or your own failings.

Key topics explored:

• Why parenting often triggers our stress and threat response systems in the brain
• How emotional regulation works, and why it can feel impossible in the heat of the moment
• The impact of parental guilt and how it feeds a cycle of self-criticism and dysregulation
• An introduction to brain changes that occur when we become parents, making us more sensitive to emotional cues
• Why understanding these mechanisms is the first step to breaking out of unhelpful cycles—with a preview of how the 6P keys can help

If you found today’s episode resonated with you, consider joining the Guilty Parent Club for exclusive podcasts, workbooks, and practical guidance. For details, visit drjothepsychologist.com/guiltyparentclub.

Join us next time as we explore the difference between parental guilt and shame, and the practical impact on our mental health and parenting.

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade

Welcome to the first episode of the Guilty Parent Club podcast with Dr Jo, clinical psychologist and fellow parent. In this introductory episode, Jo kicks off her crusade to help parents escape the cycle of guilt and self-doubt. Drawing on nearly two decades of clinical and research experience, she shares why so many of us feel overwhelmed by the pressure of “getting parenting right,” and offers a fresh, human take.

Jo introduces her unique, evidence-based framework, the 6P Keys, which provides practical strategies to support both parent and child. Through this podcast series, you'll learn simple, science-backed approaches to become a calmer, more confident parent.

Key topics covered:

• Common sources of parent guilt and why you are not alone in feeling this way
• The limitations of typical parenting advice and why it often falls short
• An introduction to the 6P Keys framework: Perspective, Predictability, Playfulness, Power, Physical Support, and Imperfection
• The importance of managing your own emotional regulation as well as your parenting strategies
• How science and real-life experience shape Jo’s approach to breaking the parent guilt cycle

If you found this episode helpful, you could consider joining the Guilty Parent Club for access to exclusive resources and step-by-step guides on the 6P Keys. For more information and membership details, visit drjothepsychologist.com/guiltyparentclub.

Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.

I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.

The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.

Music credit: Joseph McDade