Sense by Meg Faure: Real Life Parenting

Introduction
This week we have one of the most honest and tender conversations this podcast has ever held. Meg sits down with Dr Raphaela Itzikowitz Geva, specialist paediatrician, neurodevelopment expert, and founder of The Full Spectrum app. Together they explore what it truly means to raise a child whose brain works differently. Whether you are a parent who has just started to notice something, a family in the middle of a long diagnostic journey, or someone who received a label years ago and is still finding their footing, this episode is for you.
What Neurodivergence Actually Means
Raphaela unpacks the difference between neurodiversity and neurodivergence with clarity and compassion. Neurodiversity is simply the reality that all human brains are different. Neurodivergence is where those differences create specific challenges in navigating a demanding world. Crucially, she reframes the entire conversation: this is not about fixing an incorrect child. It is about understanding how a child processes their world so that we can support them to thrive within it.
Guilt vs. Grief: Two Very Different Things
One of the most powerful moments in this episode is Raphaela's distinction between guilt and grief. Guilt asks: did I cause this? Grief says: this is not what I expected, and it is hard. Raphaela explains why neurodivergence is almost never anybody's fault, and why untangling these two emotions is one of the most liberating things a parent can do. She also addresses the moment of diagnosis itself, which for many parents holds both shock and, unexpectedly, relief.
Neuroplasticity and the Early Window
The early brain is wiring itself in real time, and what happens in those first years matters enormously. Raphaela explains neuroplasticity in plain language and makes a compelling case for early intervention. Not because we are changing the child to fit the world, but because we are shaping the experience of the child so they can explore their world with confidence. The window is open right now, and this conversation tells you exactly how to use it.
The Space Between the Notes
Raphaela introduces one of the most memorable ideas in this episode: the space between the notes. The notes are the therapy sessions and clinical appointments. The space is everything that happens at home, every day, in the ordinary moments of connection and repetition. She explains the three documents every parent receives when leaving her practice: a neurodevelopmental report, an Understanding Your Child document that decodes behaviour, and a Rationalised Action Map that gives families a clear, prioritised place to start.
Why You Must Listen
This episode is not about adding more to your plate. It is about understanding. And understanding, as Raphaela says, is the key that unlocks a great deal of frustration. Her closing words are a gift to every parent on this journey: the journey is different. It is not less. Listen today, and share it with every parent who needs to hear it.
I. EPISODE REFERENCES AND SHOW NOTES LINKS
Guest: Dr Raphaela Itzikowitz Geva
Specialist Paediatrician and Neurodevelopment Expert
Website: docraphaela.com
Instagram: @dr.raphaelaitzikowitz
App: The Full Spectrum
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📱 Take the guesswork out of feeding, sleep, weaning, and routines. Download the Parent Sense app today and use code SENSE50 for 50% off. 👉 https://parentsense.app/

Introduction
On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we explore the question at the heart of connected parenting: Is Your Child Seen? The One Thing Kim Kleidon Says Every Parent Gets Wrong. Meg sits down with Kim Kleidon, former ABC Radio broadcaster, storytelling coach, and host of What We Teach Our Children. Kim has spent years distilling the wisdom of over 75 conversations with parents, educators, and researchers worldwide.
What Children Need Most
Kim's answer is simple: children need to feel seen. Not entertained, not scheduled. Just genuinely noticed. She says five minutes of real presence, eye to eye, interested and engaged, matters more than hours of planned activity. That quality of attention is what children carry with them. It shapes their emotional resilience and their sense of self.
Phones, Presence, and Being Seen
Kim shares a striking insight from her interviews. Children today feel they are competing with their parent's phone. What they often see is the top of a parent's head. This has real consequences for neurological and emotional development. Meg adds that unseen children find ways to be seen. In toddlers, that means tantrums. In teenagers, it can mean defiance or self-expression that surprises parents.
Stories and the Bedtime Hack
Kim is a passionate advocate for storytelling as a parenting tool. A rhythmic, calming story at bedtime helps a child's brain transition into sleep. It also builds language, connection, and emotional intelligence. Meg introduces book sharing, a research-backed approach using wordless picture books. Parents narrate and connect the story to their child's own experience. Studies show it strengthens language, connection, and emotional self-awareness.
Stop Over-Scheduling
Kim's most repeated message across 75-plus conversations: stop trying to control everything. Children do not need to be learning or entertained at every moment. Boredom is not a problem. It is where creativity begins. Free play and unstructured time are not gaps in development. They are the very soil in which it grows.
Why You Must Listen
Is Your Child Seen? The One Thing Kim Kleidon Says Every Parent Gets Wrong is not a conversation that adds to your plate. It quietly removes what was never necessary. Kim closes with one powerful practice: ask your child directly, how can I serve you better? The answers, she says, will change everything. Listen today and share it with every parent you know.

GUEST : Kim Kleidon
Website: KimKleidon.com
Podcast: What We Teach Our Children Available on: Spotify, Amazon, Pocket Casts, iHeartRadio
BOOKS BY KIM KLEIDON Huggle Snuggle Cuddle Flutter by Butterfly Grandpa's Garden
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If this episode brought you clarity, calm, and confidence — please like, share, and subscribe so you never miss a week of Sense by Meg Faure.
📱 Download the Parent Sense App
Take the guesswork out of feeding, sleep, weaning, and routines. Download the Parent Sense app today and use code SENSE50 for 50% off. 👉 https://parentsense.app/

On this week's episode of Sense by Meg Faure we dive into the real, raw, and rewarding world of twin parenting at 11 months. Meg is joined by twin mum and South African TV personality Zoë Brown, and Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant Tasha Perreard. Together they cover crawling milestones, the feeding window of opportunity, immune support for daycare babies, and the coming nap transition.
🧸 Crawling: What's Normal & What Helps
Zoë's boys are army crawling but not yet on hands and knees. Meg shares the towel hammock hack — roll a towel into a sausage, support baby's chest over it, and help them find that four-point kneeling position. Core strengthening activities like kicking balloons also help. If crawling hasn't happened by 12 months, seek support from an NDT-trained physiotherapist or occupational therapist. And remember — never encourage bum shuffling.
🍽️ The Feeding Window of Opportunity
Now is the golden window to build adventurous eaters — before toddler fussiness sets in. By 12 months, babies can eat almost everything the family eats. Don't forget the allergens many parents miss: sesame, shellfish, soya, gluten, and all tree nuts (not just peanuts).
😴 Sleep & the Nap Transition
Luke's night waking was solved simply by moving him to a 2.5-tog sleep sack — a great reminder that sensory-sensitive babies feel environmental changes more acutely. Looking ahead, between 12–14 months most babies drop from two day sleeps to one. Gradually push the morning sleep later and bring bedtime earlier to ease the transition.
🤧 Daycare Coughs, Colds & Immune Support
No cough suppressants under two — the goal is to keep mucus moving. Use saline spray three to four times daily. ACC syrup (from six months) helps thin mucus. For immune support, Tasha recommends Vitamin D, zinc, and echinacea.
👩‍⚕️ About Our Guests
Zoë Brown is a South African radio and TV personality, best known for hosting the Afternoon Drive on KFM and as a presenter on Expresso. Follow Zoë on Instagram: @zbzoebrown
Tasha Perreard is a Registered Nurse, Internationally Certified Lactation Consultant, and owner of the Well Mother and Child Clinic in Rondebosch, Cape Town. Contact Tasha at: @wmc_clinic
🎙️ Enjoyed This Episode?
If this episode brought you clarity, calm, and confidence — please like, share, and subscribe so you never miss a week of Sense by Meg Faure. Share it with a fellow twin mum or any parent with a baby approaching one year old. It could make all the difference!
📱 Download the Parent Sense App
Take the guesswork out of feeding, sleep, weaning, and routines. Download the Parent Sense app today and use code SENSE50 for 50% off. 👉 https://parentsense.app/

This week on Sense by Meg Faure, we delve into a profound parenting dilemma that every parent asks: "Why, even when I know what to do… do I still feel like I'm getting it wrong?" This gap between capability and inner confidence is the focus of our conversation today. Host Meg Faure sits down with Sharyn Feldman to explore how to feel truly steady as a parent.
Capability vs. Confidence: The Inner Difference
Many parents master the "how-to" tasks of parenting, like feeding and routines. These are essential technical skills. However, knowing these tasks does not equate to feeling confident. True confidence stems from "who you are while you are doing them." It involves internal awareness. Parents must notice their own feelings, reactions, and their child’s responses to cultivate genuine inner steadiness.
From "I Know" to "I Wonder": Embracing Curiosity
Drawing on the work of Dr. Claudia Gold, we discuss shifting from "I know" to "I wonder." This transition from certainty to curiosity is where real confidence blossoms. Sharyn emphasizes the concept of "willingness"—the courage to embrace uncertainty. By letting go of the need for immediate answers and engaging with the "grey" areas of parenting, you foster a deeper, more resilient confidence.
You Are Your Child's Primary Environment
Your child's most important environment isn't their nursery or your home; it is you. You are an energetic, emotional environment that your child constantly absorbs. This realization reframes how we show up. Reflective parenting means noticing the energy you create and staying curious about your child’s response to you. This understanding fosters a more intentional and deeply connected approach.
Beyond "Fast Food Parenting"
Social media is full of quick tips and hacks. Sharyn aptly calls this "fast food parenting." Like fast food, these solutions offer a quick fix but lack long-term nourishment. Real, home-cooked parenting requires time, care, and thoughtful reflection. It moves beyond instant gratification to build lasting, meaningful relationships.
About Our Guest: Sharyn Feldman is a registered psychotherapist and the founder of Parent Wellness. She specializes in supporting parents to develop emotional regulation, relational awareness, and confidence through therapy, support groups, and educational programs.
Episode References and Links:
📱 Parent Sense App – Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice. Download it here.
Sharyn Feldman Website: https://www.parentwellness.ca
CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE
Web: megfaure.com
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
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On this weeks episode of Sense, by Meg Faure we explore the magic of Turning One. Your baby is now officially a toddler. This phase brings exciting milestones and new challenges. I am joined by our regular guest, Nina Clark. We check in on her son, Josh. Turning One is a time of incredible physical growth. Parent Sense is here to support you through these changes.
Movement and Walking Milestones Josh is currently navigating the transition to walking. We discuss the normal range for this major milestone. Most children walk between ten and eighteen months. Movement is a vital sensory experience for your toddler. It provides essential proprioceptive and vestibular input. This input helps toddlers feel secure in their bodies. Physical stability also leads to better fine motor skills.
Big Opinions and Emotional Intelligence Toddlers are famous for their big opinions. We explore the science of early emotional outbursts. These meltdowns are often caused by simple frustration. Receptive language develops faster than expressive speech. Your toddler understands more than they can say. I share why naming emotions is so powerful. This practice builds lifelong emotional intelligence. It helps your child feel heard and safe.
Navigating the Picky Eating Phase Many parents notice a change in appetite now. Caloric needs often decrease after the first year. We discuss the "picky eating" spiral. Mealtimes must prioritize safety and connection. Nina shares her experience with Josh at the table. We talk about letting the toddler have more control. Parent Sense offers great tools for nutrition.
The One-Nap Transition We tackle the tricky shift to a single nap. Most toddlers make this change around twelve months. I provide a checklist for this transition. We also discuss the impact of screens. Screen time can disrupt a toddler’s internal rhythm. I explain the "social butterfly" sensory personality. This personality needs movement more than a screen.
About Our Guest: Nina Clark is a mom to two boys, four-and-a-half-year-old Max and 1-year-old Josh. After a long stint in London where she founded the successful sleepwear brand Nightire, she has returned to South Africa. Nina shares her real, unfiltered journey as a second-time mom as a regular guest on the podcast.
Episode References and Links:
App: 📱 Parent Sense App – Your all-in-one baby care app for routines, nutrition, and expert advice.
CONNECT WITH MEG FAURE
Web: megfaure.com
Facebook: Meg Faure Sense
Instagram: @megfaure.sense
I hope you enjoyed this episode of SENSE BY Meg Faure! If you want to support or follow the podcast, here’s how:
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Leave a 5* rating and review
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For feedback or guest nominations, email [email protected].