Bringing a new baby into the world is magical, but it can also feel overwhelming. Between sleepless nights, adjusting to life as a bigger family, and trying to find time for yourself, it’s easy for mums to feel stretched thin. That’s why this week, I’m joined by Ally from @EntwinedParenting, who shares her 5 top tips for welcoming a newborn into the family, with a big focus on looking after yourself as a mum.

This episode is all about making those early days feel a little lighter and more supported. Whether you’re about to welcome your first baby or adding another sibling to the mix, Ally’s advice is both practical and reassuring. She understands the challenges parents face, and she brings a wealth of experience to help you navigate this tender season with more confidence and calm.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why your wellbeing as a mum matters just as much as your newborn’s.
• Simple ways to care for yourself even in the busiest days.
• How to manage the transition when older siblings are adjusting to a new baby.
• Practical tips for creating rhythms and routines that support the whole family.
• Encouragement to let go of perfection and embrace what works for your unique family.

If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I balance it all when I bring a new baby home?” or worried about how your older children will adjust, this conversation will leave you feeling less alone and more empowered. Ally’s approach is filled with empathy, kindness, and realistic strategies that actually work in the real, messy, beautiful world of parenting.

Because you deserve support too. As mums, we’re often told to focus on the baby, but your wellbeing shapes your child’s wellbeing. This episode reminds you that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s essential.

Perfect for you if:

• You’re expecting a baby and want to feel more prepared.
• You’re in the thick of newborn life and need gentle encouragement.
• You’re parenting toddlers or preschoolers alongside a newborn and feeling stretched.
• You’re craving real, down-to-earth parenting advice you can actually use.

So pop your headphones in while feeding the baby, folding the washing, or sneaking a quick walk, and let this episode give you the boost of support and wisdom you need.

If you enjoy this episode:

• Hit subscribe so you never miss new insights on parenting, play, and child development.
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If you’ve ever wished you had a group of parents who just get it — welcome to The Play Schemas Collective. It’s where you can ask questions without judgement, share those little wins only another parent would understand, and dive deeper into your child’s play with people who speak your language. Join us at playschemas.com/collective — we can’t wait to meet you.

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review!

I would love to hear your playtime stories—whether you’re celebrating a win or trying to crack the mystery behind a new behaviour, I’m here for it. Reach out on social media or drop me a message.

Facebook and Instagram @play_schemas
Ruth@PlaySchemas.com
www.playschemas.com

and if you are keen for a freebie... head to playschemas.com/free to see what there is for you!

If you’re a parent of a toddler or preschooler and you’ve got a newborn on the way, you already know it’s about to be a season of big feelings, big changes, and a whole lot less sleep. Between preparing the cot, stocking up on nappies, and navigating your own emotions, it’s easy to wonder: How will my little one cope when the baby arrives?

In this practical episode of Demystifying Child’s Play | Play Schemas, I’m sharing exactly how I’m preparing my two children (almost 2 and 4) for the arrival of baby number three – using the power of play schemas to help them feel secure, included, and loved during the transition.

You’ll discover:

• What play schemas are – those repetitive, curious, sometimes chaotic behaviours that toddlers just can’t resist (and why they matter).
• How understanding your child’s schemas can turn frustration into connection, especially during the upheaval of welcoming a newborn.
• My top three things every child needs to know about a new baby (hint: it’s not a biology lesson, it’s simple, memorable, and works wonders).
• How schemas like transportation, enveloping, and positioning can be your secret parenting ally during this transition.
• The beautiful overlap between play schemas and love languages – and how you can use both to make your child feel truly seen and valued.

From toddlers pushing the pram back and forth (transportation schema), to building endless enclosures for toys (enclosure schema), to wrapping dolls in blankets (enveloping schema), these aren’t just random acts of play. They’re your child’s way of processing change, rehearsing care, and making sense of their evolving world.

By noticing these patterns and offering small, schema-friendly activities, you can help your child:

• Feel part of caring for the baby
• Understand what’s happening in age-appropriate ways
• Avoid feeling left out when your attention is divided
• Strengthen your bond instead of clashing in moments of overwhelm
  
  

Whether you’re walking, folding laundry, or catching a rare quiet moment, this episode will give you the tools and confidence to turn this potentially rocky transition into a season of deeper family connection.

Because preparing your toddler for a sibling isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection. And with a little play schema insight, you can help your child feel safe, included, and even excited about the changes ahead.

Listen now and discover how to make welcoming a new baby smoother for everyone – one play schema a

Send us a text

If you’ve ever wished you had a group of parents who just get it — welcome to The Play Schemas Collective. It’s where you can ask questions without judgement, share those little wins only another parent would understand, and dive deeper into your child’s play with people who speak your language. Join us at playschemas.com/collective — we can’t wait to meet you.

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review!

I would love to hear your playtime stories—whether you’re celebrating a win or trying to crack the mystery behind a new behaviour, I’m here for it. Reach out on social media or drop me a message.

Facebook and Instagram @play_schemas
Ruth@PlaySchemas.com
www.playschemas.com

and if you are keen for a freebie... head to playschemas.com/free to see what there is for you!

Is your home filled with cries of “Muuuum, he took my toy!” or “She wrecked it again!”?
If so, you’re definitely not alone and you’re absolutely in the right place.

In this episode of Demystifying Child’s Play Through Play Schemas, we’re diving deep into a topic every parent of more than one young child knows all too well: sibling conflict. But instead of seeing these daily dust-ups as something to avoid or “fix,” we’re reframing them as one of the most powerful learning tools in your child’s development.

Here’s what most parenting books don’t tell you:
Those toy squabbles, turn-taking tussles, and boundary battles between siblings aren’t signs that you’re failing as a parent... they’re signs of growth in action.

And when you understand the hidden force behind many of these clashes... play schemas... everything starts to make a whole lot more sense.

In this episode, we’ll unpack:

• What play schemas are (like trajectory, positioning, transformation)
• Why sibling conflict often happens when children’s schemas are clashing
• How these repeated play urges are actually healthy and developmentally appropriate
• How you can recognise the why behind behaviours, not just the what
• Why these everyday moments help build empathy, boundaries, and emotional intelligence

You’ll also walk away with 7 practical tools you can use today:

1. How to pause and observe without immediately stepping in
2. What to say when your kids both want the same toy, without taking sides
3. How to narrate neutrally and coach instead of control
4. Why naming emotions helps both children feel seen and heard
5. Modelling “I” statements for calmer communication
6. Creating a calm-down space that actually works (and isn’t a punishment)
7. The power of reflecting after conflict for deeper learning

Whether your little ones are 1 or 5, this episode is packed with real-life insight and practical strategies to help you navigate the ups and downs of parenting siblings, through a lens of connection, not correction.

We know you’re busy, probably listening while folding washing or wrangling nap time, so we’ve made this episode warm, supportive, and straight to the point. You’ll finish feeling empowered, not overwhelmed.

You’re not raising “naughty” children. You’re raising learners. Explorers. Humans-in-training. And conflict , especially between siblings, is one of the richest (albeit noisiest!) classrooms they’ll ever have.

So next time you hear “Muuum, he hit me

Send us a text

If you’ve ever wished you had a group of parents who just get it — welcome to The Play Schemas Collective. It’s where you can ask questions without judgement, share those little wins only another parent would understand, and dive deeper into your child’s play with people who speak your language. Join us at playschemas.com/collective — we can’t wait to meet you.

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review!

I would love to hear your playtime stories—whether you’re celebrating a win or trying to crack the mystery behind a new behaviour, I’m here for it. Reach out on social media or drop me a message.

Facebook and Instagram @play_schemas
Ruth@PlaySchemas.com
www.playschemas.com

and if you are keen for a freebie... head to playschemas.com/free to see what there is for you!