Hacking Parenthood

Mariella Frostrup and guests debate the complex realities of parenting in today's Britain

Raising kids is a tricky business. We all want to do the best for our little darlings, but what exactly is 'best'? As the parenting wars escalate, and politicians and childcare gurus lock horns over the right way to bring up our children, Mariella Frostrup provides some much-needed perspective.

In these 11 episodes from the long-running BBC radio show Bringing Up Britain, she explores the dilemmas of 21st Century parenting, talking to ordinary families and a panel of guest experts to try and make sense of some big parenting questions. Can you boost your child's IQ? How do we help children feel happy? What's the best way to break bad news? And why is it so difficult to talk to kids about sex?

Whether you're looking for an alternative to yelling at children to get them to do what you want, wondering how to teach them about the value of money or battling with them over their bedrooms, help is here. From dealing with anxiety and aggression to helping kids make friends and become independent, Mariella and her guests have got the topic covered, offering advice, insight and a range of diverse views to guide you through the parenting labyrinth.

Presented by Mariella Frostrup
Edited by Philip Sellars

Episodes
How to Help Children Feel Happy
With Stella Duffy, Katharine Hill, Cristina Odone, Professor Stephen Scott
Produced by Mohini Patel
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 July 2017

Shouting at Children
With Jennie Bristow, Sue Gerhardt, Professor Stephen Scott
Produced by Sarah Taylor
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 April 2009

Boosting Your Child's IQ
With Sue Palmer, Dr Stuart Richie, Dr Sophie von Stumm, Hilary Wilce
Produced by Sarah Bowen
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2 September 2015

Bedrooms and Battlegrounds
With Professor Russell Foster, Dr Sian Lincoln, Dr Pat Spungin, Simon Williams
Produced by Emma Kingsley
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 September 2012

Money Matters
With Dr Esther Dermott, Anna Foster, Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, Dr Rajiv Prabhaka
Produced by Emma Kingsley
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 January 2014

Breaking Bad News
With Erica Brown, Dr Cynthia Carter, Dr Aric Sigman, Jed Smith
Produced by Sarah Taylor
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 October 2010

Birds, Bees and Blushes
With Reg Bailey, Simon Blake, Viviane Green, Dr Jan Macvarish
Produced by Erin Riley
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 21 December 2011

Butting Out and Letting Go
With Dr Terri Apter, Dr Helene Guldberg, Deborah Orr, Matt Whyman
Produced by Erin Riley
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 January 2012

Dealing with Aggression
With Laverne Antrobus, Jane Griffiths, Seamus Oates, Tim Samuels, Debra Spencer
Produced by Julia Johnson
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 July 2018

The Fiendish World of Friendship
With Lydia Hartland-Rowe, Anna-May Mangan, Dr Sally Marlow, Liz Robinson
Produced by Philly Beaumont
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 August 2018

Generation Anxious
With Professor Tamsin Ford, Jane Caro, Tim Gill, Dr Kathy Weston
Produced by Katy Takatsuki
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 11 July 2019