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Latest Podcast Interview with Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys
- Aliesha Embleton
- May 7
- 3 min read
I recently joined Kathy on her wonderful podcast Unlocking the Parenting Code: All About Boys for a heartfelt conversation about blended families, raising emotionally resilient boys, and the often overlooked power of the middle childhood years.
As a stepmum myself, this conversation was especially meaningful. I’ve never viewed myself as a replacement for either of my stepson’s parents. My role in their life is different — and deeply valuable in its own right. I’m not there instead of. I’m there as well as. It’s why I love the term “bonus parent.”
You can listen to or watch the full episode here:
💛 Becoming a Stepmum: The Power of the Bonus Parent Role
Every family dynamic is unique, but there’s something universal about the emotional navigation involved in becoming part of a child’s life when you’re not their biological parent. In the episode, we spoke about what it means to step into that space with love, not expectation, and how powerful it is for a child to have more adults who believe in them, not fewer.
A child’s need for safety, guidance, and connection doesn’t depend on a biological tie. It depends on consistency, presence, and empathy.
🧠 Emotional Growth in Boys: What Middle Childhood Really Demands
Middle childhood is often described as the “forgotten years” — a time when children are no longer small, but not yet teens. But this stage is critical for emotional development.
We discussed how, for boys especially, this is a window where emotional expression often begins to get shut down. Cultural messages to “man up” or “toughen up” still persist, leaving boys without the tools or permission to feel fully.
I shared practical ways parents (and bonus parents!) can foster emotional intelligence in this stage — and why it starts with making it safe to feel.
🤐 Helping Boys Break Free From the “Toughen Up” Trap
One of the most powerful moments in the episode was exploring how early expectations around masculinity can impact boys’ long-term wellbeing.
In my work with families, I see this constantly: boys who’ve internalised the belief that emotions are weakness. This emotional suppression can later show up as outbursts, disengagement, or even anxiety.
We can change this, but it starts with us as adults. The language we use, the emotions we normalise, and the empathy we model all shape how a child sees themselves.
🌱 From Seed to Sapling: What Proactive Parenting Really Looks Like
I also spoke about my book, From Seed to Sapling, and why proactive parenting matters so much, especially in the middle years. Rather than waiting for problems to arise, we need to equip children with the tools to thrive from the start.
The three pillars I teach — resilience, authenticity, and entrepreneurial spirit — are about building long-term capacity, not just short-term compliance. They’re the foundation for emotional wellbeing, strong relationships, and lifelong confidence.
As the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard explains, adversity in childhood — if not buffered by protective relationships — can disrupt healthy brain development and lead to long-term challenges. But when we act early and intentionally, we change that story.
✨ Parenting From the Inside Out: Lessons from My Journey
The episode wrapped with some real talk about the unpolished parts of parenting — those moments where we second-guess ourselves, where we’re exhausted, or where the “right” thing to do isn’t so obvious.
As parents, we don’t need perfection. We need presence. We need to show up — again and again — with curiosity, grace, and the willingness to learn alongside our kids.
I hope this episode helps other parents feel seen, supported, and inspired to step into their own version of bonus parenting, emotional connection, or growth with their kids.
💬 Gentle Invitation
If you'd like to explore how Sapling Minds can support you — whether you're navigating blended family life, raising a son in the middle years, or seeking new parenting tools — I’d love to connect. Book a free call and let’s chat about what’s possible for your family.
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