Down to Earth Parenting
A practical parenting series for the messy middle of family life — no perfect parents, no shame, no five-step systems.
The idea
Most parenting advice fails at 5:30pm on a Wednesday. Down to Earth Parenting starts from that moment instead: tired adults, hungry children, nobody at their best. We work out what’s actually happening developmentally, then what you can realistically do about it.
It’s a conversation, not a course. Parents bring their own situations and we work through them together, which is usually the most valuable part of the evening.
The series
- Big feelings — tantrums, meltdowns and how co-regulation really works
- Boundaries without battles — being kind and clear at the same time
- Sibling life — conflict, fairness and refusing to referee
- Sleep and routines — realistic expectations for 2–5 year olds
- Food and mealtimes — taking the pressure out of eating
- Play, screens and boredom — why unstructured time matters
Take the whole series or a single session. Groups can also request a topic that isn’t listed — that’s usually how new ones get written.
Format
90-minute sessions for groups of roughly 8–25, in person or online. Evenings work best for most families. Sessions for Rachel’s Place families are run at the centre through the year and are free — see parent education.
The goal isn’t a compliant child. It’s a child who can eventually manage themselves — and that takes years of being helped.Rachel McLaren
Bring it to your group
Playgroups, workplaces, schools and community organisations can book single sessions or the full series.
Enquire nowEnquiries: email [email protected] or use the Enriching Childhood enquiry form. Rachel usually replies within two business days.