The Lifestyle Prescription with Pharmacy Planet, Episode 7: Rethinking Parenting – Unlearning, Relearning & Raising Kids with Maryam Javaid

Welcome back to Pharmacy Planet’s  The Lifestyle Prescription — where real stories meet real wellness. In Episode 7, host Rena Annobil is joined by Maryam Javaid, an educator, parenting coach, and founder of Black and Brown Parenting, a platform created to support and empower Black and Brown families on their parenting journeys.

Though Maryam’s work is rooted in culturally aware parenting, this conversation reaches far beyond, touching on universal themes of discipline, empathy, screen time, and the complex task of raising emotionally healthy children in a digital world.

Breaking Generational Cycles: Parenting With Awareness

We often default to the way we were raised — but should we? Rena and Maryam explore what it means to question inherited parenting styles, especially those that might not serve today’s children. The discussion opens with an honest look at how our upbringing influences our instincts, and how parents can begin to consciously shift towards more emotionally attuned approaches.

From unlearning harsh discipline to embracing vulnerability, this segment speaks to anyone interested in breaking old patterns to build healthier dynamics at home.

Gentle Parenting: Discipline or Disconnect?

One of the most debated approaches in parenting today, gentle parenting, takes centre stage. Rena and Maryam discuss whether it actually works — and what it really means in practice. Far from being permissive, this method focuses on teaching through connection, rather than control.

They explore the tension between holding space for children’s emotions while also maintaining authority — a challenge many parents find themselves navigating daily.

Helicopter Parenting & Setting Boundaries

In an age of over-scheduling and hyper-vigilance, the conversation turns to helicopter parenting. What happens when we hover too much? And how do we allow children the space to develop independence and resilience?

This part of the episode dives into the art of setting boundaries — not just for children, but for parents themselves. It’s a thoughtful reminder that boundaries are not barriers; they’re frameworks for safety and growth.

Technology, Responsibility & the Role of Chores

With smartphones in every pocket and screens in every room, Maryam shares her take on managing the impact of technology in the home. The conversation covers:

• How to decide the right age for a smartphone
• Strategies for limiting screen time without creating conflict
• Ways to promote responsibility through chores and routine

The goal? Encouraging balance — between screen time and play time, homework and rest, autonomy and guidance.

Homeschooling, Tantrums & Mental Health in Kids

Maryam also shares her personal journey of choosing to homeschool her children, offering a unique perspective on educational freedom and family structure. From there, the discussion shifts to managing toddler tantrums, recognising mental health struggles, and supporting children through emotional ups and downs.

Whether it’s understanding when to seek help or learning how to stay calm in the storm, this section is full of realistic strategies for high-stress parenting moments.

Parenting in the Real World: Habits to Unlearn and Lessons to Hold On To

The episode closes with a reflective exchange on the emotional layers of parenting. Rena asks Maryam about the one parenting habit we all need to unlearn, the difference between loving and spoiling, and how to raise empathetic children in an often disconnected world.

Whether you're a new parent, seasoned caregiver, or somewhere in between, this conversation is a powerful reminder that intentional parenting is a lifelong journey — not a one-size-fits-all formula.

Tune in to Episode 7 of The Lifestyle Prescription

Guest: Maryam Javaid | blackandbrownparenting.co.uk

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