No mum left behind

If you ever need a bit of perspective on the chaos of parenting, here’s my favourite homework assignment: watch Motherland on BBC 2. Three series of pure brilliance - chaotic, hilarious, and endlessly relatable. Julia, Liz, Kevin, Amanda, Anne, and Meg navigate the madness of school runs, playdate politics, and the drama of organising a child’s birthday party. They remind us that no one really has it all figured out. Everyone’s juggling, everyone’s failing spectacularly at times, and everyone’s just learning as they go.

My dear friend Rebecca often says my life could be an episode of Motherland. “You’re Julia,” she teases, “because your husband’s off yet again on an away day with work and you’re left juggling it all. There’s a bit of Liz in you too - because you’re Northern and always refreshingly honest; you say what everyone else is thinking. Like Kevin, you worry about everyone else. You love a collab like Amanda and bake delicious cakes worthy of Anne. And somehow, like Meg, no matter how much is going on, you make it all look effortless, business-savvy and in control.”

And she’s not wrong. In parenting - and in my work as a reading coach - it can feel exactly like that: funny, unpredictable, and never quite what you expect. Teaching online has its own version of parenting chaos: children accidentally pressing mute, wandering attention spans, a parent listening from afar - both of us willing that click moment to happen. But then comes that perfect beat: the word blends, the meaning lands, and you see understanding spark. The screen fills with relief and pride, and suddenly, the chaos feels completely worth it. It’s a small moment, but it’s enough to make even the most confident parent catch their breath.

That’s why I always say: no mum left behind.

When parents join lessons, it’s not about sitting quietly in the background - it’s about learning alongside your child. Watching how they problem-solve, seeing where they shine, and celebrating every little win. Often, parents tell me they learn as much as their children do. One hesitant letter becomes confident and neat; one sounded-out word suddenly reads smoothly. These small moments build trust, understanding, and progress for everyone. Some parents worry they’ll get in the way, but the truth is, your presence matters. Children pick up on your excitement for their successes and your patience during their struggles. You start to see reading differently too - not as a box to tick, but as a shared adventure.

And that’s the real lesson for me - my sessions hold a little bit of Motherland in them. A bit of Julia, full of drive and determination to make it all work. A touch of Liz, reminding families that perfection isn’t the goal - persistence is. Some Kevin, quietly making sure every child feels seen and supported. A spark of Amanda, bringing lightness and laughter when things get tricky. The warmth of Anne, celebrating that moment when a child realises they can do it. And finally Meg, pulling everything together so it all feels effortless.

That’s what my lessons are built on: care, honesty, and collaboration. Parents don't just trust that their child is learning - they get to see it happen.  So if you’re a parent joining a lesson for the first time, take a deep breath. Ask questions, watch, try things out, and enjoy it. Because no mum or dad should feel left behind when it comes to supporting their child’s reading and writing journey. You’re learning too - and that’s something worth celebrating.

(And if you haven’t yet watched it? My top tip: stream all three series of Motherland on BBC iPlayer. It’ll make the school run feel lighter, the parenting struggles funnier, and remind you that we’re all in this together.)