The Calm in the Complicated

Inside the Family Network: Navigating Relationships After Your Child’s Diagnosis

Published: 19 May 2026 at 06:00 Europe/London

Listen on

Episode notes

In this episode Carrie and Sam talk about Family Dynamics, the reality of raising children with different needs, managing competing demands, and holding family life together through chaos, conflict and connection.

Joined by broadcaster, author and parent David Grant, Carrie and Sam have an honest conversation about parenting as a team, navigating differing parenting styles, supporting siblings, and learning to let go of expectations around what family life “should” look like. A candid, reassuring episode for parents trying to balance everyone’s needs while protecting their own relationships too.

The episode covers:

Parenting children with very different and sometimes conflicting needs
Coping as partners and finding a united parenting approach
Supporting siblings and understanding their unique experiences
Managing meltdowns, anxiety, and challenging behaviour within the family
Letting go of parenting expectations and embracing a different family dynamic
Why communication and protecting your relationship as parents matters

You’ll also hear lived experiences from families in the community, including adoptive parents navigating diagnosis assumptions, sibling relationships, and celebrating everyday wins that may look different in SEND families.

Joined later by Dr Nikita Hayden, researcher specialising in siblings of children with learning and developmental disabilities, who shares insights into sibling wellbeing, future planning, and how parents can better support all children in the family.

Helpful organisations and resources mentioned include:

Cerebra – support, guides and resources for families of children with brain conditions (cerebra.org.uk)

Sibs – support for siblings of disabled children and adults (sibs.org.uk)

Connect with us:

Get in touch: [email protected]

Find out more: cerebra.org.uk