It was meant to be a wholesome Christmas break… until Sara had a full-on “menti B” and Dean got personally offended at the idea of her driving off for two weeks. Once we’re back from the brink (and a farm-pod reset), we tackle the most unexpectedly controversial parenting topic we’ve ever posted about: kids’ sleepovers.

We get brutally honest about what actually worries us: not just safeguarding and “you don’t really know anyone,” but also sleep deprivation, phones/iPads, dodgy late-night content, friendship fallouts, and why some parents are fine with sleepovers only if it’s at their own house. Plus: the code word idea we genuinely rate… and Dean’s traumatic sleepover story that should’ve stayed buried.

If you’re navigating sleepovers with primary-school kids, starting secondary school, or just wondering what the hell the “right” call is—this one’s for you.

Dean and Sara do a brutally honest run-through of the parenting milestones that actually matter (and the ones we all pretend we’ve nailed). From starting reception basics like toilet training, getting dressed, and tidying up without a full-scale protest, to starting secondary school with reading confidence, sport, emotional resilience, and actually being able to hold a conversation without hiding behind WhatsApp.

Then it gets spicy with this week’s You Be The Judge: if your 10-year-old wants to invite every girl in the class to her birthday… except one mean kid - do you respect your child’s boundaries, or is it cruel to exclude a single child?

Relatable, sarcastic, slightly chaotic - standard service.

You told us the parenting beliefs you refuse to budge on, your total non-negotiables, and we’re debating them properly.

After surviving Christmas Jumper Day chaos, we get into your strongest takes: no major life decisions in the first year after having a baby, whether kids should hit back if they’re hit, the whole united front thing (and why it falls apart in real life), sleep training, counting down discipline, TVs in bedrooms, and the never-ending argument about food rules and “picky eaters.”

Plus: You Be The Judge: in-laws who say they want to see the kids but never invite you over. Do you stop hosting, or keep the peace?