This week on Self Help(ed), we’re asking one of life’s biggest, messiest questions: are we ever truly ready for kids? From emotional readiness to the realities of rising living costs, shifting timelines, and the infamous biological clock, Tully and Maggie dive into the push-pull of modern motherhood.

Tully shares her own story - a decade of longing to be a mum, egg-freezing (twice), and the occasional 4pm forgotten lunch moment that makes her wonder if she’s really as prepared as she thinks. Meanwhile, Maggie opens up about whether she was ready, and the ever-changing question of whether she wants more kids down the line.

Together, they explore how social media has turned parenthood into a performance, why “perfectly prepared” is often a myth, and why maybe “ready” isn’t about having it all sorted - but about having love, resilience, and the willingness to figure it out as you go.

Because when it comes to babies, the truth is: no one has all the answers, but everyone has a story.

CHAPTERS:

00:28 – Are We Ever Ready for Kids?

00:56 – Clocks, Chaos & Chocolate YoGo

03:29 – The Fertility Stats No One Wants to Hear

06:17 – Emotional Readiness or Houseplant Energy?

08:10 – Money vs Motherhood

08:43 – Tick Tock, Baby Clock

10:12 – Maggie’s Surprise Story

17:47 – Tully’s Baby Fever

30:29 – What Kids Really Need

34:03 – Homework: Readiness Reality Check

35:35 – Tinder’s Double Date Drama

41:03 – Overrated or Underrated

49:02 – Friendship on the Rocks

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You can find Maggie online at @maggiekellywriter and Tully over on @tee_smyth.

New episodes dropping every Thursday. #SelfHelpedPod