Summary
Overview
Jo Wiley and Zoe Ball discuss listener dilemmas about having a second child, finding joy online amidst negativity, and share hilariously embarrassing childhood stories including projectile vomiting at a school concert and wetting oneself during assembly. They celebrate the important role of child-free aunties and the therapeutic value of dog-borrowing services for those going through difficult times.
The Second Child Dilemma
Listener Bex seeks advice about whether to have a second child after conceiving her first through fertility treatment. Now emerging from the difficult early years with a three-year-old, she's torn between the exhaustion of starting over and worries about her daughter being an only child. The hosts share their personal experiences with different family sizes and the unique dynamics of siblings versus only children.
- Bex conceived with fertility treatment and is unsure about having another child after finally emerging from sleepless nights and nursery bugs
- Her husband works away frequently and she only has her mum for support, making the 'village' quite sparse
- Zoe wanted two kids so they'd always have each other for support, and her son Woody was an only child for 10 years
- Jo has four children and finds the sibling relationships incredibly rewarding, watching them make each other laugh with private jokes
- Having kids close together is intense but means they entertain each other, taking pressure off parents
" I always wanted to have two kids because I loved the idea that they would always look out for each other and that you know they could call each other and go god mom's crazy help me and you've always got that backup "
" From my heart i would say have as many kids as you possibly can but i also know that fertility is not like that "
Finding Joy in a Negative Online World
Listener Kirstie questions where to find happiness online when the internet increasingly feels like a place where bad things happen rather than good. The hosts discuss how social media, particularly Instagram, has become dominated by death announcements, grief, and depressing content. They share strategies for curating a more positive feed and the importance of sometimes just putting the phone down entirely.
- Zoe notices Instagram has become filled with death announcements and communal grieving, making it feel morbid
- The algorithm can be shaken up by seeking out funny clips, nature accounts, gardening content, and happy news accounts
- Following accounts like Instant Birds, Witty Idiot, and Happy News can provide uplifting content
- Sometimes the best solution is to put the phone down and read a book, go for a walk, or do some people watching
- Substack offers long-form content from favorite writers on various topics, like an ultimate curated magazine
" How do you shake your algorithm up? Do you just shout at your phone and just sort of say, gardens, puppies? "
" Sometimes it's like put the phone down, pick up a book, you know, put the phone down, get outside, go for a walk, put the phone down, ring a friend "
📚 4 more sections below
Sign up to unlock the complete summary with all insights, key points, and quotes
Get this summary + all future Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball episodes in your inbox
100% Free • Unsubscribe Anytime
Sign up now and we'll send you the complete summary of this episode, plus get notified when new Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball episodes are released—delivered straight to your inbox within minutes.