How CosyChats works: talk to a parent who’s been there
Why talk to a parent who’s been there?
Sometimes it’s not advice or answers you’re looking for. It’s hearing from someone who’s been there, or who’s going through it too.
Your child might have just been diagnosed with autism, and you’d like to hear what those early days were like for another parent. You might be about to start IVF, or wondering whether adoption is right for your family. Or you might be navigating baby loss, separation, or a teenager who’s struggling, and want to hear from someone who knows what it’s like.
We know these aren’t always easy things to talk about. Some experiences are hard to put into words, and the conversations around them aren’t always easy to start. They’re not always easy to have with the people closest to you, either. Family and friends care deeply, but they have their own experiences, emotions and opinions, and that can make some things hard to say as openly as you’d like.
The parents on CosyChats have been through a whole range of experiences, from the joyful to the very difficult. They’ve chosen to share them because they know what it’s like, and they understand that these conversations matter.
On CosyChats, every parent has chosen to share their experience. So you know two things before you even start: they know what it’s like, and they’re happy to talk about it.
- No family dynamics to navigate
- No expectations about what you should say
- No pressure to explain more than you’d like
- No ongoing obligation. When your conversation ends, that’s it, unless you choose to book again.
Just a private one-to-one conversation with someone you’ve chosen, who has chosen to have that conversation too.
Find. Choose. Talk.
1. Find a parent who knows what it’s like
Use our search to describe the topic, experience or situation you’d like to talk about, or browse parent profiles at your own pace. There are no right or wrong searches, so have a go and see who you discover.
Every profile shows the experiences that parent has chosen to share, so you already know what they’re open to talking about. Take your time, read a few stories, and see who feels like someone you’d like to talk to.
2. Choose a time, length and price that suits you
- Pick a time that suits you from the parent’s availability.
- Decide how long you’d like to talk. Conversations are booked in 10-minute blocks and charged pro rata, so you stay in control of both the time and the cost. For example, if a parent’s rate is £20 an hour, a 30-minute conversation costs £10.
- Book and pay securely through Worldpay. You’ll get an email confirmation straight away. Your chosen parent will then email you, using the address you gave when booking, to arrange your conversation.
Conversations are mainly by video on Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Some parents also offer phone or text.
3. Have a private one-to-one conversation
It’s your conversation. The parent you’ve chosen has already decided they’re happy to share the experiences on their profile, so you don’t have to wonder whether the conversation is welcome.
Ask the questions you haven’t been able to ask anyone else, hear what it was really like for them, or just see where the conversation goes. There’s no script, no agenda and no conclusion you need to reach. Talk, listen or take your time. It’s yours to shape, and it’s private, between the two of you.
A few things to know
- Every conversation is based on the parent’s own lived experience, so every one is personal and different.
- CosyChats isn’t professional advice, counselling or therapy. It’s real conversations with parents who’ve been there, or are going through it.
- Conversations are for adults aged 18 and over, and they aren’t recorded.
- Need to rearrange or cancel? Contact your CosyChats parent to find a new time that suits you both, or contact us to cancel. See our [cancellation policy] for details.
- If you need medical, clinical or urgent support, please contact the appropriate professional or service. If you or anyone else is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services.
Please also read our [House Rules], and find out why we started CosyChats in our story.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conversation cost?
Each parent sets their own hourly rate, and conversations are booked in 10-minute blocks, so you only pay for the time you choose.
How do conversations take place?
Mainly by video on Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Some parents also offer phone or text.
Is it counselling or advice?
No. Conversations are simply parents sharing their own experience.
Is my conversation private?
Yes. Conversations are one-to-one and aren’t recorded.
Can I talk to someone who hasn’t finished going through it?
Yes. Some parents share an experience they’re still living, such as IVF, adoption or a recent diagnosis.
Your conversation starts here
Every parent has their own story, and every parent has chosen which parts of it they’re happy to share. Take your time, explore a few profiles, and see who you’d like to talk to.