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1,887 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsFrom nurturing newborns to taming toddlers, we unravel the art and science of parenting with real-life stories and expert advice. The hilarious to the humbling and all the nitty gritty in between.
Produced and presented by mum of two and journalist, Shevonne Hunt.
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Episodes
Why influencers might not be your best go-to nursery inspo
October 02, 2019 20:05 - 5 minutes - 5.52 MBInstagram is made for pretty pictures, and so it makes perfect sense that parents would find inspiration for their nurseries from different influencers online. Now CHOICE Australia are cautioning parents against following these influencers too closely. Kim Gilmour, Team Leader of the Household Department at CHOICE says that their team has picked up a number of unsafe nursery set ups from Instagram influencers. Kim tells us what to look out for when following your favourite Instagram star. Se...
How to kindle your child’s love of reading
October 02, 2019 20:00 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBLearning how to read and write is the gateway to life success. It’s difficult to underestimate the importance of getting on top of these skills, and yet they can be difficult to acquire. Given it's so challenging, it’s understandable that many kids don’t want to do their readers. Brian Caswell is the Head of Research and Program Development at MindChamps, a global early leaning organisation. He’s also an award-winning author and has taught at both primary and high schools. He gives his tips ...
How to kindle your child's love of reading
October 02, 2019 20:00 - 16 minutes - 15 MBLearning how to read and write is the gateway to life success. It’s difficult to underestimate the importance of getting on top of these skills, and yet they can be difficult to acquire. Given it's so challenging, it’s understandable that many kids don’t want to do their readers. Brian Caswell is the Head of Research and Program Development at MindChamps, a global early leaning organisation. He’s also an award-winning author and has taught at both primary and high schools. He gives his tips o...
A new approach to childcare that resembles RSVP
October 01, 2019 20:05 - 10 minutes - 10 MBTim Wise was a dad just trying to find care for his child when he and his wife wanted to work. He found it difficult to find a space for child as well as the money. Any parent knows how expensive childcare can be. So Tim decided to create an app. KidNest is still in its infancy, but if it takes off it could revolutionise the way we care for our children. CEO of KidNest Karen Monaghan explains how the app works, and where they’re at in the development phase. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...
Connecting foster kids to culture when they’re in care
October 01, 2019 20:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBFamily traditions can make a child feel safe, secure and like they belong somewhere. But what happens when a child is removed from those traditions? Foster children in Australia can come from a range of cultural backgrounds and are often placed in a culture quite different from their own. Kathy Karatasas, Director of Settlement Services International’s Multicultural Child and Family Program, says it’s really important for those children to maintain cultural connections. She explains how her ...
Connecting foster kids to culture when they're in care
October 01, 2019 20:00 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBFamily traditions can make a child feel safe, secure and like they belong somewhere. But what happens when a child is removed from those traditions? Foster children in Australia can come from a range of cultural backgrounds and are often placed in a culture quite different from their own. Kathy Karatasas, Director of Settlement Services International’s Multicultural Child and Family Program, says it’s really important for those children to maintain cultural connections. She explains how her o...
Heidi Sze: A dietician’s advice on how to thrive in early motherhood
September 30, 2019 20:05 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBWhen you are a dietician, you might expect to be attracted to healthy foods during your pregnancy. But that wasn’t the case for Heidi Sze, a dietician and author with two children. She’s written a book Nurturing Your New Life- Words and Recipes for the New Mother, which is full of her own experiences as a mother and nurturing ideas for how to support yourself at what can be a confusing and challenging time. Heidi explains why she thinks all new mums need to nurture not just their babies but ...
Heidi Sze: A dietician's advice on how to thrive in early motherhood
September 30, 2019 20:05 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBWhen you are a dietician, you might expect to be attracted to healthy foods during your pregnancy. But that wasn’t the case for Heidi Sze, a dietician and author with two children. She’s written a book Nurturing Your New Life- Words and Recipes for the New Motherwhich is full of her own experiences as a mother and nurturing ideas for how to support yourself at what can be a confusing and challenging time. Heidi explains why she thinks all new mums need to nurture not just their babies but the...
Graeme Base on creating beautiful books for Australian kids
September 30, 2019 20:00 - 10 minutes - 9.23 MBSince hit Australian bookstores over thirty years ago, Graeme Base’s name has been synonymous with beautiful picture books for kids. Now he’s released a new book Moonfishset in an underground fantasy world based on his travels in China. Graeme talks about how he creates his books and how much the industry has changed over three decades.Animalia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Helpline: Chris Minogue is back! Night waking, defiant toddlers and more
September 29, 2019 20:00 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBMothercraft nurse Chris Minogue returns to Helpline after a month off. When it's difficult to work out why your baby won't settle, feed or listen to your instructions, Chris can give you the tips to make life a little smoother.In this episode of she tackles: A ten-and-a-half-month-old who wakes through the night, whether to toilet train a two-year-old who is not speaking, a 17-month-old who won't sleep through the night, a 22-month-old not listening to instructions, how many bottles a 13-mon...
The silence around PND in migrant communities
September 26, 2019 20:00 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBAntoinette Lattouf (on Twitter @antoinette_news) is a successful journalist at Network Ten, Director of Media Diversity Australia and an Ambassador for the Gidget Foundation. She is also a second-generation Australian, with parents who fled the civil war in Lebanon.Antoinette talks about the legacy of intergenerational trauma, and how it made her struggle with PND so much harder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Help! My baby has a cold (or is it hay fever?)
September 25, 2019 20:05 - 9 minutes - 8.69 MBSpring has sprung and with it, people everywhere are sniffling and sneezing. But can a baby get hay fever? And what do you do if you think she has a cold? Dr Elysia Thornton-Benko is a GP with three children of her own. She talks about how you can help a baby who is congested, and whether it’s likely your child has hay fever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Everything you need to know about incontinence after childbirth
September 25, 2019 20:00 - 7 minutes - 6.54 MBPregnancy and giving birth can change a woman’s body forever. Incontinence after having a baby is very common, but it’s not necessarily something you will have forever. Dr Sneha Wadhwani is a GP with a passion for women’s health. She explains why incontinence can occur after labour, and how it can be corrected. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to choose the right dog for your family
September 24, 2019 20:05 - 10 minutes - 10 MBThere comes a time in a child’s life when having a pet becomes the most-desired thing. Dogs in particular can be highly prized. But if you’ve decided to get your family a dog, how do you go about choosing the right one?Kieran Watson is from the RSPCA NSW. He explains how families can go online to adoptapet.com.au and choose a pet from there. He includes tips on how to work out if a particular pet is the right one for your family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to deal with pester power
September 24, 2019 20:00 - 7 minutes - 7.07 MBWhen a child gets something into their head (like the fact that they want a lolly) they can be really persistent. Their ability to pester a parent into submission would be admired by any hard-bitten negotiator. Derek McCormack, Principal Specialist at raisingchildren.net.au, says that there are some strategies that parents can employ to prevent the initial onslaught. Derek talks us through some strategies we can put in place, and how to respond if they don’t work. See omnystudio.com/listener...
An obstetrician busts all the pregnancy myths
September 23, 2019 20:05 - 9 minutes - 9.17 MBThere are many things you are told to do, and avoid, when you’re pregnant. Some of these things may come to you in an official pamphlet from a health organisation. Others might be explained by a very well-meaning neighbour. Sometimes it’s difficult to sort the facts from the fiction. Dr David Addenbrooke is an obstetrician and co-author of 9 months, The Essential Australian Guide to Pregnancy He explains listeria and whether or not a hot curry will really bring on labour.. See omnystudio.com...
Parenting a child through serious illness
September 23, 2019 20:00 - 17 minutes - 16.5 MBNatalie Ransom knew something wasn’t right with her usually bubbly and active three-year-old. Different doctors told her it was nothing, but she kept listening to her instinct. In the end, they discovered that he had Leukaemia. Natalie explains what it’s like to have a child with a debilitating illness that impacts his schooling and the other activities a little boy would do. Kane is an ambassador for the Children's Cancer Institute's CEO Dare to Cure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
Helpline Relationships: Rowdy neighbours, sleeping in separate beds and more
September 22, 2019 20:00 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBOur final episode with psychologist Kirsty Levin from The Parents Village. Life changes after you have kids, and those changes can have impacts on the relationships around you. Kirsty helps parents and carers navigate the challenges that can arise once you start your own family.Helpline RelationshipsIn this episode she talks about: Finding a way through the tense few months of parenting, when your kids want to play with the neighbours, but their home is rowdy and unsupervised, raising sons t...
Tim Costello: The role of faith in shaping a man
September 19, 2019 20:00 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBTim Costello is a man who has dedicated his life to others. His firm belief in social justice, and his insistence that his faith in God dictates a humane approach to others has guided him through his life. Through his many years as the CEO of World Vision, to fighting against the gambling industry, he’s seen some of the worst the world can offer, yet he still holds out hope that others will find meaning in their lives as he has. A father and now a grandfather, Tim talks about the influence hi...
Maggie Dent: The best way to communicate with your son
September 18, 2019 20:05 - 19 minutes - 18 MBThe bestselling book by John Gray in the early 90s was a revelation in explaining that men and women think very differently. And while today, most people don’t adhere to strict divisions between the genders, it’s fair to say that the brain development of boys and girls is distinctly different. Parenting educator Maggie Dent is a champion of boys with four sons of her own. She gives her top tips on how we can all communicate better with our sons.Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus websiteM...
Taking care of yourself emotionally after having a baby
September 18, 2019 20:00 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBThere is a lot of information about what to expect physically after you have a baby, but what about your mental health? Having a child can trigger a huge mental shift for mothers, in their sense of self and their understanding of the world. Sally Shepherd is a clinical psychologist who has written Beyond the Bump a guide to the emotional turmoil that can arise once you become a mother. Sally talks about her own experiences after having a baby, and how to handle the identity shift of motherhoo...
What your children are really learning at preschool
September 17, 2019 20:05 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBMost children start school in Australia between the ages of five and six. Kate Noble, an Education Policy Fellow at the Mitchell Institute, says that the two years prior to starting school are incredibly important. It’s in those two years that a preschool education can have the most significant impact, and it’s not through learning things like letters and numbers. Kate talks about the crucial skills that early learning educators teach our children before they head to 'big school'. See omnyst...
Why we need to talk about children and congenital heart disease (CHD)
September 17, 2019 20:00 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBShaun Miller was an extraordinary young man who came to prominence after he posted a video to YouTube that he called His father Cameron Miller found meaning after his son’s death by starting , and by raising awareness of CHD. In this interview, he talks about the number of children affected by CHD, and all the things he learnt from life with Shaun.My Final Goodbye. The Shaun Miller Foundation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is it possible to be an attachment parent and sleep train?
September 16, 2019 20:05 - 13 minutes - 12 MB“Attachment parenting” can mean different things to different people, but generally it can be summed up as preferring a gentle approach to getting your baby to sleep. But is it possible to get your baby to sleep through the night when they’re used to having you by their side? Veena Parry is a paediatric sleep consultant from Sleep Sweet Sleep Deepwho says it’s possible to sleep train a child gently without using controlled crying.Veena explains the steps to getting your baby off to sleep with...
Why children of the outback might dream of the sea
September 16, 2019 20:00 - 10 minutes - 9.89 MBElla and the Oceanis a picture book about a young girl who dreams of a sea that she has never seen. In her quest to understand what the ocean really looks like, Ella inspires her family to take a long trip to the coast. Author Lian Tanner talks about how the story came together, including aspects of her own family’s life on the land. She explains why the story of struggle and ultimately hope is such an important part of the book, and why it’s really a story about remembering to take time out ...
Helpline Relationships: Sex after babies, wedding plans and bitter divorce
September 15, 2019 20:00 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBPsychologist Kirsty Levin from The Parents Village joins to talk about relationships for her second-last episode before mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue returns from holidays. This week she tackles: Friends who are financially dependent on spouses, not wanting sex after having a baby (but your partner does), planning a wedding but everyone keeps interfering, ex-partner being difficult with children after divorce, siblings who fight all the time, looking after elderly parents when you have you...
Rebekah Robertson and Georgie Stone on trust, integrity and rage
September 12, 2019 20:00 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBMost mums are pretty fierce when it comes to their children, but Rebekah Robertson had a fire lit in her belly after witnessing the legal and social discrimination her daughter Georgie experienced growing up. In her book, About a Girl, A mother’s powerful story of raising her transgender child she has told her family’s story with every normal and painful challenge they have gone through along the way. Together Rebekah and Georgie talk about what it was that got them through the hardest times,...
Is flexible work what every parent wants?
September 11, 2019 20:05 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBRegular working hours and family life don’t always fit together, which is why flexible work can sound like the holy grail for parents. Dr Sarah Cotton is an Organisational Psychologist at Transitioning Wellwho understands the pros and cons of flexible work. Sarah outlines how you can negotiate flexible hours with your employer, and how to make it work in your family life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pinky McKay: Following your mama instinct
September 11, 2019 20:00 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBWhen you become a mum, you think that your instincts will kick in. Something deeply ingrained in your being will tell you how best to respond to your baby, how to work out their cries and when they need comfort. These days our instincts can get buried under the mountains of information about how to do parenting ‘right’. Parenting educator and lactation specialist Pinky McKay explains why instinct is so important to mothers, and how you can tap into it if you feel lost in the noise. See omnys...
Understanding your baby’s poo
September 10, 2019 20:05 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBPoo is such a fascinating topic after you have a baby. Where once dinner conversation was polite and urbane, now you find yourself discussing the regularity and colour of your offspring’s waste. Dianne Zalitis is a midwife and Clinical Lead of Pregnancy, Birth and Baby. She explains exactly what new parents can expect from their baby’s poo, and a few more facts that will help you understand what each different colour and consistency means.
Understanding your baby's poo
September 10, 2019 20:05 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBPoo is such a fascinating topic after you have a baby. Where once dinner conversation was polite and urbane, now you find yourself discussing the regularity and colour of your offspring’s waste. Dianne Zalitis is a midwife and Clinical Lead of Pregnancy, Birth and Baby. She explains exactly what new parents can expect from their baby’s poo, and a few more facts that will help you understand what each different colour and consistency means. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Garage Sale Trail: Make money and be kind to the environment
September 10, 2019 20:00 - 9 minutes - 8.81 MBIf you have children who are attached to toys that are still in good nick, but are seldom used, Garage Sale Trailmay be the thing you’ve been waiting for. a nationwide movement, a community-based project where neighbourhoods sign up to be part of a weekend of garage sales. Co -founder Darryl Nichols talks about how the idea came out of a desire to reuse dumped white goods, and why it might be the secret to get your kids to let go of their old toys.Garage Sale Trail is See omnystudio.com/lis...
Why we need to think about the mental health of babies
September 09, 2019 20:05 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBAwareness about mental health has increased in the last decade, and most adults know they need to take care of their own mental wellbeing. We’ve come a long way in understanding the impact of environment and relationships on mental health. But just how far have we come? Associate Professor Brigid Jordan is a National Board Member for the Australian Association for Infant Mental Health. She talks about why we need to include babies and small children when we talk about mental health, and how t...
Picture book helps children deal with bullies
September 09, 2019 20:00 - 7 minutes - 7.31 MBNiels van Hove is a mental toughness coach and author of a new picture book called How I Beat My BullyThe book was inspired by a young girl who was bullied at her school, and how, together with her mum, she learnt to deal with her bully and move on. Niels talks about how the book can be used by both parent and child to understand how they can both face a challenging situation well.. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Helpline Relationships: Favourite children, financial independence and more
September 08, 2019 20:00 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBWhile Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue is away, we're trying out something different with psychologist Kirsty Levin from The Parents Village. Each week she'll be answering questions about the different relationship challenges that can occur once you have a baby. This week that includes: When one of your children is more likeable than another, financial dependence on your spouse when you're not earning an income, when you have run out of things to say to your partner, when your child doesn't ge...
Ginger Gorman: One mother’s real experience with trolls
September 05, 2019 20:00 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBThis isn’t, unfortunately, a fairy tale. Ginger Gorman is an award-winning print and radio journalist who responded to a deluge of online hate by writing a book about it. Ginger talks about the deep, dark places her research led her, and how she coped as a mother while talking with some of the most dangerous men on the internet. Ginger’s book is called Troll Hunting: inside the world of online hate and its human fallout
Ginger Gorman: One mother's real experience with trolls
September 05, 2019 20:00 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBThis isn’t, unfortunately, a fairy tale. Ginger Gorman is an award-winning print and radio journalist who responded to a deluge of online hate by writing a book about it. Ginger talks about the deep, dark places her research led her, and how she coped as a mother while talking with some of the most dangerous men on the internet. Ginger’s book is called Troll Hunting: inside the world of online hate and its human fallout See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Maggie Dent: Why we all need to be emotion coaching our kids
September 04, 2019 20:05 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBToddler meltdowns can be incredibly difficult to deal with, but for parenting educator Maggie Dent, they’re also an opportunity. Maggie explains how tantrums and other big emotional moments for kids are an adult’s opportunity to connect, empathise and teach their children about their emotions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Laying the groundwork for a healthy digital family life
September 04, 2019 20:00 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBJournalist Toni Hassan is a mother of three who found herself plunged into the perils of the online world when her eldest child got her hands on a mobile phone at 12. After that, Toni realised there was no going back. It was a turning point that led the award-winning journalist to write a book, Families in the Digital Age and to change her own screen habits. Toni outlines how we can define what a ‘healthy digital family life’ looks like, for us and how to lay the groundwork to make it happen....
Why it's unrealistic to ban screens for children under two
September 03, 2019 20:05 - 14 minutes - 13.8 MBAccording to the Australian Government and the World Health Organisation, children under two should have zero screen time. But Dr Kate Highfield, General Manager of Professional Learning and Research Translation at Early Childhood Australia, thinks that’s overly simplistic and unrealistic. Kate explains how complex screen use in young children has become, and the difference between healthy and unhealthy screen time. Kate has more information on screens and the under twos on the Early Childhoo...
Why it’s unrealistic to ban screens for children under two
September 03, 2019 20:05 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBAccording to the Australian Government and the World Health Organisation, children under two should have zero screen time. But Dr Kate Highfield, General Manager of Professional Learning and Research Translation at Early Childhood Australia, thinks that’s overly simplistic and unrealistic. Kate explains how complex screen use in young children has become, and the difference between healthy and unhealthy screen time. Kate has more information on screens and the under twos on the Early Childho...
Understanding why children fight, and what to do about it
September 03, 2019 20:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBIf you have more than one child, chances are you have experienced sibling rivalry. They could be fighting over a toy, who got to the car first, or because one of them breathed on the other. Ariella Lew is a former paediatric nurse and the founder of Kids on Track an organisation dedicated to helping parents understand and care for their children. Ariella explains what’s going on when your children fight, and the best way to respond to their squabbling., See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...
How to process and embrace raising a child with a disability
September 02, 2019 20:05 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBAfter her son Arlo was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at six months old, Melanie Dimmitt embarked on a mission to understand what it means to be a parent of a special needs child. The result is Special, a book that is both supportive and encouraging for parents of special-needs children. Melanie talks about the impact of her son’s diagnosis and how the book has helped her come to a place of peace. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to support yourself during the first few months of motherhood
September 02, 2019 20:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBThere’s nothing quite like a new baby to turn your world upside down. Babies are born to feed, not sleep, ergo new mums don’t get much sleep. Then there can be post-labour body aches and pains, and the stress of working out (very quickly) how to keep a small human alive and well. Amy Taylor-Kabbaz is a life coach and author of Happy Mama- the guide to finding yourself again. She gives us some very easy tips and tricks on supporting yourself through the first months of motherhood. See omnystu...
Helpline Relationships: Different parenting styles, clashes with MILs and more
September 01, 2019 20:00 - 31 minutes - 29 MBMothercraft Chris Minogue is taking some time off, so we're using it as an opportunity to focus on relationships. Kirsty Levin is a psychologist with The Parents Village, a group that offer parents support with workshops and individual counselling. A wife and mother of two girls, Kirsty understands what it's like to raise a family, and adds her professional knowledge to help parents overcome challenges they face within their relationships. In this episode she tackles: When the agreed-to roles...
Celebrating a new generation of dads this Father’s Day
August 29, 2019 20:00 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBWe all know that fatherhood has changed over time, but how do dads feel about it? Jeremy Macvean is the co-editor of The Father Hood, Inspiration for the New Dad Generation. It’s a book that combines the stories of celebrity dads like Barack Obama and Mark Wahlberg with the research and knowledge of dad advocates Steve Biddulph and Professor Richard Fletcher. Jeremy talks about what is different for fathers today, and why this offers the greatest opportunity men have seen in generations.
Celebrating a new generation of dads this Father's Day
August 29, 2019 20:00 - 17 minutes - 15.8 MBWe all know that fatherhood has changed over time, but how do dads feel about it? Jeremy Macvean is the co-editor of The Father Hood, Inspiration for the New Dad Generation It’s a book that combines the stories of celebrity dads like Barack Obama and Mark Wahlberg with the research and knowledge of dad advocates Steve Biddulph and Professor Richard Fletcher. Jeremy talks about what is different for fathers today, and why this offers the greatest opportunity men have seen in generations.. See...
Why every parent should meditate
August 28, 2019 20:05 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBThere are a lot of ‘shoulds’ in a parent’s world. You make time for friends, spend time alone with each child, eat well and exercise. Who needs another ‘should’? Lenore Pearson is a meditation coach and mum of three, who says this is one ‘should’ that will change your life. Lenore explains why there’s a meditation style for every parent, and how even on the busiest of days you can find time to be still.should See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The surprising way we can get our kids school ready
August 28, 2019 20:00 - 10 minutes - 9.26 MBMany children love to dance and make music. Now research has found that getting involved in both, at least twice a week, can greatly improve their ability to self-regulate. Associate Professor Kate Williams designed a program for preschool children and observed the impact on 113 children. Kate explains what exercises are included in the program, and why they work so well to help our children get ready for school. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What to expect from your baby’s first year of sleep
August 27, 2019 20:05 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBThe first year of a baby’s life is full of so much change, and so much sleep deprivation for parents! Fran Chavasse is a senior nurse educator with Tresillian Family Care Centre. Fran says parents are set up to expect babies will sleep through much sooner than they can. The key, she says, is all in a baby’s development.