Cost of raising a child in Australia

Call it what you like — sleep deprivation/sleep recession/The Exhaustion Economy —but when you're not getting enough sleep as a parent, it's sheer torture. And when actor Keira Knightley named it for the hell it is, every parent felt it in their (tired) bones. This week, we’re unpacking the long-haul burnout that comes with parenting — and the societal shrug that keeps it invisible.

Meanwhile, if you think your parenting Group Chats are delivering chaos, you're not alone. Amelia (ever the secret Nicole) has three golden rules to survive them, while Monz is rolling out the five parent archetypes you’ll absolutely recognise. 👀

And finally — the Melbourne Cup. Should the 'race that stops a nation' have stopped your daycare too? For some kids, it did this year. We’re asking if early exposure to The Cup is normalising gambling way too young.

Our Recommendations:

🎶 Stacey is obsessed with Yoto, the screen free audio players for stories, music and podcasts. 

☀️ Monz recommends Whipscreen, a sunscreen which might help sensory-sensitive kids. 

📕 Amelia recommends The First Six Weeks by Cathryn Curtin, for any parents of freshly-hatched little ones. 

Support independent women's media

What To Listen To Next: 

• Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud
• The Favourite Child Taboo & Why Jennifer Lawrence's Honesty Hit So Hard
• Picnic Table Politics & The Era Of Tiny Spies
• The Scariest Truth about Halloween & A Nepo Baby Debate
• The Royal Who Flipped The Script On Dads & The Unholy Truth About 'The Squeeze'
• So That's Why Magicians Are Back & The Eldest Daughter Theory
• Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's 'Love Junk' Rebrand & The TikTok Training Camp
• Stealth Mums, The Roblox Controversy & A Tiny Internet Feud
• Unpacking The KPop Demon Hunters Obsession & A Tracking Tool Controversy
• Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts 

What to read: 

• We asked mums for the sleep advice they wish they knew. They all said these 3 things.
• There are 7 types of rest, and only one involves a good night's sleep.
• The art of functioning on broken sleep.
• 'Gambling addiction started as a slow burn. Soon it was all consuming.'

GET IN TOUCH:

Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au 

Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show.

Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family

CREDITS:

Hosts: Monique Bowley, Stacey Hicks & Amelia Lester

Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine

Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock

Senior/Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Junior Content Producer: Tessa Kotowicz

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.