Parental As Anything

"I hate broccoli", "but the sauce is touching the carrot!", "Yuk! That's gross!" If you've ever heard this come out of your child's mouth at dinner time, we feel your pain. So, we've brought in chef Adam Liaw and Nutrition Australia's Leanne Elliston to help! They've cooked up some great tips with Maggie Dent on how to feed children healthy food and what you can do if your child is a fussy eater.

Being an only child or single parent can be hard when all your usual social outlets have disappeared into thin air. There is boredom and loneliness and if you're solo parenting, there can be a heavy load to carry. Maggie Dent and parenting author and educator Michelle Mitchell share some great ideas about how to lighten the load if you're parenting on your own, and what you can do if you've got an only child.

Have you been breaking up World War III between your kids? Are you and your partner getting on each other's nerves because you’ve spent more time together than you ever have? Maggie Dent and parenting author and educator Justin Coulson talk about ways you can resolve the niggles before they get out of control. NOTE: This episode deals with arguments between siblings and partners. What we know is that in many homes, this conflict isn’t arguing, it’s family violence, and home is not the safest place. If you’re in immediate danger call 000. You can also call 1800RESPECTto talk to counsellors who are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Or go to their website for resources https://www.1800respect.org.au/

How do you get any work done at home when the kids keep asking you for food, or to play with them, or to wipe their bottom? Maggie Dent talks to productivity researcher Dr Kristy Goodwin about her top strategies for working at home with kids around. They discuss planning activities to keep the kids out of your hair and how to set realistic expectations for what you can achieve in a so-called "workday".

Coronavirus has meant parents across Australia have had to slip into a role they never signed up for being a teacher. So how do you make that work if you haven't the first clue about teaching? Maggie Dent talks to educator Dr Prue Salter about how to support high-schoolers as they learn from home. Maggie also shares her top tips for keeping primary school kids engaged while learning from home, and how to stop parents from pulling their hair out.

Coronavirus has meant the activities our kids love — playgrounds, sport, skate boarding with friends, going to the movies — have been shut down and cancelled. But guess what's still there for them? Nature. Even if it's the grass in your backyard or plants on your balcony, it's all around us — even during coronavirus. In an episode recorded well before coronavirus hit us, Maggie talks to nature play experts Gillian McAuliffe and Daniel Burton about the perfect places for growing bodies and minds to play.

We've all been impacted by coronavirus. As parents, we're anxious, scared and stressed out about the future and what's going to happen. But we've never had such an important job to do - helping our children through this difficult time, while also looking after ourselves. In this special episode, Maggie Dent steers you through how you can talk to your children about coronavirus. She'll also give you ideas on what you can do to lower the stress in your home, which will not just help your children survive this period, but thrive. Show Notes: If you need some extra help: Youth Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Reach Out https://au.reachout.com/ Parent help line 1300 30 1300 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 Lifeline 131114 Behind the News is a great source of age appropriate information: https://www.abc.net.au/btn/Here is a comic which explores coronavirus. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus

Parenting teenagers when they’re moody, disrespectful and rebellious is tough. But even as they reach the age of slamming a door in your face and emotionally pushing you away, they actually need as much love and support as ever. Maggie Dent chats to teen champion and CEO of Enlighten Education Dannielle Miller about how parents can help their teens navigate hormones, break-ups and the pressure of high school. 

For some kids and teenagers, making friends comes easily. But for others, it's really tough and it can be an emotional roller coaster for them and you. Podcaster and writer Rebecca Sparrow and parent educator Claire Orange are champions of positive child and teen friendships. Maggie Dent get tips on what you can do as a parent to help your kids navigate the often-tricky world of friendships.

Throwing a tantrum, being naughty and bawling their eyes out. Kids often react to situations that stress them in a way that's socially unacceptable. A huge part of growing up though is learning how to regulate emotions. So what can parents do to help their kids spot what's going to tip them over the edge before it happens? Maggie Dent finds out from self-regulation expert, Dr Stuart Shanker.