
Parental As Anything
Being a parent is tough. Social media is bombarding us with opinions — on our kids screen time, on their education, on their friendships, on their behaviour — and somehow, we are always doing it wrong!
Don’t you just wish you could turn it all off and listen to some good old-fashion, sensible advice?
Parental As Anything is the podcast that gives you practical, supportive, advice from two real-world parenting experts. Beloved Australian parenting author and educator Maggie Dent and teen-parenting whisperer Bec Sparrow share wisdom and experience that comes from years of working with parents, kids and teens. With seven seasons of practical advice and helpful tips, Parental As Anything is here to help find solutions to the challenges that parents face everyday. No trends. No judgement.
Latest episodes

Apr 14, 2024 • 3min
INTRODUCING — Parental As Anything: Teens
Teenage sex. Anxiety. Underage drinking. Porn. Phone addiction.

Nov 6, 2023 • 15min
The best hacks from Parental As Anything listeners
Maggie Dent and the Parental As Anything community share their best parenting hacks, including tips from comedian Hamish Blake. Topics include dealing with toddlers to moody teens, creative clothing and bedtime hacks, managing various challenges, creative Easter egg hunts, reflecting on children's challenges, and creating a warm and safe environment for teens.

Oct 16, 2023 • 25min
How to prepare your kid for high school
Learn practical tips for preparing your child for high school, including establishing routines, managing stress, fostering connections and friendships, setting technology boundaries, and providing love and support.

Jul 31, 2023 • 9min
Help — my kid won't stop swearing
Like it or not, children will learn to swear from school, videos, even their parents. So what can you do to stop your child being a pottymouth? In this Help Me, Maggie episode Maggie Dent explains why children might swear, how to discourage them from using offensive words and what to say if you slip up and swear in front of them. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. Host: Maggie Dent Producer: Josie Sargent Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler Executive Producer: Kim Lester Sound design: Isabella Tropiano

Jul 24, 2023 • 24min
Why your teen simply must sleep
Sleep deprivation is a silent epidemic among our teenagers, according to paediatric and adolescent sleep specialist, Dr Chris Seton.With screen time, social media and gaming competing for our teenager's attention, sleep disruption is at an all-time high.Dr Seton tells Maggie Dent about the devastating effects sleep deprivation has on our teenagers. From social, emotional and mental health problems to declining academic performance, it is a wake-up call for parents to make sleep a priority.The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional.CreditsPresenter: Maggie DentProducer: Maria TickleExecutive producer: Monique BowleyConsulting producer: Carmen MylerSound engineer: Nathan TurnbullField recordings: Rebecca McLaren

Jul 17, 2023 • 23min
How to help children with dyslexia
If your child is struggling to read or write, they may be among the 10 per cent of people who have dyslexia. What is it? How can it impact a child’s education, self-esteem and mental health? Maggie Dent speaks to Sarah Asome, a school principal and mum of dyslexic children, from advocacy group CodeREAD, and psychologist Dr Craig Wright from Understanding Minds. Together they discuss the signs of dyslexia, seeking a diagnosis and what parents can do to support their child at school and at home. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. Host: Maggie Dent Producer: Josie Sargent Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler Executive Producer: Kim Lester Sound design: Isabella Tropiano Field recordings: Rebecca McLaren

Jul 10, 2023 • 9min
Help — moody teens are damaging my marriage
Life with children means more stress, less sleep and less time for you. And when all of your energy goes to raising kids, what’s left for your spouse? In this Help Me, Maggie episode Maggie Dent gives tips on what adults can do to stay connected in the chaos, why effective communication is key and what to do when the bad moods of teenagers wear off on the whole household. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. Host: Maggie Dent Producer: Josie Sargent Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler Executive Producer: Kim Lester Sound design: Isabella Tropiano

Jul 3, 2023 • 30min
Discipline without punishment? Yes, it can be done
Shouting? Time outs? Shaming? You don’t have to do any of this to effectively discipline your child. So how do you teach your kids right from wrong? We’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes. Vanessa Lapointe, the author of Discipline Without Damage, joins Maggie Dent to share the best way to discipline your child without punishing them, how to teach them to make good choices, and why discipline is a long game. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs please consult a professional. Host: Maggie Dent Producer: Kim Lester Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler Executive Producer: Justine Kelly Sound design: Isabella Tropiano / Ann-Marie DebettencorField recordings: Anne-Marie Middlemast

Jun 26, 2023 • 10min
Help — should I let my child walk to school alone?
What if your kid feels ready to walk to school alone before you feel ready to let them? Will they be safe, and how will it make them more independent? Maggie Dent has tips for parents who want to know when a child is ready, how to take the first steps to independence and how to head off potential danger. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. Host: Maggie Dent Producer: Josie Sargent Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler Executive Producer: Kim Lester Sound design: Isabella Tropiano

Jun 19, 2023 • 30min
What to do if your child is self-harming
Tweens and teens feel big emotions – and those turning to self-harm to cope is more common than you think. Professor Jo Robinson, who leads the youth suicide prevention group at Orygen, and teen expert Michelle Mitchell join Maggie Dent, host of Parental As Anything, to help parents understand why young people self-harm, how to have those initial conversations and how to help teens move away from self-harm. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. This episode deals with the issues of self-harm and suicide.More information: Lifeline 13 11 14; headspace.org.auHost: Maggie Dent Producer: Josie Sargent Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler Executive Producer: Kim Lester Sound design: Isabella Tropiano Field recordings: Rebecca McLaren