Parental As Anything

Curious kids will ask questions about people who look or sound different to them. How do you talk to them about racism and inclusion? What if your child uses a racist slur? And how can you encourage them to be an ally? Ali Kadri, CEO of the Islamic College of Brisbane and host of The Swap, joins Maggie Dent to talk frankly about racism and encouraging children to learn about and embrace people’s differences. 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 

Grandparents do so much for our kids. But not every family has a Nanny or Pop in their life. And even when they do, keeping the peace can be tricky. How do you celebrate the joy grandparents bring to your family, while still forging your own path as a parent? How do you ask them not to spoil your kids, or discipline them like it’s 1985? And do you rely too much on them for free childcare?  Anne McLeish, director of Grandparents Australia, joins host of Parental As Anything Maggie Dent, to celebrate the benefits – but to also offer tips on how to foster relationships from afar, what to do if tensions arise over child rearing ideas and what to say if a grandparent is not in their life at all. They are joined by special grandparental guests ABC broadcaster and author Richard Glover and Larrakia elder Richard Fejo. 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 

Tweens want a phone so they aren’t left out and many parents like being able to contact their kids. But, when should kids have their own mobile? 

You want your kids to be resilient enough to handle life’s unexpected challenges – but as parents, it is hard to step back. Lyn Worsley, director of the Resilience Centre, joins Maggie Dent on this Parental As Anything to give tips on why it’s important to let kids fend for themselves, how to start building resilience and how parents can learn to let go. 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 KellySound design: Isabella Tropiano / Ann-Marie DebettencorField recordings: Anne-Marie Middlemast

Kids love the idea of a pet. But, for parents they mean more mess, expense and time. So, should you cave? A busy mum asks Maggie Dent, do the benefits of owning a dog outweigh the training, cleaning and poo collecting? Maggie, the host of Parental As Anything, shares what she thinks families should consider if they have children pestering them for a dog. 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: Simon Branthwaite

How do you teach children the realities of what you can afford without stressing them out. And if money isn’t tight, how do we curb their entitlement?Maggie Dent asks finance author and mum Effie Zahos how and when to talk to kids honestly about your cashflow, the costs of running a family and what to say if you’re struggling to pay your bills and need to cut back on the fun stuff. 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 

Has your child ever made a friend who dominates, bullies, or leads them astray? As a parent, what can you do if your kid’s BFF just isn’t good for them? Parenting author and host of Parental As Anything, Maggie Dent has some tips for mums and dads about being your child’s ‘friendship coach’. What to do if your child has a frenemy, ways to teach them about healthy friendships and why you SHOULDN’T approach the other child’s parents.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: Simon Branthwaite 

You decorate, bake and plan the perfect birthday party – only for your child to have a complete meltdown on the day. So, how do you throw a celebration your kid will actually enjoy? Genevieve Muir, of Connected Parenting, joins Parental As Anything host Maggie Dent to share tips for parents on how to plan a party kids will love, what to do if kids become overstimulated and how to include neurodivergent children in big, noisy parties. 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: Simon Branthwaite Field recordings: Rebecca McLaren 

Some kids are shy. Others love nothing more than talking non-stop to anyone who’ll listen. What can you do if your child is a chatterbox?  Maggie Dent, parenting author and host of Parental As Anything, gives tips on how you can help teach your talkative child to listen and even give mums and dads some moments of peace and quiet. 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: Simon Branthwaite 

Exhausted? Stressed? Angry? Sick of being a parent? Maybe it’s not typical fatigue from taking care of children – you could have parental burnout. Psychologist Hélène Gatland joins parenting author Maggie Dent to explain why parental burnout is on the rise, how it impacts mums and dads differently and what to do if you think you – or your partner - has it.  The advice provided in this Parental As Anything 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: Simon Branthwaite Field recordings: Rebecca McLaren