Episodes
Raising teens can be tough. Don't panic! Teen whisperer, Rebecca Sparrow is here to help you through the drama and worry in a brand-new podcast from Parental As Anything.
Published 11/21/23
Nothing truly prepares you for becoming a parent, but some of the best advice comes from other mums or dads - even famous ones like Hamish Blake.In this special episode, Maggie Dent hands the reins over to the Parental As Anything community for you to share your best parenting hacks. Even comedian Hamish Blake shares his top tip for keeping kids entertained.The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further...
Published 11/06/23
Starting high school is a massive change for both you and your tween. How do you get them ready and help them through the ups and downs of Year 7?Youth coach Claire Eaton and Maggie Dent share their practical tips for the weeks before they start, routines to keep them on track and handling the rough patches.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...
Published 10/16/23
The Golden Couple of News is back. And so are the spiral perms, shoulder pads and boxy '80s cars. The Newsreader Podcast is the ABC's official companion podcast to the hit ABC TV drama The Newsreader, returning on September 10. Hosted by journo buddies of over 20 years, Leigh Sales and Lisa Millar, The Newsreader Podcast gives an access-all-areas pass to on-set gossip; never before heard stories from the writers' room and the inside rail on the real-life news events that inspired the...
Published 09/09/23
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...
Published 07/31/23
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...
Published 07/31/23
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...
Published 07/24/23
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...
Published 07/24/23
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...
Published 07/17/23
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...
Published 07/17/23
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...
Published 07/10/23
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...
Published 07/10/23
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...
Published 07/03/23
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...
Published 07/03/23
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...
Published 06/26/23
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...
Published 06/26/23
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...
Published 06/19/23
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...
Published 06/19/23
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...
Published 06/12/23
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...
Published 06/12/23
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...
Published 06/05/23
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...
Published 06/05/23
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?
Published 05/29/23
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? 
Published 05/29/23