Kinderling Conversation

They say that the one thing that is constant in life is change. Yet as human beings none of us like it very much. And when it comes to life changes, you can't get much bigger than starting a family. Jana Firestone is a psychologist, podcaster and author of Embracing Change. She knows first hand the experience of another of life's big changes: losing a parent. Jana talks us through the ways we can embrace some of the more confronting changes we can experience as parents.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the start of the pandemic parents were reassured that children were likely to be less affected by the virus. It was less likely they would catch it, and if they caught it their symptoms would be less severe. And while it appears that the latter is still true, the Omicron variant has meant many more children have caught the coronavirus. Dr Nusrat Homaira is a paediatric respiratory epidemiologist at UNSW and Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick. She says that we can make some educated guesses on the long term impact of the coronavirus based on what we know from older respiratory viruses that affect children. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Babies and small children can make things tense between parents, particularly when you're sleep deprived. Elisabeth Shaw is the CEO of Relationships Australia NSW. She talks through some of the pain points parents come across after they have children, and gives us some ideas on how we can manage them.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Rob Sturrock was suddenly made redundant in March last year he felt despondent and a bit like a failure. But with time he realised that it was an opportunity: to spend more time with his kids and to help with the running of the house. Rob talks about how we live in a world that expects men to be the breadwinner, but where there is a lot of meaning and satisfaction to find within the four walls of the family home. Rob is also the author of Man Raises Boy.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are some areas of motherhood that feel like they have been untouched by the hard work of feminists. Areas like how we birth our babies, feed or generally look after them. Clementine Ford is an author, feminist and mother. Clem talks about her own experiences of raising a child and why motherhood remains an area of judgment for women. Clem's latest book is called How We Love. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The short answer is no. But if you have a child with a food allergy you will know how stressful it can be for you and your family. Even while awareness of allergies is much higher in schools and the community, you are always looking out for a possible allergen. Allergic reactions to peanuts range from the mild (puffy eyes, vomiting) to the severe (trouble breathing) but Professor Mimi Tang, Group Leader of Allergy Immunology at Murdoch Children's Research Institute says that any kind of reaction has a significant impact on a child's lifestyle. Mimi's latest study has shown how oral immunotherapy while not a cure might be the solution that parents are looking for. Mimi is joined by Kate Lawlor, whose son Declan is now in remission for his peanut allergy. For more information on the study check out the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once babies come along it can be hard to find time for romantic dinners. It can be hard to want to do anything other than sleep! But Associate Professor Gery Karantzas says that it's not a given that romance disappears once you start to have a family. Gery is from the School of Psychology at Deakin University, and he researches love. Gery talks about the different kinds of love, how it changes all the time, and why this Valentine's Day you might just need a cuddle on the couch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever had a toddler decide the best place to have a tantrum is in the food court of your local shopping centre? How did you handle it? Toddlers are renowned for having mini breakdowns at the least convenient moment, but parenting educator and obstetrics social worker Genevieve Muir has some practical tips (and comfort) to offer parents of toddlers. Gen explains why toddlers are having tantrums, and how we can manage them well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Working out who you are once you become a parent can be challenging - but imagine trying to work out who you are as a person while grappling with your gender identity at the same time. That's what Michelle Sheppard went through when she came out as transgender. In a world that has little time or empathy for trans-adults, she had to navigate parenting two young daughters without any mentors or community support. Michelle explains how she decided to involve her daughters in any changes taking place, and why that made all the difference.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Separation can be painful and chaotic, particularly when young children are involved. Lucy Kippist separated from her husband three years ago when her children were two and five. Over those years she did a number of things that has helped her get to a place of calm and safety today. Lucy shares the things that helped her navigate a very difficult time. Lucy is the Community Manager at Mums & Co.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women have given birth through different challenging times in history, with those challenges changing the way they experience pregnancy and labour. Since the very beginning of the pandemic Hannah Dahlen, a Professor of Midwifery at Western Sydney University, has been part of a research team documenting how this particular challenging time - life with the threat of serious illness and the repercussions of that threat - has been impacting the experience of pregnancy and birth today. Hannah explains how the physical and social impacts of the virus on expectant mums. More information on the current survey: Are you currently pregnant OR have given birth since May 2021 (during the latest surge in COVID-19 in Australia) AND are you willing to share your experience by completing this survey. Hannah Dahlen and her research team are conducting a research project (through Western Sydney University) into women’s experiences of being pregnant, giving birth and parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic in Aust

They say that knowledge is power, so knowing all you can about birth before you experience it is a good idea. At least that's what motivated Dr Stephen Tong to write The Birth Book , after seeing women head into the birthing suite with less preparation than what they'd put in to their own wedding. Stephen talks about how knowing more leads to less fear, and why epidurals have been given a bad reputation. Links to more information:https://www.proftong.com.au/ https://www.thebirthbook.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Modern family life can be crazy. There are so many things to fit into a day. Jodi Wilson was still breastfeeding her youngest of four children when she agreed to travel around Australia. She thought that was just what the family needed to find some calm among the chaos. What followed was an intense eight months of getting rid of 'stuff', buying a second-hand caravan, and preparing to set out for an adventure that would change their lives. Jodi Wilson's book Practicing Simplicity, Small steps and brave choices for a life less distracted documents the two-and-a-half years they spent on the road. Jodi talks about the greatest lessons she learnt along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When former Australian of the Year Grace Tame recently refused to smile in a photo opportunity with the Prime Minister Scott Morrison, people were outraged. Journalist Peter van Onselen wrote an article describing her behaviour as rude. Amy Remeikis is a political journalist for The Guardian and has just released a book, On Reckoning, that describes what it has been like as a survivor of sexual assault to report on the Government's response to claims of harassment in Parliament House. Amy talks about why we don't need to raise our girls to polite, and why we need to include boys in the conversation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feminists in the past have fought for women to have the right to choose how they conduct themselves in a world that has always told them what to do.  Bodily autonomy being one of those choices. What we wear and do with our bodies is up to us. So why does this all seem to change when it comes to pregnancy and birth?  Clementine Ford is a feminist, author and mother. She talks about how everything from pregnancy, to birth and breastfeeding is influenced by ideas on what a woman 'should' do.  Clementine's latest book is called How We Love.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disappointment is a part of life, but it's fair to say that many kids have had their fair share of it over the last two years. Lucy Bell is an author who wants to help kids see the brighter side of life. Her book You Can Live on the Bright Side has everything you need to help your kids choose a path to a more optimistic future. Lucy explains how brains can learn to look on the bright side, and gives us some tips on how to teach that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maternity wear has come a long way in the last ten years. Or has it? Dr Catriona Fisk is a dress historian who did her PHD in the history of maternity wear. Her research goes all the way back to the 1700s, and offers insights into the ways women adapted fashion to fit their bodies - and how they themselves fit in society. Cartriona offers up some surprising information - particularly about how the corset was used for pregnant women.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you have a child about to start school, or who is going back after the holidays, you may be feeling a bit uncertain about the first weeks and months ahead. Parents have been told they will need to give their kids Rapid Antigen Tests, but many still haven't heard from their schools as to when these will be available. Many still fear that the directive to keep kids home if they have any symptoms equates to more weeks in isolation and time off work. Gabbie Stroud is a former primary school teacher and the author of several books about teaching and the school community. She explains why some schools are struggling to be ready for the first day, and how we as parents can manage this uncertain time for our kids.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They say you can never be ready for a new baby, but there are some things you can do to make your life easier. You could, for example, hire a postpartum Doula. Danika Armstrong is a Doula at Mama Vibe Tribe , where she supports women through birth and beyond. Danika explains what a postpartum Doula does, and how things have changed since the start of the pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parents of small children are used to having a long list of things they need to do. There are the daily chores like feeding, clothing and cleaning small humans, and then there are the extracurriculars like birthday parties, swimming lessons and visits to relatives. Sometimes the only way to get on top of all the things is to create a list. But lists themselves can be problematic. Madeleine Dore is the author of I Didn’t Do the Thing Today, where she explores the idea that we have a problem with productivity. Madeleine gives us some ideas on how we can change the way we look at the things we need to do.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.