Kinderling Conversation

Natasha Stewart re-entered the workforce after having her first child feeling hopeful that she was starting a new and exciting career. It wasn't long before she realised that her new industry, and in particular her new place of work, was not compatible with parenthood. After trying to make it work for six months she was called into her employer's office and asked to "leave quietly. And that is the start of her story. Natasha talks about being fired, having PND and making out of it all bigger and better than ever. Natasha's company is called Business Jump.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big Ted has beenListen to Nada Rogic on teaching toddlers for over fifty years, and things have changed a lot for kids in that time. Where once Big Ted may have been explaining how a landline telephone worked, these days most toddlers have never even seen one. And so, in collaboration with the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, Big Ted has stepped into the digital age. Nada Rogic is the lead of the Early Years program at the office, which is all about educating the under fives about how to interact with technology. She explains how Big Ted is laying the groundwork for children to have a safe digital future.Feed Play Love:See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue looks at how to prepare for the arrival of a second baby. This includes how to prepare your toddler for their little brother or sister, how to set up support systems for yourself and a stack of practical tips on how to manage things like getting a baby to sleep with a rambunctious toddler in the house.HelplineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new personal finance app from finder.com aims to help you get the best deals on all your bills, and help you save more. Kate Browne, the Personal Finance Expert at finder.com.au explains how it works. Get on the wait list for the new finder.com.au app here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sleep deprivation is a given when you're a new parent. You may be lucky, but babies are born to feed, not sleep. And so it is that many of us spend the first months walking around in a daze. Gemma Paech is a Senior Sleep Specialist at the University of Newcastle. She explains what's happening when parents go through this period of broken sleep.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gabbie Stroud is a former teacher who came to prominence with her last book Teacher.In it she documented her own struggle to keep the heart in a profession she loved. Now she's moving the conversation on to include those of us with the highest stakes in education: parents. Dear Parentsis an attempt to open up a conversation between teachers and parents. In this interview Gabbie outlines what is missing in education today, and what parents and teachers can do about it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maram Ismail is a podcaster, radio and online journalist with SBS Arabic 24. She came to Australia from Jordan in her 20s and began her studies in journalism. Since then she has started her own family with her Egyptian Australian husband. Maram talks about the experience of raising her daughter in Australia, and what it's like having a family far from home. Maram's podcast My Arab Identity is available on the SBS website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you have small children doing anything beyond keeping them alive can feel impossible. But what happens if you're passionate about the environment? What can you do if you're scared witless by the current state of the climate, and what it means for your child's future? Suzie Brown is the co-founder of Australian Parents for Climate Change ActionShe believes that parents have a fundamental role to play in advocating for real action on climate change. She gives practical, easy things that parents can do to make a difference.. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every baby is different, as is every parent. Finding an answer on Google for particular challenge doesn't always work. But what does work is asking Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue. With over thirty years experience she knows how to tweak routines to get you back on a smoother path. On this episode of Chris helps: A rolling four-month-old baby (who wakes every time she rolls), transitioning a two-and-a-half-year-old from a sleeping bag to sheets, an early-waking seven-month-old, alternatives to formula for an eight-month-old, an 18-month-old resisting night sleeps, early waking 14-month-old, five-and-a-half-month-old waking frequently at night, a four year old son melting down at little things, a five-month-old who has started refusing a bottle, how to deal with a tantruming 12-month-old, feeling trapped with frequent breastfeeding with a three-week-old baby and a two-year-old still struggling with drop offs six months after starting day care.HelplineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Personal trainer Tara Stojanovski is on a mission. The Director of Fit Mama Co wants women everywhere, particularly pregnant women or new mums, to consider getting a PT for their vagina. Tara explains why understanding your pelvic floor and getting a regular exercise regime in place can make a big difference to your overall health and wellbeing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

School is very different from day care. If this is your first child attending "big school" you probably have a stack of new information that you're trying to digest. Having a sense of what you'll need financially for the year ahead can be helpful. Kate Browne is the Managing Editor at finder.com.au She gives us a run down on what payments we need to set aside for the school year ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Executive Director of Unicef, Carol Bellamy once said,"When the lives and rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses." This quote is something that resonates with Tara Wynne, a literary agent and volunteer for War Child, a charity that supports children in war-torn countries. Tara has been involved in publishing books to support the charity, including Funny BonesTara explains how the charity works in countries far from Australia.. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children are curious creatures. You could be driving to the playground and they'll ask you how babies are made. Not all parents are comfortable talking about the birds and the bees, and sometimes it's hard to work out what the right response is. Plus, when are we meant to start talking about puberty? Lily Isobella from The One a Day Project has the answers. For Lily's list of appropriate books check out her website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raising small children is an all-consuming experience. Sometimes it's difficult to see the forest for the trees. Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue is here to give you perspective and find ways to tweak your routine or feeding to make life smoother. This week on Chris helps: A 10 week-old who needs to be held to sleep, a two and a-half-year-old twin who gets upset every time someone leaves, an 11 week-old not sleeping well during the day, weaning a two-and-a-half year old off breastfeeding, how long a six-month-old should be awake between sleeps, what a routine for two-year-old looks like, an early rising 10 month-old and helping a 12 month-old sleep longer in his day naps.Helpline Chris Minogue's book is called Bringing Baby HomeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming home from hospital after childbirth can be quite the anti-climax. Consider the nine months you've been preparing for the birth of your baby, and then the dramatic way she entered the world. Jumping in the car and coming home feels a little bit run-of-the-mill. The contrast between the hospital world and your own home, which is unchanged since the earth shattering experience of childbirth, can feel both overwhelming and surreally normal. Dianne Zalitis is a midwife and the Clinical Lead of Pregnancy, Birth and Baby. She explains how you can adjust to your new life at home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researcher and strategist Annabel Blake and designer Deb Ho believe that we are all made of stories and that stories can therefore change the world. The duo have formed a new company Little Literature Coto build stories and games that encourage girls to imagine themselves as the protagtonists, leaders and scientists of the future. Annabel and Deb explain how we can help girls embrace STEM subjects through story telling, and explain how their first game Talu Talesworks for children of all ages.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most parents do their best to raise their kids well. At the same time, many worry that they're not doing it right. Dr Dan Siegel has a very powerful message. Not only is it okay to make mistakes, but there is one key thing you can do that will help your child flourish. Dan has written a book called The Power of Showing Upwith co-author Tina Payne Bryson. He explains what it means to 'show up' and why making mistakes (as a parent) can lead to a resilient child.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The bushfires around the country are overwhelming. It's difficult to process the extent of the devastation as a parent, so how do we help our children? Margaret Nixon is the Workforce Officer for the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health and Marcela Nolasco is a clinical psychologist at Little Steps Psychology. Together they tell us how parents can deal with the uncertainty of being in a fire zone, making children feel comfortable in evacuation centres and the types of behaviour you may see in your children during times of crisis. Margaret also talks about the impact the fires may have on the children of volunteers and those not directly threatened by the fires.For more information on how to support children see the tool kit from or the Australian Psychological Society.Emerging Minds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue is back after the summer break. Chris has over 30 years experience helping families tweak their schedules so that family life can flow more smoothly. On this episode of she tackles: A 22-month-old who won't let dad do anything, sleep routines for a one-year-old traveling to Singapore, a cat-napping eight-week-old, a 16-month-old who will only do day naps in the pram, how to wean an 11-month-old, settling a six-month-old who doesn't want to sleep in their cot, whether to persist toilet training a two-and-a-half-year-old and a ten-month-old waking constantly through the night.HelplineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As bush fires continue across the country people are wondering how best to support families affected by the disaster. There are multiple calls for financial donations, and others for material goods. So what is the most helpful way to get involved? Jessica Macpherson is the CEO of the charity St Kilda Mums. Her organisation has been helping families in need since 2009. Jessica explains the simplest way to help those families suffering right now.For more links on how you can support families in need St Kilda Mums have provided suggestions at their website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.