Kinderling Conversation

Many parents don't consider childcare until they start thinking about going back to work. Once your kids are going regularly, you soon realise how important quality educators are. Outside of the initial need for quality care, there's research proving that quality early learning can improve the outcomes of both children and the nation as a whole. So has the Government delivered for early learning in their latest budget? Samantha Page, CEO of Early Childhood Australia, takes us through the impact the budget will have on the early learning sector.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine planning an overseas adventure with your husband and child, only to discover your husband can't go. Would you go anyway? Or would you decide travelling with a toddler solo would be too hard? Tracey Withers knew that nothing was going to stop this trip, so she went anyway. She explains how travelling with her son was full of surprises, and how to make it work for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone who has ever had to leave a house with a small child in tow knows exactly how challenging mornings can be. Particularly if these mornings are Monday to Friday. Five days a week. 52 weeks of the year. Dr Justin Coulson is a parenting expert and father of six girls. He explains how it's possible to start your day without yelling at your children, and gives us some tweaks to get it all rolling along smoothly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know what a Doula is? Perhaps you think they are something only rich hippies can afford. But if you could afford one, what do they actually do? Professor Hannah Dahlen is from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University. She explains what Doulas are qualified to do, and what they're not. She also gives some great reasons on why Doulas are wonderful birth companions and how to find one worth their weight in gold.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once a new baby comes along it's easy to pour all your love and care into your little human. But taking care of your own well being is equally as important. Dr Harvey Karp is the CEO of Happiest Baby and one of America's most-trusted paediatricians and child development experts. He explains how you can find time for self care in one of the most challenging times of your life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having children can be an expensive business. There's the initial outlay when they're babies, but the costs can continue to grow as they do. School, sports, music lessons, clothes. The list can seem endless. Effie Zahos is the editor of Money magazine and author of From Converse to Louboutins, A real girl's guide to money. She explains how we can all be smarter with the way we spend money on kids, and a few tips on how to save along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Given we haven't grown up with one, women can be forgiven for not knowing the intricacies of male genitalia. Should you move foreskin to clean the penis? What does it mean if a testicle is undescended? Do we go straight to the doctor if it's red and swollen? GP Dr Elysia Thornton-Benko answers these questions, and a few more too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer Allie Gaunt and dietician Jess Beaton started One Handed Cooks as a blog to help families prepare simple and nutritious meals for their families. As their popularity grew they started to collate and create recipes for cookbooks. Their latest (and arguably greatest) book is called Boosting Your Basics. Allie and Jess take us through the marvel of "one meal three ways", what the "boost" is all about and delicious party treats that are still good for your kids.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue takes your parenting questions. In this episode she looks into the following topics and questions:Dealing with a one-year-old (and youngest of four children) throwing almighty tantrums when mum tries to get chores done around the homeIs it normal for three-and-a-half-year-old and 14-month-old siblings to not get along, and will there be a time when they stop fighting?Is an attachment to mum (over dad every time) healthy for a 16-month-old and will they grow out of it?Is it possible for a young baby to self settle or do you need to wait until they are three-months-old?How much sleep does a two-and-a-half-year-old need?What is the recommended "up" time for 10-week-old (four-week corrected) premmie twins?Can you teach a nine-month-old to stop pinching when being put down to sleep (as is settled with physical touch and cuddles)?Send your questions in for Chris by emailing feedplaylove@theparentbrand.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helping our children understand how to express their feelings in a healthy way is one of our most important jobs as a parent. Connie Boglis is a counsellor and youth worker who was inspired to create Once Upon a Feeling for children after a very sad experience in her own life. You can get a copy of Connie's book at her website - http://www.connieboglis.com/shop See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting children out the door on time is not the most fun thing to do. It often involves yelling about shoes, packing lunches and trying to get yourself ready as well. Comedian, actor and writer Fiona Harris and husband Mike McLeish have just launched the second season of The Drop Off, a short web comedy series that finds all the laughs you didn't know were there. Fiona talks about the inspiration behind the series, and why the primary school years are actually a lot of fun.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chances are that while you're trying to fall pregnant, everyone around you seems to be up the duff. It can be an incredibly upsetting time. Psychotherapist at From 2 to 3 Counselling, Ginny Lindsay, offers some ideas on how to cope with uncertainty, and how to help friends when they're going through it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We may not know the date we will be heading to the polls, but the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) are ready for the campaign trail. CEO Elizabeth Death outlines their campaign Launch into Learning and explains why they want national childcare funding to cover children aged three to five.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Insurance is about to undergo a massive transformation. CHOICE Australia found the changes are causing confusion at a time when health insurance costs are a top concern for most Australians. Health insurance expert from CHOICE, Jodi Bird, explains why the changes are happening, and how they might impact your pregnancy cover. He also shares his advice on what to do if you're concerned about your cover.CHOICE has written articles about private health cover when you're pregnant, and they have lots of information about health insurance in general.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erin Rhoads (AKA The Rogue Ginger) decided long ago that she was going to aim for less waste in her life. This was before she had her son. And even though babies can feel like they arrive at the same time as a pile of landfill, Erin has put her brain to work finding solutions. Birthday parties can be a particular problem for parents. Erin explains how she avoids plastic party favours, damaging decorations and wasted food.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a new baby is born, you've got your hands full (of nappies, sore breasts and dirty onesies). Who has time to think of opening a savings account? Kate Browne is the Managing Editor at finder.com.au. She says that research has found many parents have started savings accounts for their children and that there are benefits we should all think about.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ailsa Robson started her blog as a way to document her thoughts and feelings after becoming a mother. Later, after studying to become a counsellor, people asked how she had come to a place of self-acceptance. Reading back over her blog she realised it was a very raw road map to how she ended up in a good place, so she decided to publish her musings. Ailsa explains how her book Perfectly Imperfect is helping others achieve similar results.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue answers your parenting questions. This episode features:An early rising three-and-a-half-year-oldA 16-month-old resisting bedtime and waking through the nightDealing with challenging behaviour in toddlersNight weaning a 10-month-oldSettling a nine-and-a-half-month-old who is waking in the nightSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once upon a time children used to crowd around the wireless and listen to their favourite stories, music and comedies. These days children have a plethora of screens to choose from. Kinderling Kids Radio is trying to get back to that kind of engagement, in a world full of screens. Sally Knight, Head of Early Learning at Kinderling, explains why the station had to get creative with sound, and what it means for children's development to play alongside the radio. Brought to you by LEGO DUPLO - the fun way to create and connect.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to your child's development, you might be across tummy time, introducing finger foods and playing with balls. But how much do you know about sound? Dr Naomi Hackworth is a psychologist and child development expert with the Raising Children Network. She says that everything from the sound of rain, to music, to talking all play an important role in how your child develops.Brought to you by LEGO DUPLO - the fun way to create and connect.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.