Kinderling Conversation

Dr Amy Alamar wants us all to talk to our children. She wants us to listen, and to demonstrate what having a good conversation looks like. In her new book The Parenting Project:Build extraordinary relationships with your kids through daily conversation she explains why good conversation can help pave the way to trust and openness. She also explains why what is 'age appropriate' may differ from child to child.,See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special repeat episode we look back at a chat with former Masterchef, dad and author Aaron Harvie about his passion project: helping partners support their pregnant spouse, with food! His book A House Husbands' Guide, Cooking for your pregnant partner is available at all good bookstores and online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

January 26th is significant for so many different Australians, for the polar opposite of reasons. For our nations first people many see it as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day" and celebrations on the day strike a very different tone. Indigenous playwright, actor and mum Katie Beckett opens up about her experiences with the day, how she talks to her child about January 26, and how all Aussie parents can talk to their children about our country's history and paying respects to those on the continent before European colonisation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While many kids are packing their new bags with their new stationery for the first day of school, many kids around Australia don't have the essentials. The Smith Family have a support program that ensures that children across Australia have equal opportunity when it comes to education. Melissa Woods was one of these students. She opens up about her experiences with bullying throughout her school life, and how huge a role The Smith Family support program played in ensuring she got the most out of her education. Plus Wendy Field from The Smith Family explains how parents and other adults can be involved to support kids in needSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big school can be nerve wracking for everyone in the family. Julie Green is an Associate Professor and Executive Director of the Raising Children Network. She shares her practical tips from making sure children know about school routines, to involving the whole family in the process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The early weeks and months of a baby's life can be the biggest rollercoaster for their parents. Mums especially are recovering after labour or caesareans. Amy Taylor-Kabbaz is a mindfulness coach and author, and she's here to help new mums thrive in their new role. She gives her tips on how to make sure you're eating well, sleeping as much as you can, and that your head's in a good place.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If there's one thing you can be sure of in life, it's that kids will ask some challenging questions. Whether it's through curiosity, because your gold fish has died or someone in the family has passed away your child will wonder about death. Kerrie Noonan is a clinical psychologist and Director of The Groundswell Project. She explains why it's important to address their questions head on, and why euphemisms are not helpful.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Returning to work after maternity leave can be an emotional and logistical juggle. Emma Walsh from Parents at Work talks through how you can be prepared, from staying in touch with work colleagues, to making sure you have a Plan B.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Minogue takes your parenting questions. This episode looks at; What to do to help an overtired and grumpy 2.9 year-old who resists sleep and wakes overnight, helping a 1-year-old settle overnight when they will not sleep longer than 40 minutes at a time, when is a good time to ditch the dummy, strategies for getting a good sleep routine for an 11.5-month-old who has barely slept through the night since birth, extending wake-up time for a 3-year-old who consistently wakes at 5am, how to get a 3-year-old out of the habit of sucking on a bottle teat (as a comforter, not for feeding), planning a feeding schedule for an 8.5-month-old and how to drop a day-sleep for a 13-month-old when moving house.Email Chris your questions for the next episode at helpline@theparentbrand.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How are you at sewing on a button? Could you imagine sewing together a soft toy? Trixi Symonds is on a mission. She founded Sew a Softie to bring children together without screens. Now she's got a new project on the horizon that's bringing people together from all around the world. For more about the Global Kids Sewing Party check out Sew a Softie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're all very familiar with the popular images of motherhood the media loves to champion: the linen-clad zen mamas, the picture perfect beach holidays, the green-smoothie-swilling fashionistas. Associate Professor Camilla Nelson is more interested in the mothers we don't see in the media; those that are trans, Indigenous, single. She's the co-editor of Dangerous Ideas About Mothers. It's a collection of essays and musings on motherhood give insight into the role women and female carers are playing in society today. Camilla reflects on the process, and her own conclusion about the work; Why mothering today is so scrutinised.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the holy grail of parenting: resilience. We all want our children to be able to bounce back from adversity. Anthony Semann is an early learning education at Semann and Slattery. He says resilience isn't taught through 'tough love'. Anthony gives his take on what resilience looks like, and how we can help our children develop it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year many parents have already decided that their child is not ready for "big school". If you're holding a child back, chances are many of their peers are moving on. So how do you keep them engaged and thriving before they join their friends at school? Dr Kate Highfield is an expert in early childhood education. She has some practical tips on ways to support your child this year. For links to First Year at School that Kate mentions in this episode check out the Early Childhood Australia website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first year of a baby's life is full of so much change, and so much sleep deprivation for parents! Fran Chavasse is a senior nurse educator with Tresillian Family Care Centre. Fran says parents are set up to expect babies will sleep through much sooner than they can. The key, she says, is all in a baby's development.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Babies can be incredibly time consuming. Apart from being fascinating to watch, there's all the feeding, settling and general cuddling going on. Keeping them healthy and happy is a full time job, and while you're focussing on that, the rest of your world can fall apart. Psychologist Kirsty Levin from The Parents Village has some great advice on how we can work with others (including our partners) to make life easier.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The road to motherhood has been a winding one for TV host Sally Obermeder. She's been through IVF, breast cancer and surrogacy. And while each experience was unique and challenging, it's helped Sally appreciate the little things. Which can come in handy when you're dealing with the craziness of back-to-school/ daycare/ work scenario. In this episode Sally talks about those experience, and throws in some very practical tips that will help you fly through the start of the year with ease.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helpline with Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue is back for 2019! This episode looks into the questions and topics submitted by you! Tips for maintaining routine during a house move with a 13-month-old, how to bring bedtime earlier for an 8-month-old, toilet training a 3-year-old, hitting behaviour and frustration from a 3-year-old, how to get a toddler to eat at dinner time, helping a 15-month-old out of bad sleeping habits, stopping a 4-year-old coming into their parents' bed, night terrors with a 14-month-old and extending asleep time overnight with an 8-month-old. You can ask Chris your questions by emailing us at helpline@theparentbrand.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ocean is a beautiful place for our kids to explore, especially in an island country such as Australia. But we don't need to tell you that our oceans are home to several venomous marine creatures. To help us through the summer, we ask Sarah Hunstead from CPR Kids for all the info to get you through the summer unscathed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our favourite pieces from the show this year was when our producer Elise Cooper interviewed kids and experts about bullying. More specifically she also spoke to one of the girls who tormented her as a girl at school. This personal piece takes a deep dive into the lasting effects of bullying, and the important roles parents and carers play in creating safe environments for children to grow up in; to have the freedom to be themselves without fear of judgement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer is a time for yummy mangoes and huge salads. It feels more natural to eat lighter, healthier meals in the warmer months, and clinical naturopath and director of Studio You, Emma Sutherland, shares some guidance to make it easy as pie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.