Kinderling Conversation

My Dad is a Robot by dad and author illustrator Matt Cosgrove imagines dads through the eyes of a child. Turns out that all the quirky dad-things they do that are also cheekily similar to a robot (not a new model though, one that's could use a few system upgrades). Matt talks about the inspiration behind the pages, what his kids think of his books, and why being a dad is one of the greatest inspirations for his work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many families in Australia are struggling to keep meals on the table, and the lights on in the house. When given a choice between paying bills and buy food, many are going without food. Which means their kids are going hungry too. Foodbank CEO Brianna Casey explains why this is happening in Australia in 2018 and what we can do to support Foodbank help families.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes your first birth can feel like a bit of a blur. Dr Sneha Wadhwani is a GP and mum of two girls. She's also passionate about women's health. She takes us through the different screening processes that are currently available, and how to plan your labour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Which is not to say she doesn't think there's a whole lot of "right" going on as well. In Holly Wainwright's latest book How to be Perfect she manages a balance between the problem of social media with it's comparisons and resulting anxiety, and the benefit it brings to many mums. The main characters from her first novel The Mummy Bloggers return in a dramatic and very funny sequel - exploring the world of wellness blogging.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four year old boys can be amazing, delightful and confusing creatures. They can laugh uproariously, yell, kick and hit and cry. Early learning educator and researcher Anthony Semann takes us through how to support our boys when they experience big emotions, without shaming them for their tears.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much do you know about Mary Lee, the South Australian suffragist who helped women in Australia get the vote? Or the amazing Tarenore the Indigenous Resistance Fighter from Tasmania? There are just a few of the women author Pamela Freeman writes about in her book Amazing Australian Women - twelve women who shaped history. Pamela explains what went into the book and who some of her favourite Australian women are.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Mothercraft Nurse Chris Minogue helps a mum with overnight settling for a 13-month-old and an 11-month-old, the daytime nap routine for two-and-a-half-year-old twins, an eight-month-old who won't sleep longer than 25 minutes in the car, a three-month-old who has started to reject bottle feeds and a 19-month-old who has started exhibiting clingy behaviour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels like menopause but you've just given birth. What's happening? Dr Sneha Wadhwani is a GP and mum of two girls and is passionate about women's health. She explains why many women experience menopause-like-symptoms after giving birth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once kids get a bit older they'll grow out of their fussy eating habits right? But what if they don't? Dr Jennifer Cohen has the name 'The fussy eating doctor' for a reason. She explains how to approach an older fussy eater's bad habits, and why it's important to not ignore it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cook Aaron Harvie has released a book called A House Husband's Guide - Our Meal, Their Meal. It's full of recipes that can be altered to cater to both the adults and the children in the house. One classic dish is titled Aunt Edna's Cowboy Stew - with the secret ingredient of Vegemite!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How often have you looked at your children's bedrooms and despaired? Anita Birges is a decluttering professional. She's even got a business, 'Mis-En-Place', dedicated to it. She explains why getting rid of all your 'stuff' can change your life (and how to do it).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asperger's Syndrome has been characterised by an inability to socialise, make eye contact and with obsessive tendencies towards different topics (like trains or butterflies). But it is no longer a diagnosis. Susan Marden, Senior Speech Pathologist from One on One Children's Therapy explains what that means.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gwyn Perkins began his artistic career when he won a newspaper drawing prize of one guinea and a box of paints (mistakenly awarded to Miss Gwyn Perkins). His first picture book as author and illustrator A Walk in the Bush, just took out the top prize for Picture Book of the Year from the Children's Book Council of Australia. He chats about the inspiration of the landscape around him, and why he wrote this particular story for his granddaughter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Kate Highfield from Early Childhood Australia explains why play-based learning is such an essential part of early childhood, and why we should all care what our Government is investing in early childhood education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue takes a break for some well earned R'n'R we look back at the last six months of Kinderling Helpline. We have hand picked some of the best advice and most commonly asked questions for a special highlight show. From re-establishing a routine after illness, how to keep a routine while on holidays when it comes to toddler sleep, managing 10-month-old twins. Chris offers advice on this and much more. Remember to always take your trusted medical professional's advice into account, and to consult them for any urgent health issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surrogacy in Australia is illegal unless done altruistically. Keira Alexander has two daughters. She has also been a surrogate twice for other families. She opens up about the experience; an often unheard voice in the surrogacy journey. Plus she takes us through her experience of having a baby for a stranger, and the impact it had on her and her own family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the weeks and months following childbirth you feel tired, overwhelmed, emotional. It's totally normal right? Well yes, and no.These could all be signs you're experiencing what Dr Oscar Serrallach calls 'postnatal depletion'. He says there are some simple steps we can all take to get back to full health. He takes us through factors that contribute to a more depleted state, and how to take care of yourself in those early stages.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julian is a Mermaid is a gorgeous picture book about a little boy who is going home from the pool with his grandma when he sees three beautiful mermaids. What happens next is told with whimsical and beautiful pictures. Author and illustrator Jessica Love talks about her inspiration from the streets of New York City.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Knowing if your child is ready to go to school isn't as straight forward as you might think. If they're born in the first half of the year, you may worry that they'll be too young, or later ... too old. Karen Seinor is a specialist educator and author of Is My Child Ready for School? She explains how you can make the right decision for your child.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When babies start to move, what used to look innocuous now starts to look terrifyingly dangerous. Carolyn Ziegler is a Child Safety Expert at Dream Baby, she runs through how to make your home safe for little ones on the go.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.