INTRODUCING — Parental As Anything: Teens
Teenage sex. Anxiety. Underage drinking. Porn. Phone addiction.
Parental As Anything
Being a parent is tough. Social media is bombarding us with opinions — on our kids screen time, on their education, on their friendships, on their behaviour — and somehow, we are always doing it wrong!
Don’t you just wish you could turn it all off and listen to some good old-fashion, sensible advice?
Parental As Anything is the podcast that gives you practical, supportive, advice from two real-world parenting experts. Beloved Australian parenting author and educator Maggie Dent and teen-parenting whisperer Bec Sparrow share wisdom and experience that comes from years of working with parents, kids and teens. With seven seasons of practical advice and helpful tips, Parental As Anything is here to help find solutions to the challenges that parents face everyday. No trends. No judgement.
Episodes
The best hacks from Parental As Anything listeners
Nothing truly prepares you for becoming a parent, but some of the best advice comes from other mums or dads – even famous ones like Hamish Blake. In this special episode, Maggie Dent hands the reins over to the Parental As Anything community for you to share your best parenting hacks. Even comedian Hamish Blake shares his top tip for keeping kids entertained. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further ad...
How to prepare your kid for high school
Starting high school is a massive change for both you and your tween. How do you get them ready and help them through the ups and downs of Year 7? Youth coach Claire Eaton and Maggie Dent share their practical tips for the weeks before they start, routines to keep them on track and handling the rough patches. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a profe...
Help — my kid won't stop swearing
Like it or not, children will learn to swear from school, videos, even their parents. So what can you do to stop your child being a pottymouth? In this Help Me, Maggie episode Maggie Dent explains why children might swear, how to discourage them from using offensive words and what to say if you slip up and swear in front of them. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, p...
Why your teen simply must sleep
Sleep deprivation is a silent epidemic among our teenagers, according to paediatric and adolescent sleep specialist, Dr Chris Seton. With screen time, social media and gaming competing for our teenager's attention, sleep disruption is at an all-time high. Dr Seton tells Maggie Dent about the devastating effects sleep deprivation has on our teenagers. From social, emotional and mental health problems to declining academic performance, it is a wake-up call for parents to make sleep a priority. The...
How to help children with dyslexia
If your child is struggling to read or write, they may be among the 10 per cent of people who have dyslexia. What is it? How can it impact a child’s education, self-esteem and mental health? Maggie Dent speaks to Sarah Asome, a school principal and mum of dyslexic children, from advocacy group CodeREAD, and psychologist Dr Craig Wright from Understanding Minds. Together they discuss the signs of dyslexia, seeking a diagnosis and what parents can do to support their child at school and at home. T...
Help — moody teens are damaging my marriage
Life with children means more stress, less sleep and less time for you. And when all of your energy goes to raising kids, what’s left for your spouse? In this Help Me, Maggie episode Maggie Dent gives tips on what adults can do to stay connected in the chaos, why effective communication is key and what to do when the bad moods of teenagers wear off on the whole household. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you requi...
Discipline without punishment? Yes, it can be done
Shouting? Time outs? Shaming? You don’t have to do any of this to effectively discipline your child. So how do you teach your kids right from wrong? We’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes. Vanessa Lapointe, the author of Discipline Without Damage, joins Maggie Dent to share the best way to discipline your child without punishing them, how to teach them to make good choices, and why discipline is a long game. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take in...
Help — should I let my child walk to school alone?
What if your kid feels ready to walk to school alone before you feel ready to let them? Will they be safe, and how will it make them more independent? Maggie Dent has tips for parents who want to know when a child is ready, how to take the first steps to independence and how to head off potential danger. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a profession...
What to do if your child is self-harming
Tweens and teens feel big emotions – and those turning to self-harm to cope is more common than you think. Professor Jo Robinson, who leads the youth suicide prevention group at Orygen, and teen expert Michelle Mitchell join Maggie Dent, host of Parental As Anything, to help parents understand why young people self-harm, how to have those initial conversations and how to help teens move away from self-harm. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account y...
What to do if your child is self-harming
Tweens and teens feel big emotions – and those turning to self-harm to cope is more common than you think. Professor Jo Robinson, who leads the youth suicide prevention group at Orygen, and teen expert Michelle Mitchell join Maggie Dent, host of Parental As Anything, to help parents understand why young people self-harm, how to have those initial conversations and how to help teens move away from self-harm. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account y...
Help - how do I teach my kid not to be racist?
Curious kids will ask questions about people who look or sound different to them. How do you talk to them about racism and inclusion? What if your child uses a racist slur? And how can you encourage them to be an ally? Ali Kadri, CEO of the Islamic College of Brisbane and host of The Swap, joins Maggie Dent to talk frankly about racism and encouraging children to learn about and embrace people’s differences. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account ...
Grandparents — are we expecting too much?
Grandparents do so much for our kids. But not every family has a Nanny or Pop in their life. And even when they do, keeping the peace can be tricky. How do you celebrate the joy grandparents bring to your family, while still forging your own path as a parent? How do you ask them not to spoil your kids, or discipline them like it’s 1985? And do you rely too much on them for free childcare? Anne McLeish, director of Grandparents Australia, joins host of Parental As Anything Maggie Dent, to celebra...
Grandparents — are we expecting too much?
Grandparents do so much for our kids. But not every family has a Nanny or Pop in their life. And even when they do, keeping the peace can be tricky. How do you celebrate the joy grandparents bring to your family, while still forging your own path as a parent? How do you ask them not to spoil your kids, or discipline them like it’s 1985? And do you rely too much on them for free childcare? Anne McLeish, director of Grandparents Australia, joins host of Parental As Anything Maggie Dent, to celebra...
Help – Should I give my tween a mobile phone?
Tweens want a phone so they aren’t left out and many parents like being able to contact their kids. But, when should kids have their own mobile?
How to build your kids' (and your own) resilience
You want your kids to be resilient enough to handle life’s unexpected challenges – but as parents, it is hard to step back. Lyn Worsley, director of the Resilience Centre, joins Maggie Dent on this Parental As Anything to give tips on why it’s important to let kids fend for themselves, how to start building resilience and how parents can learn to let go. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice ...
Help — My kids are begging for a dog
Kids love the idea of a pet. But, for parents they mean more mess, expense and time. So, should you cave? A busy mum asks Maggie Dent, do the benefits of owning a dog outweigh the training, cleaning and poo collecting? Maggie, the host of Parental As Anything, shares what she thinks families should consider if they have children pestering them for a dog. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice ...
How to tell your kids you just can’t afford it
How do you teach children the realities of what you can afford without stressing them out. And if money isn’t tight, how do we curb their entitlement? Maggie Dent asks finance author and mum Effie Zahos how and when to talk to kids honestly about your cashflow, the costs of running a family and what to say if you’re struggling to pay your bills and need to cut back on the fun stuff. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. I...
Help — My daughter has a toxic friend
Has your child ever made a friend who dominates, bullies, or leads them astray? As a parent, what can you do if your kid’s BFF just isn’t good for them? Parenting author and host of Parental As Anything, Maggie Dent has some tips for mums and dads about being your child’s ‘friendship coach’. What to do if your child has a frenemy, ways to teach them about healthy friendships and why you SHOULDN’T approach the other child’s parents. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and doe...
How to throw a birthday party your kid will actually enjoy
You decorate, bake and plan the perfect birthday party – only for your child to have a complete meltdown on the day. So, how do you throw a celebration your kid will actually enjoy? Genevieve Muir, of Connected Parenting, joins Parental As Anything host Maggie Dent to share tips for parents on how to plan a party kids will love, what to do if kids become overstimulated and how to include neurodivergent children in big, noisy parties. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and d...
Help — My kid never stops talking and I'm over it
Some kids are shy. Others love nothing more than talking non-stop to anyone who’ll listen. What can you do if your child is a chatterbox? Maggie Dent, parenting author and host of Parental As Anything, gives tips on how you can help teach your talkative child to listen and even give mums and dads some moments of peace and quiet. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs ple...
Help — My kid never stops talking and I'm over it
Some kids are shy. Others love nothing more than talking non-stop to anyone who’ll listen. What can you do if your child is a chatterbox? Maggie Dent, parenting author and host of Parental As Anything, gives tips on how you can help teach your talkative child to listen and even give mums and dads some moments of peace and quiet. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs ple...
Burnout — why you secretly hate parenting
Exhausted? Stressed? Angry? Sick of being a parent? Maybe it’s not typical fatigue from taking care of children – you could have parental burnout. Psychologist Hélène Gatland joins parenting author Maggie Dent to explain why parental burnout is on the rise, how it impacts mums and dads differently and what to do if you think you – or your partner - has it. The advice provided in this Parental As Anything podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you ...
Help: I'm a helpful dad but my kids only want mum
Ever tried to tie a shoelace, wipe a bum or fasten a seat belt only to hear “NO! MUMMY DO IT!”? Why do kids prefer one parent over the other? And how can you get them to accept help from both of you? If you’re parent number two in the eyes of your child, but you’re desperate to do just as much as your partner does, parenting author Maggie Dent has some tips for you. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require fur...
What to do if your kid is vaping
With more and more kids getting into vaping - even in primary school - what can you do if your tween or teen is busted with a vape? And should you talk to younger kids about vaping? Paul Dillon from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia joins parenting author Maggie Dent to talk about the risks of vaping and why a growing number of kids are doing it. Plus, what to do if your child gets hooked on these addictive, lolly-flavoured devices and how parents can help them quit. The advice pr...
What to do if your kid is vaping
With more and more kids getting into vaping - even in primary school - what can you do if your tween or teen is busted with a vape? And should you talk to younger kids about vaping? Paul Dillon from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia joins parenting author Maggie Dent to talk about the risks of vaping and why a growing number of kids are doing it. Plus, what to do if your child gets hooked on these addictive, lolly-flavoured devices and how parents can help them quit. The advice pr...
INTRODUCING — Parental As Anything, With Maggie Dent - Series 6
Maggie Dent, the queen of common sense parenting, is back to tackle your modern family dilemmas, like vaping, starting high school, parental burnout and how to talk to kids about your family’s finances. Plus a new bite-sized Help Me, Maggie episodes to answer your questions about your child’s toxic friend, if you should give a tween their own phone, or whether it’s okay for your kid to walk to school alone. The first episode lands March 28, so subscribe or follow in the ABC listen app or whereve...
Help: Devices are ruining dinnertime
Remember family dinners growing up, sitting around the dinner table talking about your day while secretly feeding the dog pumpkin under the table? Eating together is an important family bonding experience, but what should you do when you can't even get your child off their device and to the dining table? Maggie Dent gives us a dinner-time reality check. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice s...
Help: Life outside screens has no meaning
Technology can be captivating, but what happens when the real world dulls in comparison? A mum is desperate to understand and connect with her tween who seems disinterested in anything outside of screens. Maggie Dent has some ideas on where to begin. The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does no take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs please consult a professional.
How to parent spirited kids without losing your mind
Wild. Defiant. Intense. LOUD. Spirited kids are called lots of things and when you meet one, you know it. Their superhuman levels of perseverance and need to win every argument means parenting them can be exhausting. But handled the right way, these kids could well be tomorrow's leaders and change the world. Psychologist Angela Pruess has two spirited kids and she joins Maggie Dent to guide us through the intensity of these children, and how to parent these constantly challenging kids....