The Juggling Act

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Dad shares horrifying melanoma survival story Dec 23, 2020

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If you’re anything like me, you grew up in the sun often with no hat and sunscreen. Now I’m adamant about getting my skin checked every year. I use my freckly arms as a warning to my kids! Dad Chris Hills had a similar upbringing, and three years ago he heard the words he never expected – ‘it’s a melanoma’. The surgeon then went on to say that if he’d waited another six months he wouldn’t be here. Chris joins us to share his terrifying story.

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The complexities of mum friendships Dec 22, 2020

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Going away with other mums can be the best. You’ve got multiple sets of eyes to watch the kids, share the meal prep with and also enjoy a vino or two. But sometimes those trips can go pear-shaped. Author Vanessa McCausland explores the complexities of mum friendships in her new novel The Valley of Lost Stories and opens up about writing from home and how she made her book deal dream come true.

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How do we find good role models for our children? Dec 21, 2020

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Most parents don’t have the village support our parents had. Many live away from family and we are not as close to our neighbours as we were growing up. So it can be hard to make sure they’re surrounded by strong role models and getting the mentorship they need. That’s where Raise comes in - the foundation runs early intervention youth mentoring programs in schools. Jacinta Tynan, journalist and Raise ambassador, joins us to chat about raising boys and how to find a good role model for them as a solo parent.

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Can you ask people to give to charity instead of buy gifts? Dec 20, 2020

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Kids accumulate a lot of stuff. Endless bits of plastic and toys that are often played with briefly before they move onto the next fad. So with Christmas quickly approaching, Sarah wonders if it's okay to suggest that family and friends donate to charity instead of buying gifts?

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Weekly Catch-Up Dec 19, 2020

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This week, Sarah and I talk about the epic struggle that is juggling the summer holidays, work and children. The numbers just don’t add up… We meet an incredible mum who has rocket scientist, medical scientist and author on her CV. Now she’s helping families become zero waste – in just thirty days. We’re joined by the co-founder of Palm Beach collection who quit her job as a fashion buyer to start the business with her brother – then found out she was pregnant the very next day. Sarah opens up about losing two pregnancies this year and wonders why she felt like she didn’t deserve to grieve. And we discuss teacher’s gifts – how much should you spend and what on earth should you get them?!

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How to manage the end of year teacher gift Dec 17, 2020

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It's that time of year, the last-minute scramble to organise a thank you gift for your child's school or daycare teacher. It's been made even harder this year with the restrictions around not gifting food. So what should you get and how much should you spend? Should it be a group gift? Does each carer need a gift? Sarah and Mel talk about how they manage the end of year gift and share some of their gift ideas.

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'I had two miscarriages this year and felt like I didn't deserve to be sad' Dec 16, 2020

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Earlier this year as Covid hit, Sarah McGilvray had a traumatic miscarriage. But with two small children and a high-profile job, she didn't feel like she could take time off. Seven months later she was told that her baby didn't have a heartbeat. At the time she didn't feel like telling people - not even her family and friends - because both experiences had left her feeling numb. With two gorgeous children already, did she deserve to feel sad? Was there something wrong with her for not feeling anything? Now she's sharing her story to reassure others who may have experienced the same feelings

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'I quit my job to start a business, then found out I was pregnant the next day' Dec 15, 2020

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Quitting your job to start a business, is a huge decision. Today's guest decided to walk away from her job as a buyer for General Pants, to start a candle business with a brother. The timing all seemed perfect until Kirsten Walker found out she was pregnant the next day. Ten years on and Palm Beach collection is a thriving business, and Kirsten joins us to talk about the challenges of juggling a new baby and a new business, and why it's the best decision she ever made

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How to become a zero-waste family (in just 30 days) Dec 14, 2020

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Our local council in Sydney has just introduced a food waste bin, and even provided a small bin for the bench with biodegradable bags – I am so here for it, it’s such a fantastic idea. It’s also been a great way to talk to the kids about waste, recycling and where our rubbish goes (anyone else’s kids obsessed with garbage trucks?). Today's guest has taken that a step further and written a book about how families can reduce their waste by up to 80%. She also happens to be a qualified rocket and medical scientist, plus mum of one. Seriously. Anita Vandyke’s new book A Zero Waste Family also includes a thirty-day guide to making a zero waste life easier.

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How on earth do parents juggle the summer holidays? Dec 13, 2020

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School and daycare are about to wrap up - if it hasn't already - and the looooong summer holidays are looming. As working parents, how on earth do you juggle all that time off? With four weeks annual leave the numbers just don't add up. Sarah and Mel talk about how they manage and the stress that comes with juggling work, leave and childcare.

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