The Juggling Act

How to let go of being perfect and accept being 'good enough' Mar 15, 2021

That desire for perfection can start to drive you mad after a while. Trying to be the perfect mum, the perfect boss, the perfect co-worker, sister, partner, ugh! It’s just not feasible and the pressure can start to impact you physically and mentally. But it’s so hard to get off the treadmill and accept that what you do and who you are, is absolutely fine. Psychologist Belinda Williams from The Bumpy Road (and little bubba Angus) join us with some practical tips to changing our mindset and learning to accept that good enough, is enough.

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The weird and wonderful way we say goodnight to our kids Mar 14, 2021

Do you often find yourself doing and saying unusual things to get your child to go to sleep? Then suddenly you've fallen into a habit of doing it and a year or two down the track you can't even remember how it started?! Sarah and Mel know the feeling all too well! In this ep, they reveal the funny and sweet things they say to their children right before they nod off.

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Weekly Catch-Up Mar 13, 2021

This week, to celebrate International Women’s Day and this year’s theme of “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”, we meet the incredible mum who is helping our girls find their place in the professional world. We chat with baby sleep consultant Maryanne Sayers about juggling sleep issues and your return to work. We get all your COVID vaccine questions about pregnancy, fertility, breastfeeding and your family, answered by Infectious Diseases physician and microbiologist Professor Peter Collignon. Hollywood star and mum-of-three Jennifer Garner chats with us about her kid’s most embarrassing public tantrum (this story is so good!) And Sarah and Mel talk about the pros and cons of getting a family pet. Two words – guinea pigs. They were not why Mel expected…

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Introducing - Baby Steps Mar 12, 2021

From Vogue Australia, hosted by Jesinta Franklin and Remy Rippon, introducing the new 8 part podcast called Baby Steps.

Baby Steps is a no-nonsense pocket fertility guide for anyone trying to have a baby. Jes and Remy talk to the experts on everything from obstetrics, fertility, miscarriage, loss and explore everything from IVF to egg freezing.

Search Baby Steps Vogue Australia wherever you get your podcasts.

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The pros and cons of family pets Mar 11, 2021

Sarah has a family dog and Mel's kids have been begging her for one for years. She finally caved (sort of), and got them two guinea pigs. While the poo and cage cleaning is not exactly fun, she's been surprised by the difference in her kids. Sarah and Mel discuss the pros and cons of family pets and share their experiences.

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How Jennifer Garner handled her daughter’s epic public meltdown Mar 10, 2021

Do you ever feel like you constantly say ‘no’ to your kids? My daughter has just started telling me that’s all I say, and I feel like I’m constantly replying with ‘you’re too little to do whatever you want’. But what if you just said ‘yes’. 'Yes' you can do whatever you want. Would it make life easier or would you ultimately raise spoilt brats? Jennifer Garner and Edgar Ramirez star in a new film just released on Netflix called 'Yes Day' and the mum-of-three caught up with us about the hard ‘no’s’ in her house, what she regrets saying ‘yes’ to and the epic public tantrum her daughter had.

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Everything you need to know about pregnancy, fertility, children and the Covid vaccine Mar 09, 2021

The Covid vaccine arrived in Australia mid Feb, with frontline health and quarantine workers, as well as those in aged care first in line. But what about if you’re pregnant, or trying for a baby? Will kids ever get it? How do they know what the long term effects will be? So many questions! Luckily we got Professor Peter Collingnon - an Infectious Diseases physician and microbiologist - to join us to answer some of those questions – as best he can – and give us all some peace of mind.

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Juggling baby sleep issues and your return to work Mar 08, 2021

Those first few days, weeks, even years with a baby can be a real struggle if they’re not good sleepers. It can also be incredibly confusing as a first-time parent to know what to do! Routines, baby-led weaning, swaddles – what do all these things even mean?! Then when you’ve got to go back to work, ugh, it feels like you’ll never be able to manage. Well, help is here! Today we're joined by Maryanne Sayers, a certified baby sleep consultant, with some much-needed advice to help the whole family sleep better.

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The mum helping our girls find their place in the professional world Mar 07, 2021

There are a lot of conversations about girls at the moment and whether or not enough has been done to give them equality in the workforce during their lifetime - especially today, International Women's Day. Today's guest says that she wants her daughter to grow up in a world where she has choices about where she works and what she does, but feels there are still not enough role models for them, particularly in professions dominated by men. Kate Bushell is the CEO & Founder of Girls of Impact and is helping girls realise they can be whatever they want at any age, and has some brilliant advice for parents of girls.

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Weekly Catch-Up Mar 06, 2021

This week, Sarah and Mel chat swimming lessons - how hard do you push if they’re really hating it or can we just teach them ourselves? Lady J / Julia Morris shares her nice-but-not-very-bright life advice and reveals how she lets go of the working mum guilt. We meet a single mum who has packed up her house and hit the road with her two kids on an outback adventure in an old campervan. Bondi Rescue is back, and we catch up with new dad Beardy about juggling fatherhood and saving lives. And Sarah and Mel get real about yelling, working and the guilt that sometimes consumes us from both.

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How do you handle working parent guilt? Mar 04, 2021

Ugh guilt. We all know it's such a wasted emotion but sometimes it's really difficult to keep in check - especially if you've spent the morning yelling at the kids to leave the house. Mel and Sarah get candid about the struggles of getting to work, that dreadful feeling when you've had one of 'those' mornings' then have to switch into work mode, and how we can try to stop with the self-flagellation and be kinder to ourselves.

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Bondi Rescue's 'Beardy' on becoming a new dad and saving lives Mar 03, 2021

I didn’t know this, but Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach was shut down for the first time since WWII in March last year due to Covid. But it’s now back in business, and that means the team from Bondi Rescue are back. I can’t believe the show is in its 16th season, and during that time there have been a lot of changes – on and off the screen. One of the biggest changes this year involves Daniel McLaughlin AKA Beardy, who has been promoted to head lifeguard alongside Hoppo AND welcomed a new baby six months ago. The new dad joins us to talk about juggling a new baby and saving lives.

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Why this single mum is travelling the country in a campervan with her sons Mar 02, 2021

During Victoria’s lockdown, single mum Carol Owen realised that her lockdown life looked pretty much the same as her normal life. So she decided to do something about it. During the second lockdown, Carol and her two boys, Wesley and Monty, packed up their South Gippsland home, put their things in storage and set off in a 1992 campervan - affectionately nicknamed the Wocomo Turtle - and hit the road. Carol joins us to share why they headed off on the adventure of a lifetime and how she made it happen.

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Julia Morris has discovered how to ditch the working mum guilt Mar 01, 2021

She is the queen of TV – and Instagram. If you don’t follow her, you need to, stat. She’s hilaire. And she makes life look super easy, and super fun. Julia Morris is the host of I’m A Celeb (as well as a million other credits to her name), and now she’s dishing out nice-but-not-very bright life advice on everything from parenting to work, in a new audiobook on Audible, called 'Julia Morris makes it easy'. Lady J joins us to share the story behind her part comedy memoir part self-help piss take, the age of her daughters she's found the most challenging, and how she manages to ditch the working mum guilt.

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Should you push swimming classes if your child really hates it? Feb 28, 2021

Living in a country surrounded by water, with backyard pools, lakes, rivers and dams everywhere, it's so important that our kids learn to swim. But sometimes it can become a chore if your child really hates the water. Sarah and Mel talk about whether you should push it, or give them a break and maybe teach them yourself when they're ready.

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Weekly Catch-Up Feb 27, 2021

This week, Sarah and Mel talk about how quickly girls seem to be losing their innocence before they become aware of their body and how they look to other people. We are joined by a travel expert to find out how to holiday with a large family and still enjoy it. Author and social researcher Maggie Hamilton joins us to talk about whether we’re raising our children to live isolated lives. Lisa Wipfli stops by for a chat to share her tips on getting out the door and to school on time without losing your mind. And Sarah asks about an issue many parents face – car sickness.

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How to handle car sickness in kids Feb 25, 2021

Car sickness in children can make it very tough to go anywhere, especially right now when road trips are really are our only option! For some parents, even short trips can be a nightmare with kids. So how do you handle it? Sarah and Mel share their experiences in today's ep.

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Lisa Wipfli opens up about giving birth at the start of the pandemic Feb 24, 2021

The kids have been back at school for a couple of weeks now and we are slowly getting used to making lunchboxes again (god how boring is it, and washing all the bits is the pits!). But it can still be super stressful to get the kids out the door, especially with many companies transitioning back into the office. We are joined on the pod today by Lisa Wipfli who shares three kids with Nova Sydney brekkie host Wipa. She shares her tips on getting ready and out the door in the morning, and opens up about the stress of giving birth at the start of the pandemic, just as Wipa and his brekkie team were being tested for Covid.

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Are we raising our kids to live isolated lives? Feb 23, 2021

Living through a pandemic this past year has taught us all easily we can get by without seeing anyone. Literally, everything we want or need is available on our smartphones. But that also means we’re missing out on social interactions, and for some people, that could mean loneliness slowly creeping into their lives. So what does that mean for our children, growing up with all this technology and less face to face time? We’re joined today by acclaimed social researcher Maggie Hamilton who has a new book out called When We Become Strangers, to talk about whether we’re raising out children to lead isolated lives.

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How to travel with a large family and still have fun Feb 22, 2021

Mel is one of four and knowing what she knows now about travelling with kids, she's not sure why they ever went on holidays! Mum-of-six, yup, SIX, Rebecca Mason, was working for her family’s travel agency Mr Chocolate’s Travel when Covid hit and everything came to a screeching halt. So she took her travel experience and wrote a book - especially for large families - called The Expert’s Guide to Large Family Travel. Rebecca us to share her wisdom and tips to travelling with a large family - and having fun.

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Why are our girls losing their innocence so young? Feb 21, 2021

When we're younger we're so blissfully unaware. We haven't started noticing our looks, or what other people think of us. We have this beautiful innocence, and then slowly it's moulded out of us. We become self-conscious, that little voice in our head starts chiming in with negative comments and we become more aware of other people's judgement. And it seems to be happening younger and younger. Mel and Sarah talk about why this is happening and what we can do about it.

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Weekly Catch-Up Feb 20, 2021

This week, we meet Sam Bloom, the incredible mum behind the new Naomi Watts film Penguin Bloom. We chat with a mum who still suffers from anxiety and grief three years after nearly losing her twins. Blogger Victoria Vanstone reveals how to say goodbye to the people pleaser in you and how she finally put down the wine glass for good. And Sarah opens up about how to handle her toddler telling lies!

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How do you deal with a lying child? Feb 18, 2021

Porky pies, fibs, tall tales. When kids reach the stage where they start telling lies, it can be funny but also embarrassing. So how should you handle a lying child? Sarah and Mel share their experiences, with plenty of laughs along the way (mostly at their expense).

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What it's really like being an alcoholic mum Feb 16, 2021

We've all seen the mummy wine time memes and had a LOL. But what happens when that stress release gets out of control and you can't get up and parent the next day? Originally from the UK, mum-of-three Victoria Vanstone been writing about motherhood and her sobriety journey for the past couple of years, and she joins us to share her story.

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'I still have anxiety three years after nearly losing my twins' Feb 15, 2021

When Diana Nicolls was ten weeks pregnant, she found out she had Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome - a rare pregnancy where twins share one placenta and a network of blood vessels.
Her complicated pregnancy took a huge toll on her mentally and physically, and the grief and anxiety still lingers three years later. Diana, who is also a personal trainer and marathon runner, has now released a book about her experience called 30 Weeks and 1 Day and she joins us to share her story.

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Young mum left unable to walk after a near-fatal accident Feb 14, 2021

When Sam Bloom headed off on a family holiday to Thailand with her three sons, she never could have imagined what would happen. The young mum and keen outdoorswoman fell off a rooftop and broke her vertebrae in two places, as her children looked on. Paralysed from the waist down, she was left questioning who she was as a woman and a mother, and spent long months battling depression. Then a year later her children brought home a wounded baby magpie and her life changed. Her incredible story is now a film starring Naomi Watts, and Sam opens up about how this little bird called 'Penguin', helped her heal.

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Weekly Catch-Up Feb 13, 2021

This week, we catch up with one-half of the parents competing on The Amazing Race after a cancer battle and losing their business. Finance expert Effie Zahos shares the best way to save for your child’s education. Author Dr Susie O’Brien joins the pod to tell us why we should all strive to be half-arsed parents. (so here for this). Actress Zoe Naylor opens up about the 'healing' of her second birth. And the gorgeous Taryn Brumfitt shares her top tips to change your mindset when you’re having one of those ‘meh’ days.

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Taryn Brumfitt's advice for changing your mindset on those 'meh' days Feb 11, 2021

Today’s guest is one of our absolute favs. She oozes body confidence and positivity, but it wasn’t always that way… Taryn Brumfitt was on the cusp of getting plastic surgery after her third child when she realised the example she was setting for her daughter. So instead, she posted a nude picture on social media showing how much her body has changed between her bodybuilding days and now. It quickly went viral with more than 3.6 million people viewing and sharing it - including Ashton Kutcher! She then founded The Body Image movement and released a fantastic film called Embrace. Now she’s getting behind the Cupid’s Undie Run which raises funds and awareness for The Children’s Tumour Foundation and Neuroblastoma, and is encouraging everyone to embrace their body, strip down to the knickers and help raise money for this brilliant cause.

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Actress Zoe Naylor on the 'healing' of her second birth Feb 10, 2021

Aussie actor Zoe Naylor has two beautiful children with fellow actor Aaron Jeffries, and now she's stepping behind the camera. Zoe has opened up about the trauma of her first birth, and how her second a few years back was the complete opposite and actually ended up being a ‘healing’ experience. This prompted her to produce a film called Birth Time, and embark on a mission to find out why an increasing number of women are emerging from their births physically and emotionally traumatised.

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Why we should all strive to be half-arse parents Feb 09, 2021

Ah being a parent, full of love and wonder, while simultaneously being exhausting and stressful. But we are creating all that stress ourselves? Today’s guest says we need to let all that pressure to be perfect go, and just go back to basics. Dr Susie O'Brien is a journalist and columnist with a PhD in Education, and she has a new book out, The Secret of Half-Arsed Parenting - Raising kids with half the guilt and twice the joy. She joins us to (hopefully!) share some of those secrets…

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Finance expert reveals the best way to save for your child's education Feb 08, 2021

I’m a words not numbers person, so thinking about finances and planning for the future does hurt my head a bit. One thing I did do when my kids were born, was start an education fund. But I have often wondered whether it’s the best way to save for their schooling. Today’s guest is one of Australia’s leading personal finance commentators, and the author of Ditch the Debt and Get Rich (yes please!). Mum-of-two Effie Zahos joins us to share her advice on saving for schooling and where families go wrong when it comes to finances.

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The Amazing Race parents battling cancer and losing their business Feb 07, 2021

Last year was tough, but for firefighter Deb and former NRL player Shane it was particularly tough. Shane was diagnosed with prostate cancer and Deb lost her gym during Covid.
With Shane’s health improving, they decided they were ready to make the most of life and compete in the race of a lifetime – The Amazing Race Australia. They join us and reveal the hardest thing about the race, why they did it and how much the prize money would change their lives.

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Weekly Catch-Up Feb 06, 2021

This week, we chat with Beau Ryan who reveals his top tip for travelling with kids and actually enjoying it. We get some incredible tips on raising girls who like themselves (in a world that tells them they're flawed). We meet the mums competing in The Amazing Race Australia and find out why they entered. Former Olympic swimmer Brooke Hanson opens up about how she keeps smiling after a heartbreaking loss. And Sarah and Mel chat managing conflicting opinions around social distancing with families and friends.

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Navigating conflicting stances on social distancing Feb 04, 2021

The rules around what we can and can't do and with how many people has been nothing short of confusing! It's also been interesting to see how different family and friends have reacted to covid restrictions - some are very strict, some a bit more laid back. So how do you navigating varying opinions around what should or shouldn't be done without falling out with family or friends? Sarah and Mel share their experiences and how to navigate this complicated world we find ourselves in.

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How former Olympic swimmer Brooke Hanson keeps smiling after a heartbreaking loss Feb 03, 2021

I’ve been dragging my kids to swimming lessons since they were only a few months old. We had breaks here and there when it all becomes too much – and too expensive – but now they both love the water. I know that’s not the case with every child, so how can we make sure our kids are water confident without the headache – and the drain on the bank account? Today’s guest is an Australian Olympic Gold medallist in swimming and the mum of four – they lost their son Jack in 2011 at 9 months old after he was born prematurely. Brooke Hanson has joined now joined forces with Child’s Farm and has some fantastic tips around making sure the whole family enjoys the water this summer and reveals how she stays positive after such a heartbreaking loss.

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Why two mums took on the gruelling Amazing Race Australia Feb 02, 2021

Well a couple of weeks ago The Amazing Race Australia host Beau Ryan told us this season, set only in Australia, was the toughest one yet. He was right. It’s been hard watching the contestants battle the extreme weather conditions, and for the mums on the show, Jude and Shannon, it’s been even more difficult because their relationship was tested to the limits in the most surprising way.

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Raising girls who like themselves (in a world that says they shouldn't) Feb 01, 2021

As women, we spend so much of our lives disliking things about ourselves. Our bodies, our looks, our laugh, the list goes on… So when Mel's 8-year-old daughter started telling her the things she didn’t like about herself, she thought, 'nooooo, you’re too little! Stay innocent for longer please!' Sadly she’s not the only one. Alarming research has found that more than half of all Aussie girls between 8-9, don’t like their body. That’s just heartbreaking. Luckily today’s guests are here to help. Author Kasey Edwards has teamed up with her husband Dr Christopher Scanlon to write Raising Girls Who Like Themselves, and they join us to share all their advice.

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Beau Ryan's top tip for travelling with kids and enjoying it Jan 31, 2021

One of Mel's favourite reality TV shows is The Amazing Race. She loves travelling and watching how the contestants handle the stress of a foreign country. But this year, the show is going to look very different. There are no language barriers, no cultural challenges, because this year - thanks to Covid - the race will be held in Australia only. The show’s host, former rugby league player and dad of two, Beau Ryan is also back – fresh off a trip caravanning with the entire family! He joins us to share his top tips for travelling with kids and actually enjoying it, why this is the toughest season of The Amazing Race Australia so far and he gives a surprising response to whether he wants more kids!

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Weekly Catch-Up Jan 30, 2021

This week, Sarah and Mel talk about the things you need to think about when choosing a daycare (see we are helpful sometimes!). We’re joined by an Indonesian-American mum living in Melbourne to talk about raising culturally aware children. Teacher and author Sharon Witt shares her experience around choosing the right school for your child and urges parents to speak up if something isn’t working. Candice Warner is in the studio and opens up about how she’s going to talk to her three daughters about the stories written about her in the media. And Mel explains to Sarah why your second child starting school is so much harder than the first!

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Why your second child starting school is so much harder Jan 28, 2021

When your first child starts school, you worry about the logistical stuff - can they open their lunchbox, put their shoes back on, wipe their bottom. Second time around it's a different story. You know what's ahead of you. You know how much and how quickly they change. It feels like they go from being babies to little people overnight and that can be really, really hard to process - especially if they're your youngest!

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'What I'm going to tell me girls about stories from my past' Jan 27, 2021

At the end of last year, we were glued to our screens watching former Ironwoman and Reading Eggs ambassador Candice Warner absolutely smash it on SAS Australia and show the country just how tough she is. Now the mum of three gorgeous girls Ivy, Indi and Isla, is back to chat with us about another testing time, back to school, how SAS Australia changed her for the better, and how she's going to talk to her girls about stories written about her in the media.

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How to choose the right school for your child Jan 26, 2021

Choosing a school for your child can be incredibly overwhelming, especially if you live in a major city where there is so much choice. Today’s guest is the author of Starting Secondary School and Surviving High School. She’s also a secondary educator and motivational speaker to teens and their parents around the country. She joins us to share her wisdom around all things schooling.

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How to raise culturally aware children Jan 25, 2021

As an Indonesian American woman living in Melbourne, Via Tendon found herself in plenty of situations where she was ‘the token Asian’ and didn't fit in. Now as a mum to six-month-old Maya, she’s passionate about giving a voice to ALL children – not just the majority – and firmly believes ‘we can only be what we see’. Via started a business during Covid (yep, with a newborn) called Metta Play which make bilingual affirmation and yoga cards, designed to help kids learn cultural awareness, mindfulness and another language through play. She joins us to chat about the challenge of starting a business during a pandemic, having a baby with your family stuck overseas and raising culturally aware children.

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What to look for when choosing a daycare Jan 24, 2021

It can be a very emotional time when you first leave your child at daycare, it feels very unnatural to leave your child with strangers. So you need to feel confident that you've chosen the right one for you and your family. Sarah and Mel share the things they looked for and their experience with the daycare system - good and bad.

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Weekly Catch-Up Jan 23, 2021

This week, Sarah and Mel talk about getting your sex life after having a baby. It's not always the first thing on your mind, let’s be honest! Career expert Katrine Tully shares her tips for bouncing back after redundancy. Author Ashley Audrain shares the highs and lows of giving up your day job to become a full-time mum. We are joined by podcast host and writer Annaliese Dent who shares her theory as to why mums are so obsessed with Netflix series Bridgerton. Only one reason we are... And Sarah and Mel talk about the struggle of explaining border closures to kids and why we can’t see family whenever we want.

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The struggle of explaining Covid restrictions to kids Jan 21, 2021

It has been nearly a year since Mel and her kids have seen her parents in country Victoria, and so many other families are in the same boat. Many parents have found the border closures and restrictions so hard to explain to children, it's hard enough for us to process. Sarah and Mel talk about the challenges of these conversations - especially when children turn to us for the answers - and the heartbreak at not knowing when we're going to see loved ones again.

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Why mums are so obsessed with Netflix series Bridgerton Jan 20, 2021

I texted a friend of mine recently to ask what I should watch next after I finished watching Schitt’s Creek and Fleabag. She came straight back with one word – Bridgerton. She described it as Gossip Girl meets Pride and Prejudice. I was intrigued. Four days later I had watched all 8 eps. The music, the costumes, the DUKE! Yes, it’s all about the leading man (IMO). Writer Annaliese Dent (and the aforementioned friend) joins us to explain why Bridgerton has so many mums in a good mood.

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The highs and lows of ‘making the switch’ to being a full-time mum Jan 19, 2021

Once you have kids, you start to see your career from a very different perspective. Do I love this job enough for it to keep me away from my children? Am I satisfied with this role or have I always dreamed of doing something else? Today’s guest was at the top of her game, working as the Publicity Director at Penguin Canada, but left her job after her first child was born to become a full-time mother. When he was six months old Ashley Audrain’s son was in and out of the hospital with health issues, which led her to follow her dreams and start writing her first novel The Push, about the expectations of motherhood.

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Tips to bouncing back from redundancy Jan 18, 2021

Last year was a tough year on the jobs front with lots of people being made redundant or having their roles significantly changed. While it can be incredibly stressful and feel like you're never going to work again, it is possible for something better to come of it. If you've found yourself in that position and now on the hunt for a new role, Katrine Tully from Career Transform joins us with her tips on how to bounce back.

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Getting your sex life back after a baby Jan 17, 2021

When you have a baby you can feel like your body is no longer your own. Sometimes the last thing you feel like is intimacy and sex with your partner. The longer it goes on, the harder it can become (pun intended). So how do you get your sex drive back after baby? Sarah and Mel share their experience (don't worry it's not x-rated - much) and talk about how you can stay connected after starting a family.

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Weekly Catch-Up Jan 16, 2021

This week, Sarah talks about the power of kindness after a stranger offered to help her when she was struggling with her boys. Country music star Amber Lawrence opens up about the 'horrific' pain of her stillbirth. We’re joined by a self-promotion expert who shares the secret to getting what you want at work. Finance expert Renae Vercoe shares how you can get your partner to share the financial mental load. And Sarah and Mel discuss whether telling your kids they’re fantastic at everything helps them to build their confidence or gives them a misplaced ego

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How to get your partner to share the financial mental load Jan 14, 2021

Sometimes talking about money with your partner can be challenging, and often the responsibility for household bills and budgeting can fall to the person who hates it the least. But with that responsibility comes the stress and pressure of juggling things and making sure you’re not only providing for your family but also building a secure financial future. That’s a lot for one person to take on – and let’s be honest, quite often it's mum. Renae Vercoe - founder of Money Mode – has some great advice for getting your partner to share the financial mental load.

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Does telling your child they’re awesome breed confidence or a misplaced ego? Jan 13, 2021

When our kids first start doing things for themselves it's pretty damn exciting - for them and us! Our first instinct is often to say something like 'wow, that's incredible!', but as they start to get a bit older, not everything they do is 'incredible'. So should we tell the truth so they don't develop a misplaced ego, or is it good to give them constant praise to build their confidence? Mel and Sarah chat about their experiences and share their thoughts.

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Self-promotion expert shares the secret to getting what you want at work Jan 12, 2021

Most people struggle with self-promotion at work. It doesn’t come naturally! But our guest today says it’s important now more than ever to know your strengths at work and to know how to self-promote ourselves effectively. Author of ‘Brag Better’, entrepreneur and life-coach Meredith Fineman joins us to share her insights on how to promote ourselves, gain the respect of others and get what we want at work (without coming across like a douche).

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Country music star Amber Lawrence on the 'horrific' pain of her stillbirth Jan 11, 2021

Today’s guest is an Australian country music star with seven albums and countless awards to her name. Amber Lawrence welcomed her first child - a little boy called Ike two years ago, with her husband Marty – who she met on Tinder. Then sadly in July last year, she lost her second child halfway through her pregnancy. So how did she juggle the awfulness that was 2020, keep her music career alive and juggle a toddler? She joins us to find out…

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The power of kindness from strangers Jan 10, 2021

Sometimes tiny acts of kindness can completely turn your day around, especially when you have small children. We all know that even a trip to the supermarket can become a huge mission with many possible pitfalls. Tantrums, kids grabbing everything, wanting to eat everything, then trying to get everything and everyone in the car in one piece. So when someone you don't know offers to help, it's like a guardian angel has been offered up. Sarah and Mel talk about the incredible power of kindness and how much it means as a parent.
For more great parenting stories head to kidspot.com.au. Follow us on FB @kidspotaustralia and IG @kidspot

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Weekly Catch-Up Jan 09, 2021

This week, Sarah and I have been hit by the gastro bug! We talk about the crappiness of being a parent when your kids are sick. Author Chandra Clements has written a book about Covid illustrated by her kids, and it’s gone gangbusters (even Fergie read it on her Instagram). DJ Andrew Levins opens up about the depression he suffered on returning to work after his child’s birth and why being a SAHD is the absolute best. Entertaining legend Justine Clarke joins us for a super fun chat about Play School, turning 50 and why voice over work is the best gig around. And Sarah and Mel chat about whether or not they have a favourite child and why parents don't admit it if they do.

For more great parenting content head to kidspot.com.au Follow us on FB @kidspotaustralia and IG @kidspot

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Do you have a favourite child and would you admit it? Jan 07, 2021

When the most recent season of The Crown was released at the end of 2020, there was a scene featuring Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip talking about whether they have a favourite child. Lizzie was shocked when Phil admitted that Anne was his, while she then tried to work out who her favourite was. It's not something most parents like to openly admit, but most days there is one child that is a little less annoying than the others! Mel and Sarah chat about whether they have a favourite, and why people don't like to talk about it.

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Justine Clarke on turning 50 and becoming an empty nester Jan 06, 2021

We are super excited to welcome today's guest to The Juggling Act, because she’s just so damn lovely. Justine Clarke is an actress, singer, author, TV host and mum of three (she’s also the reason we have the song ‘watermelon’ constantly stuck in our heads). Now she’s back as the queen bee in the film series Maya The Bee. She joins us to talk about playing a queen, turning 50 and the prospect of her kids leaving home.

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Dad shares how working from home saved his mental health Jan 05, 2021

Andrew Levins has been a DJ since he was a teenager and a food writer for almost as long. He’s played at major music festivals all over the country, co-founded a youth music charity called Heaps Decent and in 2007 was named one of Sydney’s 100 most influential people.
He then went on to have two kids, run a successful restaurant, release a cookbook and start no less than five podcasts. We are stoked to have him on our podcast today to chat about the second book in his children’s series– called Nelson - Broccoli and spies, his trick to getting kids to eat veggies, and how quitting the restaurant business to work from home saved his mental health.

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Mum creates best-selling kids book series about Covid Jan 04, 2021

Today’s guest is a mum of two little girls whose income fell apart when covid hit. So she started writing children’s book about the pandemic – and got her four and two-year-old to illustrate them. The first book was an overnight success and became a bestseller. She has since self-published six more and even had Sarah (Fergie) Ferguson read one on her Instagram.

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From gastro to colds - surviving kid's many germs Jan 03, 2021

It's so awful watching your kids fight some sort of germ - gastro, croup, a cold - you just wish you could help them more. Both Sarah and Mel's kids have been hit by the gastro bug and it was not pretty. Then there's the fear that the rest of the family are going to go down next and it will go on for weeks and weeks. But they did find one silver lining to poorly kids...

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Weekly Catch-Up Jan 02, 2021

This week, Sarah wonders whether she’s making her picky eater worse but just giving him what he want. Author and elite athlete Alexandra Andre has some Inspiring tips to help you achieve absolutely any goal. We chat with a mum is making princesses more relatable for our kids (glass slippers, really?!. Block legends Alisa and Lysandra join us to talk about quitting their jobs in the police force to start their own design company. And Sarah and Mel chat about whether you should stop your kids being too physical with each other (or is it just part of growing up?)

For more great parenting advice head to kidspot.com.au. Follow us on FB @kidspotaustralia and IG @kidspot

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Should you stop siblings being too physical with each other? Dec 31, 2020

Remember fighting with your siblings? Punching, pushing, scratching and hair-pulling -sometimes it got really rough. But it's a right of passage, right? As parents ourselves now it's much harder to watch when our kids get rough with each other. So should you intervene or just let them fight it out and learn from their experiences?

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'Our ambition comes from our mum who raised twins on her own' Dec 30, 2020

You probably remember Alisa and Lysandra Fraser, the twins who won The Block: Sky High back in 2013, for their incredible drive and stunning design aesthetic. The former police officers and mums of four boys between them, were so good, they went on to start their own design business. Now they’ve got a new project, 'al.ive' which has of course been a huge success. These girls don't do things by halves! And they say it's all thanks to their own hard-working single mum.

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The mum rebooting princesses for our kids Dec 29, 2020

The traditional fairytale we read as kids is so outdated. I sometimes struggle with the messaging it’s sending out kids – not just our daughters. Today’s guest is a writer and mum who wants to change the way we approach these stories, and the narrative around princesses. Angela Buckingham wrote 'Powerful Princesses' as an example of some kick-arse women throughout history to try and reboot princesses for our kids.

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Simple tips to help you achieve absolutely any goal Dec 28, 2020

Today’s guest is a speaker, author and life-coach, who endured one injury after the next for nearly 5 years before signing up to the toughest one-day sporting event in the world. After completing the event, Alexandra Andre got up the courage to become a solo mum, giving birth to a beautiful boy with the help of IVF and the kindness of a donor. It shifted her perception of 'what's possible', so she decided to write a book called 'The Power of Possibility' to share her journey and tips to help others achieve any goal they want (yup, ANYTHING!).

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My son is a picky eater and I think I'm making it worse Dec 27, 2020

Fussy eaters are pretty standard with small kids, and it can be stressful as a parent trying to encourage them to try new things and make sure they're getting a balanced diet. We've all had nights where we don't have any fight left, and just given them what they want (usually white food)! Sarah's three-year-old son is a picky eater and she asks whether she's making it worse by giving in too often.

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Weekly Catch-Up Dec 26, 2020

This week, Sarah asks whether it’s okay to tell family and friends to donate to a charity instead of buying gifts. Journalist Jacinta Tynan opens up about finding strong role models for your kids – especially as a solo parent. Author Vanessa McCausland shares her insights into the complexities of mum friendships and whether it’s ever a good idea to travel with other families. Dad Chris Hills shares his terrifying melanoma survival story. While, it's been a Christmas we won't forget anytime soon. Mel and Sarah share the heartbreak of being away from children and loved ones.

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The heartbreak of being away from loved ones this Christmas Dec 24, 2020

It’s been a Christmas day we won’t forget anytime soon… the borders slammed shut again and many families have been cut off from loved ones they were going to see for the first time in months. Mel is in isolation until Dec 31 without her children after coming into 'close contact' with someone during a Christmas lunch in Sydney, while Sarah managed to fly into Melbourne the day the Victorian borders closed. They share the heartbreak of being away from loved ones this year and how they're trying to find a silver lining.

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Dad shares horrifying melanoma survival story Dec 23, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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Weekly Catch-Up Dec 12, 2020

This week, former Bachelor star Tara Pavlovic opens up about her postponed wedding and surprise baby! We meet an incredible mum who describes how fleeing from a 7.8 magnitude earthquake led to a children's book series about resilience. Nikki Webster gets real about why dance mums get such a bad rap and exactly where she keeps the infamous pink hero dress.
Adam Liaw has some seriously simple tips to take the stress out of Christmas lunch and make it extra special this year. And Sarah and Mel ask how much you should spend on your child’s Christmas gifts… man that amount can creep up on you quickly!

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How much should you spend on kids at Christmas? Dec 10, 2020

Christmas is an expensive time of year, and there's often the temptation to go overboard when it comes to presents for your children. So how much is too much? Some people stick to one main present and a couple of small ones, some use the 'something to wear, something to read, something they want, something they need' rule, while some parents love completely spoiling their kids! Sarah and Mel chat about how much they spend and how they (try) to keep things under control.

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Adam Liaw shares his simple tips to make Christmas lunch extra special this year - without the stress Dec 09, 2020

Today’s guest is a former Masterchef winner, TV presenter, author and dad of three.

Adam Liaw joins us to share his tips on making Christmas lunch extra special with our families this year, and some hacks to keeping things simple. Plus he opens up about managing the juggle with kids and work, and how becoming a dad has changed him for the better.

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Nikki Webster on why dance mums get such a bad rap Dec 08, 2020

Nikki Webster shot to fame at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as 'Hero Girl' when she was just 13 years old. Fast forward twenty years and she's now a single mum of two and runs three dance studios. She joins us to chat about Australia's Biggest Trolls Dance party, why dance mums get such a bad rap and where she keeps that infamous pink dress!

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The terrifying event that inspired a children's book series about resilience Dec 07, 2020

Imagine fleeing with your children in the middle of the night as an earthquake shook your home around you? That’s what happened to today’s guest, and the aftermath of that experience gave her the inspiration for a series of kids’ books called My Big Moments. In November 2016, journalist and writer Hannah Davison and her two children had to flee from their crumbling home in the middle of the night, as a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked New Zealand. They were just 10km from the epicentre. As Hannah guided her children through the trauma afterwards, she realised that the children’s book series idea she had with her friend and fellow mother Flicka Williams, could provide a lifeline to parents like herself, during challenging times.

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Former Bachelor star on her postponed wedding and surprise baby Dec 06, 2020

Former Bachie & Paradise star, Tara Pavlovic (now, Tara Shepherdson!) has had a very eventful year (haven’t we all!). But for Tara – and her new husband Nick - it has been one of the most exciting years of their lives – getting married and preparing to welcome a beautiful little boy in May next year. Tara joins us to talk about the type of mum she thinks she'll be and eating Maccas at her wedding!

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Weekly Catch-Up Dec 05, 2020

This week, Sarah asks whether it’s a big deal if you’re kids end up watching adult TV shows with you, if they don’t really understand what’s going on. Mel catches up with three incredible country mums, who started a business together despite never having met! We met the unlikely dad teaching our kids about resilience. Hollywood legend Jane Seymour opens up about having twins at 44 through IVF. And we meet a mum who is ‘blind’ in her mind – such a fascinating chat.

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Introducing - I Swear I Never Dec 04, 2020

Have you ever found yourself in a situation, you swear you never could have predicted? A situation so far from the ordinary that even remembering it feels surreal? Season 2 of I Swear I Never is publishing now, you'll hear from Peter, an ex homicide detective haunted by his past, Tina, a mum who hit rock bottom after a prescription drug addiction and Amber, a pregnant woman who went out to dinner during a pandemic and got more than what she ordered. Search I Swear I Never wherever you get your podcasts.

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Mum reveals what it’s like to be ‘blind’ in your mind Dec 03, 2020

Imagine not being able to visualise a scenario or playback memories in your head... its called Aphantasia – the inability to form mental images of real or imaginary people, places, and things. Nina Young is the mum of one and co-host of a fascinating podcast series called 'I Swear I Never', which has just launched Season 2. Nina joins us to talk about what it’s like being ‘blind’ in your mind, and some of the other incredible stories they discovered while making their podcast.

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Hollywood star Jane Seymour on having twins via IVF at 44 Dec 02, 2020

I absolutely love heading to the movies with the kids, so I’m so glad we’re now able to head back into the cinema – especially when there’s a film on that the kids and adults will enjoy.
'War with Grandpa' stars Robert DeNiro who moves in with his family and takes his grandson’s most prized possession – his bedroom. The rest of the cast is just as impressive - Uma Thurman, Christopher Walkin, and the fabulous Jane Seymour. Jane joins us to talk about juggling four children and a career in Hollywood, and opens up about having children 13 years apart.

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The unlikely dad teaching our kids about resilience Dec 01, 2020

Mixed martial arts champion Alexander Volkanovski is the current UFC World Featherweight Champion for mixed martial arts (MMA), and now he’s added another notch to his belt – children’s book creator. Alex has launched 'Alexander The Great' aimed at kids aged three and up, and it's filled with messages of positivity and resilience for kids. He joins us to talk about the crucial life skills martial arts can provide our kids, and why family ALWAYS comes first for him.

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How three mums who've never met started an online business Nov 30, 2020

Three country mums have designed a way for Aussies to buy from small rural businesses without trawling the web, scrolling social media, or travelling hundreds of kilometres. Sarah, Lauren and Jenn, came up with the idea for Spend With Us - a central marketplace and directory for country businesses, which is now helping us all support small businesses easily online. Lauren is a clinical psychologist from rural Victoria, while Sarah is a web designer from the Central Coast of NSW and Jenn is a Riverina-based marketer, and what's most surprising is - they've never met.

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Is it wrong to let young kids watch adult TV shows with you? Nov 29, 2020

Sometimes you can be watching something on TV, might even just be the news, and your kids walk in the room and plonk on the couch next to you. Before you know it, they've inadvertently seen some hot and steamy scene on The Bachelor or Greys Anatomy (yes, that's still running). Sarah and Mel share their thoughts on whether you should switch it off straight away, or whether it matters that much if they don't really understand what they're watching

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Weekly Catch-Up Nov 28, 2020

This week, Mel caught up with the divine Grant and Chezzi Denyer about having their third baby in their 40s, the backlash they’ve faced, and the moment Grant knew Chezzi was ‘the one’. Sarah and Mel talk about whether you start to like your kids more as they get older and more self-sufficient. Author Danielle Dobson claims working mums can ditch the pressure (really)… and the idea is all thanks to her son. Jamila Rizvi reveals what she learnt about herself and her son after eight months in lockdown, and the resulting children’s book she wrote. And Mel reveals how her kids won't stop bickering and it's slowly driving her mad...

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My children won't stop bickering and it's slowly driving me mad Nov 26, 2020

Parenting is challenging, but when you've got kids fighting on top if it, it can be enough to drive you absolutely bonkers. Sometimes it feels like it never stops, and it can be very difficult to know how to handle it without losing your cool. Sarah and Mel share their experiences and how they (try) to approach it.

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What I learnt about my son and myself during 8 months of lockdown Nov 25, 2020

Melbourne has been through so much, and for people with a chronic illness, it’s been especially tough. Beloved author, columnist and podcast host Jamila Rizvi was diagnosed with a brain tumour nearly three years ago and to keep her whole family safe, they had to take precautions - including keeping her four-year-old son Rafi home for the past eight months. She was so inspired by discussions she had with him during that time, that she wrote her first book for children – I’m A Hero Too. Jamila joins us to talk about the biggest challenges during that time and what she learnt about her son, and herself.

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How working mums can ditch the pressure (really) Nov 24, 2020

Our guest today is an author, speaker and mum to three boys, who says that we need to rethink our approach to juggling work life and motherhood. Danielle Dobson’s book Breaking The Gender Code is all about how we can rewrite the code to live our lives on our own terms, and she joins us with some practical strategies on exactly how to do it.

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Do you like your kids more as they get older? Nov 23, 2020

A mum recently wrote about how she didn't really like her kids until they were seven. And while she was slammed on social media, Sarah and Mel understand what she's trying to get at. For the first five or so years, you're in care mode. Then as they become more self-sufficient and their little personalities come out, you start to enjoy their company more and your relationships changes.

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Grant Denyer opens up about the moment he knew wife Chezzi was 'the one' Nov 22, 2020

Well, it has been a huge year for Grant and Chezzi Denyer who are pregnant with their third child. Chezzi has been suffering from severe morning sickness AND vertigo - and handling criticism for having a baby at 41. They join us on the pod to talk having kids when you're older, how they hated each other when they first met, and the awesome summer road trip they have planned before the new bub arrives in March (btw their record for the number of wee stops in an hour is EIGHT!).

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Weekly Catch-Up Nov 21, 2020

This week, we are joined by the stars of The Crown – Charles and Diana, that’s Emma Corrin & Josh O'Connor to you commoners… they open up about why we're SO obsessed with the royal family. Sarah and I admit that we are drowning in life admin and we just need people to cut parents some slack! Author Brooke Graham has written a fantastic children's book that is helping our kids banish worry (I use this reference all the time to help my kids - genius), while we’ve discovered a brilliant service that is helping mums juggle career and family. And finally Canadian author, TV presenter and mum Shantelle Bison has written a book called ‘Raising your kids without losing your cool’ – and she has some surprising advice about discipline.

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Mum claims you can raise your kids without losing your cool Nov 19, 2020

Today’s guest is a former actress, fitness instructor and TV producer, she’s also the mum of three girls, two in their twenties. Shantelle Bisson has now turned author with her new parenting guidebook - Raising your kids without losing your cool. She joins us to explain this sorcery and why she thinks a 'little pat' is sometimes needed to discipline our kids.

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The brilliant service helping mums juggle career and family Nov 18, 2020

Today's guest wanted to find a way to give women in senior administrative roles more workforce flexibility. So Lauren Calvert started an executive support service called The Well Suited Group - as a side hustle - and it’s now changing the lives of mums trying to juggle family and career.

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The children's book helping our kids banish worry Nov 17, 2020

When primary school teacher and mum, Brooke Graham's daughter was 9, she was rushed to hospital in the middle of the night because she felt like she couldn't breathe. Turns out she was having a panic attack, and it was the sign Brooke needed to get her some professional help. She has since gone on to use the techniques they learnt to write a new children’s book called Go Away, Worry Monster!, to help remind our kids that they can send worry packing anytime they like, and take control of their fears.

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Parents are drowning in life admin and can you please cut us some slack Nov 16, 2020

Written notes from daycare, newsletters from little athletics, alerts on the school app, emails from work - life admin can be so overwhelming! There is a lot of pressure on parents to be across everything and sometimes it just becomes too much. Sarah and Mel talk about how they're copying and beg people to just cut parents a little bit of slack.

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Why Princess Di was so intent on being a hands-on mother Nov 15, 2020

The new season of The Crown is here, and we were lucky enough to catch up with Emma Corrin & Josh O'Connor who play Charles and Di - one of the most famous couples in history - to get their insight on why we’re all so obsessed with the royal family (admit it, I know you are…), why Princess Di was so intent on being a hands-on mother and Emma reveals the reason she is glad Covid hit just after they finished filming.

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Weekly Catch-Up Nov 14, 2020

Sometimes being the one who makes the family decisions – and quite often its mum – can be bloody exhausting. Some days it feels like I’ve got decision-making fatigue and it makes me want to take a break from adulating – I don’t want to! Mum and journalist Casey Beros took that feeling one step further and decided to stop making the family decisions for a week, just to see what happened…

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Livinia Nixon on the struggle of Melbourne’s lockdown on families Nov 12, 2020

No parent should ever have to outlive their child. The heartbreak is just unimaginable. That's why TV presenter and mum of two boys, Livinia Nixon has partnered with the children's charity Bailey's Day. They're helping raise much-needed funds for the Monash Children’s Hospital’s cancer centre in Melbourne. She opens up about the incredible support that money provides, how much of a struggle the second lockdown has been for Melbourne families, and what fuels the drive to succeed in her career.

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'I stopped making family decision for a week. Here's what happened...' Nov 11, 2020

Sometimes being the one who makes the family decisions – and quite often its mum – can be bloody exhausting. What will we eat for dinner? Who will make it? What time will it be? Who will drop the kids to daycare and school? Who will make sure they have something to wear that doesn’t resemble a clown? Will anyone buy a gift for that looming birthday party this weekend?

Some days it feels like I’ve got decision-making fatigue and it makes me want to take a break from adulating – I don’t want to! Mum and journalist Casey Beros took that feeling one step further and decided to stop making the family decisions for a week, just to see what happened…

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Meet the mum who wrote a best-selling book in lockdown Nov 10, 2020

Some people spent lockdown binging Netflix and eating, others put that time to slightly better use by learning a new skill or actually doing something productive (not that eating and binging TV series is not – I’m so here for that). Today's guest falls into the second category. Casey Gillespie, a Queensland mum of two, decided to use her time to write and publish a children's book inspired by her late mother called Nanna Maureen, and it is now on Amazon’s bestseller list. Oh, and did we mention that Sarah Ferguson (yuh, Fergie) read it live on her Insta?!). Right, royally posh. Hats off to you mumma.

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Alannah Hill on the heartbreak of your child no longer needing you Nov 09, 2020

When I was growing up in country Victoria, heading off on a trip to Melbourne was a really big deal. It was four hours drive away at the time (no major highways) and it was so damn exciting. I loved walking down Chapel St and looking at the shops, we could never afford to buy anything. I’d stare in the windows of Alannah Hill, lusting over the feminine fabrics and colours. I didn’t end up buying one of her designs until I was 30, and I still love it. Well now the iconic designer and single mum of one, has turned public speaker and author. She’s back with her second book The Handbag of Happiness and she joins us to talk about finding happiness after her traumatic childhood and the heartbreak of your child no longer needing you.

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Should you force your kids to play sports if they don't want to? Nov 08, 2020

We all know the benefits of sports for kids. Teamwork, coordination, resilience, the list goes on. But for some kids, playing sport is just not their thing. They'd rather curl up with a book, learn an instrument or create a new world on Minecraft. Living in a sporting nation like Australia, there is a huge focus on the sporting culture with swimming and athletic carnivals all throughout schools. So should we make our kids participate if they're really not into it? Or is it good for them to at least give it a try?

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Weekly Catch Up Nov 07, 2020

This week we talked about what age it’s appropriate to give your child a mobile phone… We caught up with Sue Brierley about the incredible true story behind the Oscar nominated film LION, we discussed why tweens are the new teens and how to manage their moods… Candice Warner opens up about her biggest struggle as a mother, and we’ve got some totally achievable tips to paying off your mortgage faster.

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Totally achievable ways to pay off your mortgage faster Nov 05, 2020

We all know that any spare money (ha!) needs to go into paying off our mortgage. But there are some other simple changes we can make to bring that number down faster. Today we're joined by Founder of Money Mode Renae Vercoe who talks us through these totally achievable tips (and they won't take you long).

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Candice Warner on her biggest weakness as a mother Nov 04, 2020

Former Ironwoman Candice Warner and her little family were put through the wringer following a ball-tampering incident involving her husband, Australian cricketer David Warner, in 2018. She had to put on a brave face for her three daughters, was slammed on social media, labelled ‘a bad mother’, and suffered a miscarriage after Dave addressed the scandal. She joins us on the pod to tell us why she wanted to show her girls just how tough she is, in the new unscripted show SAS Australia and opens up about her greatest weakness as a mother.

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Why tweens are the new teens and how to manage their moods Nov 03, 2020

Earlier in the year we spoke with Steve Biddulph who said that kids these days are mentally a few years ahead of their actual age. And man am I noticing it with my 8yo daughter! It’s why tweens are now the new teens, according to our next guest. Amanda Stokes is an educator, mother to 3 and the Founder of Raising Strong Daughters. Her new book ‘The Tween Mother’s Tool Book: Raising Strong Daughters’ is out now and she joins us with some advice (praise be).

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Incredible true story and mother behind the film ‘Lion’ Nov 02, 2020

When I watched the totally heartbreaking Oscar-nominated film 'Lion' starring Nicole Kidman four years ago, my daughter was four. As a mum with a child pretty much the same age, my heart shattered into a million pieces as I watched 5-year-old Saroo go missing. I just couldn’t imagine how my child would survive, so tiny and all alone on the streets of India. I also couldn’t imagine not seeing her again. But this story has a happy ending and an incredible woman behind it. Sue Brierley was living in Tasmania at the time and adopted Saroo a few months after he went missing. Sue has now written a book called 'Lioness' about her tragic upbringing and what it's like to have Nicole Kidman play you on film!

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What age is it appropriate to give a child a mobile phone? Nov 01, 2020

As adults our mobiles are pretty much attached to our hands, and our kids are watching! It seems kids are getting their own phone younger and younger, but do they really need them? Sarah and Mel talk about what age it's appropriate to give a child a mobile phone and what things you need to take into account.

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Do mums need to stop apologising at work for having children? Oct 29, 2020

Do you ever feel like you're constantly apologising for things? Sorry I was late this morning, sorry I forgot his book week costume, sorry she has packaged food in her lunch box today, sorry I have to leave early because my kid has a temperature...sorry, sorry, SORRY! Mums are some of the most efficient people in the workplace, so why are we constantly apologising for having children?

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'I started an erotic fiction website while breastfeeding my second child' Oct 29, 2020

We’re spicing things up on the pod today, meeting a mum who started an erotic fiction website while breastfeeding her second child. Siobhan Fitzgerald started The Good Bits with her friend Carol who she met through her son’s daycare. She joins us to talk about how she got in the mood to start a new business and shares her tips for reigniting the fire (when you're covered in other people's bodily fluids - and not in a good way).

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Andy Griffiths reveals the one reason kids love his Treehouse series so much Oct 27, 2020

Today's guest is one of the country’s most loved children’s authors. Andy Griffiths Is the writer of the bestselling Treehouse series which is now in its 10th year! The next book in the series, The 130-Storey Treehouse, has just come out and Andy joins us to talk about his love of all things silly and why kids can't get enough of his books.

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How to deal with burnout and shake off a bad day Oct 26, 2020

Burnout for a working mum, is so common. Especially with the year that we’ve had. And it can be hard to transition from work stress into mum mode, without taking it out on your kids. Don't worry, we've got some help! Psychologist Belinda Williams from The Bumpy Road joins us with some practical tips to shaking off a bad day.

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Tahyna MacManus opens up about the heartbreak of miscarriage Oct 25, 2020

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and one mum who knows that heartbreak all too well is Australian actress and filmmaker Tahyna MacManus (nee Tozzi). She’s attempting to open up a conversation that normalises pregnancy loss with her new documentary 'Misunderstandings of Miscarriage', which follows her on her four-year experience of pregnancy and miscarriage with her husband, Studio 10 host Tristan MacManus.

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Weekly Catch Up Oct 24, 2020

This week, Sarah asks whether it’s okay to cut your kid’s hair at home… I have strong feelings about this one! In a rare interview about his daughter Ruby, Rove McManus opens up about how she's changed his view of the world and his favourite book character voice (it's not what you'd expect!) The Project host Gorgi Coglan talks about why women can totally juggle family and be driven in their career. We had a very funny poo joke filled chat with former AFL star Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas, and best-selling author Joanne Fedler opens up about losing your identity as a mother – and wow does she have a way with words.

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Losing your identity as a mother Oct 22, 2020

Today's guest is the internationally bestselling author of 12 books which have sold over 750,000 copies globally. On top of that, Joanne Fedler’s book Things Without A Name has been optioned for the big screen! Super impressive. She has a new book out called Unbecoming - a hilarious but heartbreaking look at what happens to women when their identities have been defined by motherhood and marriage. She opens up about how to find yourself again and experiencing that same loss of identity when your children are ready to leave home.

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The former AFL star helping toilet train our kids Oct 21, 2020

Today's guest had an impressive AFL career with Collingwood and Carlton, before retiring at the end of last year, and now he's taken on a project his school teachers would be shocked by! Solo dad Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas can now be found enthusiastically singing along to Frozen with his daughter, Tilly and writing children’s stories about toilet training. He saved all his best dad / toilet jokes for us, cause really, you can never have poo much of a good thing...

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TV host Gorgi Coghlan on the secret to her career confidence Oct 20, 2020

Today's guest is a country girl at heart… she lives with her husband and nine-year-old daughter Molly-Rose on a hobby farm in Ballarat - when she’s not hosting The Project or blowing people away with her incredible voice on The Masked Singer. Gorgi Coghlan has now signed on for a national challenge called ‘Water Night’ on October 22. She opens up about the judgement around only having one child, the secret to her career confidence and why she wants everyone to turn off their taps for one night.

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Rove McManus opens up about life at home with daughter Ruby Oct 19, 2020

I was a total bookworm growing up – my mum would find me curled up in some hidden spot in the sun reading for hours and hours – and I want to instil that love of books in my kids. Today's guest is also passionate about books, having written a few himself! Rove McManus is dad to daughter Ruby with his wife Tasma Walton, and while he made his name on the small screen and the comedy circuit, its drawing and writing that have always been his passion. He’s now working with Spotlight to support Book Week this week, and joins us to chat about homeschooling, book week costume shortcuts and his favourite character to voice (would not have picked this one...)

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Is it okay to cut your kid's hair at home? Oct 18, 2020

Ah Covid, it's had us doing some unusual things (homeschooling, we're looking at you). One of the things Sarah has turned to is cutting her kid's hair at home. It's kinda cute right? Even if you butcher it? $30 can be a lot to fork out for something that takes 2 minutes and you have to do again in 6 weeks time. Or, is it cruel to have your kids getting around looking like they've been attacked by Edward Scissorhands?

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Weekly Catch Up Oct 17, 2020

This week, Sarah and Mel discuss what age you should leave a child for a playdate with a family you don't know. It’s a complicated one… We meet the woman who is saving the mental health of Melburnians, while nutritionist Shelley Judge joins us to chat about dealing with school lunchbox envy and why kids need to constantly snack… (never ends!). Author Naomi Lambert has written a book on how to teach kids about being kind to themselves and others and Mel talks about how her daughter is unintentionally body-shaming her and how to handle comments from your kids about your body.

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My daughter unintentionally body shames me and I don't know what to do Oct 15, 2020

Ah little girls, they keep us on our toes! My 8 year-old is now becoming much more aware of her appearance and those around her - ie. me. She makes comments about my body that can be unintentionally hurtful, and while I don't react because I want her to know that every body is different and amazing, it does sometimes get to me! So how do we create a positive body image for our children and how should we react when they comment on our bodies?

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The children’s book teaching kids to be kind to themselves and others Oct 14, 2020

Teaching kids to be kind can sometimes feel like pushing water up a hill - like you’re never getting anywhere. By design, they’re narcissistic little things and sometimes our messaging must be pretty confusing – so that kid took a toy offyou,well you need to share!If someone snatched my wine off me as an adult – LOOK OUT. Well, author Naomi Lambert is trying to make it a little bit easier for parents, with the release of her children’s book One Kind Day – which shows children the different ways they can be kinder to each other, and themselves.

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How to deal with school lunchbox envy Oct 13, 2020

We are into the FINAL term of school – whoop! And that means only a few more weeks left of trying to get creative with school lunchboxes. Most parents have shortcuts, I make two days worth of sandwiches each day and freeze the other one, it’s just a little thing but it does help that second morning. It can be hard to stay motivated with lunches AND find something that they eat, especially when you're rushing out the door (or to your home desk) for work. So I turned to nutritionist and founder of Shelley's Good Eats, Shelley Judge, for some inspiration and to find out how to deal with lunchbox envy.

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'She glued me back together': Meet the mum saving the mental health of Melburnians Oct 12, 2020

Mental health has been a big topic since Covid hit, especially in Melbourne who have endured two long periods of lockdown. Erika Cramer, is an international confidence coach known as The Queen of Confidence. She’s based in Melbourne with her husband and two sons, and has been changing the lives of women who have turned to her for help. She shares some of the incredible stories of survival with us.

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Navigating the complicated world of playdates Oct 11, 2020

It can be exciting when your child gets invited to their first playdate, but things get more complicated if you don't know the family very well. So how do you navigate it and how do you have those conversations? Mel and Sarah share their experiences and find out how to make playdates fun for everyone involved!

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Weekly Catch Up Oct 10, 2020

This week, Sarah and I talked about birthday party etiquette and how to navigate it – can’t we just go back to the days of a bowl of cheezles, an ice cream cake and a trampoline?! ‘Friends’ star Jane Sibbett reveals she started work on the hit TV show just TWO days after giving birth… (I couldn’t even walk out of the hospital five days later). Lisa Hollinshead opens up about being stranded in Spain with her young son during Covid and how it led to a new business opportunity. We meet the mum who created an eco-friendly detergent that is now saving 12,000g of plastic from the ocean each year, and we were super excited to chat with scientist Emily Calandrelli who is making science fun for our kids on Netflix (and filmed the whole show 9 months pregnant. Rock. Star)

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How one mum is breaking the mould and making science fun for our kids Oct 08, 2020

I didn’t love maths and science when I was at school (words not numbers), but if I’d had a teacher like today's guest - I think that would have been a different story. Science expert, engineer, space guru and mum-of-one Emily Calandrelli pitched science shows to TV networks for years and was constantly knocked back, told that male audiences won’t relate to a female host. Yup, apparently that’s where we are still at. But then last year, Netflix realised she was onto something and picked up the show she had been pitching for so long, Emily’s Wonder Lab. On top of that, Emily filmed the whole thing 9 months pregnant. Total. Boss. Lady

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Meet the mum saving our oceans with each load of washing Oct 07, 2020

Before I had kids, I could never understand why kids were always dirty. Like, is it really that hard to wash their clothes and keep them clean, naive me would think (to myself, luckily). Well pre-kids me, the answer is yes. Yes, it is that hard to wash clothes and keep them clean. I try to let them wear things for a couple of days in a row – unless they’re really filthy – because I don’t like washing and I try to keep the loads to a minimum. One mum who is also passionate about the planet and decided to do something about it, is Frankie Layton. She’s a new mum and the Founder of Melbourne based business The Dirt Company. Frankie wanted to create sustainable household products, that work, something people could really fall in love with - and are better for the environment. She joins us to share her story.

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"Being stranded in Spain during Covid led to a new business venture" Oct 06, 2020

In March this year, Lisa Hollinshead and her son landed in Spain to spend time with her mum and granny. Only two days after arriving, the European lockdown hit Spain and they were housebound with flights home to Australia cancelled. After the initial panic and fear, she realised how lucky they were to be safe in her mother’s home, but how difficult this whole experience was proving to be for so many others. Lisa joins us to share her incredible story and how it led to a new business venture when she finally made it home.

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"I started work on 'Friends' just two days after giving birth" Oct 05, 2020

I struggled to walk out of the hospital five days after giving birth, let alone heading back to work. But that’s what actress Jane Sibbett did when she got the call to star in 'Friends' – one of the most popular TV comedies of all time (now streaming on Binge). Jane had just given birth to her second son, Kai, after a 24-hour labour, when producers called and asked her to take on the role of Ross’ ex-wife Carol. She joins us on the pod and opens up about taking that call and reveals which of the main roles she originally auditioned for (it's not who you would expect!).

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What is the etiquette when it comes to kid’s birthday parties? Oct 04, 2020

Ah children's birthday parties, so much fun for the kids, so much stress for parents! There's pressure around who to invite, where to have it, food intolerances, THE CAKE! Pass. The. Wine. Sarah and I talk about whether there's a certain etiquette when it comes to kid's parties and reminisce about the days our parents chucked a box of cheezles in a bowl, threw an ice cream cake on the table and BOOM, party done

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Weekly Catch Up Oct 03, 2020

This week, we chatted about how to know if it’s time to walk away from your marriage or find a way to work through it…We’re joined by inspirational mum-of-two Turia Pitt who opens up about her definition of happiness and how to try and savour the moments with your kids, even on the days being a parent totally sucks. The fabulous Maggie Dent joins us with her no-nonsense, compassionate advice on raising emotionally aware boys. Nutritionist and WAG Alex Pendlebury calls in from the AFL hub in QLD and shares her secret to a happy marriage! I’m taking notes… And the founder of Resilience In, Susie Mogg, stops by to share her do’s and don’ts for helping our kids develop resilience during such a tough year.

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Do's and don'ts for building a child's resilience during 2020 Oct 01, 2020

We all know what a struggle this year has been for our kids… The world has completely changed and they don’t really understand why. Resilience is the number one skill they need at the moment and there’s a lot we can do as parents to help them build on that important life skill. We are joined by Susie Mogg, the Founder and CEO of Resilience in... with her do's and don'ts for helping our children handle setbacks.

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Alex Pendlebury on returning to work early and her secret to a happy marriage Sep 30, 2020

Our guest today is a nutritionist, Little Étoile Organic Ambassador and mum of two with AFL player Scott Pendlebury. Alex Pendlebury is currently juggling work from the AFL bubble in QLD, an experience which the kids are loving! She opens up about the importance of supporting women when they return to work and her secret to a happy marriage.

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Help, someone has stolen my sweet little boy! Sep 29, 2020

While I’m not quite at this stage yet with my son, I’ve been told that one day you have a loving, sweet little boy and the next a monosyllabic sleep machine. So how do we help them – and ourselves – with the transition? Luckily the always reasonable and empathetic Maggie Dent and her latest book From Boys to Men are here to help!

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Turia Pitt on how to try and savour time with your kids even when it sucks Sep 28, 2020

Turia a Pitt is an author, motivational speaker and mum to two beautiful boys – two-year-old Hakavai and Rahiti who is seven months. Last time we spoke she had a huge impact on me with her advice around handling those parenting days where you ‘just can’t’. Now she’s got a new book out called Happy (and other ridiculous aspirations) and she opens up about finding the silver linings and savouring the little things, even when parenting sucks.

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How do you know your marriage is over? Sep 27, 2020

Children can put a lot of pressure on even the strongest of relationships. You're both tired, adjusting to a new world (and person) and there are a lot of additional pressures that come with raising a family. So how do you know if it's just a bump in the road and something you can work through or whether your relationships is beyond repair?

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Weekly Catch Up Sep 26, 2020

This week, we chatted about whether it’s okay to regift presents your kids were given? We’re joined by TV host and Play School legend Noni Hazlehurst on the struggles of solo parenting and family secrets… Former Miss World Courtney Thorpe reveals the important reason why she’s so open on social media. The fabulous Sally Obermeder joins us with her wild claim that can cook all your weeknight dinners in two hours – she explains how… And Pete Murray drops by to talk about working with family, homeschooling and the joy of being more present since Covid…

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Pete Murray opens up about balancing music and family Sep 24, 2020

Every night my kids ask me to sing them the same son at bedtime. One of the songs is The Rose, and I am no Bette Midler… It’s pretty safe to say that they would much rather someone like today's podcast guest sing to them at night. Pete Murray is a dad of three, while juggling a successful music career spanning twenty years. His new single Found My Place has a gorgeous video clip featuring his wife and adorable little girl on the beach, and Pete opens up about working with kids and how he finds that work / life balance.

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Sally Obermeder's trick to cooking all your weeknight dinners in two hours Sep 23, 2020

I don’t know about you guys, but every day around 3pm I have a slight panic attack. I call it the ‘what the hell am I going to make for dinner’ freak out. Well one of our fav podcast guests, Sally Obermeder, has the solution. The best-selling author and her sister Maha claim you can cook ONCE and have all your weeknight dinners done in under 2 hours. She joins us to explain how. (I'm pretty sure it's sorcery.)

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Former Miss World Courtney Thorpe on why she's so open on social media Sep 22, 2020

For some families and parents, this twist that we didn’t see coming – ie. Covid – has actually been a lesson in slowing down and reconnecting with each other. One mum who is embracing this new world, is Courtney Thorpe - former Miss World, TV Host, WaterWipes ambassador and mum to one yo Kennedy, who was 6 weeks premature, and step mum to Peyton (5) and Lara (7). Courtney joins us to share her parenting during Covid experience, how she makes co-parenting work and why she's so open on social media.

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Noni Hazlehurst opens up about life as a solo mum Sep 21, 2020

Our next guest is WITHOUT a doubt my favourite Playschool presenter growing up. It is of course Noni Hazlehurst. I’ll wait while you argue Benita or John were better… Nope, didn’t think so... Well, she’s packed Big Ted and Jemima away (quite a while ago) and she’s now the host of the SBS Observational doco Every Family Has A Secret. Noni opens up about her own family secrets, life as a solo mum and how her son thought she did Play School just for him!

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Is it ever okay to re-gift a child’s present? Sep 20, 2020

When you first have a baby you can be inundated with gorgeous and generous gifts, but so often they don't get used. Then as they grow up, they usually get totally spoilt on their birthday and sometimes don't really appreciate all the gifts they receive. So is it wrong to keep some of those items aside and regift? Or even give them back to your child at a later date?

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Weekly Catch Up Sep 19, 2020

This week, Sarah and I discussed whether grandparents should be expected to step up and help care for our kids while we work? Author Karen Chaston joins us to talk about how to bounce back from a loss in your life – whether it’s a job or a loved one… Masterchef star Dani Venn opens up about splitting from her husband and juggling work with two small kids. PR guru Bec Brown has a new book out and shares her tips for building valuable career relationships and new mum Jesinta Campbell gets candid about the important message she wants to teach her indigenousness daughter.

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The important message Jesinta Franklin has for her indigenous daughter Sep 17, 2020

Our next guest gave birth to her first child in Feb this year after a two and half year-long struggle to fall pregnant. Jesinta Franklin is understandably smitten with little Tallulah, and now she’s written a children’s book with an important message for her little girl. She joins us to chat about the first six months of motherhood and how having a baby has changed her relationship with her husband Buddy.

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MasterChef star Dani Venn opens up about splitting from her husband during COVID Sep 16, 2020

Former MasterChef contestant Dani Venn has had quite a year. She returned to MasterChef for the third time, juggled two phases of lockdown in Victoria, all while parenting her two young kids Harlow (5) and Oscar (2) after splitting from her partner of 13 years in July. The Founder of the Wholehearted Cook website joins us to chat about leaving her kids to return to MasterChef and how she's juggling work as a newly single mum.

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How to build valuable career relationships Sep 15, 2020

Bec Brown is the founder and director of The Comms Department, a PR and crisis comms management agency, with more than 20 years working in the creative industry alongside people like Katy Perry and the Wiggles, and brands such as KISS FM and Live Nation. It’s a tough but rewarding industry, and one that she says you can totally succeed in - if you set your mind to it. So she pulled together an essential career handbook for creative women, called You’ve Got This’ (out now) and she joins us to share how you can build valuable career relationships without seeming like a user!

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Five steps to cope with loss in your life Sep 14, 2020

In July 2011, Karen Chaston’s life changed forever when her youngest child, Dan, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at her back door. She dealt with her loss by avoiding it; overworking, overeating and drinking, spiralling out of touch with herself and her life. Within 15 months, Karen resigned from her CFO role and became a beyond loss expert and co-founded her business: Live Love By Design. She joins us to share her heartbreaking story and her invaluable tips to coping with loss in your life.

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Should grandparents be expected to care for our kids while we work? Sep 13, 2020

Even though my parents live interstate, they never hesitate to help out with the kids when they can. It's something I definitely don't take for granted. I know a lot of families whose parents care for their kids on a regular basis, and some whose parents are not as involved. So should there be an expectation that our parents will step up and care for our children while we work or is that asking too much?

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Weekly Catch Up Sep 12, 2020

This week, Sarah and I talked about whether you need to spend loads on your kids shoes or can you get away with the cheapies…We chat about my favourite new buzz word ‘presenteeism’ and whether that’s just a given for working parents…Parenting goddess Maggie Dent is with us to chat about raising boys (praise be) … we catch up with the Single mum running $7 million business from the AFL Bubble And How the fuck do you stop your child swearing when they don't know what they are saying ?

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How do you stop your child swearing when they don't know what they're saying? Sep 10, 2020

I'll admit it, it's pretty funny when little kids swear and they don't realise what they're saying. But it might not be as funny to the people around them if it happens out in public! So should you just ignore it or pull them up? Especially if they don't realise what they're saying.

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Meet the single mum running a $7 million business from the AFL bubble Sep 09, 2020

Rebecca Klodinsky is the ultimate juggler. She started her swimwear label at age 24, spent years in court in a battle over the name – changing it twice - and now she’s running her $7 million business remotely from the AFL bubble with her toddler in tow. She joins us to chat about how she prioritises work and family and what lockdown in the bubble is really like.

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Maggie Dent on how we’re teaching our boys to ignore their feelings Sep 08, 2020

Being the mum of a boy is brilliant. But with it comes a responsibility to make sure they grow into a kind, compassionate and respectful man. Parenting author Maggie Dent has recognised that challenge and her latest book 'From Boys to Men' focuses on just that. She joins us to talk about how boys are just as emotionally sensitive as girls and how we can nurture those instincts.

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Are you a working parent suffering from Presenteeism? Sep 07, 2020

I love a buzz word, and my latest fav is Presenteeism. So what’s it mean? Presenteeism is a term that means you physically show up to work, but due to worries about the home front, poor physical or mental health, exhaustion or burnout your productivity levels and engagement are lower than usual. You are present in body but not in focus, energy or perhaps care factor. So what can we do about it? Elisabeth Shaw, the CEO of Relationships Australia NSW and clinical psychologist shares her advice.

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Are you a monster if you buy your kids cheap shoes? Sep 06, 2020

When my first child starting walking, I wanted to make sure that she had the best shoes possible for her growing feet. But they were expensive! And as she grew, I realised how quickly they wear out of them and sometimes, after spending a lot on a pair, she wouldn't wear them. So is it okay to put your kids in cheap shoes?

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Weekly Catch Up Sep 05, 2020

Catch up on all the episodes you missed this week! Sarah and I talked about what age you can start leaving your kids home alone and the various things you need take into consideration… We’re joined by the author of BE YOUR OWN MAN Jess Sanders to talk about raising strong, kind boys. Writer and podcast host Cath Mahoney opens up about what it’s like quitting your day job in your 40s as a mum, to follow your dream. Dr Michelle Dickson shares her tips for talking to kids about the dreaded C word (that’s Covid people), and Kiss FM Melbourne breakfast host Jase Hawkins joins us to celebrate Father’s Day.

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Celebrating Father's Day with radio personality Jase Hawkins Sep 03, 2020

It is Father’s Day this weekend, a chance to celebrate the male role models in your life and your child’s life. And who better to celebrate with than one of the kings of dad jokes and pranks – co-host of KIIS 101.1 FM’s Melbourne breakfast Show 'Jase & PJ' and dad of two boys, Jase Hawkins. Jase joins us to talk lame practical jokes and the key reason why raising respectful boys comes naturally to him.

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That damn C word Sep 02, 2020

Covid. It ain’t going away, and that is a hard thing to explain to kids. Co-founder and creator of Nanogirl, Dr Michelle Dickinson, was an integral part of New Zealand's COVID response, working as an educator and advisor for the NZ Prime Minister, helping the NZ public, especially children, understand the science behind the virus and the different regulations. She joins us with some advice to help guide Aussie parents - especially families doing it tough in Victoria.

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Changing careers as a working mum later in life Sep 01, 2020

Once you have kids, you start to see your career from a very different perspective. Do I love this job enough for it to keep me away from my children? Am I satisfied with this role or have I always dreamed of doing something else? Chasing your dreams becomes more complicated when you have little mouths to feed, especially if you’re a single mumma. But that’s what former publicist turned podcast host and writer Cathrine Mahoney decided to do at the end of last year.

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How to teach our boys to be their own man Aug 31, 2020

I love being the mum of a boy. There, I’ve said it. I’m just a little bit obsessed with how affectionate and loving he is. Every night since he was born, I whisper as I kiss him goodnight ‘you’re my kind, gentle, respectful little boy, and I love you’. Look he’s 5 now and he looks at me like I’m mad but still says ‘give me a hug mumma'. After going through a messy marriage breakdown, that’s exactly what I want for him as he grows up - to be kind, gentle and respectful. But how do we make that happen? Step in the fabulous Jess Sanders – author of a new book called 'be Your Own Man' - with some invaluable advice.

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What age can you leave a child home alone? Aug 30, 2020

Picture this. You've just run out of bread for school lunches in the morning, the kids are happily watching TV and the shop is just down the road. Is it okay to duck out and leave them alone? There are so many variables to take into consideration when making that decision - their age, how long for you'll be gone for, whether they can call for help or ask a neighbour if they need it. Sarah and Mel talk about the situations they've found themselves and how to make the best decision for your family.

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Weekly Catch Up Aug 29, 2020

This week, Sarah and I talked about why we get Imposter Syndrome when we start a new role. We’re joined by dad-of-three and all-round Juggling Act fav Jimmy Rees on how his little family is managing during lockdown (yup it involves lots of silly videos and his wife is not impressed…) Former Bachelor winner Snezana Wood calls in and opens up about how her life behind closed doors is VERY different to Instagram. Dr Addie from Smiling Mind is here to help us identify anxiety in our kids, and Sarah wants to know if she should stop co-sleeping with her toddler.

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I’ve started co-sleeping with my toddler and don’t know how to stop Aug 27, 2020

Co-sleeping, it's often one of those things you think you'll never do PK (pre-kids), but then end up doing at some stage. Sarah has started sleeping in the same bed as her toddler, because it's just easier to get him to sleep - and stay asleep! So does it really matter, or should she find a way to stop?

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The signs to watch for with your kids and their mental health Aug 26, 2020

This year has been rough on everyone, but particularly our kids. Bushfires, a global pandemic, homeschooling, lockdown… and no end in sight. As a result, Smiling Mind - who help provide support and advice around children’s mental health - have been inundated with requests from teachers, parents and carers throughout COVID-19 on what they can do to help. We're joined by Smiling Mind CEO and Clinical Psychologist Dr Addie Wootten to share more about how to support our kids.

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Snezana Wood on how their family life is far from Insta perfect Aug 25, 2020

Bachelor success story Snez and Sam Wood have now been in lockdown with three kids – twice. But if there socials and workout videos are anything to go by, they’re having the time of their lives – as always! Snez joins us and admits that Instagram is far from their reality and opens up about the joys and challenges of having three girls.

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Jimmy Rees' sanity saver during the second-phase of lockdown Aug 24, 2020

Jimmy Giggle is one of our favourite guests on The Juggling Act, so I thought it was high time we checked back in with him to see how he’s managing in Melbourne with three small boys during Covid. He’s been churning out hilarious videos on Tik Tok and Instagram, reminding us all that we’re not alone on this crazy parenting journey - including one of my favourites about the things parents say, but actually mean. #relatable

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Why do we get Imposter Syndrome when we start a new role? Aug 23, 2020

With the recent Covid restructuring at my workplace, I was moved under a new manager. She gave me my first big project, and I was so stressed that she was going to suddenly discover that I sucked at my job and was a total fraud! Classic Imposter Syndrome, doubting myself even though I'd been in the job for more than four years. So why do we get it and how can we stop?

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Weekly Catch Up Aug 22, 2020

This week, we chatted about whether you can ever ‘own’ a baby name? We’re joined by a mum who outsourced someone to homeschool her kids so she could keep working… Googlebox star Isabelle Silbury calls in to share her gorgeous engagement news and shares her advice on introducing kids to a new partner… Dr Sam Hay is in the studio with some tips on dealing with sensitive, itchy skin in kids (winter be gone!) And Sarah needs some toilet training advice (for her toddler, not her. Unless it’s an ‘asking for a friend’ type situation…)

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How and when should you start toilet training? Aug 20, 2020

Toilet training your first child can be an overwhelming task. What age should you start? How do you know if they are ready? How do you do it? What about overnight? It's a lot for you to get your head around as a parent, let alone your child. Join Mel and Sarah as they share their experiences - what worked, what didn't and when they started.

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Dr Sam on treating your child’s dry, itchy skin Aug 19, 2020

Hand sanitiser has become one of those things we don’t leave the house with… keys, wallet, phone, sanitiser. Good to go! But man it can be drying on your skin in winter (especially our little ones) and with the frequency we’re using it. Winter is a tough time on kid’s sensitive skin in general. Heating, warm baths, it’s all an itchy recipe for disaster. Dr Sam Hay joins us for a chat and some advice on treating it

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How Isabelle Silbury told her son she was engaged Aug 18, 2020

Just a few weeks ago, Googlebox star and single mum Isabelle Silbery revealed she was engaged to her new boyfriend Alex after he proposed with a ring his mum gave him when he was 18. After she went through a traumatic breakup late last year, they started dating - but then COVID struck. Instead of putting her new love on hold, she decided to self-isolate with him - after five dates. She joins us to share more about her pandemic love story and how she introduced him to her five-year-old son.

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Why do mums wait to outsource for help? Aug 17, 2020

It’s no secret that working mums have been struggling. It’s been a shitty, shitty year on so many levels with the additional pressure of working from home and in a lot of cases, homeschooling. And while research has found that men have been helping out more at home, it’s still mums that traditionally take on the bulk of the household management. That workload sometimes feels like it’s impossible to manage, and it never ends… The toll on our mental health is huge. Chrissie Davies runs Chaos To Calm Consultancy - a resource to help parents with child behaviors and parent education – and she wants to know why we’re waiting for permission to outsource for help, if we can get it.

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Can you ‘own’ a baby name? Aug 16, 2020

Choosing a name for your baby can be equal parts exciting and stressful! You've got to find one that both you and your partner agree on, that doesn't clash with their surname and that other kids can't make up a terrible nickname from when they start school. So what happens when someone else wants to use 'your' name? Can you ever 'own' a baby name?

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Weekly Catch Up Aug 15, 2020

This week, we chatted about whether it's good for siblings to share a bedroom (if you have a choice!). We’re joined by Getaway host Charli Robinson who opens up about her breastfeeding struggles (while breastfeeding her two-week old bubba - total boss!). Blissed out new mum Jennifer Hawkins stops by and reveals how she handles those really tough days… Psychologist Belinda Williams gives us some tips on how what to do when your partner won't share the mental load. And Red Nose Australia CEO Keren Ludski tears up recounting the moment she lost her son to SIDS. Grab the tissues…

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The devastation of unexpectedly losing a child Aug 13, 2020

So today is a very important day – RED NOSE DAY. In Australia, nine babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every day. That's more than 3000 babies every year. Just devastating. But to provide some hope and support, we have Red Nose Australia. Founded in 1977 by parents who wanted to find out why their babies died suddenly and unexpectedly, and then educate parents and health professionals about how to prevent it… to make sure the devastating Impact of the death of their child never happened to anyone else. Red Nose CEO, Keren Ludski shares her own heartbreaking story.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How to deal with a partner who won’t share the mental load Aug 12, 2020

A colleague was telling me recently that she’s basically the man in their relationship because she’s working at home from 2-10pm each day, and misses out on bedtime. And her husband is struggling. He never realised how hard it was to go to work and then come home to your other job. It can be tough when your partner doesn’t step up and help share the mental load – especially when you’re both working. So how can you broach the issue? We’re joined now by psychologist Belinda Williams for some advice.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Jennifer Hawkins on the biggest challenge for first-time mums Aug 11, 2020

In October last year, Jennifer Hawkins gave birth to her first child after a two year fertility battle, stage four endometriosis diagnosis and a heartbreaking miscarriage. Ten months on and they’re understandably smitten. Jen joins us and opens up about how overwhelming it can be as a first-time mum and her biggest hopes for Frankie when she grows up.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Charli Robson opens up about how tough breastfeeding really is Aug 10, 2020

Breastfeeding - an incredible bonding experience if you and your bub can do it, a stressful situation if you can't. It’s just not as easy as you think it’s going to be when you first become a mum but not enough people talk about it. Today we're joined by Charli Robinson, TV presenter and mum of 18-month toddler Kensington and two-week-old newborn Theadora, who gets real about her breastfeeding struggles and why we need to support nursing mums more when returning to work.

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Are siblings better off in the same room? Aug 09, 2020

I was so worried about moving my second child into a room with the older sibling. I thought they'd just muck around and never go to sleep! While that did happen briefly, they now struggle to sleep in a room without the other. I also grew up sharing a room with my sister, so it's all I know. So if you have a choice, are siblings better off in the same room? When is the right time to transition and is there an easy way to go about it?

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Weekly Catch Up Aug 08, 2020

This week, we chatted about whether it’s okay to let your child watch a screen while they eat – is it practical or totally wrong? We’re joined by writer Annaliese Dent who tried Kate Middleton’s ‘no shouting’ rule with her kids. Hilarious! Mum of four Sophie –Gwidolin stops by to help us get our fitness journey started, while PR queen and single mum Tory Archbold reveals how she’s helping inspire other working mums. And we talk about how you find the balance between nurturing and discipline with your kids…

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How Do You Find The Balance Between Nurturing And Discipline? Aug 06, 2020

I've been reading a lot about helping children calm down during a tantrum. Teaching them to name their feelings, letting them know you understand how they feel, then when they're out the other side having a conversation about what they could do differently next time. All sounds great in theory right?! But while I'm piling on the empathy, I'm struggling to teach them to respect boundaries - and me. So how do you find that balance?

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: 'I Was Stalked By My Ex For 12 Years, Now I'm Empowering Other Women' Aug 05, 2020

I take my hat off to any working parent, but I know first-hand the additional pressures you face when you’re flying solo. Tory Archbold is one of those parents. A public relations powerhouse who launched her impressive PR business Torstar, 20 years ago, she’s amassed a seriously impressive client list, including Zara, Topshop and Victoria’s secret, all while raising her daughter on her own. But behind closed doors, she was living in a private hell. She was being stalked and harassed by her ex - and it went on for 12 years. Tory and her daughter Bella are now thriving and Tory is helping to inspire and empower other women with her platform, Powerful Steps.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The simple trick Sophie Guidolin uses to juggle four kids and a fitness empire Aug 04, 2020

I’ve been trying to work out more at home, and I did a routine last night by Sophie Guidolin (along with all of her adorable kids) on Body+Soul. Phwoar, that one hurt! Sophie is a fitness entrepreneur, author of 9 recipe books and mum-of-four, including twin girls. That is a LOT of juggling. I caught up with the queen of multi-tasking who reveals the simple way she keeps all the balls in the air.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: What happened when a mum tried Kate Middleton’s ‘no shouting’ rule Aug 03, 2020

It’s a common issue I hear from other friends with kids, trying to curbing the shouting. Not just us, but the kids yelling at each other as well. The bickering never ends! It’s something writer Annaliese Dent knows all too well. So when she stumbled across the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s strict ‘no shouting’ rule after a particularly shouty moment between her kids, she decided to give it a go.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Is it really that bad to let kids watch a screen while they eat? Aug 02, 2020

Whether it's the TV, an iPad or your phone, I'm sure we've all let our kids watch a screen during a meal at some stage. But what about when it becomes a nightly habit because you just don't have the energy to battle with them to eat? We know mindless eating isn't great, but is it really that bad?

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Weekly Catch Up Aug 01, 2020

This week, we talked about religion and whether children should be able to find their own faith… we caught up with cybercop Yasmin London to find out whether Tik Tok really is the devil it’s made out to be. Josh Pyke called in to talk about his fears around raising mixed race children in Australia and the beautiful new song he wrote for his boys – You’re My Colour. Author Mim Jenkinson opened up about how to tell if your drinking is out of control… And I’ve got some God Damn potty-mouthed kids on my hands! How the bloody hell do you deal with that?!

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How do you deal with a potty-mouthed child? Jul 30, 2020

Around the age of 5, kids become fascinated with potty language (hello, Captain Underpants!) or any word that gets a reaction from us. My kids have somehow become obsessed with the S word and the F word (not that my 5yo even knows what they are), oh and the 'middle finger'. It's so hard to shield them from it. My 8yo comes home from school asking what certain words mean, and I heard a song playing on our home device the other day that had swearing in it. So what should you do if your kids develop a mouth like a trucker?

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How do you know when your drinking is out of control? Jul 29, 2020

When this whole Covid thing kicked off I was definitely drinking more than usual, like a lot of people. But I’m glad to say that lately I’ve cut right back to two or three nights a week and feel much better for it. I know at one stage I did worry that I was drinking too much, but I never felt like it was out of control. So how do you know if you're drinking just a bit more than usual, or if it’s become something more serious? Well, Mim Jenkinson is a mum-of-two and a small business owner who hid her problem with alcohol from everyone - except her husband. She was so impressed by the reaction she got when she finally shared her story on social that she wrote a book about it, called ‘Less wine, more time’. It wasn’t easy, but she says, it’s the best decision she ever made.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Josh Pyke on how he’s raising a multi-cultural family Jul 28, 2020

When singer Josh Pyke and his Vietnamese-Australian wife Sarah had children, it was really important to them that their boys were are aware of both their parents’ cultures, as was bringing music into their lives. He wrote his latest single You’re My Colour for his boys, and oh, heart melt. Josh joins us on the show to chat about how they juggled isolation and his greatest fear for his boys.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: ‘Cybercop’ reveals the one tip to keeping kids safe online Jul 27, 2020

The number of times I’ve heard friends complain about the kids and their ipads. They’re a damn blessing and a curse. As much as I thought I’d never struggle to stay across technology, it’s incredible how quickly kids pick up on something that we know nothing about – yes Roblox, I’m looking at you… like what even is that game?! And don’t get my started on Tik Tok. Despite the fact that I can’t even work out how to use it, SHOULD we be using it?! We put in a call to mum and former police officer turned 'cybercop' Yasmin London to find out how we can keep our kids safe online and whether Tik Tok really is the devil it's made out to be.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Should we allow children to choose their own religion? Jul 26, 2020

Religion, it's a divisive topic. Both Sarah and I grew up going to church and Sunday school with our families, and now that we've got our children, it got us thinking about the role religion will play in their lives. But is it something that we should decide for them now by taking them to church, or should they be allowed to choose their own faith (if at all) when they're older?

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Weekly Catch Up Jul 25, 2020

This week, we talked about the FOGO of heading back to work and whether you can tell off another person’s child. We were also joined by soon to be mumma Jules Robinson who got very candid about the unspoken change of pregnancy (hint, it happens when you laugh or sneeze unexpectedly). We also chatted to mediation guru Luke McLeod for some great tips to help us manage our return to the office anxiety, and an incredible mum who wrote a children’s book about having tough conversations with our kids about scary things on the news.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Can you tell off another person’s child? Jul 23, 2020

A total stranger offered to tell my son off the other day because I'd spent 15 minutes trying to get him in the car. I agreed, then felt equal parts grateful and awkward! Even though we know it's well-intentioned, it does feel uncomfortable when someone else tells off your child (and vice versa). So is it generally okay?

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The book helping to talk to kids about scary stuff on the news Jul 22, 2020

It’s been really interesting to see how kids have responded to all of the major events this year - bushfires, black lives matter and a global pandemic (and that's enough now okay, thanks world.) I’ve let my kids dictate any conversations around these topics and tried to answer in an age-appropriate way, but it can be difficult to know what to say or even if that's the right approach. Mum-of-two from the Gold Coast Alicia Millier faced the same problem earlier in the year, so she decided to do something to help support parents and educate kids. Prompted by the bushfires, she wrote a book called Mummy, The Bush Is On Fire, that aims to help us start those tough conversations.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Luke McLeod’s tips to managing return to the office anxiety Jul 21, 2020

Sarah and I went back into the office for the first time last week, and we were both really surprised by the anxiety that came with returning to the real world. Being back around strangers again in an uncontrolled environment, getting public transport and just generally venturing out of our little bubble. I’m not normally an anxious person but this pandemic has – understandably – made it very difficult for a lot of us to stay rational and calm. So I put in a call to mediation and mindfulness teacher Luke McLeod to see if he can give us some advice on managing that return to the office anxiety.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Jules Robinson gets candid about the unspoken change of pregnancy Jul 20, 2020

The pelvic floor struggle is real people. And I think I’m one of the lucky ones. I had an emergency caesarean and then a planned C-section, so let’s just say things are in slightly better shape than they might have otherwise been! But that doesn’t mean I’m back to my former trampoline jumping days, or sneezing without worrying what the fall out (literally) is going to be. Look I’m getting pretty candid here, but honestly, why aren’t we talking more about things that impact so many women? One mumma-to-be who is keen to get those taboo conversations happening is former MAFS bride Jules Robinson. In this ep, Jules gets candid about the unspoken changes of pregnancy and dealing with online trolls.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The anxiety that comes with returning to the workplace Jul 19, 2020

Both Sarah and I returned to the office last night and it was very weird. I was too scared to touch anything on the train, if someone coughed they got daggers, there are new signs all over the place and I was surprised by how anxious I felt - especially since I'd actually been looking forward to the social aspect. It's called re-entry syndrome, and it's something a lot of working parents are experiencing right now.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Returning to work after mat leave during a global pandemic Jul 16, 2020

I returned to work this week for the first time in four months, and it was totally weird. There was no one in here the first day and I felt like a total leper on the train coming in. Day two was slightly better, but now I’ve got FOMO for my old working from home life (look there’s no pleasing some people). But spare a thought for the people returning from mat leave after an extended period, only to head back to work – from home.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Helping your child develop healthy sleep habits Jul 15, 2020

I remember when I went back to work after my first child and I wondered how on earth I was going to concentrate and actually keep my job. I was so damn tired. I even wore two different black heels to work on my first day. Yup, nailing that return to work. It honestly felt like she had some sort of direct feed into my work calendar because without fail, she would have a nightmare night right before I had a massive day planned at work. What’s with that?! Getting your little one sleeping well when you’re back at work is crucial (you know, to not getting fired). So I reached out to pediatric nurse and infant sleep specialist, Francesca Kendall, who is also the founder The Sleep Escape, to debunk some sleep myths and helps our little ones develop healthy sleep habits so we can all stay employed.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Parents share notes kids have passed while they’ve been WFH Jul 14, 2020

I headed back into the office today for the first time in four months, but I have a feeling that it won’t be for long. Melbourne is currently in lockdown and partaking in the joy of home-schooling, and it feels like Sydney won’t be far behind. As we all know, homeschooling has been the worst. It's been impossible to get anything done with kids around. American journalist, Helen Rosner, started a storm on Twitter recently when she shared a perfect, hilarious note, wordlessly handed to her friend by her daughter, while they were both in lockdown. ‘David Poopt in his pans’. Just what you want to read while you’re trying to negotiate a video conference. The simple tweet set off a cavalcade of mums and dads sharing similar stories from WFH life.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The huge impact of the decision to end free childcare Jul 13, 2020

This week, along with many working parents across the country, I’m feeling a sense of dread about my bank balance. The temporary free childcare lifeline has been yanked from us, with the industry moving back to its expensive former model yesterday. Over the past few months my hours have been temporarily reduced – and I already only work four days because of the cost of care – and that was only just manageable because I wasn’t paying childcare fees. I know the move is a welcome relief for the childcare sector that’s been impacted by the hasty policy, but to think we can just go straight back to how things were pre-pandemic while we’re still in the middle of an economic crisis, is utter madness and totally short-sighted.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How robots at school are changing the lives of sick children Jul 12, 2020

It has been so lovely to see the kids back at school and around their friends and teachers again as the restrictions around COVID lifted for most of the country. But for thousands of sick Aussie kids, this hasn’t been the case. One mum witnessed this first hand, when her once vibrant ten-year-old son missed school for almost two years with rare blood disorders. She had to watch as he deteriorated through lack of contact with his friends and tutors, when the hospital became his school. So Megan Gilmore wanted to do something about it, show him that he had a future and a life worth living, and also change the lives of the other sixty thousand children who are sitting at home or hospital right now, disconnected from their school community.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Working parents in Melbourne react to second shutdown Jul 09, 2020

As you all know, my little family spent a month down in Victoria with my parents at the start of the first lockdown period to have some support with homeschooling and working from home. Now they’re going through it all over again as a second wave of Covid sweeps through Melbourne. All my family are down there and so many friends, who are all really struggling to process another six weeks in isolation. As I sit here in Sydney, still able to go down to the shops, send my kids to care, and catch up with friends, I can only imagine the emotions they’re all going through down south. So, I reached out to a bunch of working parents in Melbourne to find out exactly how they’re feeling.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Do you still want to WFH if this is how it looks in 25 years’ time? Jul 08, 2020

Sitting at the kitchen table on a dining chair WFH has done shocking things to my neck and shoulders, I believe my massage therapists words on the weekend were, ‘your neck is not good…’ And it turns out ‘tech neck’ is just one of the problems we have to look forward to if we continue to work from home long term. A team of researchers created a fictional character called Susan, who represents what the average desk worker could look like in 25 years if we don’t change the way we’re working from home. Hunched shoulders, weight gain, hair loss and eye strain could all be common issues with our bed-to-desk commute, general lack of movement and decrease in exposure to sunlight. That’s a pretty picture right?! But some people are calling BS on this research, claiming they have found that they’re looking after themselves better while working from home. So I reached out to a bunch of working parents to see how they feel about the Susan of the future!

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Tiff Hall’s simple trick to help you hit the ‘reset’ button Jul 07, 2020

Somedays I just feel like I’m on a treadmill that I can’t get off. Get up, feed small people, try to get ready (lucky bras and make up are off the table right now), get them to school / care, work, try to exercise, try to eat properly, sleep, repeat. My wellbeing usually comes last, and it’s just exhausting. So I reached out to the divine Tiff Hall – founder of online health and fitness program tiffxo for some guidance on how to press the reset button and break this cycle.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Simple tips to get rid of the Covid kilos Jul 06, 2020

I don’t feel like I’ve been putting that much more food in my mouth since isolation started and I’ve actually been exercising more, but somehow those nasty Covid kilos have crept up on me - specifically around the booty area. So I put in a desperate call to nutritionist, exercise scientist and mother-of-two Brooke Turner to find out where I’m going wrong.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Teresa Palmer on trying to attain our parenting 'Zen' Jul 05, 2020

I feel like those angry parenting ads are constantly popping up in my Facebook feed. Like is Zuckerberg actually listening to me lose my mind at my kids? I know we all do it. They push and push and push until we yell, then we feel bad and vow to try and find a way to keep our cool. But this parenting gig is damn hard. They push buttons we never thought we had. As they get older I think I’m getting a little bit better at it, but I really wish I could be super chill all the time. Work, life, money, they all add to the stress of life and sometimes that just feels like an impossible goal. One mum who is also trying to find her ‘Zen’ is actress and mum of three Teresa Palmer. She’s actually written a book about it with her friend and co-founder of the popular blog Zen Mumma, Sarah Wright Olsen. It’s called 'Zen Mamas' and is all about trying to help us through pregnancy, birth and beyond. So I asked Teresa to give me some advice on how I can try to attain some ‘Zen’, or least strive for a bit of ‘Zen-ish’.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Ben Lucas reveals how he innovated his business to survive Covid closures Jul 02, 2020

Look I’m not a gym person, I only started going a year ago after I had knee surgery. So it was really only out of necessity. But I know they’re a sanctuary for a lot of working parents who need a break and to do something for themselves. I’ve also really felt for all the gyms going under during Covid, I’ve heard so many stories of businesses that just couldn’t afford to ride things out and it's just crushing. One that managed to stay afloat by pivoting VERY quickly, is Flow Athletic in Sydney. It’s run by Ben Lucas who is also a dad of two little ones with his journalist wife Talitha Cummins - a previous guest on The Juggling Act. So I reached out to him to find out how he kept his business running with the Covid closures, especially with two little people at home.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Sam Squiers on the lesson girls playing sport teaches our sons Jul 01, 2020

We’ve had a great break from all the extra-curricula activities that kids do, and it’s been nice not to spend weekends rushing from one thing to the next. But things are starting to kick off again (pun intended) and while I’m dreading standing out in the cold at 9.30 on Saturday morning as my daughter TRIES to play netball, she’s super excited. Mostly about wearing the uniform which I get, it is cute. I grew up in a sporting household and it taught me so many things - Resilience, teamwork, confidence, social skills, and yup, a competitive streak. So it’s something I’m encouraging in my kids too. One person who totally gets that is sports journalist and mum of two girls Sam Squiers. When Sam had her first daughter, she wanted to find a book about girls in sport to read her and couldn’t find any – so she wrote one herself! I’ve read it to both my kids and they loved it, so I reached out to Sam to find out a bit more behind why it’s important to send a powerful message to girls about sport from an early age.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Is it a violation to share our children's pictures on social without their permission? Jun 30, 2020

Sharing children's pictures on social is something everyone has an opinion on, and before I had my first child, my husband was pretty vocal about us not showing pictures once the baby arrived. I’ll be honest, I didn’t get it. But I decided that if he was that passionate about it, then, of course, I wouldn’t do it, but I wasn’t quite sure why it meant so much. In time my husband changed his mind and now we both put up photos but I didn’t get his initial issue… Recently I posted a pic with my youngest sitting in the pram, with two fingers firmly shoved up his nose, joking that he wasn’t destined to be an astrophysicist. One person asked me about my son’s rights in this situation. Was it fair to not only post pictures of him when he’s too young to say he’s ok with it, but pictures that show him in an unflattering light?

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The pandemic has dads pulling their weight more at home Jun 29, 2020

We all know that women generally take on the lion's share of domestic duties within the household. Sure, we may have come a long way since the days of Suzie homemaker having the house spotless to greet her breadwinner husband at the door with a martini in hand, but many will argue that not enough has progressed in terms of gender equality over the last few decades. Well turns out we may now have the global pandemic to thank for changing all that.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: 'I quit my dream job to write and it saved my life' Jun 28, 2020

When I was growing up I always wanted to be a presenter on Play School. True story. I used to make my siblings act out stories with me and all our stuffed toys, while my parents taped us on the old Sony camcorder. Then I’d watch them over and over, thinking of ways I could improve my 'performance'. From there my dream moved onto acting, before my dad in no uncertain terms told me that I’d starve if I chose that as a profession because I would never make any money. Not sure if he was being practical or doubting my talent…. Anyway, one person who did follow her dream of becoming an actor is author and mum-of-two Anna Downes. I tore through her debut novel The Safe Place last weekend, and it’s been a while since I read a book that I just couldn’t put down. So I asked if she would share more about her story with us, how she quit her dream job to write, and how it ultimately ended up saving her life.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Your rights around returning to work and flexible work arrangements Jun 25, 2020

Confession time. I’m panicking about the email we just got saying we have to return to the office. Yup, I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually anxious about going back to the workplace - I'm kind of liking it now. It was difficult in the beginning when we didn’t know how long we were going to be working from home (I love how that even has an acronym now – you WFH? – yeah, few months…). Now I’m struggling to process actually being back around people and in proper work clothes. And getting public transport, around actual people. If you’re feeling a bit the same and wondering what your rights are around returning to work and flexible work arrangements, well I reached to Alison Dutton, principal solicitor and founder at Labour Pains Legal to find out more.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Is it okay to secretly monitor your babysitter? Jun 24, 2020

Babysitting is an interesting job because I think most of us have done it and were probably very young the first time. I mean, I remember looking after a family friend’s kids at night… and they would have been about 2 and 5. I was 16. At the time I thought nothing of it… We have had a few babysitters since the boys were born, and from around the 6-week mark with each, because I was back to work quite quickly. They’ve all been lovely but a serious mix in age and experience. Funnily enough though, there has been a point with each of them (regardless of their age or anything else) when I have of course wondered what was going on when I wasn’t there… and I've actually worked myself into such a stress that I’ve contemplated using a hidden camera to check on them. So is that ever okay?

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: ‘I quit my corporate role on mat leave to start my own shoe business’ Jun 23, 2020

Like a lot of people, I’ve spent the past three months wearing nothing but uggs and trainers, so the idea of putting heels back on is just painful - in so many ways. I have a couple of pairs of flats that I wear but I really struggle to find shoes that are comfortable and don’t rub at the back. The struggle is real people. Then I came across an amazing Melbourne based mum, Katrina Verso, who the same issue and decided to do something about it. When she was on mat leave with her first child she quit her job, took the leap of faith and started her own shoe business, determined to make the perfect, comfortable flat!

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: When should you step in if your child is being hurt at school? Jun 22, 2020

I want to talk to you about school and daycare, and when you should get involved if you see some bad behavior from other children. My eldest has been in daycare for about 18 months now, and absolutely loves going. That was until about a month ago when I noticed a mouth shaped bruise on his arm. It was definitely a bite mark. No doubt about it. I asked him and he calmly revealed that one of the kids had bitten him. He didn’t seem worried so I let it go, and in all honestly I thought biting was just part of kids being kids. The problem is that this biting was suddenly a big issue for us… and growing bigger by the week. I was quite literally struggling to get William to go to school. They are a small organisation and fabulous educators and carers… but what are my rights as a parent, to get involved?

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Everything families need to know for EOYF Jun 21, 2020

Tax time is fast approaching and I don’t envy people working at the ATO right now! July 1 also means that the government can start the process of balancing family assistance payments. What that means is that they take a look at our Family Tax Benefit (FTB) and now Child Care Subsidy (CCS) payments to make sure families got paid the right amount during the year. Yeah, hurts my head too. So I put in a call (and didn’t wait on hold for an hour) to Services Australia General Manager, Hank Jongen to explain everything that we need to know.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Sam Wood’s healthy habits for when you’re time poor Jun 18, 2020

I’ve been seriously lacking in energy since working from home. Every day I put on my activewear in the hope that it might trick my brain and body into being you know, active. But most of the time it doesn’t work. I keep telling myself I’m going to go for a run. Okay, a walk. Or do an online workout. But something else always (conveniently) pops up that’s more urgent. I’m also eating more of the kid’s snacks that I wouldn’t normally touch when I’m in the office. So the Covid kilos are slowly creeping on! I need help. So I reached out to Sam Wood to get some ideas on healthy practises for the whole family that are easy to achieve when you just don’t have the time.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How to keep your kids safe on apps like Messenger and Tik Tok Jun 17, 2020

My 8 year-old daughter hacked my Instagram. She got into my phone and shared a delightful video of herself and her friend, welcoming everyone to ‘her’ Instagram page. Honestly, this generation are so digitally savvy and it feels like they’ve become even more so during Covid when we’ve been on screens more using technology to stay in touch with family and friends. While I thought I could stay on top of this quickly changing landscape and know the difference between Tik Tok and Musical.ly, I feel like their knowledge is quickly surpassing mine. They’ll be rolling their eyes at me as I try to video call someone on Roblox in no time…So with Facebook’s kid's messenger service taking off and kids wanting to start their own YouTube channels or play Fortnite, how do we keep them safe and help them make the right decisions about their digital footprint and who they can talk to online? I put in a call to Colin Anson, the CEO of pixevety, a leading child image protection app developed in Australia for some advice.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: When it comes to second children are we more relaxed or just lazy? Jun 16, 2020

Today I wanted to talk about second children (and thirds and fourths and fifths – if you’re really game). I’m keen to know if we really are more chilled with each kid, or if we are just being lazy? Like most parents, I am bloody knackered. It’s nothing unique, but since the kids arrived my husband and I have pretty much slept terribly and aged dramatically. I use this as a justification for most of my parenting and life fails… leaving the hand-break on when driving, letting my kids wear clothes from the dirty laundry pile… serving weet bix for dinner… I was told things would be easier with multiple kids because you’re so much more relaxed than when you have your first, but I’ve started to worry that my version of chilled, is just plain lazy.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How to get your confidence and sexy back after iso Jun 15, 2020

Working from home in my track pants and slippers, eating and drinking more than I should and letting the exercise routine slip has left me feeling pretty meh. Kidding, I never had an exercise routine. Anyway. I think iso has left us all feeling a bit squishy around the edges and not our best selves. Or maybe that’s just me?! I tried out a new burlesque workout at home recently and while it was actually really fun, I was about as far from JLO in Hustlers as it’s possible to be. It was not sexy. So I reached out to mum-of-two Melony Cherrett, the founder of the burlesque-inspired workout Fitesque for some tips on how we can get our confidence and sexy back after iso.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How to talk to your boss about WFH ongoing Jun 14, 2020

Many of us have now got the taste for working from home. And while I personally struggled in the beginning, now, I kinda like it. Obviously there’s the slippers and trackies element, but removing the commute time has also meant I can walk my kids to school and daycare each day AND sleep later (if they let me), hang out a load of washing, prep dinner so the kids don’t tear my face off when they walk in the door, and juggle life admin much easier (come on, I’m not the only one who has ducked out for appointments during the day…). Now that restrictions are easing and some workplaces are opening their doors again, how can you convince your boss to allow you to continue working from home? I got two career experts to share their tips to help you swap your suits for sweats on an ongoing basis.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Stress-free Friday with Luke McLeod Jun 11, 2020

Over the past couple of months on this daily Corona pod, I’ve spoken about feeling like I’m having panic attacks that I’ve never experienced before, and generally heightened levels of stress and anxiety. I know it’s something a lot of working parents have been feeling and are still feeling to varying degrees. So I’m officially declaring today ‘stress-free Friday’. Yup, today, you are not allowed to stress. Stress be gone. You have my permission to tell stress to eff right off. No space for you in our lives today. To help you do that, I put in a call to meditation and mindfulness teacher Luke Mcleod and asked him to share some calming practices and some quick things to do to help recognise that you’re starting to feel stress and how to bring those stress levels down. If you feel like your muscles are tight, your breathing is shallow and your forehead is scrunched up, then pop yourself down somewhere quiet and comfortable, and take these next few minutes for yourself.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How to swap screen time for green time Jun 10, 2020

We all know how tough the isolation period has been, and look, screen time rules have well and truly slipped in most households. Homeschooling combined with parents trying to work from home, has meant a LOT more Minecraft and endless episodes of My Little Pony. I know I’m not the only one… But now that restrictions are lifting, it’s time to take back control and swap all that screen time for some green time. There’s no doubting the benefits of kids getting outside in nature. It can enhance their creativity, lower stress, improve their mood, mental sharpness, well-being and productivity, help them build better social connections, and promote physical activity. It also has helps children learn, probably a lot more than watching Spanish kid’s unwrap stuff on YouTube… So, I’ve found some ways to help you get your kids put down the device and head out into nature’s classroom.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Dealing with reverse culture shock anxiety Jun 09, 2020

Thinking back to the first week we went into isolation and I thought I’d never get used to working from home, having the kids around, and just generally adjusting to the new normal we found ourselves in, with little warning. I was stressing about hand sanitiser, children’s Panadol and yup, the great toilet paper shortage. Now, nearly three months later, and I’m feeling anxious about the kids being back in school full time, using public transport again and heading back to the office. Turns out there’s a name for that anxiety. Psychologists call this feeling reverse culture shock, or re-entry syndrome. It's the same as the feeling you might have when you’ve been living overseas for a while and you return home. Unfortunately, we can’t just click our fingers and pick up where we left off. So I reached out to psychologist Belinda Williams from The Bumpy Road to find out a bit more about it and what we can do to help our families adjust.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Things to do with your child that you'll enjoy too Jun 08, 2020

We are slowing starting to come out of isolation after two months, so you’ve probably well and truly run out of things to do with the kids! We all know that sometimes playing with kids can be boring and sometimes we’re just too damn tired to glue another paddle pop stick or race cars. Do kids care? Hell, no! Kids want to play, regardless of how their parents feel. All. The. Time. I know my idea of a good time right now is locking myself in a room on my own with a glass of wine and a book, but if you want to spend time with the family, here’s a couple of ideas that will be fun for you, and also require the smallest amount of energy possible.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Praise be the pandemic for cutting down birthday party stress Jun 07, 2020

It was was daughter’s 8th birthday on Friday and now I’m preparing for my son’s tomorrow. Four days. That wasn’t smart planning. I am far from a Martha homemaker, craft, cooking, entertaining, just not my jam. So I dread the double birthday panic each year. This year however, I have an excellent excuse to dial things back. Like right back! I’ve loved hearing how families have been getting created with their kid’s birthdays over the past couple of months. Drive-by birthday wishes, zoom parties, pinata’s for one. The way that everyone has been able to make their little one's day special in isolation has been so beautiful. Now we’re starting to come out of restrictions and I know the kids are itching for a party! So they’re having three friends in the park with a cake, and individual snack bags. Boom. And we’re done. BUT, there’s still that dreaded C word. No not that one. Cake. The mere thought makes me break out in a cold sweat. So this year I got smart. I got myself a cake coach. Sort of.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: There’s no such thing as superwoman Jun 04, 2020

I don’t know about you but I’m totally guilty of trying to be superwoman. The best teacher, colleague, boss, partner, chef, cleaner, the list goes on and on (and we’re the only ones crossing things off it). Why are so many working mums obsessed with proving that we can do it all? We know it’s not really achievable but we still seem to hold ourselves, and others – to these incredibly high expectations. I’m pretty sure if I served the kids vegemite on toast or weetbix for dinner, they’d be okay. If the house wasn’t perfectly tidied at the end of each day, the walls wouldn’t fall down. If we skip homework one night, it won’t stop them from getting into university. But the guilt stops me from doing any of those things. And as I sit here with my shoulders and back aching, tired from another night of stressing about ‘what ifs’, I wonder when on earth I unwittingly joined ‘the cult of intensive motherhood’ as author Felicity Harley calls it. Her new book ‘Balance & other BS’ landed on my kitchen table back in April and it perfectly sums up the past few months for many working mums. So I reached out to the mum-of-three, to find out why we do this to ourselves…

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Michelle Bridges on maintaining your health and fitness with kids at home Jun 03, 2020

I feel like I’ve been doing an awful lot of sitting since I’ve been working from home. I get the kids to school and daycare then sit. All day. In the one spot. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lovely spot in the winter sun, but my thighs are not thanking me for it and I’m struggling to get motivated now that it’s getting colder outside. So I put in a call to fitness goddess and founder of 12-week body transformation Michelle Bridges to find out how she’s been handling iso and to get some tips to try and get my health back on track.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: What you need to know before withdrawing your super Jun 02, 2020

Financially, times are tough for a lot of people right now. To try and help ease the burden, the government announced quicker turnaround and less stringent conditions for people wanting to access their superannuation. As soon as that was announced, 600,000 people registered their intent to apply. As of the end of April, the Australian Tax Office had approved over 450,000 applications worth a total of $3.8 billion dollars. That cash hits peoples accounts within five days. You might be thinking about applying yourself, but before you do, I reached out to Lacey Filipich, Founder and Director of Money School to find out the pros and cons of withdrawing your super early.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Emma Watkins on how the Wiggles have pivoted during Covid Jun 01, 2020

How divine is Emma Watkins, otherwise known as Emma Wiggle? I mean she’s bubbly, talented, keeps our kids entertained, wears a bow in her hair ten times better than Jo Jo Siwa, and somehow manages to look fabulous in yellow. That’s a gift. But it turns out she has a weakness, she can’t cook! I think she’s basically my spirit animal. You know, except for the singing and dancing part. And the yellow. Blondes can't wear yellow. I caught up with Emma about how The Wiggles have managed to pivot during Covid to stay connected with their audience and what she’s been doing in quarantine… prepare yourselves for a massive overload of cuteness!

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How to thrive and survive as a small business owner during Covid May 31, 2020

Right across the country, we’ve seen small businesses pivoting just to stay afloat. Gin producers making hand sanitiser, pubs doing takeaway meals and even a plant nursery offering drive-through purchases. It’s a tough time across the board with revenue heavily impacted and unimaginable pressures put on businesses that they didn’t see coming. If you’re a small-business owner, you’ve probably been trying to work out how to keep staff, hold onto your customers and trying the best you can to future proof your income because things are probably going to get worse before they get better. So I reached out to Lisa Burling, the Founder of award-winning PR agency LBPR, and author of ‘All It Takes Is A little Gumption’, to get some tips to help your business not only survive, but thrive.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Mums share their kids' hilarious impersonations of them May 28, 2020

So it’s Friday, we made it to the end of the week jugglers, whoop! And cause things have been pretty grim, I thought we could all do with a laugh. Parenting sometimes feels like a repetitive cycle of gradually morphing into your own mother, realising what's happening, trying to fight it and eventually giving in. So, I had to laugh when I read about a moment a mum on Twitter shared, in which her kid imitated her to perfection. It set off an avalanche of similar hilarious stories, which I had to share with you. Sick burn kids, sick burn.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Working mums on paying childcare fees again May 27, 2020

At the end of June, parents are facing the prospect of paying childcare fees again. As we all know, in April, the government put an emergency plan in place to save centres as parents starting pulling their kids in droves because of the pandemic. Hallelujah, working parents finally felt seen and valued. Education minister Dan Tehan recently said the plan had “done its job” with 99% of services remaining open, and most providers saying the emergency response has helped with financial viability. But with many parents now out of work, on reduced incomes or facing the threat of job loss, surely we run the risk of it collapsing again if childcare doesn’t remain free? Personally, after 7 years of childcare costs – four of those for two kids – these past two months have been a massive financial relief BUT, I also don’t want my son’s incredible preschool to go under. It’s a really divisive issue, so I reached out to some working mums to see how they feel about paying childcare fees again.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: 7 tips to help you navigate sudden job loss May 26, 2020

There is one demographic who has been hit hardest by the global pandemic shutdown, and that’s women. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, more than 235,000 women became unemployed in April, which equates to 55 percent of jobs lost. Nearly a million Australians have now been impacted. It feels almost daily that I hear of another friend or colleague who has been made redundant, and as a working parent, the stakes are even higher when you’ve got little mouths to feed. But if you have been affected, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself for a return to a new normal. I reached out to Katrine Tully from Career Transform to get some valuable tips.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Four life skills your kids can learn from the Pandemic May 25, 2020

We all know how truly horrific this global pandemic has been. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have died, millions of people have lost their jobs and our children are only just returning to school – into an environment that will be significantly different from when they left. I get countless emails from groups and experts concerned about the impact this situation is going to have on our children, but there is one silver lining. Mental health experts believe that our kids could actually learn some really powerful life skills from this situation that will help them deal with the tough stuff later in life. There are four major life skills kids can take away from this, and some simple ways that we as parents can help them get there.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Top paediatrician on why it's safe for kids to return to school May 24, 2020

Kids in NSW and QLD have gone back to school today, while most kids in Victoria head back June 9. As majority of parents let out a massive sigh of relief (and pour an equally massive glass of wine), for some, it’s tinged with concern that it’s the right place for their children to be. I’ve seen lots of social media posts from parents asking whether they’re allowed to keep their kids at home because they’re worried that it’s safe for them to be there. So I reached out to Dr Asha Bowen - a Paediatrician and infectious diseases expert from the Australian Academy of Science – who says that fewer children are getting the disease and when they do, the reaction is much milder than adults. And for those who are feeling sick about sending their kids back, she has some very reassuring words and advice on what we can do as parents to help keep them safe.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How to help your child adjust to the 'new normal' May 21, 2020

After nearly eight weeks of quarantine life, we now seem to be coming out the other side – for now – with restrictions slowly lifting and kids heading back to school. But things are not going to return to ‘normal’, and as parents, we’ll need to help our children adjust to the ‘new normal’, however that’s going to look. They’ve been through a lot, we’ve all been through a lot, uncertainty, anxiety, fear, and now the poor little things are finally heading back to school but with strict social distancing restrictions. I wanted to find out what we can do to help them cope in this weird world we find ourselves in, so I reached out to the founder of Resilience in Kids, Susie Mogg, for some advice.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Parents and kids on the anxiety of returning to school May 20, 2020

Parents are preparing to send their kids back at various times around the country, and with this comes a mix of emotions. Relief for a lot of people, sure, but also anxiety and concern for some parents – and kids – with the return date earlier than expected. Parents have been told that “Rolls will be marked as per normal and unexplained absences will be followed up.” That’s unless there are genuine health concerns. So I reached out to some parents and kids, to see how they’re feeling about returning to school…

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Author Cassie Hamer shares her must-read books during the pandemic May 19, 2020

I never thought I’d say this, but I feel like I’ve almost finished Netflix. And Stan. And Disney. And Foxtel Now…. I’m kinda bored with the TV binges. So I’ve actually been turning back to books. I absolutely loved reading as a child, I was the child that my mum would find curled up in the sun somewhere like a cat, reading for hours. But when I had kids I was just too damn tired! I’d start reading a page then fall asleep. Four years later, I feel like I’m getting back to the stage where I’ll stay up a bit later tearing through a good book, or staying in bed a bit longer on the weekend because I can’t put it down. So I put in a call to the brilliant Cassie Hamer – former co-host of this podcast and author of the fantastic new book The End of Cuthbert Close, to give me her tips for must-read books, now that we’ve all got a bit more time on our hands…

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Pete Helliar shares his tips on how to stay married during a pandemic May 18, 2020

We all know how much pressure lockdown has put on our relationships at home. A lot of us are suddenly working in the same room or right next to each other (who knew he was a ‘circle back’ kinda guy?!), and that can be challenging to say the least! I wanted to get some tips to make sure your marriages survive this pandemic – clearly, I’m not the best person for that job – so I put in a call to one of our fave guests on the Juggling Act, delightful dad of three, and star and creator of the fabulous Show on Network TEN, How to Stay Married, Pete Helliar.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Practical tips for handling your child's tantrums May 17, 2020

I’ve noticed that my four-year-old has been much cheekier these past couple of weeks, and that seems to be a common observation from a few parents I’ve spoken to about their children too. Kids who are normally pretty chill have been losing it at random things or acting up at school and daycare. As my kids say ‘my brain stopped working’. It’s not surprising given the extreme circumstances we’re living under, it’s such a huge thing for them to fully grasp. On top of that, we’re tired, stressed and anxious, which makes it much harder to handle those tantrums when they happen. So I reached out to Dr Elise Bialylew, psychiatrist and author of the bestselling book The Happiness Plan, for some practical tips on how to handle them without losing our own minds.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Money savvy tips to keep your finances in check during Covid May 14, 2020

Like a lot of people, I have been saving money since we went into quarantine. No daycare and before or after school care fees, no sporting fees, travel costs are gone and we’re obviously not going out. BUT there’s the underlying anxiety over job security – a familiar story all over Australia and the rest of the world. That’s if you haven’t already been stood down or had your income significantly reduced. So it can be hard to really enjoy those Netflix binges when you’re worried about how you’re going to pay the bills. Research shows that 1 in 3 Australian Households can’t find $500 in an emergency, so there are a lot of people feeling financially overwhelmed and anxious right now. I reached out to the money coaches at Ladies Finance Club to find out their money-saving moves to try and help us stay afloat.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Why are we all experiencing iso face? May 13, 2020

I don’t know about you, but iso skin is totally a thing for me. My hands are getting so dry and itchy courtesy of OCD hand washing. The skin on my whole body feels so dry, yet on my face, I’m breaking out again like a teenager – even though I’ve stopped wearing makeup. Surely my skin should look like an SKII ad?! It seems I’m not the only one experiencing more breakouts than usual while self-isolating amid the outbreak (the corona outbreak, not the one on my face). So what exactly is causing everyone's skin to play up? I checked in with some experts to find out why we’re all experiencing #isoface and what we can do about it.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Why are we all panic drinking our feelings? May 12, 2020

I had a particularly stressful day at work last week and a colleague said to me, you can have an extra glass of wine tonight and I thought, ‘I really don’t need permission for that because I’m already drinking too much’! And that’s a familiar story across the country with a recent poll finding that 70% of people are drinking more since the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia and over a third say they are drinking every day. And I get it. It’s the anxiety, the stress of the unknown and the fact that we don’t have the normal outlets to try and keep those emotions in check. So how can we stop panic drinking or feelings? I’m joined on the podcast today by writer Annaliese Dent who spoke to some experts and shares her experience.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The silver linings from isolation we need to hold onto May 11, 2020

I recently got to know my new neighbor who is also working from home. We had a wine – okay a couple, on the weekend – and then she dropped some baking off at my door the following day. And I was thinking what a nice upside this has been to the whole pandemic situation. I really feel like our whole building and street has been so supportive and really pulled together. There have been quite a few other wonderful things to come from the devastation of the global pandemic (like zoom dates with your friends). I reached out to some other mums to find out what they hope to continue once things go back to normal.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Dr Elize Bialylew with tips on self-care in isolation May 10, 2020

Self-care, it can be a difficult thing to prioritise as a working mum, particularly in isolation. We don’t have the same outlets we usually have – a trip to the hairdresser, a massage, coffee or cocktail with friends. I’ve been doing the odd face mask at home – iso skin is a whole different ep - but apart from that, I haven’t really been doing that much. It just feels like I’m getting through each day, which I’m sure is not healthy or sustainable. And sadly I’m not sure experts would recommend wine for self-care (damn it!). So, time to get some professional advice .I reached out to Dr Elise Bialylew, psychiatrist, author of the bestselling book, The Happiness Plan and founder of Mindful in May, for some practical tips.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Ada Nicodemou on how we can still have a special Mother’s Day in iso May 07, 2020

So it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday and for many people it’s going to look quite different to what it has in other years. Hopefully there will still be breakfast or a coffee in bed, but we might not be able to catch up with our own mother’s with the whole family around, head for lunch or have social gatherings of more than a few people - depending on what state you're in. I read some research done by Big W that found almost 30% of Australian families don’t know if they will celebrate Mother’s Day this year and 17% won’t be celebrating Mother’s Day at all, due to the current COVID-19 climate! This just can’t happen people. It has been a full on couple of months and mums need a break – especially in iso. So I reached out to Home & Away Actress and Big W ambassador Ada Nicodemou to find out how she’s spending Mother’s Day this year, and to get some tips on how we can still make it a special day…

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Tiff Hall's tips on beating the iso snack blues May 06, 2020

I don’t know about you guys, but being stuck in the house all day has led to me, and the kids, reaching for the fridge door, way more often than usual. I wouldn't be surprised if it suddenly groaned "what now?!". If you’re having a similar struggle, then you’ll be pleased to know that mum, influencer, author and all-round goddess, Tiff Hall, has sent me her best tips for beating the iso snack blues. Praise be.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The struggles of co-parenting during Covid May 05, 2020

This period has been challenging for everyone, but it’s been particularly challenging for people trying to make big decisions about keeping their family safe, with someone they don’t get along. I’ve been surprisingly lucky in that regard. We had a disagreement initially about keeping the kids in care and school, but then came to a compromise and we haven’t really had any major issues since. I reached out to some other single parents – mums and dads, to find out what challenges they’ve been facing and to hopefully help you realise that if you're in a similar situation, you are not alone.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Eight feelings that are totally normal to be having right now May 04, 2020

I feel so superficial for saying this, but last night I opened my wardrobe and thought ‘ I really miss my work clothes and getting ready for the day!’. Then I just kinda slumped and thought, I’m over this. I think my kids are over it too. We ran into some friends at the bike park on Sunday and all the kids started fighting. It's like they have forgotten how to socialise. I think I’VE forgotten how to socialise! Then I just started to worry about it, and overanalyse things and stress about whether this is normal?! Well if you’re wondering the same thing, I’ve got a list of EIGHT feelings and worries that therapists are hearing the most during their sessions and say are totally normal to be feeling right now… Hopefully knowing that what you’re feeling is universal, will help bring some comfort.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Parents share how they've made their kid's birthdays magical in iso May 03, 2020

Both of my kids have birthday’s in June and they’ve already started asking about whether they can have a party - as kids do. It’s difficult to know what to say when I don’t know what will be happening by then, but it must be even harder for parents who had parties organised and then had to cancel them. There isn't a kid alive who doesn't look forward to their birthday party - hell, even adults are bummed right now about celebrating their special day in isolation. But just because it can't be a normal day, doesn't mean it can't be one to remember. In fact, for some kids, their iso birthday might end up being their most memorable ever! I caught up with a bunch of parents, to find out how they’ve managed and what they did instead to make their kid’s birthdays magical…

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: 9 things all mums have thought while homeschooling 9 totally relatable things... Apr 30, 2020

I sent my daughter back to school on Wednesday, and I’m totally fine with that decision. I didn’t make it lightly and luckily with my job I have access to lots of experts for advice. It’s also the right thing for my particular circumstance, and that’s all any of us can do right now – do what is right for you. As we were leaving the house, a woman putting pamphlets in the letterbox said: "off to school, isn’t that a bit dangerous?" Sigh. Can we just stop judging and start supporting? But it’s Friday, not the time for rants. So to lighten things up a bit, I’ve got 9 totally relatable thoughts that mums have had while homeschooling.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Tips to keeping your relationships at home intact, without losing a limb Apr 29, 2020

It’s obviously an incredibly stressful situation we find ourselves in - working from home and spending more time than ever with partners, kids, flatmates, family - all putting a huge amount of pressure on those relationships. Our daily routines look nothing like they used to and lots of us are dealing with unprecedented stress and anxiety which in turn places considerable strain on everyone in the household. So how can we try and keep those relationships intact and walk out of this with all our limbs attached? I reached out to Elisabeth Shaw, CEO of Relationships Australia NSW for some advice to help us manage things better.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The things parents most want to do when they're out of iso Apr 28, 2020

So, I bought a bike, the Holy Grail. Along with self-raising flour. Baking and biking, the iso survival activities. Speaking of things to do, I’ve been thinking a bit about the things I’d most like to do when this is over. Top of the list for me, is hug my friends, get my hair done, hug my friends, then drink bubbles with said friends on a rooftop bar in the sun. Then hug them again. Kidspot reached out to a bunch of parents to find out what was at the top of their list, and if you’re after some inspiration, then you’re in luck because I’ve got the top 3 activities parents most want to do – as voted for by YOU!

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: What's our social responsibility when it comes to having children? Apr 27, 2020

What is our social responsibility when it comes to procreating - especially when we're in the middle of a global pandemic. Firstly, I blame Merrick Watts for even putting these ideas into my head. It was years ago when I was working with Mez that he explained to me he and his wife would only have 2 kids, as that was the responsible thing to do. I was single at the time and children were a distant thought, so the idea stumped me. Years later water restrictions were in full force, all of Sydney were wearing masks due to the heavy smoke… and we were talking about having more kids when my husband surprised me by saying he wasn’t sure about it because he didn’t want our kids to have to worry about not getting to live the way we do now. I think what threw me the most was that it actually kept him up at night… and now I hate to say it, but it keeps me up now too… and this was before the bushfires and Coronavirus.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Five subtle ways children express Covid anxiety Apr 26, 2020

I’ve been reading a lot about kids and anxiety during this pandemic, and I’ve been surprised me by how well my kids have adjusted to the new normal. Or so I thought. Turns out kids can show quite subtle signs that they’re struggling with Covid-stress… which is stressful. Even if our children don’t really grasp the full extent of what’s going on, life is very different for them now. But, children don’t express their emotions in the same way that we do, so how on earth are we meant to know if they’re stressed or anxious, or whether it’s simply age-appropriate behavior? Well, there are five subtle signs that mental health experts say we need to keep an eye out for.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: I'm declaring today Good News Fri-yay! Apr 23, 2020

I think we all need some light in our lives right now, so I've decided today is Good News Fri-yay! I’ve scoured the interwebs for you (okay I just watched John Krisnski’s Some Good News show on YouTube… ) for some of my favourite stories over the past week. From a Sinatra driveway crooner to a retirement village serenade - these are the stories that brought an iso smile to my face.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Five great ideas for things to do with your kids Apr 22, 2020

I don’t know about you, but weekends in isolation seem to stretch on and on for about six hundred and eleven-ty hours. That’s a LOT of hours to fill with kids, especially if you’re trying to keep screen time down (and let’s face it, that is a big ask these days…). In our house, I’ve found we’ve turned to lots of old-school activities. I’ve pulled out the board games we used to play as kids – Yahtzee, Chinese Checkers and Uno have been big hits. And my daughter has finally taught me what Just Dance and Tik Tok are all about! If you’re quickly running out ideas, then tune in, because I've got five great ideas for you to try out.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Have you fallen into an iso slump? Apr 21, 2020

I was reminded over the weekend that we have been working at home now for a month. Man time flies. Ha! It feels like six. To begin with, we were scared, anxious and worried about whether we’d ever be able to buy toilet paper again. Then there seemed to be a general feeling of positivity - for a bit. Now I feel like a lot of people have hit an iso slump – bored, over it and craving an end date. I checked in with other working mums to find out whether they’re feeling the same, and also got some tips from an expert on how to manage it…

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: My son's favouritism is making me resent my husband Apr 20, 2020

We've all felt like our kids prefer one parent over the other at some stage, but for Sarah McGilvray, her son's favouritism is turning toxic. She had no idea something as small as him not letting her read his bedtime story could send her over the edge, but when you’re exhausted and trying to work from home during isolation, and parent, and be a partner, and feed the dog, and live on 4 hours sleep for the last few years… your child not openly loving you or showing you the cuteness they show everyone else, can wear you down. Now, it's making her look at her partner differently and she's worried...

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The challenge of being a new mum in isolation Apr 19, 2020

We all know isolation sucks with kids. No other way to put it really. But my thoughts have especially been with friends who have had babies during this pandemic. Being a new mum is hard enough. Being a new mum when you can’t get out and catch up with your friends and family, join a mother’s group or even have the maternal health nurse come over and check everything is okay, would be incredibly hard. So I checked out to a few of them to see how they're coping, and the responses were surprising.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The great quarantine bake-off Apr 16, 2020

Have you found yourself baking much more than you used to PP (pre-pandemic)? Well, you're not alone. Despite being an absolutely crap cook, I've found myself baking banana bread and even a lemon cake - wild, I know. So what is it about baking that makes us feel so much better? There's something comforting about focusing on the task at hand rather than what's going on in the world. I reached out to Kidspot Kitchen Editor Lucy Bortolazzo for some ideas that aren't banana bread.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Is it safe to send children to daycare? Apr 15, 2020

Whether or not to continue to send your child to daycare, or to send them back if you pulled them out, is a decision I know a lot of parents are torn by. I pulled my son out 3 weeks ago, but I'm really struggling to juggle everything and am considering sending him back. So is it safe for children to be there? Dr Asha Brown, Paediatrician and infectious diseases expert from the Australian Academy of Science shares her expert opinion.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Are you hovering somewhere between panic and denial? Apr 14, 2020

This past month has been such a time of conflicted emotions, but now I seem to have found myself settling somewhere between panic and denial. And of course there's now a name for that - panial. It’s got a ring to it right?! It totally sums up how I’m feeling. But it turns out we don't need to feel that way and we actually have more control over this situation than we think.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Keep calm and carry on during Corona Apr 13, 2020

Now that we’re around each other 24:7 and facing a whole different kind of stress and pressure than we were PP (pre-pandemic), it can be difficult to stay calm with our kids. I don’t know about you, but my shoulders and back are constantly tight, I’m drinking more wine than I should be, and my fuse, if I get interrupted while I’m trying to work, can be pretty damn short. So I reached out to Beth Borowsky, teacher and founder of The Karma Class, for some tips to help us keep calm and carry on during Corona.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Is it possible to spoil a child? Apr 12, 2020

Isolation has been a great eye-opener for my husband and I on this topic, because we have been throwing new toys and games at our eldest child almost on a daily basis to try and keep him entertained. He usually does a few days a week at daycare, where the set-up is exceptional, whereas at home, mum and dad are exhausted and trying to sneak in a few minutes of work whenever possible. Enter the influx of toys. So is it ok to make a problem disappear by giving our kids what they want? We got some tips from financial guru and father-of-two Scott Pape.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Easter is the time to remember how privileged we are Apr 09, 2020

This Easter break is the time to stop and think. When you’re feeling like the whole thing is an inconvenience and you’re totally over it, which we all are, try to remember how privileged we are to spend this holiday period in a nice home, reading, eating, drinking and chatting to friends. It might not be what we had planned, but the alternative is much worse.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Part mum, part witch doctor Apr 08, 2020

As parents, we are suddenly supposed to have vast medical knowledge and be able to diagnose ALL of our kid's ailments. Not to the point of prescription medication, but in essence, we are supposed to be able to fix everything. I still ask Mum what to do about an illness, rather than Dad (who actually has the medical degree)… And it’s nothing to do with his ability. It’s just some instinctual desire to ask mum and an innate belief that she will ALWAYS have the right answer on hand, medical or otherwise.

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Parenting is the art of letting go Apr 08, 2020

Hey Jugglers, this is our final pre recorded weekly ep for a while, but Mel Wilson will be with you on the daily eps for the next little while. In this episode our old friend Cassie Hamer pops by to tell us all about her new book, and why she believes parenting is the art of letting go. Stay safe everyone!

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: When your personal iso upkeep goes wild Apr 07, 2020

Gone are the regular hair and waxing appointments, and in their place is... nothing. Just regrowth and um, more growth. I rang fellow working mumma and host of the So I Quit My Day Job podcast, Cath Mahoney, to find out how she's faring during these minimalist times (hint: it's not pretty).

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Has the Universe just put us all in the naughty corner? Apr 06, 2020

At the risk of sounding all 'woo woo', I can't help thinking that this has all happened because we've forgotten to take care of each other AND the planet. That somehow it's the Universe's way of making us check ourselves and to 'try' and remind us what's really important in life. I've also found a poem that's a beautiful reminder to make sure that we continue to take care of the world and ALL the people in it, once this is over.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: How our kids are coping with Covid-19 Apr 05, 2020

How have your kids been coping with this strange situation we find ourselves in? Our routine is a bit out of whack and I've noticed my youngest has become quite clingy? I reached out to some other kids to ask how they're feeling about Covid-19 and got some advice from a psychotherapist on how to talk to them about the big 'C' word.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: What to do if you've been 'let go' at work Apr 02, 2020

Have you been made redundant at work? Or even while you're on maternity leave? I'm joined again by Alison Dutton from Labour Pains Legal to explain what you can do about it and what you're entitled to.

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Lisa Curry shares her secret to successful co-parenting Apr 02, 2020

Hey Jugglers, during this stressful time we need all the help we can get to navigate our relationships with our partners and our ex-partners. Former olympian and all-round legend Lisa Curry swung by the studio to tell us her secrets for co-parenting with her ex-husband Grant Kenny. Plus, are reality shows REALLY rotting our brains?

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Your legal rights at work Apr 01, 2020

Have you been asked to work reduced hours or been stood down? Alison Dutton from Labour Pains Legal joins us to let us know what our rights are at work during these difficult times.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Dealing with unfamiliar anxiety Mar 31, 2020

If you've started to feel like you're having panic attacks with all this uncertainty in the world, you are not alone. Mine started the first day we were sent home to work, and I'm still getting them. So I reached out to Dr Elise Bialylew for some advice and to find out whether we should hide our stress from our kids.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: The silver lining to self-isolating with your family Mar 30, 2020

I'm so guilty of rushing from one thing to the next (pre-pandemic) and feeling like I never got to see my kids! But now, self-isolating with them, I've discovered how nice it is to slow down and spend some quality time with them. In today's episode, other mums share the things they've been doing with their kids and the jobs they've finally got around to tackling!

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Hacks for homeschooling and staying sane Mar 29, 2020

If you're wondering whether you can have a pupil free day yet, this episode is for you. If you're just winging it and popping your kid's in front of the TV or have a full schedule of learning organised, I've got some tips to help you nail homeschooling.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Talking to kids about the 'C' word Mar 26, 2020

Today on The Juggling Act we're asking how you've been talking to your kids about Covid-19. Are you totally open with them, or trying to shelter them - as much as you can? We get some advice from the experts plus ask some adorable kids what they think is happening right now. It will bring some sunshine to a pretty bleak moment in history.

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Daily Coronavirus Check-in: Adjusting to working from home Mar 25, 2020

Today on The Juggling Act we're talking about adjusting to life working from home. We all thought it was going to be temporary but now it looks like we're in it for the long haul, so how can we work most effectively? Mel got some great advice from fellow working mummas (including how to avoid the fridge) and shares her own experience - straight from the kitchen table.

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Are fussy eaters born or made? Mar 25, 2020

Hey Jugglers! Is your little one the kind of kid who turns their nose up at everything? You're far from alone there. But are fussy eaters 'our fault' or are they just born that way? Celebrity chef and author Annabel Karmel pops in to tell us her secret solutions to the problem. Plus Mel and Nina debate about whether we have to go along with another parents white lies or if their lies are their responsibility. Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Nina Young filling in for Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Parenting through scary times Mar 18, 2020

Hey Jugglers it's all anyone is talking about, so let's talk about it. We weren't immune to the Coronavirus madness that has hit everyone this week. One of our hosts, Sarah, as well as most of the Fitzy and Wippa news team spent the week in isolation after a virus scare, but thankfully they are all fine. Our producer Nina stepped in to host and she and Mel talked about parenting through scary times and our fears that our kids are missing out on an age of innocence. We also had Sky News reader Jaynie Seal stop by to talk about how she juggles her busy job while raising her kids as a single mum, and she does it all without COFFEE! how? Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Nina Young filling in for Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Marcia Leone on the truth behind perfect online lives Mar 10, 2020

Jugglers, too often we fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to other people online. this week our guest is Marcia Leone, AKA the Not-so-mumsy mum. Marcia talks about the reality of what is going on behind those perfect pictures and why we need to be honest with our struggles as well as our wins. Pus, We talk to an expert about the pitfalls of dating as a single mum and Mel talks about the difficulty of helping her kids find the right boundaries. Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Jimmy Giggle reflects on his family's scariest moment Mar 03, 2020

We all owe Jimmy Rees, AKA Jimmy Giggle, a debt of gratitude for providing ten years worth of babysitting as the host of Giggle and Hoot. Now, Jimmy is hanging up his pyjamas and taking his show on the road. He stopped by to tell us about his favourite memories, his plans for the future, and how he's feeling a year after near tragedy struck his family and left his 7 week old son fighting for life. Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Megan Gale on the dangerous message we need to stop sending working mums Feb 25, 2020

Hey Jugglers! Ever feel like the balancing act that is working parent life is a bit close to falling down? You're not alone! This week we're joined by the gorgeous Megan Gale who tells us how she uses mindfulness to get through chaotic moments, and the one message she would like us to stop sending to working mums. Plus, have you been hit by nits yet? Dr Sam joins us for the lowdown on eradicating them, and Mel shares her own mortifying nits moment. It involves being on TV... Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Jess Rowe wants you to stop trying to have it all Feb 18, 2020

Jugglers, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be the best partner, the model employee and the perfect parent. But here's the secret: you'll never be perfect, so stop being down on yourself and try to enjoy the chaos of imperfection. This week we're joined by the amazing Jess Rowe who tells us how she embraced imperfection and What life is like two years after walking away from her full time television job. Plus, how do you know when it's time to walk away from a toxic family member? Psychologist Belinda Williams joins us to talk through it. Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Tracy Bevan shares her darkest moments of parenting Feb 11, 2020

Hey Jugglers, we all know that this motherhood gig ain't easy. The fabulous Tracey Bevan stopped by this week to talk about her work with the McGrath foundation and shared with us about her struggles with post natal depression and how she overcame it. She also talked about how she makes co-parenting with her ex work, and how she's even friends with the new girlfriend! Plus, we talk role models and help a listener out on an awkward question. Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Is it time for you to quit your day job? Feb 05, 2020

Jugglers, we all dream of packing up our desks, putting in our notice and running off to follow our dreams. But what is it like to actually quit without the safety net of a new stable job? We sat down with the lovely Cathrine Mahoney, host of the new podcast, 'So, I quit my day job' and heard the unfiltered truth about starting over. Plus, Belinda Williams, psychologist at The Bumpy Road, gives her advice on how to keep you cool and avoid yelling at your kids. Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Kayla Itsines on the shock of her post-baby body Jan 29, 2020

Hey Jugglers! This week we were lucky enough to be joined by the incredibly Kayla Itsines who found time in between managing her fitness empire and social media stardom to have a baby. Kayla shares with us what it was like for the "queen of abs" to face the realities of her new body and how she learned to adjust and adapt. Plus are you living paycheque to paycheque? We check in with our favourite money guru, Canna Campbell, to find out the basics on learning to save and budget. Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Tammin Sursok wants you to start scheduling sex Jan 22, 2020

Welcome back Jugglers! We're feeling that 2020 flavour and we're ready for another year of great shows. We're kicking things off with a visit from the always exciting, Tammin Sursok. Tammin talks about struggling as a new mum, the stigma around taking medication for depression and why romance doesn't "just happen" in relationships. Plus, we're talking innapropriate children's gifts and what to do if your child is having toilet troubles. Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Talitha Cummins wants us to stop glorifying mummy wine time Dec 18, 2019

Are you guilty of glancing at the clock and calculating whether it's too early for a wine? Plenty of parents are. In fact 'mummy wine time is big in Australian culture, as the thousands of memes and Facebook groups dedicated to the subject prove. Talitha Cummins wants us all to stop normalising the mum drinking culture and take stock of our drinking habits. Plus, our listener question this week is all about sex... or lack thereof. What do you do when you're too tired to get in the mood and your partner just can't understand? We sat down with psychologist Belinda Williams from The Bumpy Road to discuss. Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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When getting fired is exactly what you needed to succeed Dec 11, 2019

We're all taught that losing your job is a sign of failure, but what if it isn't? What if it turns out to be exactly the shot of motivation you need to turn your life around and start winning. That's exactly what happened to Natasha Stewart, who joins us this week to tell us how getting fired was a blessing in disguise. Plus, Sarah has a neighbour problem that she doesn't know how to solve, and Mel gets the low-down on the benefits of the endless childcare plagues from Dr Sam. Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Kids playing favourites and mums building empires (and sleep-walking) Dec 04, 2019

Ever feel like you're sleepwalking through life? Mel does, in fact she sleep walks quite often! Yikes. Plus, an expert tells us what to do if your child starts playing favourites, and we sit down with the fabulous Alex Fevola who tells us how she built her business empire from home with small children. Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Putting a toddler on a diet? Really? Nov 26, 2019

Well. This week has been a bit of a doozy. Sarah is still raging after a doctor suggested her toddler was overweight! What would you do? Plus, we're joined by the incredible Tina Bruce, an author who battled an opioid addiction after a traumatic birth. And, when You're in a financial crisis, what steps should you take to dig your way out? We speak to financial expert Canna Campbell to get her advice. Our hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray. This podcast was produced by Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Why is it so hard to stop yelling at our kids? Nov 19, 2019

This week, we've been yelling. That's it, just yelling. How do you stop? Let's talk about it. Plus, Ada Nicodemou stops by to talk about where she sees her Home and Away career going and how she let go of perfection in parenting. And, are employers allowed to lookover you for promotions because you're a parent? We speak to a lawyer to find out. Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Resilience and school friendships - when should we step in for our kids? Nov 13, 2019

This week we help out a listener facing a dilemma with her son who doesn't want to go to school. Mel and Sarah debate about when how far parents should go intervening in our kids social lives if they're having problems. Plus, the lovely Matt Shirvington joins us to talk F45, secondary infertility and the secret to a long lasting marriage. Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Ever wanted to quit your job and take off travelling with your family? Nov 06, 2019

Who hasn't dreamt of quitting their 9-5 grind and jetting off on a round the world trip. It seems to good to be true, but Author Evie Farrell and her daughter made it happen. Hear how she did it and how it's working out for her in this week's ep. Plus, when does being thrifty turn into being a tight-arse? And Mel puts on her judgy pants about taking kids out at night, what do you reckon?
Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Sally Obermeder isn't going to stop sharing the negative parts of her life Oct 30, 2019

Social media often only shows us the positive parts of life, but as parents, are we letting each other down by not being more honest? This week we're joined by Sally Obermeder and her sister Maha, who tell us why they are open about all parts of their lives. Plus: We talk to an expert about how to organise your schedules when you're having trouble co-parenting with an ex, and Sarah talks about in-law insecurity.Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Tough love parenting: Are we letting our kids down by being too soft? Oct 23, 2019

This week we're joined by our fabulous new co-host Sarah McGilvray and we talk everything from our fears about work shelf life, to whether or not you should 'dose and drop' at Daycare. The wonderful Ryan Fitzgerald (AKA) Fitzy also stopped by to talk about tough love parenting, mentors and the lessons he learnt from his own dad.Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah McGilvray.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Libby Babet is here to help us find time for fitness (yes even you) Oct 09, 2019

Let's face it, some days we don't have time for a shower, let alone a few burpees and lunges, but former Biggest Loser trainer, Libby Babet stopped by the studio to tell us about how she makes time for fitness as a new working mum and how you can too. Hint: It's about priorities and saying goodbye to things that don't matter. Plus, Mel and Sarah talk about death, school choices and separation anxiety - it's a big ep, so dive in and join us.
Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Cass Thorburn on why co-parenting is a myth Oct 02, 2019

What's it like to go through a painful divorce with the whole country watching? Cass thorburn drops by to tell us all about it. She also tells us what it's been like getting back into the workforce and why we need to find a new name for co-parenting. Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Tips and tricks from a CEO mum - plus the pregnancy disclosure debate Sep 25, 2019

Ever wanted to know how to become the ultimate boss mama? We're joined by Ella Bache CEO Pippa Hallas to get all her secret tips for juggling work and family life and find out what it takes to get to the top. Plus, should you tell a potential employer you're pregnant? If you aren't sure, make sure you listen because we chat to a lawyer to get the definitive answer.
Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Michelle Bridges isn't apologising for self-care (and you shouldn't either) Sep 18, 2019

Hey Juggling Act family! If you want to hear about Sarah Harris ripping her pants in a skateboarding accident, you've chosen the right episode. Also, we're in for a treat this week as we sit down with Michelle Bridges who tells us about the one thing she won't compromise on - time for herself. Plus, are you a 'money moron'? We get the downlow from the brilliant Canna Campbell on how you can make your money work for you. Sound scary? It's not, she told us exactly where to start.
Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Roxy Jacenko doesn't care what you think about her parenting Sep 11, 2019

It's a high energy kind of episode, and that's because we are joined by the indomitable Roxy Jacenko who tells us how she balances work and family life (hint: it's the social life that takes a hit). And why she's invited cameras into her life for the brand new reality show : I Am Roxy!
Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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The guilty feeling of wanting to be at work instead of home Sep 04, 2019

This week we're talking about work flexibility, how do you ask for it? How do you hold onto it? We're also sharing our mum-fails and all the things we said we'd "never do". Plus, the lovely Sarah Mcgilvray is joining us to talk about why she went back to work right after having a baby and how work is her outlet and keeps her sane.
Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Yumi Stynes on parenting and pile ons Aug 27, 2019

This week the Divine Yumi Stynes dropped by to tell us about her new book, Welcome To Your Period. She also tells us her mantra to keeping sane with teenagers (hint: "it's not my f*cking problem).
Your hosts this week were Melissa Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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The good, the bad and the ugly of solo parenting Aug 21, 2019

This week Sarah shares her experience of solo parenting while her husband is away. Mel can relate- she does it round the clock as a single mum! We're also joined by the fabulous Rose Kelly nee Jacobs, who tells us about what it's been like since splitting up with her husband , weatherman, Steve Jacobs. Rose is juggling single parenting and getting back into the 9-5 grind and she shares how she's coping. Your hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.
We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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The myth of 'me time' and why we need micro moments Aug 14, 2019

Why? Why are mums always putting themselves last? It's all very well to tell us to take time for self care, but when the hell are we supposed to do that? We caught up with psychologist Belinda Williams to talk about the importance of micro moments. Plus, we're joined by The Fit Mama Belinda Norton who tells us about the little changes we can make to improve our fitness and our health without taking up our time. Your hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.
We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Can you really get fired on maternity leave? Aug 07, 2019

We've all heard the horror stories from my friends about being fired or made redundant while on mat leave. But, can they really do that? What are your rights? And how can you protect them? Plus, we're joined by the brilliant George Georgievski, who runs the incredibly popular @SchoolLunchbox instagram page where he displays his delicious, simple, school lunch creations to his 78 thousand followers on Instagram. Your hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.
We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Surviving the childcare plagues Jul 31, 2019

You've done the tough part you've found a daycare with availability, you've gotten your precious little one used to the idea of separating from you and you've put your trust into the carers. You're golden right? Wrong. Strap yourself in, because here come the never ending daycare bugs. We're joined by the fabulous Dr Sam to tell us what parents can do to survive the plagues and just how sick is too sick for daycare REALLY. We're also joined by actress Helen Dallimore to find out how she manages the juggle. Your hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.
We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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A day in the life of Sarah Harris Jul 23, 2019

We're back - and we're ready to help out mums doing the work-life struggle like a boss. We're so happy to welcome our new host, Studio Ten's Sarah Harris. This episode we talk about keeping romance alive after kids and we take a look into Sarah's working day.
Your hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.
We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Welcome Sarah Harris! The new Juggling Act returns July 24 Jul 18, 2019

We're so excited we might cry (although that may be because we were up all night with the kids). We're so pleased to announce we're coming back next week with a revamped new show aimed at working parents and a new host joining Mel - Sarah Harris! We look forward to catching up with you soon.

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What our girls most need us to know Jun 19, 2019

We’re joined by the co-founders of The Big Sister Experience, a fantastic in-school program helping empower our daughters. The program is run by sisters, Bianca and Kritz and they are visiting schools all over the country to help girls with issues ranging from self esteem to peer pressure, and they say parents would be surprised at the most common concerns they are hearing. Plus we're joined by Cassie's mum, and together they talk about al the ways parenting has changed and the things we can learn from our mothers. SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Bianca and Kritz.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Taryn Brumfitt on the first steps to loving your body Jun 12, 2019

Got a soft mum tum? Arms that jiggle? Boobs that seem to have migrated south in the past few years? If you're having trouble appreciating your amazing body, you're far from alone. That's why we were lucky to be joined by the incredible Taryn Brumfitt this week to talk all things body love and empowerment. Plus, should employers try to get a little more flexible with working mums? And, Mel admits she just doesn't get the Toy Story hype. Do you agree?
SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Taryn Brumfitt.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Laura Byrne on preparing to give birth to a bachie baby Jun 05, 2019

We’re joined by former Bachelor winner Laura Byrne who is about to become a first time mum, anyday now! Laura takes us through her birth plan (or lack thereof) and reveals her and Matty J's future family plans. We also take a look at the Aladdin remake, and find out whether Will Smith measures up as the genie. SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Laura Byrne and Leah Goulis. This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Dr Anna Cohen is here to help tame your teens May 29, 2019

We’ve got the author of Taming Teens in the studio, Dr Anna Cohen, who has some brilliant tips forhow we can communicate with our children betterChild psychologist, Anna, reveals the age we need to establish a connection with ourkids to have a good relationship when they’re teens. We're also joined by author, Jessica Sanders who gives us some easy tips to help our daughters love their bodies.SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Dr Anna Cohen and Jessica Sanders This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Steve Biddulph on the crisis facing girls May 22, 2019

This week we are joined by the wisest parenting expert in Australia, the incomparable Steve Biddulph, Author of Raising Boys, and now Raising Girls in the 21st Century.Steve is here to tell us that our girls are in trouble and we need to step up be ready t help them out of the myriad of complicated situations modern girls face.Steve suggests starting by cutting ten percent off your to-do list and making yourself more available.We're also joined by Sarah Moran from the Girl Geek Academy to talk about getting more girls into tech.SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Sarah Moran and and Steve Biddulph.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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How three mums turned a hobby into a massive success May 16, 2019

We all have our hobbies and passions, but how do you turn that into a business? Well, Lana Taylor, one member of Three Birds renovations, is here to tell us how she took a risk, walked away from the executive rat race and went into business with her best friends. We're also joined by gossip guru Craig Bennett who tells us about the unusual way he found out the story of his adoption.
HOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Lana Taylor and Craig Bennett.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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'My husband left me when my baby was still in the NICU' May 08, 2019

This week we are joined by two amazingly accomplished people. Lisa Burling is a mum of two whose partner left her while their second son was fighting for his life in the NICU. Despite facing constant obstacles, Lisa has gone on to become a successful business woman, and an author. We also had a visit from Professor David Isaacs who explains what a world without vaccination would be like, and warns us about the importance of not letting things slide. SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Lisa Burling and David Isaacs.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Angela Bishop on her 'new normal' after losing her husband May 01, 2019

We're back from our little break, and we are joined by the host of Studio 10 Angela Bishop, who reveals how she and her daughter aremanaging a year after the death of her husband.We're also joined by Fiona Katauskas, author of who tells us how to handle those toe curling words - ‘How are babies made’?Amazing Babies SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Angela Bishop and Fiona Katauskas,.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Happy Easter! Apr 18, 2019

We're taking a two week break to eat all the chocolate. Good luck surviving the school holidays with your sanity intact and we'll see you on the other side.

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The scary way addiction is sneaking into teen lives Apr 10, 2019

This week, we’re joined by author and father of six David Gillespie to talk about his latest book, , and whyTeen Brainportable devices are ‘the single most dangerously addictive thing in teen lives’. It's a scary conversation, but an important one for all parents to hear. Plus, when are hand-me-downs not actually hand-me-downs? Is it ever ok to expect people to give you your second hand baby items back when they're done. Plus, Mel and Cass both took their kids to see the new Dumbo movie, and it made them feel warm and gooey inside. SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto David Gillespie.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Turia Pitt opens up on her first year of motherhood Apr 04, 2019

This week we're joined by the incredible Turia Pitt, who has taken time out of her very busy schedule to tell us all about how she's finding motherhood. Turia has also written a book, Good Selfie, to help teenagers build up their self esteem and find the resilience inside. Plus, is Mel creepy for leaving notes for her neighbours? (Cass says maybe) and are Easter hauls just getting really freaking out of control? SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Turia Pitt.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Alison Brahe-Daddo on raising daughters in the #metoo movement Mar 27, 2019

Today we’re joined by the original cover girl and mum-of-three Alison Brahe-Daddo, on raisinggirls in the #metoo movement. We're also discussing Married at First Sight - with just a couple of weeks to go, has it well and truly jumped the shark? Or was it always total rubbish? Plus, when it comes to talking about the birds and the bees with your kids, is the direct approach best, or should we avoid putting them on the spot with an awkward conversation.SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Alison Brahe Daddo.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Marc Fennell on stepping back and putting family first Mar 20, 2019

This week we’re joined by dad of two, host of The Feed on SBS Vice-land and all round over-achiever Marc Fennell. Mark shares his unique hand modelling skills and we talk about the way the Me Too movement has changed the way we parent. Mark also shares the stories that have changed him and the moment he realised he needed to take a step back from his career, slow down and spend more time with his family. Plus, Mel learns just how ruse every day songs can be when you have a creative three-year-old and Cassie jinxes herself by celebrating her nit-free summer with her three daughters. Rookie move Cass, we all know that nits strike when you least suspect them. SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Marc Fennell.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Annabel Karmel on the tragedy that inspired her to change everything Mar 13, 2019

Today we’re joined by mum of three and baby food guru Annabel Karmel , who opens up about the tragic loss of her first child, Natasha, and how this loss inspired her to begin building her now legendary baby food empire.The best selling chef lets us in on the secrets of fussy eaters and admits that even her own son was picky about what he'd eat, leading to the creation of some of her most popular recipes.Plus, Cass and Mel talk Momo challenges and out of control baby shower traditions and whether or not things have officially gone too far.And, when you get first married and you’re all polite and considerate and having sex all the time and holding in farts, and watching whatever the other person wants on TV...?Well now one mum of three decided to relive the halcyon days and live like a newly we for a week. Claire joins us on to talk about her experience.SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Annabel Karmel and Claire Haiek.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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How to start your own mummy side hustle Mar 06, 2019

This week on The Juggling Act, we're joined by mum of three under five and self-made millionaire Denise Duffield Thomaswho tells us about taking a fun and fresh approach to finances. She wants to help women overcome their fear ofmoney and says everyone needs a side hustle.Plus, there’s a newpregnancy guide out written just for Aussie women – we met the authors behind it and hearthe surprising way they met.And, are lunchbox rules getting completely out of control? Cassie and Mel talk lunchbox pain and share their advice.SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Ruby Matley and Dr David Addenbrooke.This podcast was produced by Nina Young and Sinead Barrett.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Jacqueline Alwill on whether fussy eaters are born or made Feb 27, 2019

This week we're joined by by nutritionist and mum Jacqueline Alwill who tells us whether fussy eaters are born or made – ie. is it OUR fault?Plus, we talk about the twice-daily hell that is the school run. Mel and Cassie aren't at all surprised to find out that a recent case of 'drop-off rage' resulted in a court visit for one mum. The two share their own experiences with nightmare school runs. and, over the top birthday parties - Cass has been to a few and she's held a few - she's even written her very first novel all about birthday parties. We talk about what's REALLY too much, and what's just the norm these days. SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanks to Jacqueline Alwill. This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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How to go from single mum to millionaire Feb 20, 2019

Joining us on The Juggling Act this week is mum of two and author of The Joyful Frugalista, Serina Bird, on how she went from single mum to millionaire. Serina shares her tips on how to make money less intimidating and her secret to feeding your family on $50 a week. We also vent our lunchbox packing frustrations and Cassie explains how her daughter ended up learning the 'f' word from a certain stationary store. SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Laura Mazza and our huge thanksto Natalie Bassingthwaighte.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Nat Bass on why it's good for kids to see you cry and Laura Mazza guest hosts Feb 13, 2019

This week on the podcast, we've got the lovely Laura Mazza guest hosting. Laura knows a thing or two about going viral - she tells us about the time she farted in yoga and ended up being famous for it. Whoops!Plus we’re joined by mum-of-two and massive overachiever Natalie Bassingthwaighte opens up about the new job that’s helping her heal after a personal tragedy.Nat tells us all about her new project and how she overcame some of the challenges she has faced in the past couple of years, as well as why she thinks it's so important for kids to see your raw emotions. SHOW NOTESYour hosts this week are Mel Wilson and Laura Mazza and our huge thanksto Natalie Bassingthwaighte. This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Laura Csortan on the realities of life as a single mum Feb 07, 2019

Early morning starts is something that Laura has been used to after having a successful TV andmodelling career that has spanned over two decades, yet being a single mother and startingeach and every day at the crack of dawn takes on a different level of exhaustion.Kidspot catches up with former Miss Universe Australia and Miss World Australia, Laura Csortan,at her beachside pad and finds out how the past two years have been, working and being asingle parent to her gorgeous daughter Layla Rose and mother of fifteen years to her beloveddog, Abbey.
SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Laura CsortanThis podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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The back to school special not to be missed Jan 30, 2019

Hello, hello! Back by popular demand, we're replaying our back to school special episode from last year.In this episode of The Juggling Act, the team chat to four incredible mums who will help you navigate the chaos of uniforms, lunchboxes and back-to-school nerves.Veteran teacher Caroline Doolub explains how to best prepare your kids for the transition to big school.While Maraya Bell of Stuff Mums Like has the lowdown on routines, screens and getting them out the door on time.Psychologist Tawna Tourle has some great tips on how to tackle schoolyard bullying and get through the first-day tears.And The Healthy Mummy Rhian Allen shares tips for making lunches your kids will actually eat.Plus, the crew discuss the best way to teach kids about money and ask: What has becoming a parent taught you about yourself?
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our big thanks to Caroline Doolub, Tawna Tourle, Rhian Allen and Maraya BellWe've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Rachael Finch shares her controversial feelings about childbirth Jan 23, 2019

This week, we're joined by mum of two Rachael Finch, who tells us about her unusual feelings about childbirth…What's that? Well, she LOVES IT! I know, it's not everyone's favourite activity but Rachael tells Mel that she enjoyed the experience of giving birth and the feeling of transitioning into motherhood. We also talk to Naomi Stalenberg from the Big Bash League, Sydney Thunder about why those hours you’re putting into carting your kids round to play sports are totally worth it.Plus, Cassie Hamer reveals that her three girls are witches in training... Well, not quite, but they are in the middle of a full fledged Harry Potter obsession and Cassie has yet to read any of the books.And, Kon Mari - it's the cleaning method that everyone is obsessed with - but is it REALLY doable for mums? Or should we just accept the clutter and move on to the next fad?
SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our huge thanksto Rachael Finch and Naomi Stalenberg.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editor@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Steve 'Commando' Willis gets emotional about how fatherhood has changed him Jan 16, 2019

This week we're joined by one of the fittest (and foxiest) dads in Australia, Steve Willis, better known as Commando Steve. Steve gets emotional when he revealsthe biggest thing he’s learnt as a parent, and talks about the different things we can do as parents to help our children feel better physically and mentally. Plus, we talk sharenting - we're all guilty of sharing a little too much about our kids from time to time online, but what would you do if your child specifically asked you to stop? And, Mel gets smug about her roadtrip skills and Cassie talks adventures in Canberra. SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Steve Willis. This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Sally Obermeder on smoothies, surrogates and super mums Dec 12, 2018

Today we’re joined by one of our fav mums and celebrities, she's a cook, a TV host, ambassador for Athlete's Foot and an all-around delight, Sally Obermeder. She opens up about how her cancer battle helped her to listen to her own body better, whether she would use the same surrogate to have a third child and how she manages to keep up her own juggle with some very handy back to school tips and tricks.
Plus, is it ever ok to sneak a cheeky morning wine? Or has our mummy wine culture spun out of control.
SHOW NOTES
Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Emily Blatchford and our huge thanksto Sally Obermeder.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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'I discovered I was going to be a mum to a newborn with less than 12 hours notice' Dec 05, 2018

When Nicole found herself suddenly single at 38-year-old she thought she might have missed the boat on becoming a mother. But an information night at a fertility centre put her on a path to becoming a solo mum through IVF. She gave birth to a beautiful little girl. 18 months later Nicole tried again to fall pregnant through the same process but after three failed rounds of IVF she gave up. That’s when she met someone who introduced her to the idea of fostering. She didn't realise just how quickly things would change.Nicole joins us on the show this week to tell us about her experience.
Plus, we talk about one mum's grinchy online rant (it's never too early for Christmas trees!) and Mel admits she has changed her mind about Kids Clubs on holiday. SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Kate Ritchie.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Kate Ritchie on growing up in the spotlight Nov 28, 2018

This week we got to fangirl over the gorgeous Kate Ritchie who opens up about how she would feel if her daughter Mae had a childhood like she did. Kate talks about living in the spotlight and the amazing ability that kids have to adapt when they don't know anything different. Plus, we know the stay at home parent also becomes chief cook and cleaner, so what would it actually cost to outsource all that they do? And, when it comes to co sleeping - how old is too old for parents to sleep in the same bed as their kids?
SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Kate Ritchie.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Michael and Carlene Duffy on why The Block is more difficult than having a newborn Nov 21, 2018

This week we’re joined by The Block power couple Michael and Carlene who tell us what it was really like competing on The Block, the sleep deprivation, insane hours and what it felt like to walk away with just $10,000. They also opened up about the rumours they wanted to use their winnings to have another baby. Plus, if your friend spelt their baby's name wrong, would you tell them? A mum took to Mumsnet' to share her dilemma when her friend announced she was naming her child Pheobe. Uh oh. And, when a Sydney based baby boy started daycare recently he was ejected from the centre after just a few days due to his crying and hair pulling behaviours. Is this fair? And what should the centre have done differently? SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Micheal and Carlene Duffy.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Georgie Parker shares her secret to staying sane Nov 14, 2018

This week on the Juggling Act, we're joined by TV star Georgie Parker who shares everything from juggling a child and a career, to why she thinks dads should get more credit. Plus, Mel tells us why she's officially banning the band-aid at her house, Giles talks about the surprising bonus of having a broken back and Cassie tells us how one perfect gift idea is going to leave her massively out of pocket. SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Georgie Parker. This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Annabel Crabb's hack to avoid feeding kids at dinner parties Nov 07, 2018

This week we're joined by domestic goddess, political journalist and mum of three Annabel Crabb, who reveals where she stands on the ‘pop in’. She also shares her magic frozen peas trick and her secret to having a family friendly dinner party (without having to cook for kids). Plus, Candy Jacques from the Gender Centre is in the studio to talk us through what to do if your child finds themselves feeling confused or unhappy about their gender. And how would you react if you gave away a pram only to have the person ask you to cover the cost of their petrol to collect it? Buy/Swap/Sell sites bring out the monster in everyone!SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Annabel Crabb and Candy Jacques.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Is it ever OK to lick your plates before putting them in the dishwasher? Oct 31, 2018

This week we're talking about the surprising benefits of having a sick toddler, the unsurprising discomfort of breaking your back and, we're asking the big questions, namely: Is it ever OK to lick your plates before putting them in the dishwasher? A debate will rage, is Giles right? Does bacon really excuse all sins? Or is there never a scenario when this behaviour is OK?
We're also joined this week by mum-of-three and entrepreneur Cass Spies who talks about the risk she took quitting hercorporate job 14 years ago to follow her dream. Cass had a successful job in the finance sector. But shewanted more. She made the brave decision to throw it all in and pursue her passion. Shewanted a healthy snack for her kids, so as a food technician she decided to create it herself! Twisted Yoghurt was born and Cass is with us now to share her journey…
SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Cass Spies.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Jessica Rowe on life after television Oct 26, 2018

This week we're joined by the absolutely brilliant Jessica Rowe. Jess is a journalist and TV presenter, this amazing lady has been broadcasting into our living rooms for the past 20 years on shows such as Sunrise, Today and Studio 10.
Earlier this year, she took a step back from the limelight to concentrate on her passion projects, like Craphousewife.com.au, where she shares stories from her not-so-perfect life as a mother of two and wife to a high-profile news presenter. Now she's signed on as an Outdoor Classroom ambassador to encourage our kids to get outside to play AND learn.
And, do you know how to spot the signs of Meningococcal? One mum shares her heartbreaking story and talks about how following her gut instincts helped to save her son's life.
SHOW NOTES
The interview about meningococcal disease in this podcast was brought to you by GSK. Speak to your doctor for more information on meningococcal disease and vaccination options. GlaxoSmithKline Australia. Melbourne, VIC. AUS/VAC/0112/18. Date of approval: October 2018.
Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Emily Harry and our huge thanks to Jessica Rowe and Kylie Pochyly.

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Nina Young on the moment she found out her father is a murderer Oct 18, 2018

This week we’re joined by journalist Nina Young, host of one of the most popular podcasts in the country right now, My Father The Murderer, she’s opened up about the day she found out the worst secret imaginable. All her life, Nina had known her father was a bad man. But when she turned 26, she found out just how bad. Before Nina was born, her father killed a woman and was sentenced to life in prison. It was there that he met Nina’s mother. Nina tells us what it was like making that discovery, and why she shared her story with the world.
Plus, keeping up with the changes to childcare and all the plans and proposals can be more exhausting than having a newborn.
The latest proposal to make headlines has come from the Shorten Labor Government who has promised families access to free or subsidised preschool for children as young as three –IF they win at the next federal election.
So how will it work? We’re joined by Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Development Amanda Rishworth to talk it through.
SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Justine Clarke.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Sarah Boulazeris on having a baby with Kris Smith Oct 10, 2018

This week we're joined by the lovely Sarah Boulazeris and the personal trainer opens up about the excitement of preparing to have her first baby with model and former footballer, Kris Smith. The little one who's due in December is Smith's second child, his first is Ethan who Smith shares custody of with his former partner Dannii Minogue. Sarah chats about accepting how her body is changing and how her routine has changed with impending motherhood.
Plus, how would you react if your child told you they were gay? October 11 is national coming out day and one of our own Kidspot writers, Madeline Cox sat down with the team to share her own coming out story and offer up some advice for any parents who might be facing the same situation.
SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Justine Clarke.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Imogen Bailey on finding your tribe Oct 03, 2018

Today we’re joined by doula and former model Imogen Bailey who tells us all about the incredible things that can happen when women come together, and why she's started leading 'women's circles.'And, one very brave family shared the reality of what it's like to have a child facing cancer. ittle Harper's story had all of us in tears and we're so honoured to help the Kelly Family spread the word about the Leukaemia Foundation Light the Night event.SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Justine Clarke.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Amy Molloy on the grief of losing her husband Sep 26, 2018

This week, we’re joined by author and mum of two Amy Molloy, who shares her heartbreaking story of losing her husband just three weeks after they married – when she was only 23. But Amy isn't letting this tragedy be the defining story of her life, she' growing and healing and is here to share her knowledge. Plus, can everyone please stop mum-shaming Mel? She's had more than enough, and Cassie tells us she's ready to expand her family... Well, kind of. SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Justine Clarke.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Justine Clarke tells us how she stays silly Sep 19, 2018

This week we're joined by the divine Justine Clarke, who talks staying silly, watching her kids grow up and how children react when they see her in real life…Mel also shares what life is like in toilet training hell and Cassie tells us how she's back from holidays with the kids - and is ready to take a holiday to recover.In the newsParents with children at Burrowes State School in QLD received an email last week which has left a bad taste in their mouths.New school principal has informed parents that as of term 4 – if they drop their kids at school before 8.30am – they must pay for the on-site before school care program which costs upwards of $2.60 per child.Some parents are outraged saying they can’t afford to pay up to $100 a month extra for half an hour. Mel thinks it's fair, Cassie isn't so sure!And, one couple from Belfast has got people talking with their very unique sleep setup.They’ve fashioned a 5.5-metre long bed that is long enough to comfortably fit the two parents and all of their four children, aged 11 to 5.Genius idea? Or total madness. Let us know what you think!SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Justine Clarke.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Tiff Hall and Olivia White on the highs and lows of the first five years of motherhood Sep 12, 2018

On a very special episode of The Juggling Act, we're joined by health and wellness expert and founder of TIFFXO, Tiff Hall. Also with us is the fabulous Olivia White who blogs at House of White. The ladies are here to get real about motherhood, the good, the bad and the ugly. The first five years of motherhood are all about surviving the trenches, celebrating milestones and worrying way too much!Tiff shares how her professional comedian husband Ed Kavalee was the one to win her son Arnold's first smiles, but on Father's Day, she was the one to be rewarded with his first word - mum!Olivia shares how her second child taught her patience and the knowledge that all children develop at their own pace.The ladies share not only their children's milestones, but their own milestones as new mums, (and no we're not talking that first poo - that’s a whole stand alone ep), more like the first time you leave the house without your baby and you feel like you're missing a part of yourself, or the first time you get to sleep more than four hours at a time (just kidding, that never happens!). This week's episode is brought to you by Children’s Panadol, which is also helping new mums through the first five years of parenthood.Show notesYour host this week was Mel Wilson with special guests Tiff Hall and Olivia White. This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial.

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Adele Barbaro on her infertility struggle and her surprise second baby Sep 05, 2018

This week on The Juggling Act, Mel is about to embark on toilet training her toddler. She's armed with a tonne of prizes and a mountain of spare undies, but she has a feeling she's going to face a battle.We're also joined by the Real Mumma, Adele Barbaro, who keeps it real, sharing her honest and raw insights into parenthood with her many followers on Facebook and Instagram.Adele shares her story of infertility, IVF success and how she and her partner ended up falling pregnant naturally with her second child, just after she started a new job!Plus, do you know how to talk to your kids about stranger danger? Former police officer and author Kate Power is here to share her tips for child safety week.Kate is the author of the incredibly popular and very useful book, and she's on the show this week to talk about her fabulous new book, My Underpants RuleMy Tricky EYE-SPY!. Kate shares her tips and tricks for teaching your kids about stranger danger, and it all starts with a very fun rhyme!

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Jules Sebastian on the moment she knew she had to put down the chocolate Aug 29, 2018

If you happened to catch mum-of-two Jules Sebastian recently posing with her husband Guy for Men's Health Magazine, I bet you couldn't help but notice that she looked incredibly buff.But, when Jules sat down with the Juggling Act this week, she was quick to tell us that her recent fitness journey did not come easily. First she had to find the motivation to put down the chocolate and put in the hard work for six days a week for eight weeks straight. She talked Mel through her plans to maintain her new bod and the common hurdles mums face in staying fit.instagramPlus, are you freaking out about when and how to buy a family home? We’re joined by star Veronica Morgan to help us deal with some of the biggest obstacles.Location, Location, LocationIn the newsA Mum-of-four has admitted to forgetting her daughter's name after changing it three times. She reckons she got it right with her first three children and attributes some of that to luck . . Her mum believes that it's perfectly fine to change your child's name until they start school, but our team doesn't agree.And, A NSW mum of three has opened about the heartbreaking decision to not tell her five-year-old son that he’s dying. Joshua will be lucky to be alive this time next year - but he has no idea. He has a rare form of soft tissue cancer which aggressively attacks his liver, with all treatment options exhausted and doctors admitting defeat in March this year. What would you do in this situation?Show notesYour host this week was Mel Wilson with special guests Giles Hardie and Emily Blatchford. Our huge thanks to Jules Sebastian and Veronica Morgan.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Is your child ready for school? Here's how to tell Aug 22, 2018

Every year around the country, mums have to face the decision, to send or not to send? If your child's birthday falls in the middle of the year, you might find the decision pretty difficult.This week on we're joined by educator, mum and author ofIs My Child Ready For SchoolKaren Seinor, to chat school readiness.The Juggling Act, Karen shares the signs that your child is not ready, including difficulty separating from their parents and language skills.We also talk to Kylie Ostle from Mum Society about what it was like to be made redundant on maternity leave, and what she's doing to help other women stand up to workplace discrimination.In the newsMel shares the moment she accidentally crashed a child's birthday party and we ask whether calling girls pretty is more likely to make them insecure about their appearance.Plus, parents from the UK have caused a controversy when they advertised for a personal trainer for their kids. Is it a good idea to get ahead of fitness problems? Or a recipe for an unhealthy relationship with their bodies?Show notesYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanks to Karen Seinor and Kylie Ostle.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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The embarrassing questions we asked as new mums Aug 15, 2018

Being a new mum is a steep learning curve that no amount of baby books or unsolicited advice from random strangers can prepare you for. So looking back, as CPR Kids founder Sarah Hunstead can tell you, we all had some pretty embarrassing questions.On the podcast this week Sarah chats with the team about the time she was convinced her baby had worms in her poo and the graphic Googling that ensured.We also hear from Kelly Cull from Expedia about how to save money while travelling with kids in tow. It’s never too early to start planning your summer holidays.instagramIn the newsThe team also chat about a new study that revealed first-born children are more socially and emotionally available. Cassie, who's raising three kids, understandably has some thoughts, and not all of them are positive.Meanwhile, Giles has a Christmas decoration rant, after experts reveal we should be putting our trees early this year.Mel also asks for advice after a bout of tough questions from her kids. What are you supposed to say when your five-year-old asks the options we have when we die?
Show notesYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanks to Sarah Hunstead and Kelly Cull.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial Click hereBrought to you by Children’s Panadol, helping new mums through the first five years of parenthood. to find out more.

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Why Nova's Sarah McGilvray ditched her mother's group (and is so happy she did!) Aug 08, 2018

Expecting mums are often warned they might not bond with their babies straight away. But Sarah McGilvray wasn't prepared for the opposite to happen.This week, the Nova brekkie host shares why she was convinced her son hated her for the first few months of his life.Plus, she reveals the moment she decided it was time to ditch her mother's group.The team also chat with NRL star Mitch Aubusson on how life has changed since becoming a dad. Mitch is the star of the Sydney Roosters who run the Steggles Roosters Charity Nest, which has raised over $6.5 million for Australian Children's Charities,For every margin point the Roosters win by, Steggles donates $1000 and the Roosters donate $250 to the Steggles Roosters Charity Nest, which supports Lifestart, Children's Hospital Foundation Queensland, Children's Cancer Institute Australia and the Roosters Outreach program. For more info head to the Roosters websiteinstagramIn celeb news, Jen Aniston has hit back at baby-shamers in an interview for US InStyle. We’re happy that she’s finally had a say but honestly why do we all care so much about women not having children?Speaking of unsolicited opinions, Cassie is sick of everyone judging The Wiggles divorce. Ending a marriage is hard enough without everyone and their mother is jumping in online. Although we do have to admit some of the comments are pretty hilarious.SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Sarah McGilvray and Mitch Aubusson.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial.

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Lindy Klim on the reason she was scared to leave her marriage Aug 01, 2018

This week we are joined by the amazing Lindy Klim. The mum-of-four and fashion designer opened up on her fears about finding love as a single mum, the stress of co-parenting and why she hated her mothers group.Plus, organ donation, it’s something that most of us don’t like to think too much about. But every day, hundreds of Australian’s are waking up, wondering if this might be the day they get the news that their life-saving donation is coming.Belinda Hanly, a mum from Sydney, shares her story about the miracle donation that saved her son's life. And, The atmosphere in delivery rooms can be tense and terrifying for soon-to-be parents. But not all dads know the right thing to say in that situation, have a listen to some of the clangers men have dropped in the delivery room!SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Lindy Klim and Belinda Hanly.This podcast was produced by Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Lauren Patterson AKA Mad Max Mum on how her daughter saved her live Jul 25, 2018

This week we’re joined by Lauren Patterson who is the mum-of-two behind Mad Max Mum. She opens up to us about how her daughter saved her life and the battle she faced with postnatal depression after the birth of both her babies. Lauren and Mel also share why co-parenting can sometimes be pretty sh*t.Plus, should you lick your newborn after giving birth? Some mums do, but Cassie says it's just not hygienic for anyone involved.And, do you know how to spot the symptoms of the most common daycare bugs? Dr Sam Hay is here to help and offer his advice for stopping the inevitable spread of germs this winter.SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Dr Sam Hay and Lauren Patterson.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act. Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Masterchef's Aaron Harvie wants dads to step up in the kitchen Jul 18, 2018

You probably want to pay attention when someone who's cooked for some of Australia's best chefs offers you culinary advice. Especially when what he's saying makes so much sense.I mean, it's 2018, it's more than time for dads to step up in the kitchen department. Especially, as Aaron Harvie points out, it can have such a huge impact on our kids' attitudes toward food.And save you time and money.Give the vino a missIf you're tempted to indulge in a few glasses while dad's busy in the kitchen, Annaliese Dent has other ideas. The co-host of the Queen Sesh shares why it's important for mums to give wine o'clock a miss.Plus, the team chat baby names and exes. Would you care if your child shared the name of your partner's ex? Are there certain names that are just off limits? Is this a discussion that people are actually having in their relationships?And speaking of relationships, it turns out the secret to making it work long term might be louder (and smellier) than you'd think.SHOW NOTESYour hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guests Adele Barbaro (aka The Real Mumma) and Giles Hardie. Our huge thanksto Aaron Harvie and Annaleise Dent.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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The milestones that make being a mum worth it Jul 11, 2018

From the outside, motherhood looks pretty rosy. Think of every ad you’ve ever seen of a mum cheering madly at the sidelines or turning around just in time to catch those first shaky steps. Or smiling serenely while serving dinner to her waiting family.Sadly, once you have kids, that idyllic bubble bursts pretty quickly. Instead, you get an onslaught of nappies, projectile vomiting and 4am wake-up calls. Being a mum is often harder than you ever could have expected. But that’s what makes those milestones even greater.On this week’s special episode of the Juggling Act, we talk to mums Bek Day and Melissa Overman about their favourite parts of being a mum and what it felt like to make it through those unexpectedly hard moments.Plus, why we should be offering to make meals for parents of toddlers, not newborns. Get listening!SHOW NOTESYour host is Mel Wilson and our huge thanks to Bek Day and Melissa Overman.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial Click hereBrought to you by Children’s Panadol, helping new mums through the first five years of parenthood. to find out more.

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Yumi Stynes on the life advice you'll probably hate, but need to hear Jul 04, 2018

As parents, we're used to giving things up - sleep, time, privacy, the list goes on. But Yumi Stynes might just have made the ultimate parenting sacrifice.This week on The Juggling Act, the radio host shares the staple she's given up in the name of getting everything done. Look, we never said that being a parent would be easy.The mum-of-four also dishes up the recipes guaranteed to be winners with the kids. It’s reassuring to know that even a cookbook author struggles to get the kids to eat veggies sometimes.instagramLifting the veil on miscarriageIn other news, Giles weighs in on the Barry Hall controversy and the team chats about why miscarriage is still such a taboo.Also, we offer advice to the mum who wants to go to the principal after her daughter was flashed by another child at school. Would you complain?SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanks to Yumi Stynes.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young with assistance from Madeline Cox.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial.

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Mister Maker reveals the biggest hazard of his job..and it's not the hot glue gun! Jun 27, 2018

He's the man in the spotty vest who can turn a paper plate into an epic work of art.Mister Maker joins us this week to reveal the biggest hazard of his job and share the surprising place he keeps his craft. Need an indoor activity to get you through the school holidays?
Resident movie-buff Giles Hardie explains why Hotel Transylvania 3 is a must-see.
And we chat child-free weddings, mum-tums and whether play centres are sanity savers or actual parenting hell.
Tune in!SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Mister Maker (aka Phill Gallagher).This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Michelle Karavas talks taming toddler tantrums Jun 20, 2018

This week we're joined by child psychologist Michelle Karavas, who is here to help us teach our kids to to manage their anger.
She's got some great tips to help your hot-tempered little one cool down quick. Plus, we're all guilty of burying our heads in the sands when it comes to uncomfortable issues like refugees and asylum seekers.
It's time to stop hiding from the issue and start listening.
In honour of World Refugee Day, we spoke to Syrian Refugee Joel on what it was like living in a war zone, and her favourite things about finally being in Australia.And Giles has a word of warning for parentings thinking of taking their kids to see Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
SHOWNOTES
Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Michelle and Joel.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.
We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Tiff Hall reveals how a rough pregnancy prepared her for the realities of mum life Jun 13, 2018

Fitness guru Tiffiny Hall is pretty damn tough. But she says even the most gruelling workout doesn't compare to the challenges of motherhood.This week, she opens up about her rocky pregnancy and the beautiful moment she held her son Arnold for the first time. Meanwhile, Mel battles the Mum Flu, Giles admits he's a terrible tooth fairy and Cassie has come to accept that NITS are now a part of her everyday life...Plus, it's been 14 years in the making but The Incredibles are back to save the day.Tune in for our spoiler-free review of the Parr family's epic return!
SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Tiffiny Hall. This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Madeleine West on juggling six kids and dealing with the haters Jun 06, 2018

Self-proclaimed 'Mother of Chaos' Madeleine West admits she never wanted a big family.This week, she reveals how she 'accidentally' became a mum-of-six and the one little thing that keeps her sane through it all.She also shares the inspiration behind her new book series Lily D, V.A.P.And we're joined by the hilarious Kristen Toovey to chat about embracing her single mum status. Hello Tinder!Plus, should we celebrate our post-birth baby bumps? Controversial blogger Constance Hall says hell yeah we should!SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Madeleine West and Kristen Toovey.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Elle Halliwell on the guilt she feels when she looks at her son May 30, 2018

Journalist Elle Halliwell found out she was pregnant with her first child just a couple of days after receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis.Elle joins us to talk about how she faced making the decision no parent should have to make. Should she end the pregnancy or delay treatment?Plus, for too long, family violence has been 'none of our business'.But we're making it ours.We speak with a brave mum about how she and her son survived domestic abuse.And discuss what you can do if someone you know needs help.SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Elle Halliwell and Rachel.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Phoebe Burgess on the post-birth moment that broke her heart May 23, 2018

TV presenter, journalist and mum-of-one Phoebe Burgess knows motherhood can be as exhausting as it is incredible. This week, she opens up about parenting in the public eye and shares the heartbreaking moment she knew she had to ask for help.Plus, why is it still so hard to talk about addiction? Thousands of Australian families are dealing with the pain of alcohol and drug addiction, Courtney Rothberg's family is one of them.
Courtney opens up to us about discovering her husband's ice addiction and their journey to overcome it together. SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Phoebe Burgess and Courtney. This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Liz Ellis opens up about her heartbreaking IVF struggle May 16, 2018

After five years, endless doctors appointments and three heartbreaking miscarriages, Liz Ellis is one mamma who knows how real the IVF struggle can be.
But she says between cervical mucus and 'state-sanctioned wanks' there's a few laughs to be had too.
Now, she's sharing her story in her new book,
If At First You Don't Conceive. The mum-of-two and former netball champ joins us in the studio to reveal what kept her going through it all.
Plus, flu season is upon us, people! So Dr Sam Hay gives us his top sniffle-fighting tips and tricks.
And do you compliment your daughter in her looks?
One mum reveals why she'll never tell her little one she's beautiful.
SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Liz Ellis and Dr Sam Hay. This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Bec Judd reveals the GROSSEST thing her twins have done May 09, 2018

Bec Judd admits that raising four kids can be totally chaotic.And while it's left her in a few umm, sticky situations, she wouldn't change a thing.The model, TV host, and author has shared her parenting story in her new book The Baby Bible and she joins us this week to chat all things mum life. Also, have you seen Charlize Theron's gritty new film, Tully? Find out why Mel wouldn't recommend it to pregnant women. Plus, we discuss some controversial new advice on boys and daycare and whether it's ever a good idea to loan your kids money. SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Bec Judd.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Surviving the first 12 months of motherhood May 02, 2018

Olivia White is a mum-of-two and founder of the hugely successful blog House Of White.This week, she reveals how she stayed sane during the first 12 months of this crazy parenting thing. And she shares the little moments that made it all worthwhile. Plus, getting your head around health insurance is about as much fun as a dealing with a toddler tantrum - luckily, Finder.com.au money guru Bessie Hassan has got you covered. She explains how to cut through the jargon and really get the most out of your policy. Meltdown averted! Meanwhile, Mel reaches a milestone with her dummy-obsessed toddler, Giles explains the intricacies of gift giving to his son, and Cassie discovers her daughter may just be the next David Beckham. SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Olivia White and Bessie Hassan.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Would you know what to do if your baby started choking? Apr 25, 2018

From nappy rash to gastro and the odd lego piece up the nose, the first 12 months of mum life can be pretty stressful. But CPR Kids' Nicole Ovens says we need to learn to trust our instincts. She joins us in the studio to chat common health issues, baby first aid and when to go with your gut. In news this week, one mum has asked the internet for advice on confronting her MIL and we discuss 'man-proofing' your finances. And do you need help keeping the spark alive? Psychotherapist Melissa Ferrari reveals how to maintain a healthy relationship after kids.
SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Nicole Ovens and Melissa Ferrari.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Single parents, here's what you need to know before getting back 'out there' Apr 18, 2018

When single mum-of-three Kerri Sackville started dating again after a long marriage and a painful breakup, she admits she made every mistake possible.
From excruciating dinner dates to fakers and fruitless texting, she's shared her experiences in her new book Out There: A survival guide for dating in midlife.
She joins us in the studio with her hilarious and brutally honest take on life in the dating world.
In news this week one mum has been slammed for giving her kid a peanut butter sandwich in public while another has totally had it with 'dosing and dumping'.
Plus, we find out how to talk to your kids about sex without dying from embarrassment. Winning!
SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanks to Kerri Sackville and Isiah McKimmie.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.
We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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How would you manage if your child was deaf and autistic? Apr 11, 2018

Parenting is a tough gig.
But when doctors discovered Melinda Hildebrandt's daughter was deaf at age two and autistic just a couple of years later, things got even harder.
Melinda joins us in the studio to share her honest and inspiring story and reveals how writing about her journey, helped her heal.
This one's left us a little confused. A woman has lost a friend after inviting a mum and her child on a playdate and failing to foot the bill. So are you coughing up when you organise a catch-up?
Plus, the Commonwealth Games are on and we find out if it's got you and your family on the edge of your seat or reaching for the remote.
Tune in!
SHOW NOTES
Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanks to Melinda Hildebrandt.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.
We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.
Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Single mum Canna Campbell saved $32K in a year and says you can too Apr 04, 2018

Once you've got some kids in the mix, juggling your $$$ can be pretty damn tricky. So this week single mum and finance guru Canna Campbell shares her tips for budgeting and getting started in the intimidating world of investing. Hallelujah!When she split from her partner she was determined to manage on her on, so set herself the goal of saving a $1000 at a time. Even she was surprised by how much she had saved at the end of the year.Meanwhile, Mel braves the Royal Sydney Easter Show, Giles overshares on why he's buying out the nation's prune juice supplies and Cassie discovers the only thing WORSE than your kid being bad at something...Special announcement! Lah Lah star Tina Harris joins us with some VERY exciting news to celebrate the band's 10 year anniversary. Take our money now!SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Canna Campbell and Tina Harris.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Michelle Bridges reveals her ultimate weakness and benefits of being an 'older' mum Mar 28, 2018

Michelle Bridges is a lot of things; personal trainer, TV host, author. But perhaps her most important role is mum to adorable toddler Axel. She joins us this week to chat about how her body and her attitude have changed since having a kid.And she reveals her ONE weakness when it comes to food. Yep, she's only human!MAFS has only just wrapped but the stars are still causing controversy. Tracey has revealed she's moving from Perth to Melbourne with her new partner and leaving her daughter behind. The decision has some people fired up... Is that fair?Plus, it's got time travel, out-of-this-world costumes and OPRAH...but does A Wrinkle In Time live up to the hype? Tune in for our spoiler-free review. SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Cassie Hamer and Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Michelle Bridges.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Kris Smith on the struggles of co-parenting and is MAFS bad for your marriage? Mar 20, 2018

There's no getting around it, co-parenting is hard work!This week on the podcast TV host and dad of one Kris Smith, shares his own experiences on co-parenting with his ex-partner Danni Minogue. He also shares the incredible first moment he met his gorgeous son Ethan, and how the whole experience gave him a new respect for women. We're also joined by Married at First Sight superfan, Bek Day who talks about how her MAFS addiction is negatively affecting her own relationship and discusses studies showing that reality TV isn't good for your marriage. Plus, we talk about why the new Peter Rabbit film is perfect for kids and whether or not it's reasonable to fine parents for their children's bad behaviour.SHOW NOTES Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto the Kris Smith.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Attention sleep deprived parents! We've got the tips and tricks you need Mar 14, 2018

There's ONE thing all parents have in common. They are very, very tired.
But Dream Start Baby founder and sleep expert Steph Gouin is here to save the day.
She joins The Juggling Act with tips that will have both you and your bub snoozing in no time.
Let's be real. For some women, birth can be traumatic. It can even cause PTSD. So would talking about it more openly help new mums heal?
And if you've ever been stuck in a hospital bed for long periods you'll understand the true horror of the entertainment system. Turns out we are paying more than prisoners for this uh, luxury...
Plus, Mel Wilson reveals as a kid she was desperate for a Cabbage Patch Doll. Her mum just wasn't having a bar of it. What was your childhood toy obsession?
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto the sleep guru Steph Gouin.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want love? We'd like to hear from you!
Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Jimmy Giggle on being an unlikely sex symbol for Aussie mums Mar 07, 2018

What a day it's been! Proud dad and star of Giggle & Hoot Jimmy Rees chats bedtime routines and maintaining that famous 'Giggle' voice.
He also reveals how he deals with attention from his older fans - mums, we're looking at you!
This week, Cassie's kids got a taste of our national coat of arms. Literally. And Mel found out the hard way that her daughter hasn't been eating her lunch...Eww.
GULP! It's the conversation every parent dreads. But while most of us fumble our way through it, one couple in the UK are willing to pay $4,500 to outsource their sex talk. Clever or OTT?
And from Monkey Magic to The Brady Bunch the poddy crew reminisce on their fave childhood TV shows.
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Bek Day and our huge thanks to Jimmy Rees.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover us.Have you got a story you think our listeners would love?
Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Ryan Jon reveals why he doesn't want to find his birth mother Feb 28, 2018

Radio host and podcaster Ryan Jon was adopted at birth and went viral after releasing a mother's day video dedicated to his birth mum.In this episode, he shares his biggest fear about finding her and ponders whether he is ready to be a father himself. Mel Wilson reveals her daughter is already being teased just three weeks into her first year of school. How would you handle it? Plus, a Kidspot mum opens up about a VERY painful poo problem and the crew discuss the arguments all new parents have (and how to get through them without losing your mind).SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Cassie Hamer and Michael Adams with special guest Giles Hardie. Our huge thanks to Ryan Jon. This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover us.Have you got a story you think our listeners would love? Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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DaDMum reveals the ONE thing his wife won't let him blog about Feb 21, 2018

Brad Kearns AKA DadMum has a refreshingly honest approach to parenting and relationships.
This week, he opens up about the heartbreak of losing a child, what drove him to be a better dad and the one thing that is off the table when it comes to his blog. Meanwhile, Giles discovers the subtle differences between daycares and Mel's son has learnt how to escape from his cot. FRESH HELL.Plus, a mum-of-two young girls who is battling ovarian cancer shares the story of her diagnosis and how she plans to beat the disease for the sake of her family.SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanks to Brad Kearns and Caitlin. This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Nina Young. We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover us.Have you got a story you think our listeners would love? Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au, join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Jane Flemming gets real about raising twins and battling breast cancer Feb 14, 2018

Jane Flemming is a former Olympian, mum of twins and breast cancer survivor.
In this episode, she opens up about her double mastectomy and explains why 43 was the perfect age to start a family.
She also jokes about teaching her boys to to 'run like a girl' and shares the beautiful advice she received on talking to your kids about cancer.
Meanwhile, Mel discovers being a new school mum is HECTIC, Cassie is shocked by her daughter's book choice and Giles has found the perfect 3rd birthday venue.Is a teacher's love life ever relevant? The crew weigh in after a US teacher was fired for sharing photos of her wedding. And they discuss whether Shakespeare is ‘too explicit’ to be taught in schools after a slew of complaints from Perth parents. Plus, it's going nuts at the box office, but why are we so obsessed with 50 Shades of Grey? #mummyporn
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanks to the inspirational Jane Flemming. This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want to hear? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au or join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page.or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Would you know if your child was being bullied? Feb 07, 2018

The effects of bullying can be devastating. But as a parent, it can be hard to know how to protect your children.
Part of an anti-bullying campaign by Kidspot Cares, in this special episode of The Juggling Act two experts share their advice on how best to tackle the topic.
Psychologist Belinda Williams reveals how to recognise the signs of bullying.And You Can Sit With Me founder Sophie Whitehouse explains how a simple wristband can change a life. Plus, the crew chat Tom Brady kissing controversies and whether a smartphone ban would have a positive effect on our kids. SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our big thanks to Belinda Williams and Sophie Whitehouse. This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want to hear? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au or join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page.or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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From tough guy to doting dad: Steve Willis opens up about parenting Jan 31, 2018

This week fitness guru Steve 'Commando' Willis explains how the last 18 years of dad life have changed him for the better. We wanted to know how he juggles four kids under 18 and he reveals the best ways to keep your kids fit and active. Meanwhile, Cassie explains why she was forced to call a family meeting and Giles shares the hilarious way he caught up with his son after an overseas trip. Would you leave your toddler alone so you could have a nap? One mum says it's just not on.Plus, the team chat annoying neighbours and why school holidays can be so damn expensive.
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Steve 'Commando' Willis

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The back to school special not to be missed Jan 24, 2018

It's just one week until the 2018 school year kicks off. But before you freak out, listen up! In this episode of The Juggling Act, the team chat to four incredible mums who will help you navigate the chaos of uniforms, lunchboxes and back-to-school nerves. Veteran teacher Caroline Doolub explains how to best prepare your kids for the transition to big school. While Maraya Bell of Stuff Mums Like has the lowdown on routines, screens and getting them out the door on time. Psychologist Tawna Tourle has some great tips on how to tackle schoolyard bullying and get through the first-day tears. And The Healthy Mummy Rhian Allen shares tips for making lunches your kids will actually eat. Plus, the crew discuss the best way to teach kids about money and ask: What has becoming a parent taught you about yourself? SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our big thanks to Caroline Doolub, Tawna Tourle, Rhian Allen and Maraya Bell

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Single mamas, listen up! Julia Hasche has some life-changing advice Jan 17, 2018

The poddy crew is back for another year of parenting hails and fails! This week they're joined by the inspirational Julia Hasche from Single Mother Survival Guide, who shares her tips for tackling life as a single mum.In news this week, researchers have concluded that baby brain is REAL. Thanks science, but we didn't need a study to prove that one. Just ask Mel Wilson who nearly burnt down her house at 8 months pregnant! Ever been stuck next to a newborn on a flight? One woman explains why bubs are the best travel companions ever.Plus, the team chat vasectomies, fur babies and Mel reveals her son's all time favourite book

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Vaginas and smelly fish babies: The Jugging Act's year in review Dec 27, 2017

Grab your Christmas leftovers and get ready to relive The Juggling Act's most inspirational, hilarious and ahhh, memorable, moments!
From chicken-poxed vaginas to brutally honest mum moments, the poddy crew reminisce on the best of the year that was.
The team will be back in 2018 with even more good stuff to help you through this insane little journey called parenting.
Until then, have a chilled-out summer and a wine-filled New Year!
Over and out!

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90s covergirl Alison Brahe-Daddo shares her traumatic birth story Dec 20, 2017

GULP! The first day of school is approaching and Mel is more nervous than her daughter. So, Giles and Cassie share some primary-school-parent wisdom!
They are joined by model and mum-of-three Alison Brahe who opens up about her traumatic third birth and reveals even she has post-baby-body hang-ups!
Do you drink in front of your kids? One mum has had enough of 'mandatory' drinking and says it's completely inappropriate.
And a dad has sent an angry letter to his daughter's school. Tune in to find out what has got him so irate.
Plus, the crew share their thoughts on the animated adventure Paddington 2. It's a bear-y lovely family film (see what we did there?!)
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto the gorgeous Alison Brahe.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett.We've got a bit of a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a review. It only takes a few secs and helps other people discover The Juggling Act.Have you got a story that you think our listeners will want to hear? We'd love to hear from you!
Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au or join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page.or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Tracey Spicer on fighting sexual harassment and raising strong kids Dec 13, 2017

The fabulous Tracey Spicer joins The Juggling Act crew to chat about raising strong girls (and boys!) and how she's fighting to stop sexual harassment in the workplace.
This week, Mel learns about the 'golden handshake', Cassie wonders if $40 is too much for a kid's dance concert (Hint: it definitely is!) and Giles explains what The Rock has to do with good parenting.
Who yells the most in your house, Mum or Dad? A new study claims to have the answer.
And would you pull a family sickie? Find out why one mum is making it an annual event!
Plus, It's peak family film season and the team have the verdict on the new animated movie Ferdinand.
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto the wonderful Tracey Spicer.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett.Before you go, we've got a little favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or your podcast app. Pretty please

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Lee Watson on how she won the fight against screen-time Dec 06, 2017

Business woman, author and former sports reporter Lee Watson joins us to chat about how she keeps her kids active.
The mum-of-two with Aussie cricket legend Shane Watson, also opens up about how they create special childhood memories with their brood.
Weird or genius: Mel Wilson's mum swears by Windex for bee stings. So do you have any strange at-home remedies?In news this week, Jessica Simpson has been mum-shamed, again. This time it's over letting her daughter play with make up.Are pen licenses putting too much pressure on our kids? One mum says they should be scrapped! And from water parks to open air cinemas, The Juggling Act crew share their all time favourite summer holiday pastimes.
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Lee Watson.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett.Before you go, we've got a little favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or your podcast app. Pretty please

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The notoriously private Shaun Micallef on how becoming a dad changed his outlook on life Dec 06, 2017

This week we're joined by the hilarious Shaun Micallef, who opens up about raising three boys and how he ended up in comedy.
He also gives us all the details about his beautiful new children's book Tales From A Tall Forrest.Meanwhile, Mel Wilson discovers she's got a toe nail biter on her hands, Cassie celebrates the end of preschool fees FOREVER and Giles reveals his two-year-old is obsessed with McDonald's...but not for the reason you think! Are we putting too much pressure on our kids? A new report claims anxiety is hitting our kids harder than ever.And one mum has shared her anger over a Saturday night work Christmas party. The poddy crew weigh in on whether work stuff should be strictly Monday-Friday. Get the tissues ready! We review Julia Roberts' ugly-cry-inducing new film Wonder.
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Shaun Micallef.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett.Before you go, we've got a little favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or your podcast app. Pretty please

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The Young Mummy Sophie Cachia on how to survive flying with kids Nov 30, 2017

Business woman, social influencer and mum-of-two Sophie Cachia - aka The Young Mummy- gives us her refreshingly honest take on traveling with kids.She opens up about protecting her tribe from the limelight and how she deals with the haters!This week, after getting a toy train stuck in her HAIR, Mel Wilson says there should insurance for toddler-related injuries. Cassie battles the 'singing police' and Giles was once again reminded he is the father of THAT child. Aussie couples have shared the difficulty of deciding whether to donate or 'destroy' their embryos. What would you do? And a new government report claims toddlers today are twice as likely to be obese as they were in 1995. So are parents to blame?Plus, Goodbye Christopher Robin is out now and we have all the deetz!
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Sophie Cachia.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett.Before you go, we've got a little favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or your podcast app. Pretty please

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Chezzi Denyer gets real about being a solo parent while Grant is away Nov 22, 2017

This week, TV producer, blogger and mum-of-two Chezzi Denyer gets real about the challenges of mum life and how she manages while husband Grant is away.
She opens up about hating her name and how it made naming her daughters serious business!
In other news, Mel Wilson wonders how she'll cope once her daughter starts big school, Cassie discovers she can't do year 3 level maths and Giles reveals he is really, really bad at video games.
Here's an interesting one: One mum sleeps next to her handbag for fear of it being robbed in the night! Is that weird or is it just us?!
And a dad has been slammed online for using the women's toilets with his four-year-old daughter but Cassie says: 'Right on brother!'
What happens when your birthday is on Christmas Day? We hear one dad's gorgeous idea.
Plus, we share our thoughts on the new Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg film Daddy's Home 2!
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer with special guest Giles Hardie and our huge thanksto Chezzi Denyer and Claire Haiek.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett.Before you go, we've got a little favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or your podcast app. Pretty please

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Former Play School host Don Spencer loves that people still come up to him in the street Nov 15, 2017

Aussie kids entertaining icon Don Spencer joins the podcast gang this week, who were all super excited to meet one of the people responsible for teaching them their nursery rhymes! Turns out he still gets people coming up to him on the street - how gorg is that?
He talks about teaching his famous grandkids to play instruments (his daughter Danielle has children with Russell Crowe), and shares his passion for the incredible charity he started to help disadvantaged kids through music.
Did you know he also supported the Rolling Stones back in the day?!
Mel also admitted that she's put up their Christmas tree already and blames their local supermarket and council - her kids just couldn't wait! When do you put up your tree?
In other news, a mum has tried to implement a present opening process with her kids and has been accused of 'sucking the life' out of Christmas.
The guys also reveal their Bad Mom / Dad moments and they are absolute corkers!
And if you're keen to save $1000 a year without evening realising, then Mel has the app for you.
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our very special thanksto Giles Hardie and Don Spencer.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett.Before you go, we've got a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or your podcast app. Pretty please

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Chantelle Ellem (aka Fat Mum Slim) reveals her top tips for travelling with tots Nov 08, 2017

Travelling with kids - it can be tiring but also incredibly rewarding. The pod crew is joined this week by the fabulous Chantelle to talk about the benefits of packing your bags and heading off on an adventure with your clan. Her invaluable tips will inspire you to book your next lot of annual leave.
In other news, Carrie Bickmore is trying to bring back the 'pop-in'. Mel Wilson is all for it, remembering the 'pop-in' as one of the best parts of her childhood. Cassie Hamer is vehemently against it! (what an unplanned party pooper).
With Kirsten Bell revealing that her kids caught her and hubby Dax Shepard getting jiggy, the team come clean about whether they've ever been sprung. Mel's story about walking in on her parents will have you in stitches. Lucky they don't know what podcasts are ...
They're also joined by psychologist Belinda Williams from The Bumpy Road who says that heading away for a weekend or a bigger trip further afield, can do wonders for breaking the routine that often comes with kids. You mean we have to get out of our trackies?!

SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson and Cassie Hamer and our very special thanksto Giles Hardie, Chantelle Ellem and Belinda Williams.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Fiona Purcell.Before you go, we've got a favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or your podcast app. Pretty please

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Peter Helliar on the most important lesson he wants his three boys to learn Nov 01, 2017

The hilarious Peter Helliar joins the poddy crew this week as he prepares to take on his toughest audience yet - kids! Pete admits that he THINKS his kids find him funny, but he's not sure whether they're just tolerating him. He also shares his love for poo and fart jokes (kids are gonna love him!). And could his next career move see him on Play School?! Please say it's so!
In other news, Mel Wilson wonders why she ever leaves the house after a family fun day out was missing the key element - FUN! Michael Adams thinks Doc Martin boots are still cool (ha!), while Cassie has discovered her daughter has a completely useless skill.
This story is a weird one: one mum claims her friend is pronouncing her new baby's name wrong. Would you tell her or keep quiet?
While another mum has started a fiery debate after admitting that she's buying her kid's TEN presents each for Christmas. Our poddy crew thinks that's WAY over the top. Do you think it's excessive or about right?
IT'S TIME TO TAKE BACK CHRISTMAS: The guys have seen Bad Moms 2 and we've got the spoiler-free review you've been waiting for.
And you cannot miss our brand new segment: That's the best thing I've heard all week! The story one mum shares is so funny, Mel can't get through the rest of the show without snorting (so attractive).
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Michael Adams and Cassie Hamer and our very special thanksto Peter Helliar, Giles Hardie and Claire Haiek.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Fiona Purcell.Before you go, we've got a little favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or your podcast app. Pretty please

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Sally Obermeder says it's time women stop being so hard on themselves Oct 25, 2017

Sally Obermeder joins the poddy crew this week and is celebrating five years cancer-free. Sally shares what her breast cancer journey has taught her, how she's coping with returning to work after her maternity leave (HINT: there's not much laundry getting done!), plus her reality of parenting children at very different developmental stages.
In other news, Mel Wilson is calling bullsh*t on daycare centres' policies against not waking sleeping children, and Cassie Hamer has found the answer for every clucky mum whose ovaries keep telling them they need another baby!
This is a bit rich: one stay-at-home-mum has fallen into the role of regularly babysitting her neighbour's children. For free. How do you stop being taken advantage of? Cassie says it's time for women to embrace the word 'no'!
Plus, did you know that one child in every classroom is born via IVF? Is it time infertility wasadded to the schoolcurriculum?
Hey Netflix fans, one of our favourite series is almost here! Stranger Things 2 is about to drop so we chat all things The Upside Down!
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Michael Adams and Cassie Hamer and our very special thanks goto Sally Obermeder.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Fiona Purcell.Before you go, we've got a little favour to ask; we'd love you to Subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or your podcast app. Pretty please

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Kyal & Kara from The Block had a 'super easy' birth & we're totes jealous Oct 18, 2017

Do you ever wonder if reality TV stars are the same in real life as they're portrayed on TV? Well, we chatted to former The Block contestants Kyal and Kara and they are every bit as chilled and lovely as we'd imagined. The new parents joined us with their snoozing baby, Ziah and chatted all things pregnancy, childbirth and #ParentLyfe. Plus the clucky Kyal shared his 'super easy' birthing experience and his dream of becoming a doula! They also spilled the beans on how they chose their son's name and their best tips for renovating on a budget.Mel Wilson also shared the moment that she discovered the power of role modelling for her toddler son, and she's not really sure if it's a good thing!Ok, the secret's out. A new study has found that all parents have a favourite child. GULP! So fess up, do you have a fave?Plus, Zoe Foster Blake went on holiday with a toddler and newborn and now claims that traveling with a baby is THE BEST. Phwoar. We want what she's having!
SHOW NOTES:Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Michael Adams and Cassie Hamer with special thanks to Kyal and Kara Demmrich.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Fiona Purcell.OK, we've got a favour to ask; we'd love you to subscribe to The Juggling Act in your podcast app and leave us a 5-star review. It only takes a few seconds and it helps other people find us. Just search for "The Juggling Act" in iTunes or your podcast app and hit 'Subscribe'.One last thing ... Have you got a parenting tip that you swear by? Something that makes your life just a little bit easier? Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au or join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page.or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Sarah Harris wants you to stop with the baby name judgement Oct 11, 2017

The fabulous host of Studio 10, Sarah Harris joined us this week and talked all things pregnancy and mum life. Sarah is six months pregnant with her second bub and gets reaaally honest about mum life. Like that time she laughed so much she wet her pants. Yep, that kind of honest! Plus, she shares why she thinks there's nothing wrong with kids wearing clothes from Kmart and having not many toys.
OK, let's talk playtime. Mel Wilson likes playing soccer with her toddler but got a bit too competitive and made him face-plant. Oops!
So here's one for the screen addicts (i.e. all of us), Carrie Bickmore has introduced some new screentime rules for her family - both kids and parents alike - and we think she might just be on to something.
OMG a UK coffee shop has actually banned kids from being able to eat at their cafe. Is this discriminatory or fair enough?
Plus, we think we've found the new JK Rowling. For real. This incredible author is from right here in Australia and has a brilliant new fantasy book series. Your kids are going to love it.
Show notes:Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Michael Adams and Cassie Hamer with special thanks to Studio 10 host, Sarah Harris.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Fiona Purcell.Hey podcast lovers, we need your help! We want more mums and dads to love our podcast as much as you do! All you need to do is search for "The Juggling Act" in iTunes, tap 'subscribe' and leave us a rad five-star review. Have you got a parenting hack to share with us? Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.auor join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page.
or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Nat Barr hated being a new mum & that's OK Oct 04, 2017

Are you quietly struggling with mum life and wishing you could go back to your baby-free days? You're not the only one - by far. Sunrise morning news reader, Natalie Barr chats to Mel Wilson about how she hated her sons in their baby stage and struggled to enjoy early motherhood. Plus, she opened up about why she felt like a better mum once she went back to work and gave up breastfeeding.So. One mum has started looking ahead to Christmas (yes, already!) and is wondering if she’s cruel for considering not buying her three-year-old and 18-month-old daughters any toys for Christmas. Is this a grinch or genius idea? Plus, Cassie shares a very simple rule for how to shop for gifts for your kids to avoid going overboard on Christmas morning.Attention wedding planners, here's what NOT to do. A bride-to-be has included special instructions for breastfeeding mamas attending her wedding. She requested mums use a dedicated area (i.e. the Ladies bathroom) when it's time to feed their babes and as you can imagine the Internet is not happy about it!Little Big Shots is Channel 7's hit new show for kids. So why is everyone so obsessed with the modern version of Young Talent Time?Aaaaand we've found another brilliant parenting hack to help you get out the door on time. You don't want to miss this one.

SHOW NOTES:

Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Michael Adams and Cassie Hamer with special thanks to Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Fiona Purcell.Hey friends, we'd LOVE you to subscribe to The Juggling Act so you can get each new episode straight to your phone.All you need to do is search for "The Juggling Act" in iTunes or your podcast app and hit 'Subscribe'. And tell a friend about the show too!Have you got a great parenting hack that makes your life easier? We want to share it on the show! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au or join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page.or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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The f-word stands for FART Sep 27, 2017

This week Nova radio host, Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli is on the show chatting about how he's juggling life with his two gorgeous boys born less than two years apart. Plus, he shares the hilarious way he chose to record their births, and the spooky past life of his son, Ted. This is f-r-e-a-k-y!
Controlled crying. It's a sensitive topic, but Mel Wilson shares her experience of using the technique with her two-year-old son, and it might just change your mind.
Should string bikinis and two-piece swimwear be worn by little girls? One aunt bought her niece a teeny weeny Elsa-themed bikini and her mother was fuming.
Science has confirmed it; we hate the word 'moist'. So WHY are so many people repulsed by it? #Gross
If you love podcasts (hey, who doesn't?!) we've found an incredible new show that will have you hooked. It has followers binge-listening with it's powerful story of modern love with the pregnancy of a transgender man to his partner.

SHOW NOTES:

Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Michael Adams and Cassie Hamer with special thanks to Tiny Beans Ambassador, Michael Wipfli.
This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Fiona Purcell.
Hey friends, we'd LOVE you to subscribe to The Juggling Act so you can get each new episode straight to your phone.
All you need to do is search for "The Juggling Act" in iTunes or your podcast app and hit 'Subscribe'. And tell a friend about the show too!
Have you got a great parenting hack that makes your life easier? We want to share it on the show! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au
or join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page.
or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turia Pitt is bloody proud of herself & so are we Sep 22, 2017

Yep, the phenomenal Turia Pitt is on the show sharing the dreams she has for her unborn son and the responsibility she feels about being a role model to other women. Plus, she shares how she's been able to move on from that awful fire six years ago. Seriously, this woman is amazing.
Hey there, tired mama. Do you have night time visitors in your bedroom? Mel Wilson chats about her reality of cosleeping and our society's obsession with kids having to stay in their own beds.
What the funk?! Parents are taking children as young as five to see the new thriller, IT at the cinema. For real!
So. One mum has named her kids the exact same names as her sister's children. Weird or disrespectful?
And The Bachelorette is here and we Cannot. Get. Enough!

SHOW NOTES:

Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Michael Adams and Cassie Hamer with special thanks to Turia Pitt.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Fiona Purcell.Wasssssupp friends, did you know you can subscribe to The Juggling Act? No, we won't be emailing you annoying newsletters. Subscribing means that every Wednesday you get our latest podcast directly to your phone. Too easy!Just search for "The Juggling Act" in iTunes or your podcast app and hit 'Subscribe'.Have you got a great parenting hack that makes your life easier? We want to share it on the show! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au or join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page.or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Healthy Mummy has the answers to your meal time mayhem Sep 13, 2017

Tired of the family dinner battle, having zero time to cook, and fitness being your last priority? We chat with the phenomenal Rhian Allen AKA The Healthy Mummy who quit her job when she was six months pregnant to start her own business. Seven years later she $20 million and has built an incredible health and fitness community Just. For. Mums. Ladies, she's about to become your new BFF!turns over a yearLittle boys like tampons too. Well, maybe. Mel shares the hilarious time her son proves our kids are ALWAYS watching!What sort of phone and plan does a tween need? As Michael's daughter gets ready for , he shares his modern technology dilemma.high schoolOne dad's post has gone viral after sharing his feminist rules for dating his five daughters and it's bloody brilliant. Outdated patriarchal standards can bugger off!

SHOW NOTES:

Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Michael Adams and Cassie Hamer with special thanks to Rhian Allen and James Jennings.This podcast was produced by Sinead Barrett and Fiona Purcell.Did you know you can subscribe to The Juggling Act? Subscribing means that every Wednesday when a new episode drops it goes straight to your phone. No more searching. HUZZAH!Just search for "The Juggling Act" in iTunes or your podcast app and hit 'Subscribe'.Have you got a great parenting hack that makes your life easier? We want to share it on the show! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au or join the conversation on the Kidspot Facebook page.or tweet us at @KidspotSocial

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Tammin Sursok wants people to talk about how hard mum life is. WORD. Sep 06, 2017

Aussie actress Tammin Sursok has come a long way since her Home & Away days. Can you believe she was last in Summer Bay 17 years ago? (It's OK, we feel old too) She's now a mum of a beautiful daughter and KICKIN' IT in Hollywood. She chatted to us about how she's instilling self love and a healthy body image in her four-year-old daughter, plus her frustrations with mums on Instagram AND her horrific c-section.Alcohol. Yes, it may keep parents sane, but it's a serious topic when it comes to our kids. So, is it the responsibility of school or parents to educate kids about the dangers of drinking?Plus, blogger Constance Hall was shamed by her kid's school over the contents of her five-year-old's lunchbox. Do we need less shaming, and more solutions for healthier food options?Hey there Sassenachs. Outlander Season 3 is almost here so we're giving you a crash course on why women are SO obsessed with the hit online series #MummyPorn Don't worry, we've got another genius parenting hack too. This one will get your kids behaving AND in bed on time ... so you've got more time for Outlander Tags (Recommended)

SHOW NOTES:

Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Michael Adams and Cassie Hamer.
Have you got a great tip that makes your life easier? We want to share it on the show! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au or message us on the Kidspot Facebook page.
PSST! Did you know you can subscribe to The Juggling Act? Subscribing means that on Wednesdays when a new episode drops it goes straight to your phone - without the hassle of searching. BOO YEAH!You can subscribe by searching for "The Juggling Act" in iTunes or your podcast app.

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Three adults. One toddler. And a 16 hour flight. Aug 29, 2017

Think travelling with kids is the pits? You're not alone, but spare a thought for Bek who recently flew with her 15-month-old son from Sydney to Canada. It wasn't pretty. Umm, how would you react if your mother asked your hubby if he minds that you don't ‘keep a cleaner house’? This blogger didn't hold back. Plus, paediatric dentist Dr Sarah Raphael tell us exactly why our kids HATE brushing their teeth so much, and has some troubling advice on just how long we should be brushing their teeth for them. HINT: it's well beyond toddlerhood! Oops. What's that kids? You're bored? Let's play a board game! Cassie shares her brilliant tips for how to survive playing board games with kids - without losing your sanity.
Aaaaand we've got another Kidspot parent hack, this time one reader shares her trick for getting the kids out the door on time each day #WINNING

Show notes:

Your hosts are Bek Day (filling in for Mel Wilson), Michael Adams and Cassie Hamer.
Have you got an amazing parenting hack that makes your life easier? We want to share it on the show! Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au or message us on the Kidspot Facebook page.
Do you love The Juggling Act and think other mums and dads will enjoy it too? You can help spread the word about the show by subscribing to The Juggling Act in iTunes (or wherever you download your podcasts) and leaving us a review - five stars, of course ;-)

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Roxy Jacenko found a cure for her daughter's fussy eating. Truth! Aug 23, 2017

Has your kid ever gone through a fussy eating phase? PR Queen, Roxy Jacenko knows this stress all too well as her daughter Pixie refused to eat ANYTHING except rice crackers!

Would you let your child change their name? One boy is so tired of years of school yard taunting that his mum has finally agreed to officially give him a new name.

OK, fess up! Do leave your kids in the car when paying to petrol? Spill your secrets!

Plus, is a trip to the Gold Coast’s theme parks still Australia’s greatest family holiday?

And we’ve got an ironing hack to save your sanity plus LOADS more.

Show notes:

Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Michael Adams and Cassie Hamer

Have you got a parenting hack to share with us? Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au

Hey podcast lovers, we need your help! We want more mums and dads to love The Juggling Act as much as you do. You can help by subscribing to The Juggling Act where ever you download your podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You CAN have a c-section & be proud of your birth Aug 16, 2017

Did you feel the pressure to have the 'perfect' birth? We chat toa mum who says her emergency c-section became her dream birth experience. Her candid and uplifting story proves that when the best of birth plans go pear shaped you still can have a positive birth experience. Phew!
HELP! Is 'fat' a naughty word? Should we avoid saying this f-word to protect our kids from a negative body image? Or is this just helicopter parenting gone mad?
Are you heading to the snow this winter with your kids? We've got the goss on what to expect and the snowfield that DOESN'T have alcohol. Quelle horreur!
Plus, how would you feel if your son asked for a butterfly to be painted on his face? One family thought it was unacceptable and now others are saying it's these outdated beliefs that turn young boys into violent men. Do we need to let our boys embrace their feminine side more?
"I HATE YOU!" yep, they're the three little words we don't want to hear and when your child directs them at you, they cut deep. We chat about what it means and how to react when it happens to you.
Feeling sleepy? We've found the calculator that tells you just how much sleep you've lost as a parent, and a crazy new beauty trend to improve your tired, worn-out skin.
Annnnd if you're a tip junkee we've got a great one for you. That's right, we're sharing more brilliant parenting hacks from Kidspot mums to save you time and your sanity each morning. Bring. It. On!
Show notes:Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Michael Adams and Fiona Purcell Hey podcast lovers, we need your help! We want more mums and dads to love The Juggling Act as much as you do. You can help by subscribing to The Juggling Act in iTunes and leaving us a 5 star review - is that pushing the friendship?!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toilet etiquette, cheeky boogers & the mum struggle Aug 09, 2017

Is parenting harder for our generation or were our parents just tougher?! Raising children is challenging and isolating (to say the least!) and can be a massive adjustment. We chat to psychologist, Belinda Williams about her approach to helping new mums adjust to mum life, and why admitting that you're not coping can be So. Hard. To. Do.
Attention mini podcast lovers! We've found the best kid-approved podcasts made especially for children. From story-telling podcasts for when you're too tired to read, to science and current affairs - these might be the alternative to screentime you've been looking for.
Hey lovers, what's the go with marriage after kids? One mum says her relationship has changed so much since having children that she describes it as her ‘second marriage’. HELLO tip junkees, we've got the ultimate parenting hack to get your kids cleaning WITH a smile on their faces. Yes, it is possible.
Plus, what do you do when you accidentally walk out of the supermarket without paying for items stashed in your pram? And fancy boogers wiped on your face as your wake-up call? Mel Wilson has another epic parenting story to tell and it's one of her best yet!
Show notes:Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Cassie Hamer and Michael Adams.Do you love listening to The Juggling Act? Please do us a favour and help us reach more mums and dads by subscribing to The Juggling Act in iTunes and leaving us a review - 5 stars, pretty please!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should bad soccer moms be sent to the sin bin? Aug 02, 2017

A father has allegedly coward-punched a 13-year-old boy during his junior soccer match on the Gold Coast. So what's the answer to parents who get fired-up during their kids' sporting matches? Should they be sent to the sin bin and their kids deregistered from the sport?HEY HEY! There's a new performer in town who'll have your kids BURSTING with joy. We chat to the mastermind behind the brand new show Noodlenut, comedian Frank Woodley, and hear about his rather unbelievable encounter with Madonna.Plus, Mel Wilson's rascal kids are at it again, making us all feel better about our kids' crazy antics. A(nother) emergency phone call and a rather awkward playground confrontation topped her list!Planning a family holiday and wondering whether a cruise is all they're cracked up to be? We've got all the highs and lows of cruising with kids.Epic meltdowns! Yep, when do you pander to you children's tantrums and when do you put your foot down?
Show notes:Your hosts are Mel Wilson, Cassie Hamer and Michael Adams.Do you love listening to The Juggling Act? Share your love for us by subscribing to iTunes and leaving us a review. We'll be your BFF!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jules Sebastian became a school mum and Life. Got. Hectic. Jul 26, 2017

Jules Sebastian is a down-to-Earth Sydney mum with two little boys who love scooting in the park and reading books with their dad - who just happens to be Aussie pop star, Guy Sebastian. Jules chats about her transition into becoming a parent of school-aged child, the genius game she uses to teach her boys to read, and what parenting is like when the paparazzi are watching her every move. Plus, parenthood can feel like a baptism of fire some days, which is what happened to Kidspot's Parenting Editor, Bek Day with her 15-month-old son. Two words; eye boogers. GROSS! Attention binge-watchers, it's time to discover the hugely popular streaming series, The Handmaid's Tale. It's chilling and uncomfortable but equally brilliant. And we ask the question; when is too young for kids to stay at home alone.
Shownotes:
Your hosts are Bek Day (filling in for Mel Wilson), Cassie Hamer and Michael Adams.
Love The Juggling Act? Please subscribe, leave us a review and tell your friends. Or not. Whatevs.
Have you got a story to tell? An epically awful or brilliant parenting moment? Email us at Kidspot.Editorial@news.com.au

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Screw brushing your teeth. Just go the beep to sleep. Jul 19, 2017

Have you ever been so tired that you put your kids to bed without brushing their teeth? Mel Wilson did just that, but it back-fired. Big time! Plus star of The Real Housewives of Sydney, Lisa Oldfield is on the show. The mum of two boys is 41 and would love to give her sons a baby sister, but as we all know, fertility when you're in your 40s is nothing to take for granted. Lisa chats candidly (and hilariously) about IVF, the stigma of egg donation and of course, all the juicy behind-the-scene details of Real Housewives. Plus, are we punishing kids in schools for not wanting to learn about religion ...

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Help! When do I start feeding my baby solids? Jul 12, 2017

Getting baby to eat can be a challenge at the best of times. So Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue talks us through one of the biggest feeding hurdles - starting baby on solids.

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What does an Autism diagnosis really mean? Jul 05, 2017

Deb Goldfinch explains why autism diagnosis's are on the rise and what it really means for your family.

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When your kids are addicted to screentime #MummyGuilt Jun 28, 2017

Kristy Goodwin shares her tips for avoiding tech tantrums and Michael reviews Japan with his tribe.

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Birthday parties, kid's movies and the fabulous Justine Clarke Jun 21, 2017

Play School's Justine Clarke popped in to chat about her new show Look! Look! It's a Gobbledygook! And we totally fangirled out!

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The juggle is real Jun 14, 2017

Annaliese Dent knows first hand that for working parents the juggle is real. The radio host and mum-of-two walked away from her full time job to spend more time at home and says she's now 'living my best life'.

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What exactly is strength-based parenting? May 31, 2017

Parenting is the world's toughest gig. But psychologist and mum-of-two Dr Lea Waters says her strength-based approach is as simple as 'flicking the switch'. We're all ears!

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Meet multicultural mum Saman Shad May 17, 2017

Saman Shad has had three babies in three different countries. The author and playwright shares what made each special and unique.

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IVF with DR Sonya Jessup May 02, 2017

Conceiving through IVF can be heartbreakingly difficult and expensive. Fertility specialist Dr Sonya Jessup shares her advice for mums-to-be as well as her own personal experience.

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Wake Up Sleepyhead Apr 19, 2017

For creative dad-of-two Gary Eck, making people laugh is child's play. The comedian and director has just published his first kid's picture book Wake Up Sleepyhead and gave us the inside scoop!

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Education Minister Simon Birmingham Apr 12, 2017

In this special episode of The Juggling Act we chat to Education Minister Simon Birmingham about the childcare reforms and how they will impact Aussie families.

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What is screen time doing to our kids? Apr 05, 2017

Is you kids a screen zombie? Doctor and mum Delaney Ruston investigates how screens affect our kid's brains and development in her new film Screenagers.

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Is your baby's name bogan? Mar 22, 2017

Baby name expert Sabrina Rogers-Anderson shares the most bogan baby names she's ever heard. Prepare yourself!

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Attention tired parents, here's how to get your kids to sleep Feb 22, 2017

Children's sleep expert Cheryl Fingleson explains that getting your child to sleep (and staying asleep) is actually possible!

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Back to school nerves Feb 10, 2017

Starting school can be nerve racking for kids and mums alike! Clinical psychologist Renee Mill breaks down the issues and explains how to bet back-to-school anxiety!

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Yes, bringing home your newborn is STRESSFUL Jan 25, 2017

Becoming a parent is the both the best and hardest thing in the world. So we've recruited mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue to talk us through bringing baby home for the first time.

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