Parental As Anything
Kids & Family
About
Being a parent is tough. Social media is bombarding us with opinions — on our kids screen time, on their education, on their friendships, on their behaviour — and somehow, we are always doing it wrong! Don’t you just wish you could turn it all off and listen to some good old-fashion, sensible advice? Parental As Anything is the podcast that gives you practical, supportive, advice from two real-world parenting experts. Beloved Australian parenting author and educator Maggie Dent and teen-parenting whisperer Bec Sparrow share wisdom and experience that comes from years of working with parents, kids and teens. With seven season...
Episodes
- SPECIAL – Combating the manosphere in schools
Dr. Stephanie Wescott joins the show to discuss the impact of the manosphere and influencers like Andrew Tate on teenage boys. The episode explores how these online influences affect classroom dynamics and provides guidance for parents and…
- Back to School - Tips for Starting School
Maggie Dent and child psychologist Dr. Kaylene Henderson discuss practical tips to help parents and children manage the transition to starting school. They cover strategies for navigating the first days and weeks of this major milestone.
- Back to School - Preparing tweens for high school
Maggie Dent and youth coach Claire Eaton discuss how parents can help children prepare for the transition to high school. They offer practical tips on routines, managing the start of Year 7, and navigating challenges during this milestone.
- Back to School - Navigating school refusal
Maggie Dent and education consultant Adam Voight discuss strategies for parents dealing with school refusal, including how to advocate for children and when to consider changing schools. The episode also features perspectives from families…
- Back to School - Helping your child make friends
Maggie Dent, Bec Sparrow, and parent educator Claire Orange discuss strategies for parents to help children and teenagers navigate challenges with friendships and social skills. They offer general advice on supporting kids through the diff…
- Back to School - Preventing homework stress
Maggie Dent interviews principal Maria Cook on managing homework-related stress and challenges for both children and parents. They discuss strategies for handling homework assignments and address concerns regarding the necessity of homewor…
- Back to School - Helping your teen nail senior school
Host Bec Sparrow and youth coach Claire Eaton discuss strategies for parents to support teenagers during their final years of high school. They cover study habits, motivation, and managing the pressure of academic expectations.
- INTRODUCING - Back to School Special Series
The Parental As Anything podcast presents a Back to School Special series featuring archived advice and tips for parents. Topics include managing transitions, anxiety, friendships, and homework, with episodes releasing on January 13.
- Your hacks: How to bond with your teen
In this episode, parents from the Parental As Anything: Teens community share their tips and hacks for maintaining a bond with their teenage children.
- I'm worried about my teen's porn habit
This episode discusses the prevalence of pornography use among teenagers and its potential influence on their understanding of sexual violence and relationships. The host explores ways parents can guide teens toward healthy sexual perspect…
- How to help your teen nail high school
Youth coach Claire Eaton joins Bec Sparrow to discuss strategies for helping teenagers manage the pressures of the final years of high school. They cover organization, motivation, study preparation, and dealing with anxiety related to acad…
- Dear Bec—How do I talk to my teen about masturbation?
Bec Sparrow offers advice on discussing masturbation and self-pleasure with teens and tweens, including how to handle awkward conversations and social pressure to overshare.
- How to protect your teen from cyberbullying
This episode of Parental As Anything explores the rising issue of cyberbullying and its impact on teenagers' mental health. The discussion covers how to protect teens online and provides guidance for parents on responding if their child is…
- Dear Bec—How do I stop my teen vaping?
Bec Sparrow discusses how parents can address teenage vaping, including practical steps to take if a teen is caught vaping and ways to help them resist social pressure. The episode also focuses on debunking myths regarding the health risks…
- My teen is in love — and wants a sleepover
This episode of Parental As Anything explores how parents can handle requests for sleepovers from their teenagers' romantic partners. It covers key considerations including contraception, consent, and the emotional impact of early relation…
- My teen has an eating disorder
This episode explores the risks of eating disorders among adolescents and young adults, discussing factors that make teens vulnerable and ways to support those affected. It examines the recent increase in disordered eating and provides gui…
- Dear Bec—My teen is glued to her phone
This episode of Parental As Anything addresses concerns about teenagers' excessive screen time and device usage. It explores the balance between phones as a connection tool and their negative impact on distractions and sleep.
- My teen is self-harming
This episode explores how parents can support teenagers who are engaging in self-harm, which is often used as a coping mechanism for distress, anxiety, and big emotions. It offers advice on what steps to take when a parent discovers fresh…
- Dear Bec—My teen son hates his body
This episode explores the impact of social media fitness content on teenage boys and the rise of body dysmorphia. It provides guidance for parents on identifying and addressing concerning behaviors like intense gym habits and protein suppl…
- How can I help my anxious teen?
This episode explores the rising trend of anxiety among teenagers and its effects on their mental health, schooling, and social lives. It examines how parents can support their anxious teens in navigating these challenges.
- Dear Bec—My teen's a couch potato
Bec Sparrow provides tips on how to encourage teenagers to be physically active if they prefer a sedentary lifestyle. She discusses strategies for managing the challenge of motivating teens to exercise for the benefit of their health.
- SPECIAL—Teen misogynists in our schools
This episode of Parental As Anything discusses the rise of misogynistic behavior from male students directed at female teachers in high schools. It explores the influence of online figures like Andrew Tate on this trend.
- Dear Bec—My teenager wants a vibrator
Bec Sparrow discusses the importance of sex positivity and having conversations with teenagers about pleasure. The episode explores why there is still a taboo surrounding female masturbation and how parents should handle requests from teen…
- My teen hates me
Dr. Justin Coulson joins host Bec Sparrow to discuss why teenagers tend to pull away from their parents and provides strategies for maintaining a connection during this life stage.
- Dear Bec — I have a beauty obsessed tween
Host Bec Sparrow discusses the trend of tweens and teenagers seeking expensive, age-inappropriate beauty products influenced by social media. The episode provides guidance for parents on how to handle these requests and manage associated c…
- My teen's friends are bad news
This episode of Parental As Anything explores how parents can guide their teenagers in choosing friends and addresses the dilemma of whether or not to intervene when they dislike their teen's choice of mates.
- Dear Bec—my teen can't stop gaming
Bec Sparrow explores the signs of obsessive gaming in teenagers and provides practical strategies for setting boundaries around tech and console use.
- Is it ok to let my teen drink alcohol?
Host Bec Sparrow and guest Paul Dillon, director of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia, discuss how to navigate teenage alcohol consumption. The episode covers setting boundaries, prioritizing child safety, and managing reque…
- Dear Bec—my teen's entitled!
In this episode of Parental As Anything, Bec Sparrow offers advice on managing teenagers' requests for material items. She discusses the importance of setting boundaries and highlights what teens truly need beyond material goods.
- My teen is hassling for nudes
This episode of Parental As Anything addresses the challenging situation of discovering a teenager asking for nude photos online. It provides guidance on navigating sensitive conversations about sexting, consent, and digital safety.
- INTRODUCING — Parental As Anything: Teens
This episode introduces the podcast series Parental As Anything: Teens, covering topics such as teenage anxiety, phone addiction, underage drinking, and exposure to pornography.
- The best hacks from Parental As Anything listeners
In this episode of Parental As Anything, host Maggie Dent invites listeners and special guests, including Hamish Blake, to share their favorite practical parenting hacks.
- How to prepare your kid for high school
Youth coach Claire Eaton and Maggie Dent discuss practical ways to prepare children and parents for the transition to high school, including managing routines and navigate challenges in Year 7.
- Help — my kid won't stop swearing
In this episode of Parental As Anything, host Maggie Dent explores why children use swear words and provides advice on how parents can discourage this behavior. She also discusses how to handle situations where parents accidentally swear i…
- Why your teen simply must sleep
Paediatric and adolescent sleep specialist Dr. Chris Seton joins Maggie Dent to discuss the impact of sleep deprivation on teenagers. They explore how factors like screen time and social media contribute to this issue and its effects on me…
- How to help children with dyslexia
Host Maggie Dent discusses dyslexia with school principal Sarah Asome and psychologist Dr. Craig Wright. They cover identifying signs of dyslexia, seeking a diagnosis, and providing support for children at school and home.
- Help — moody teens are damaging my marriage
In this episode of Parental As Anything, host Maggie Dent offers advice on maintaining a relationship with a spouse while raising children. She discusses managing stress, improving communication, and handling the impact of teenage moods on…
- Discipline without punishment? Yes, it can be done
In this episode of Parental As Anything, Maggie Dent discusses alternative approaches to discipline with author Vanessa Lapointe. They explore methods for teaching children to make good choices without using punishment, time-outs, or shami…
- Help — should I let my child walk to school alone?
Maggie Dent discusses how parents can determine if their child is ready to walk to school alone, how to encourage independence, and how to address safety concerns.
- What to do if your child is self-harming
Host Maggie Dent speaks with Professor Jo Robinson and expert Michelle Mitchell about why young people self-harm and how parents can support and communicate with their teens. This episode addresses sensitive topics including self-harm and…
- Help - how do I teach my kid not to be racist?
Maggie Dent and guest Ali Kadri discuss how parents can talk to children about racism, inclusion, and becoming an ally. The conversation explores handling questions about differences and addressing the use of racist language.
- Grandparents — are we expecting too much?
Maggie Dent sits down with Anne McLeish, Richard Glover, and Richard Fejo to discuss how parents can balance relationships with grandparents, manage expectations around childcare and discipline, and navigate situations where grandparents a…
- Help – Should I give my tween a mobile phone?
This episode addresses the common parenting dilemma of when to provide a tween with their own mobile phone, considering factors such as social inclusion and parental communication.
- How to build your kids' (and your own) resilience
In this episode of Parental As Anything, Maggie Dent and guest Lyn Worsley discuss the importance of building resilience in children. They provide insights on why parents should allow children more independence and strategies for parents t…
- Help — My kids are begging for a dog
Host Maggie Dent discusses the considerations for families when children ask for a pet dog. She explores whether the benefits of dog ownership truly outweigh the extra responsibilities like training, cleaning, and costs.
- How to tell your kids you just can’t afford it
Maggie Dent and finance author Effie Zahos discuss how to talk to children about family finances, managing money, and handling conversations about affordability while avoiding stress. The episode explores teaching children about household…
- Help — My daughter has a toxic friend
Maggie Dent explores how parents can support their children when dealing with difficult friendships. She offers guidance on coaching children through these situations and discusses why parents should avoid contacting the other child's fami…
- How to throw a birthday party your kid will actually enjoy
Maggie Dent and guest Genevieve Muir from Connected Parenting discuss strategies for planning child-friendly birthday parties. They cover how to manage overstimulation and ways to include neurodivergent children in celebrations.
- Help — My kid never stops talking and I'm over it
Parenting author Maggie Dent discusses strategies for parents dealing with talkative children. The episode provides tips on teaching chatterbox kids how to listen and finding moments of quiet.
- Burnout — why you secretly hate parenting
Parenting author Maggie Dent and psychologist Hélène Gatland discuss the causes and impacts of parental burnout. They explore why it is becoming more common and offer advice for parents on how to identify and address symptoms of burnout in…