Parenting Out Loud

We’re unpacking the 'parenting rule' that blew up the comments section this week: While the kids are awake, you come last. The Internet had thoughts and so do Monique Bowley, Clare Stephens and Amelia Lester. So, does putting yourself first actually make you a better parent? Plus, we look at the the Barbie Dream Fest — or as the internet is calling it, Fyre Festival for toddlers. Imagine paying $190 USD for an ‘immersive experience’ only to find a warehouse, a concrete floor and a cardboard box with a pink blanket.  Also, Parks and Recreation actor Chris Pratt's wife Katherine Schwarzenegger has paid tribute to him on social media, calling him a 'Golden Retriever Husband', after he built their daughters a doll house. So why is the Internet still so annoyed with him over an Instagram caption from 2021 about opening a jar of pickles? And, we explore why a Sydney school’s experiment to ditch school uniforms was ulimately an epic fail. Our Recommendations: 🏀 Monz is loving the Noisy by Nature podcast on the ABC Kids Listen app — think David Attenborough meets The Wiggles. 📖 Clare recommends the Houdini Stop from Big W to stop your toddler’s great car seat escape. 🧴 Amelia is loving Brain Quest Smart Cards for screen-free fun at cafes Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next:  Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud The Celebrity Who Loves Bad Kids & The Sibling Effect The Bad Habit That's Back & The Politics Of ‘Bagsing’ New Twin Dad Luca Enters The Chat & Divorce Just Got A Rebrand Empty Weekend Parenting & The Viral Rocking Chair Test Wait, Did We Just Witness The Ultimate Co-Parenting Sin? The Problem With Being The 'Easy Kid' FFS, Just Invite People Over To Your Messy House Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts  What to read:  GET IN TOUCH: Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au  Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family CREDITS: Hosts: Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester & Monique Bowley Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine Content Manager: Talissa Bazaz Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock Audio Producer: Jacob Round Junior Content Producer: Tessa Kotowicz Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever seen a video online that made you feel like you were failing at a job you didn't even apply for? Welcome to parenting in 2026. This week, Monique Bowley, Stacey Hicks and special guest, Clare Stephens, are diving into a viral trend romanticising the bond between young siblings—and it's left some only-child parents feeling a little judged. Plus, we discuss the basketball coach who went viral for screaming in a player's face. Was it ‘toxic’ or exactly the kind of high-stakes motivation our ‘gentle parenting’ era is missing? And, if your child throws a tantrum in the middle of a busy shopping centre or sticks their fingers in someone else's birthday cake, they may have a fan in award-winning actress Viola Davis. We explain why. Our Recommendations: 🏀 Monz is loving this Amazon Lock Phone Box. 📖 Clare recommends midwife Jen on Instagram @_jen_hamilton_ 🧴 Stacey is loving the COSRX Snail mucin power essence. SUBSCRIBE here to get 25% off an $89 annual subscription PLUS 25% off Nala. Your Mamamia discount will be applied at checkout. Then find your Nala code in the Subscriber Hub immediately after joining. Ends 1st April. Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next:  Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud The Bad Habit That's Back & The Politics Of ‘Bagsing’ New Twin Dad Luca Enters The Chat & Divorce Just Got A Rebrand Empty Weekend Parenting & The Viral Rocking Chair Test Wait, Did We Just Witness The Ultimate Co-Parenting Sin? The Problem With Being The 'Easy Kid' FFS, Just Invite People Over To Your Messy House So, Yeah. Turns Out THIS Is The Very Last Parenting Taboo Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts  What to read:  'My mum and dad had 8 kids. Here's the most important lesson I learned growing up in a big family.' OPINION: 'You're not gentle parenting, you're Instagram parenting.' "I'm 34 with three kids. My expectations of friendship have completely changed." 'My best friends ghosted me after I had a baby. It taught me a lesson I didn't expect.' Flakiness is out of control at the moment. GET IN TOUCH: Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au  Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family CREDITS: Hosts: Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester & Monique Bowley Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock Audio Producer: Jacob Round Junior Content Producer: Tessa Kotowicz Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They debate celebrity kid entrepreneurship and whether teenagers need corporate-style PR for hobbies. They unpack playground politics, including whether 'bagsing' is ever acceptable. They look at youth nicotine trends and why vaping changed teen smoking. They try running a home like a corporation with a chaotic family AGM. Plus quick pop-culture and TikTok recommendations.

Move over "conscious uncoupling". Divorce is getting a rebrand. This week, Monique Bowley, Stacey Hicks and Amelia Lester unpack Hollywood Actor Lake Bell’s unconventional approach to explaining her split to her kids. So, why is she banning the word ‘but,’ and is she onto something? Plus, Australian influencer Indy Clinton has gone viral for struggling with her sons kindergarten times tables, and honestly? Same. So, is homework still a thing in 2026 or is it time to let kids just be kids? And, a viral post by Jana Barrett has the internet talking about the invisible labor behind every successful man. He got the trophy, she got the school run. It has us asking, do we all deserve a medal for carrying the mental load? And our very own Jessie Stevens and Luca Lavigne are officially parents of three after twins Harry and Margot came into the world slightly earlier than planned.  Luca checks in from the NICU 'baby bubble' to tell us how they’re navigating life as a family of five. Our Recommendations: 💇‍♀️ Stacey is obsessed with The Wavytalk thermal blow dry brush for a smooth, salon-style finish.  📚 Amelia recommends the Babysitter’s Little Sister graphic novels. 📝 Monz has been hit hard by Darragh Fleming’s poem ‘If I Ever Have Boys’. Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next:  Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud Empty Weekend Parenting & The Viral Rocking Chair Test Wait, Did We Just Witness The Ultimate Co-Parenting Sin? The Problem With Being The 'Easy Kid' FFS, Just Invite People Over To Your Messy House So, Yeah. Turns Out THIS Is The Very Last Parenting Taboo Michelle Obama’s Parenting Truth Bomb & A Middle Finger To Mothers The Beckham Family Estrangement: When Does Control Become Controlling? Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts  What to read:  'As a teacher of 20 years, I’ve seen what homework can do to a student.' Indy Clinton was determined to unmask her trolls. She's just been handed a 64-page report. The 2026 BAFTA nominations are out, and Aussies are making their mark. 'I can't stop Googling my ex from 7 years ago. It has nothing to do with missing him.' 'The perks of divorce nobody talks about. But everyone should hear.' GET IN TOUCH: Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au  Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family CREDITS: Hosts: Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester & Monique Bowley Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock Senior/Audio Producer: Leah Porges Junior Content Producer: Tessa KotowiczBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Young Millennials and Gen Z are currently spiralling over the ultimate 'Why Now?' question: To procreate, or not to procreate? To help, they’ve resurrected an unlikely guru from the 1980s — Merle Bombardieri — whose decades-old 'Rocking Chair Test' is currently trending as the ultimate fix for biological-clock-induced brain rot. We unpack whether a 40-year-old therapy book can actually solve the most high-stakes dilemma of our lives. Plus, Amelia Lester, Monique Bowley, and Stacey Hicks are diving into the rise of the 'Empty Parenting Weekend'. And, from Matt Damon’s viral 'don’t blink' dad take, to the obsession with Paul Mescal’s mum, we’re asking: Why is Hollywood parenting suddenly so wholesome? Our Recommendations: 🏝️ Stacey recommends Survivor season 50 on Stan, an all stars season that spans 25 years of the show's iconic winner.  🏃‍♀️ Amelia recommends trading the solo gym sessions for rugby preseason drills with the kids. 🌙 Monz recommends ‘Mummy Mondays’, her ritual for getting kids to open up about their worries by simply looking at the ceiling in the dark Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next:  Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud Wait, Did We Just Witness The Ultimate Co-Parenting Sin? The Problem With Being The 'Easy Kid' FFS, Just Invite People Over To Your Messy House So, Yeah. Turns Out THIS Is The Very Last Parenting Taboo Michelle Obama’s Parenting Truth Bomb & A Middle Finger To Mothers The Beckham Family Estrangement: When Does Control Become Controlling? Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts  What to read:  There's a new parenting trend, and it's basically the excuse we've been waiting for. 'It's never the big stuff that derails our family trips. It's... everything else.' 'Australian Survivor has restored my faith in reality TV men.' 'I help women decide whether or not to have kids with these 5 questions.' 'I'm child-free by choice. But when my friend told me she was pregnant, I felt grief.' GET IN TOUCH: Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au  Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family CREDITS: Hosts: Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester & Monique Bowley Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock Senior/Audio Producer: Leah Porges Junior Content Producer: Tessa KotowiczBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parents of children who are 'short sleepers' — kids genetically programmed to survive on four hours of rest (and pure chaos) — we see you. We unpack the science on Parenting Out Loud this week of why some kids are simply 'built different'... and why the rest of us are drowning in caffeine. Plus, we need to talk about the fetishisation of the 'Involved Father'. From Chris Hemsworth’s commemorative tattoos to the rise of the ‘Swiftie Dad,’ why does society throw a parade when a man does the bare minimum, yet side-eye Bobby Cannavale for skipping the Golden Globes to go to a reptile expo? (Justice for Bobby, tbh). And, ex-One Directioner Zayn Malik is single-handedly causing Tooth Fairy inflation, but the real digital horror story is the school Facebook group. Is opting out of the 'digital footprint' a smart move, or does it just make you the ‘weird’ privacy parent who everyone is accidentally tagging anyway? Our Recommendations: 💄 Stacey recommends the Mecca Max Vol. Tubing Mascara for the ultimate ‘lash socks’ that actually come off without a fight. 📕 Amelia could not put down I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, a comic masterpiece that’s a fascinating, heartbreaking glimpse into Hollywood. 🍣 Monz recommends the $10 Kmart sushi maker to save your bank account from the ‘chicken nugget’ of the 2020s. Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next:  Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud The Problem With Being The 'Easy Kid' FFS, Just Invite People Over To Your Messy House So, Yeah. Turns Out THIS Is The Very Last Parenting Taboo Michelle Obama’s Parenting Truth Bomb & A Middle Finger To Mothers The Beckham Family Estrangement: When Does Control Become Controlling? The Clicker Test That Changes Everything & Our 'Public Nuisance' Park Fight Bluey's Hottest Character & The Out-Of-Control Cost of Competition Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts  What to read:  'I'm raising my daughter with a single mum I met online. I'll never live with a man again.' MIA FREEDMAN: 'What the Taylor concert was really like.' This is why celebrities are boring now. GET IN TOUCH: Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au  Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family CREDITS: Hosts: Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester & Monique Bowley Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock Senior/Audio Producer: Leah Porges Junior Content Producer: Tessa KotowiczBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester, and guest host Clare Stephens are diving into the 'beige food' epidemic and why modern snack culture might be to blame for your toddler’s refusal to eat anything that isn’t plain pasta or chicken nuggets. And we discuss the the emotional cost of being an 'easy kid'. If you were the child who always got a gold star, never made a fuss, and now find yourself over-apologising to your barista, this one is for you. We talk about why we might actually want our kids to be a little bit... difficult. Plus, a heated debate over 'fart-proud' vs. 'fart-shame' households and why there's now official permission to stop feeling guilty about letting your kids watch TV. Our Recommendations: ⛸️ Stacey recommends getting your kids to record vlog style videos when FaceTiming the relatives gets too boring.  🐎 Amelia is obsessed with The Sound of Music. Yes, the classic movie from 1965.  🎧 Clare recommends The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb. Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next:  Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud FFS, Just Invite People Over To Your Messy House So, Yeah. Turns Out THIS Is The Very Last Parenting Taboo Michelle Obama’s Parenting Truth Bomb & A Middle Finger To Mothers The Beckham Family Estrangement: When Does Control Become Controlling? The Clicker Test That Changes Everything & Our 'Public Nuisance' Park Fight Bluey's Hottest Character & The Out-Of-Control Cost of Competition Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts  What to read:  The emotional cost of being the 'easy child'. 'You either grew up in a "fart-proud" or "fart-shame" household. It tells me everything.' We need to talk about farting in relationships and the narrative that 'girls don't s**t'. 'I've cut my kids' screen time without them even noticing using these 3 simple swaps.' 'I've finally cracked the code to screen time, and it only took this one thing.' GET IN TOUCH: Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au  Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family CREDITS: Hosts: Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester & Clare Stephens Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock Senior/Audio Producer: Leah Porges Junior Content Producer: Tessa KotowiczBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Parenting Out Loud, we're joined again by Luca Lavigne, so of course things went off without a hitch. 👀 Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester and Luca are here to unpack the rise of 'Trimester Zero,' and why the over-optimisation of parenting our kids is officially getting out of hand.  Plus, is the art of 'gathering' officially dead? Are we too scared of judgement, toddler tantrums and messy living rooms to accept anyone into our home? And at what point did hosting become synonymous with performing?  And, the 'creepy' parenting rituals we all have to try to hold on to time, and why sushi in our kids' lunchboxes is the latest humble brag. Our Recommendations: ⛸️ Stacey is obsessed with Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing on Netflix.  🐎 Amelia recommends All Her Fault on Binge and horse riding (sort of). 🎧 Luca is loving the Spotify DJ, the AI playlist that can get you out of that listening rut. Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next:  Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud So, Yeah. Turns Out THIS Is The Very Last Parenting Taboo Michelle Obama’s Parenting Truth Bomb & A Middle Finger To Mothers The Beckham Family Estrangement: When Does Control Become Controlling? The Clicker Test That Changes Everything & Our 'Public Nuisance' Park Fight Bluey's Hottest Character & The Out-Of-Control Cost of Competition Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts  What to read:  9 things I wish I knew before my first trimester of pregnancy. 5 parenting hacks to instantly elevate your daily routine. 17 women on the tips and tricks that helped them most with a toddler. A complete guide on how to not lose your s**t at family gatherings. GET IN TOUCH: Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au  Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family CREDITS: Hosts: Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester & Luca Lavigne Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock Senior/Audio Producer: Leah Porges Junior Content Producer: Tessa KotowiczBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is a mum's job ever done? That's the question that's come off the back of a viral moment from the Wuthering Heights press tour after its star Jacob Elordi was spotted doing something that has everyone talking. Monz, Stacey, and special guest Luca Lavigne debate whether this red carpet incident was a sweet moment for Jacob and his mum or... totally gross.  Plus, Claire Danes just said the quiet part out loud about what's being touted as the very last parenting taboo. So, how would you feel about a surprise pregnancy at 44? The internet has its opinions — and so do our hosts.  And, is a clear bench top the only thing standing between you and a cortisol spike? From 'CleanTok' to 'Sunday Reset', domestic drudgery on social media is undergoing a rebrand with a surprising cohort leading the charge.  Our Recommendations: 💆 Stacey is obsessed with @toupeequeen. A new TikTok niche she's discovered of Toupee application videos.  🎨 Monz recommends creating 'something crap' in front of your kids to break the cycle of perfectionism and celebrate the power of making mistakes. 🧚 Luca is loving the dummy fairy, as the ultimate strategic ally for transitioning toddlers away from their pacifiers. Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next:  Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud Michelle Obama’s Parenting Truth Bomb & A Middle Finger To Mothers The Beckham Family Estrangement: When Does Control Become Controlling? The Clicker Test That Changes Everything & Our 'Public Nuisance' Park Fight Bluey's Hottest Character & The Out-Of-Control Cost of Competition The Precise Reason We Need To Reverse The Parent-Child Hierarchy A Genius Mental Health Pyramid & Our Dirty Little Parenting Secrets No-Hugs Christmas & Where Are All The Weird Kids? Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts  What to read:  'Trust me, this cleaning routine will save you hours each week.' Claire Danes should have been happy to fall pregnant at 44. She felt something else entirely. 'Trust me, these 3 hacks will make your home feel instantly cleaner.' 'The world is choosing daughters, but here is my case for the "boy mum".' GET IN TOUCH: Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au  Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family CREDITS: Hosts: Monique Bowley, Stacey Hicks & Luca Lavigne Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock Senior/Audio Producer: Leah Porges Junior Content Producer: Tessa KotowiczBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Obama spoke about a very specific kind of reality check on the Call Her Daddy podcast: the exact moment you realise you’re no longer the main character in your child’s life. Monz is feeling this deeply and Amelia and Stacey unpack precisely why it hits so hard. Plus, a viral video of an airport lounge meltdown has us asking whether we've lost the ability to handle conflict without reaching for our phone. We dive into the rise of "public shaming" and whether we’re all just one bad day away from being filmed giving someone the finger.  And, move over “rawdogging boredom”, is “slow vacuuming” the new mindfulness trend? Monz is deep into this one but Amelia and Stacey remain firmly unconvinced. Our Recommendations: 🖼️ Stacey is obsessed with the renter-friendly Smarty Pals magnetic wall decals. 🍽️ Monz is loving the Marion's Kitchen Green Thai Curry It comes in a box with instructions even a 5 year old could follow. 🎾Amelia is loving backyard tennis from KMART for some family totem tennis with a serve of nostalgia. Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next:  Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud The Beckham Family Estrangement: When Does Control Become Controlling? The Clicker Test That Changes Everything & Our 'Public Nuisance' Park Fight Bluey's Hottest Character & The Out-Of-Control Cost of Competition The Precise Reason We Need To Reverse The Parent-Child Hierarchy A Genius Mental Health Pyramid & Our Dirty Little Parenting Secrets No-Hugs Christmas & Where Are All The Weird Kids? Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts  What to read:  'I have 50-50 custody and nobody talks about the silent micro-grief.' 'I'm raising my daughter with a single mum I met online. I'll never live with a man again.' "I'm not just mummy. I'm also me." When Sally became a mother, she lost her sense of self. CLARE STEPHENS: A rude stranger, a note from a neighbour and the age of utter intolerance. MOVE by Mamamia is the app that helps you fit movement into your every day. Whether you have 10 minutes, or 45, we've got the workout that fits your time, space and body. Get $20 off an annual subscription until the end of January when you use code PARENTING at checkout. Start your free trial today. HUGGIES ULTRA DRY NAPPY PANTS: *BABY MILK BOTTLE 250ML GET IN TOUCH: Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au  Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family CREDITS: Hosts: Monique Bowley, Stacey Hicks & Amelia Lester Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock Senior/Audio Producer: Leah Porges Junior Content Producer: Tessa KotowiczBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.