Parenting Out Loud

Parenting comes with big ideas, cultural moments and the occasional guilty pleasure, and this week we’re unpacking all three.

Are fancy lollies the new Labubus? Stacey thinks this might be another sign adults are craving whimsy.

Plus, Amelia has declared Bluey’s dad Bandit a certified DILF, and we dig into why hot dads are suddenly everywhere.

And finally, Monz asks the hard question: has kids sport officially got out of control? Between fees, uniforms and weekend travel, is the cost of competition the newest victim of cozzie livs?

Our Reco...

Duration: 00:31:05

Friends, do you too have a box of keepsakes? Perhaps teeny tiny socks, some pre-school era artworks, maybe even some old baby teeth or twenty? Well your parents might have been a collector and we pitch that perhaps there’s some truth to this form of maximalism. 

Plus, are we rushing kids out of childhood? Experts are saying that to delay delay delay when it comes to kids’ first years of school but there are some serious things missing from that theory which we’re going to talk about. 

And, why we might just need to reverse...

Duration: 00:40:43

Happy Holidays Parents! Are you having fun, are you a bit sweaty, dehydrated? Well don’t be, because today we're going to talk about:

The mental health pyramid for both kids and adults that is both genius and incredibly simple. Plus, should you be able to choose who you sit next to on a flight and if so, would you ever sit next to a stranger’s baby again? And, do you have shameful little secrets? For some it’s Diet Coke, others the Real Housewives… Amelia it’s a rather quaint delicacy. We talk about the silly habits that...

Duration: 00:35:01

Consider this a midweek treat for summer with a bonus episode of She Built That, the podcast series where we discover incredible women and girls who didn't just dream big...they BUILT their futures! 

In this episode, you'll hear from the incredible Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia's first-ever astronaut qualified under the Australian flag. Hear how Katherine went from being a young girl staring up at the starry night sky and dreaming of becoming an astronaut, to building her future and making it her reality. Tune in to find out how she took her dream and BUILT it into s...

Duration: 00:17:25

The Christmas rush has officially brought a new generational conflict: Grandparenting on Eggshells. We unpack the tension between teaching kids bodily autonomy and avoiding the Grandma guilt trip.

Plus, where did all the weird kids go? Monique Bowley, Amelia Lester and Stacey Hicks blame late-stage capitalism, social media surveillance, and a collective fear of deviance for the new conformity epidemic.

And, we've had a few epiphanies this week. Between sending your kids on an errand and rewatching a Christmas classic, we're realising just how much the mental load has increased for parents. 

Our R...

Duration: 00:36:16

Is the ultimate parenting flex actually… no gifts at all? Because according to The Cut, Millennial parents now fall into two dramatic camps:
Camp Maximalist: “Here’s every toy that's ever been produced.”
Camp Minimalist: “Your present is… presence.”

Meanwhile, gentle parenting has officially been cancelled. After a viral post dragged the whole “boundary-less vibes only” approach, we’re gathered here today to mount a defence before it’s declared emotionally supportive manslaughter.

And in other critical news, the internet is deep into an investigation of the gossip going on about the Millennial mum group — Ashley Tis...

Duration: 00:40:42

Uh-oh. The Wiggles are in hot water after popping up in a video with some 'unusual' lyrics — and it’s forcing us to ask what we really expect from children’s entertainers.

We’re also calling out the new under-16 social media laws as this generation’s 'seatbelt moment': a long-overdue, system-wide safeguard for kids’ developing brains.

Plus, the problem with nostalgia. The 'last time' TikTok trend might look wholesome, but it could be quietly distracting us from the moments we’re actually living.

And finally: how does your family decorate for Christmas? We’re diving i...

Duration: 00:39:45

Friends, we thought we'd give you a midweek treat with a little taste of She Built That. The podcast series where we discover incredible women and girls who didn't just dream big... they BUILT their futures! 

In this episode, Chloé Hayden shares how she overcame obstacles, and built her dream life as an actor. She even explains how she turned what could have been a challenge, into her superpower.  Tune in to find out how Chloé went from playing Princess Aspien on her YouTube channel to starring in a hit Netflix TV show and more!

This...

Duration: 00:19:22

Science has finally established the perfect age gap for siblings, but who is this helping? One of our hosts hates it more than others. 

And it's the Wicked elephant in the room: Hollywood's return to extreme thinness is prompting us to question what's being modelled to our sons and daughters.

Also, the rising trend of kindymoons. What are they? Who's taking them and why? We discuss.

Plus, we deep-dive into the multi-billion dollar trend of matching Christmas pyjamas and whether this consumer identity is really for the kids, or just for the 'gram. M...

Duration: 00:44:08

The new trend of 'underconsumption core' is taking on Black Friday, but is this thrifty, anti-consumerist vibe even achievable for parents who are the ultimate victims of the 'stuff' economy? Special guest host Luca Lavigne joins Stacey Hicks and Monique Bowley to unpack.

Plus, casual nudity is slowly disappearing from the public pool and gym change rooms but what does this mean for our kids? Welcome to the era of physical prudes but emotional nudists. 

And, we're stumbling into Spotify Wrapped season, the annual moment of profound parental shame. We unpack the need for a...

Duration: 00:44:20

Shay Mitchell's skincare line for toddlers is here. So, are sheet masks for your three-year-old just some harmless fun, or the latest commodification of girlhood?

And, everyone says “it takes a village”, but we beg to differ. Monique, Stacey and Amelia unpack why community is harder than ever to build, and whether we even want a village at all.

Plus, we have a new term for you: 'Hub-Sons' (aka 'Trad sons'). These stay-at-home sons are  causing quite a stir amongst a particular group who are not very happy about this new breed of men.

Our...

Duration: 00:36:09

Call it what you like — sleep deprivation/sleep recession/The Exhaustion Economy —but when you're not getting enough sleep as a parent, it's sheer torture. And when actor Keira Knightley named it for the hell it is, every parent felt it in their (tired) bones. This week, we’re unpacking the long-haul burnout that comes with parenting — and the societal shrug that keeps it invisible.

Meanwhile, if you think your parenting Group Chats are delivering chaos, you're not alone. Amelia (ever the secret Nicole) has three golden rules to survive them, while Monz is rolling out the five par...

Duration: 00:39:52

Did you grow up in a home with a favourite child? Do you secretly favour one of your own kids? We unpack the expert opinions and whether or not parental favouritism actually matters in the long run. 

Plus, we deep-dive into Jennifer Lawrence's recent The New Yorker profile where she shares what her life looks like postpartum and how returning to work has left her feeling like a fundamentally different person. Relate, much?

And, from Jennifer Aniston opening up about adoption to Hailey Bieber sharing the secret that helps her raise her son, it seems l...

Duration: 00:33:37

Parenting can involve big ideas, public debates and the odd festive guilt trip - and this week, we’re tackling all three.

The man who created Adolescence has a new idea for how dads can connect with their sons - it’s beautiful, but one of us hates it.

Plus, Amelia dives into the kids party photo that’s divided Australia: can you really “bags” a park table?

And finally, it’s Elf O’Clock. Monz realises she’s the last mum on earth without a tiny spy living in her house, and wonders aloud if...

Duration: 00:39:20

Spooky season is just about to hit and we’re asking: what’s the point of Halloween, anyway? And are Australians missing one crucial trick about it that could change... everything? Monz unpacks.

Then, Amelia makes a bold claim — some nepo babies are better than others. But why do some rise while others flop, even within the same famous family?

And in a twist no one saw coming, Hailey Bieber just became our accidental parenting guru. Yep, that wasn't on our bingo card for 2025 either. Stacey has feelings. Big feelings. 

Grab your headphones and joi...

Duration: 00:38:35

Your weekend sanity check has arrived. A new episode of Parenting Out Loud is here with all the conversations you need - because if parents are thinking about it, we're talking about it. 

Are you feeling ‘The Squeeze’?  The daily chaos of modern parenting is real. We unpack why you’re feeling maxed out and overwhelmed and talk about whether there’s actually anything you can do about it.

Plus, are you raising readers or just scrollers? And in today’s digital world, is it even important? We discuss whether it’s possible to get over your scrol...

Duration: 00:31:07

The kids are at home, the holiday activities are seemingly endless and you probably need a break. So welcome back to the podcast that's not just any parenting podcast. 

On the show today: 

You're officially excused from ever attending your child's sport practice. Don't believe us? Just ask the professional soccer player Abby Wambach.  Plus, are you an eldest daughter? Well, so is Taylor Swift and the birth order theory might explain a lot. And, magicians are having a moment. But this time it's not just for the kids. So get the girls  over, put the kids...

Duration: 00:35:17

The school holidays are upon us and Monz, Amelia & Stacey are back to distract you with some Millennial core memories, a flashback to Shania Twain and a playlist that will lift your mood.

On the show this week:

Genius or completely unhinged? Do our kids need ‘Social Media Prep School’? We've got thoughts. And, are you holding onto a room full of stuff to hand down to your kids? How A$AP Rocky & Rihanna and Sarah Jessica Parker are rebranding your clutter or as we like to call it 'love junk'.  Plus, the childcare conversation we need...

Duration: 00:35:54

Welcome back to Parenting Out Loud where we've got a brand new episode to start your weekend off right.

On the show this week:

The rise of the stealth mum. From Margot Robbie's press tour to your work colleague who's never mentioned having kids, we're exploring why hiding motherhood has become the new cultural currency. Plus, praising your child is a fraught business. Do you compliment their efforts, their appearance, their creations? Perhaps millennial parents are overthinking things... again. We discuss.  And, there's a tiny internet feud happening on Facebook that we need to talk about. 

Pl...

Duration: 00:42:33

Welcome to Parenting Out Loud where you can be sure you're kicking off your weekend right.

Monz, Amelia and Stacey are here to unpack the week once more — through the wild, wonderful lens of parenthood.

On the show this week:

KPop Demon Hunters is smashing records. Kids love it, parents ADORE it so, what’s behind all the hype?

Tracking apps: a non-negotiable today, or are we just spying on the ones we love?

The evidence that says having kids young is a good idea. We’re not completely sold, b...

Duration: 00:51:37

Excellent news, friends. We're back with another episode of Parenting Out Loud. 

Father’s Day is tomorrow and there's been a distinct shift in its marketing. Amelia unpacks what’s changed and why. Bluey: adorable? Absolutely. But is this the kids' TV show that's also making us feel… bad? Welcome to the Bluey Inadequacy Complex. Monz explains all. Plus, ❤️💜 Two emojis, very different vibes. And yes, we all need to know the difference. Welcome to your emoji decoder. And, the 'one and done' debate that has Stacey riled. 

Plus, our recommendations:

🛏️ Stacey recommends a sleep story.

👩‍🎨 Ame...

Duration: 00:38:25

🎉 Guess who's back, back again… 🎉

You asked. We listened. And now, it’s happening: Amelia Lester and Stacey Hicks are officially back — and they’ve brought the one and only Monique Bowley with them. Yep, Monz has returned to the Mamamia family to bring you Parenting Out Loud.

If you love it (OF COURSE YOU WILL), make it your new Saturday ritual. Just tap ‘+ follow’, and boom — parenting content with a pulse, delivered weekly.

Because when you become a parent, it changes everything. And that includes how you see what's going on in the world. So, we de...

Duration: 00:44:05

Welcome to Parenting Out Loud where if parents are thinking about it, we're talking about it.

On the show today, Jessie Stephens, Amelia Lester and Stacey Hicks sit down to tackle;

Glam retreats: a cultural necessity for post-partum mums? Why bedtime stories are being put to bed themselves.  How some dads forget their kids names, refuse to change a nappy or fail to RSVP — and why some women let them. And, sleep divorces. Is this where intimacy gets put to rest, or a secret hack that's been misjudged?  

Plus, in this week’s reccos:

🐣 Ame...

Duration: 00:46:05

We've got a fresh episode of Parenting Out Loud for you. Because if parents are thinking about it, we're talking about it.

On the show today, Jessie Stephens, Amelia Lester and Stacey Hicks join forces to chat all things including: 

👩 'I abandoned my family without warning. It was the best thing I ever did.' We dive into the article that went viral on site this week and we have lots of thoughts. 
🍼 Why more families than ever are wanting daughters over sons - what's behind this fascinating shift?
💚 Plus, do you have a DFK? Were...

Duration: 00:32:02

Another week, another Parenting Out Loud episode where if parents are thinking about it, we're talking about it.

On today's show, Jessie Stephens and Amelia Lester are joined by friend of the pod, and Mamamia's Deputy Editor, Stacey Hicks to discuss whether or not kids ruin your adult friendships. 

Also, to what extent should children's entertainment figures be apolitical, and why is YouTube's Ms Rachel so controversial right now?

Plus, the dumb phone. Between landlines, 'brick' phones and a yearning for the '90s, it seems nostalgia is the newest tech trend for p...

Duration: 00:42:06

Should partners (and exes) automatically be each other’s parenting hype squad? We all know relationships are... complex and the answer to this question isn't straightforward — as Jessie Stephens and Amelia Lester discover on this week's show. 

Plus, the Ellen Pompeo quote that made our hosts seriously question if mums can ever give 100% at work.

And, is letting your kid play with makeup a feminist failure... or just a rainy day win?

This week’s reccos:

Amelia's kids are obsessed with a paper magazine (yes, they still exist) and Jessie’s found a gen...

Duration: 00:30:56

Is the family dinner really just a guilt trip with cutlery?

One of the most pervasive pieces of parenting advice is making everyone feel bad about themselves. Jessie Stephens and Amelia Lester unpack the pressure to sit and eat at a dining table together—even when that table (if you have actually have room for one) is buried under laundry and unopened mail.

Also, Kourtney Kardashian says school is outdated. With homeschooling on the rise, is she actually onto something?

Plus, the model who makes money from encouraging women and girls to live a...

Duration: 00:38:47

Big news, friends. Jessie Stephens and Amelia Lester are bringing a whole new vibe to parenting podcasts with this brand new mini series: Parenting Out Loud. 

If you're deep in the trenches, Parenting Out Loud will help make your world feel just that little bit bigger with the week's hot topics explored, examined and digested. Because if parents are thinking about it, we're talking about it. 

On this week's episode, grandparents get a long overdue performance review, we unpack the article that stopped us in our tracks, take a deep dive into Mormon Wives (and mo...

Duration: 00:35:34