Parental Well-Being Podcast

When you are thinking about having a family, have you ever considered the cost of raising this family? What do you need to think about? With the rise in the cost of living, and the effect this is having on household budgets, I thought it would be a good time to look at the cost of raising young children. Join me and Stephanie Pow from Crayon as we talk about day to day baby expenses, parental leav...

When you have children there seems to be unending things to think about. Feeding times, nap times, playtime, transitioning to solid food. Organising kindergarten or daycare, making packed lunches and deciding what to put in it. Managing the household needs such as the constant washing and cleaning. Mental Load is this invisible work that goes behind childcare and managing household and domestic du...

In this episode I talk with Georgie Manning, a mum of four children, including twins. She opens up about the joy and the struggles of being a mum to twins. We chat about preparing for the birth of twins, the regular check ups, early deliveries, sleep schedules, needing two of everything, breastfeeding pillows for tandem feeding, feeling trapped, support networks, asking for help, and also talk abo...

Food allergies are a common concern for many parents with babies and young children. In this episode I talk with Aleshia Dearlove, a mum of two children who have had food allergies since they were babies. She discusses her journey as a parent identifying and managing food allergies and what she aims to teach her children about food.

Matrescence is defined as the process of becoming a mother - those physical, psychological and emotional changes we go through after the birth of a child. The concept relates to the expected changes such as how our bodies change during pregnancy and to some extent, that life will change. Many mothers struggle with identity after having children. We may feel forgotten by friends, isolated, wonderin...

Over 600 babies die between 20 weeks gestation and 12 months of age. It is also estimated that 1 to 2 out of 10 pregnancies result in a miscarriage. When a young baby is lost, parents are faced with so much grief, questions, and a process you never think you would go through. How do bereaved parents cope in the days, month and years after such a loss of a loved one, and what support do they need?...

Parental Burnout is that long-term emotional, physical and mental exhaustion many parents experience. It can affect 2% - 12% of parents. A recent study has also found that up to 66% of working parents suffer from parental burnout. How do we know if we are suffering from parental burnout, and what can we do about it? Find out in episode 13 where I discuss parental burnout with Helen Gatland. In thi...

Many children watch programmes on various forms of ‘screens’ such as TV, ipads, smartphones, laptops. We also know many children in New Zealand watch a screen for longer than the recommended time. Is excessive screen time bad for children? Find out in episode 12 where I am joined by Dr Felicia Low and we chat about screen use from babies to teenagers. Report: Screen time: The effects on children&#...

Many parents struggle with the work/parent balance. Having children might mean working part-time and therefore having less pay. That can lead to financial constraints as working can come with high childcare costs. Others might work full time which again can come with childcare costs as many kindergartens and schools close before the typical 9-5 workday is complete. This is a mammoth, long term jug...

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, pain and swelling in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis often develops between the ages of 25 and 50. It affects 1-2% of the population and affects 2-3 times more women than men. Over time, if not controlled, it can damage bone and cartilage leading to joint deformities. As this autoimmune disease causes pain and discomfort, how...

Perinatal distress could affect up to 15% of New Zealand women, and the rate for Maori, Pacific, and Asian women is higher and could be up to one in three. In fact, it's estimated that nearly HALF of the women who have had children could experience some symptoms of perinatal distress, however, many may not be at the point where they have a diagnosis. With such large rates of people with childr...

According to the 2018 census, there were over 700,000 people who identified as the Asian ethnic group in New Zealand. Over 60% lived in Auckland. 21% had one child, 25.5% had two children and 8.9% had three children in this census. 77% were born overseas. In this episode I am joined by Vishal Rishi, the Director of The Asian Network Inc (TANI), to discuss the needs of this population group and to...

30% of postnatal women will suffer from one or more symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. If left untreated this can lead to embarrassment and social isolation. What is pelvic floor dysfunction? What symptoms can someone experience postpartum? What is an episiotomy and pelvic prolapse? Find out in this episode about Postnatal Pelvic Dysfunction.

When parents take a few years off work to look after and grow their families, it can be daunting to think about applying for a job again. How do I update my resume? What jobs should I apply for? For some parents, this is an opportunity to think about what their career might look like, and it might be different from what they had once thought. In this episode I welcome Jayne Chater again to discuss...

Jobs For Mums is a marketplace connecting forward-thinking employers with amazing people looking for flexible work. In this episode, I talk to the founder of Jobs For Mums, Mela Lush. She explains why she started Jobs For Mums, what companies advertise through this marketplace, and what she sees as the biggest barriers to mums returning to the workforce. Check out https://www.jobsformums.co.nz/

Pelvic pain in pregnancy affects many women.  You may notice pain in the front or back of the pelvis, buttocks, or groin. You may have pain with walking and be uncomfortable when in bed. Why is pelvic pain so common? Does it affect labour? How can this be managed? To discuss this topic today, I am joined by pelvic health physiotherapist, Jennifer Dutton. 

Many parents share concerns about returning to work after parental leave.  How can I determine how many hours I can work? How can I prevent myself from ending up burnt out?  Will I be judged for working part-time? What is best for my family and how can I advocate for that? In this episode, I am joined by Jane Chater who has worked with hundreds of women addressing challenges professional...

We have likely heard the message “breast is best.” However, many women find breastfeeding challenging. In this episode join me, Shirena, and Dr Yvonne Le Fort, a breastfeeding specialist to learn about factors that can affect breastfeeding and how to prepare for breastfeeding. We will also bust some myths about breastfeeding and ask, is there anything wrong with formula? See some breastfeeding con...

Welcome to the Parental Well-Being Podcast! The Parental Well-Being podcast is for parents who sometimes struggle with parenting while managing the complexities of life. This podcast aims to support parents in gaining insights into parenting challenges and stresses and provide some tools, techniques, and resources to manage these. Please note: These episodes are for educational purposes only. This...