Help! I Have A Teenager

On today’s episode, writer, comedian and host of Mamamia's 456 Club podcast, Cathrine Mahoney joins us to share her unfiltered experience of parenting a teenager. With her trademark humour, Cathrine Mahoney offers hilarious reality checks about what's coming in the teenage years from endless food bills to impossible-to-wake mornings, and the unexpected melancholy of the parenting moments you...

A parent keeps a close eye on the gifts coming into the house—it might feel like extra admin, but it's undeniably clever. Speaking of clever, one mum has cracked the code for those insufferable "home-baked treats" requests at school fetes. And, in an impressive feat, a couple transforms into wizard-like time lords to carve out more alone time. You can share your best worst parenting stories...

What comes to mind when you hear 'strong'? Maybe muscles or physical strength? But, what about mental strength and resilience?  You may know Olympian Libby Trickett as Libby Lenton. She became a house hold name in the early 2000s swimming for Australia. Libby wasn’t prepared for a different type of strength she would need once she’d retire from swimming. Like many new parents, Lib...

On this weeks episode of Parents Anonymous, a gushy Facebook post has a parent questioning their entire existence. Bribery is ALWAYS in the parenting toolkit. Plus a PA theme has started to emerge with parents ringing the emergency services, possibly wasting their time. Much to unpack.   Please share your shameful secrets by leaving us a voice note , email us at tgm@mamamia.com.au or for...

Parenthood is life-changing, but for today’s guest, Anna Water-Massey, it came with both joy and deep loss. At 30, Anna became a mother to Cleo, and a year later, she lost her own mother to cancer. Despite the heartbreak, Anna shares the incredible bond she’s built with Cleo—a connection that continues to grow, especially now that Cleo has become a mother herself to baby Indigo....

Today's Parents Anonymous dives into another three deliciously embarrassing confessions: a baby locked in the car sparks a lasting daycare shame, one parent confesses to dodging one-on-one time with their child, and childproofing materials prove smarter than the adults trying to navigate them. You can share your best worst parenting stories by leaving us a voice note , email us at tgm@mamamia.com....

Have you ever felt that instant spark of friendship with someone new? That’s exactly what happened when comedian Damian Callinan met Cal Wilson in the early 2000s. In this episode of Little Love Stories , we remember the vibrant Kiwi comedian, Cal Wilson, who passed away nearly a year ago. Damian reflects on their friendship, their collaborations on shows like Skit House , and the honour of...

Is gaslighting a toddler ever okay? We are divided on this episode of Parents Anonymous - which might just be our most outrageous yet. From failed homework to divorce celebration we are dishing out our judgement-free judgement on your biggest parenting confessions and sharing ours as well. Please share your shameful secrets by leaving us a voice note , email us at tgm@mamamia.com.au or for super s...

The bond between sisters is a unique mix of fierce loyalty and the ability to argue over just about anything. But when someone you love is in danger, that bond becomes unwavering. In this episode of Little Love Stories , we explore the extraordinary bond between sisters Grace and Lil O'Connell. When Lil fell critically ill with meningococcal disease on Christmas Day 2017, her life was on the line....

On this episode, we uncover how a mystery rash is actually tied to last night’s dinner, a parent who’s taking "work from home" to a whole new level, and meet a mum who’s embracing sleep deprivation—for a surprising new reason.  You can share your best worst parenting stories by leaving us a voice note , email us at tgm@mamamia.com.au or for super shame super anonymous...

Introducing This Glorious Mess' series "Little Love Stories".  In this episode we delve into an important love letter to identity, culture, and belonging. Natasha Lucas has found her place in world through deep connection with her Aboriginal heritage. In a country where only 3.8% of the population identifies as Aboriginal, Natasha’s journey is one of discovering pride, strength, and sis...

In this weeks Parents Anonymous we got quite a shock when a super embarrassing toilet dilemma was revealed to be the secret shame of our very own Stacey Hicks! However, we're quite impressed at her ingenuity. Brace for shock and wow Please share your shameful secrets by leaving us a voice note , email us at tgm@mamamia.com.au or for super shame super anonymous you can pop them in this form . ...

Before you become “Mum” or “Dad,” you're just you—with a first name, a spontaneous social life, and the freedom to pursue your career ambitions with no limits, even if that means sometimes working 20-hour days. That was the life of today's guest, Bec Bignell, before she became a parent. Bec pushed herself to give 100% to both her career and her role as a parent, but e...

Is it a confession or deep respect to a parent who kills off Santa, The Tooth Fairy AND The Easter Bunny in just one conversation. We're leaning towards respect.  Plus a mother who made the mistake of trying to enjoy herself at the beach with toddlers.  You can share your best worst parenting stories by leaving us a  voice note , email us at tgm@mamamia.com.au or for super shame sup...

Kris O’Neill has a love letter to two girls who she misses terribly, her breasts. After being diagnosed with breast cancer almost two years ago, Kris made the choice to go flat. A complex journey wrapped up in fear, celebration and survival. Kris is now on a mission to change the perceptions of mastectomy. Talking to anyone who has gone flat or foob, or supporting someone who has, to help fi...

Welcome to a brand new podcast from This Glorious Mess called Parents Anonymous. Part Church Confessional, part Game Show, this is where you share your deepest, darkest parenting confessions to get that guilt off your chest. We'll score each confession, and here at parents anonymous, the worst parenting moment wins the most points. To kick things off, we have three juicy secrets: a butt dial gone...

Struggling to shop for the little kids or ever-changing teens in your life? We’ve done the hard work for you. From must-haves for toddlers to trending gifts for TikTok-obsessed teens, this episode breaks it all down to make your shopping stress-free. LINKS TO EVERYTHING MENTIONED:  Watch us on Youtube KIDS Boujee:  Mason Pearson Pocket Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush $196 Honeysticks...

A few weeks ago, on our parenting podcast This glorious Mess, we dove into the topic of end-of-year overwhelm, and so many listeners shared they were feeling the exact same way! With endless to-do lists, days that feel too short, and barely a moment to breathe, finding time for yourself can feel impossible. That’s why we’ve put together some simple, practical hacks to help you reclaim...

Mum guilt—it's something most of us have heard about. But what about Dad guilt? Does it exist? Annaliese and Tegan take a deep dive into their own experiences with Mum guilt, exploring where it stems from. To get the Dad perspective, they brought back resident dad Thom Lion to share whether dads feel the same weight of guilt. Plus, a few of Mamamia's own dads shared their honest take... The result...

Is everyone tired? It's getting to that time of year where everything starts to get a bit hard. It may be the last week of November but it feels like the year has been dragging and the silly season can bring out some season overwhelm. On this episode of parenting podcast This Glorious Mess, Annaliese and Tegan turn to Lauren Thornborough, co-founder of The Village—a network designed to empower and...

Your kids might be a bit older, and you’re back in the routine of life—work, kids, chores—but how’s your relationship? Has it started to feel more like you’re roommates than partners?  Before you know it, you might find yourselves in the "roommate phase." In this episode of This Glorious Mess, we explore the telltale signs of this phase and share tips on how to reconnect. We're also joined by a da...

Welcome to a brand new podcast from This Glorious Mess called Little Love Stories. Little Love Stories is an open-hearted conversation with someone who has love and gratitude to share, whether it's about a person, an object, or an event. In this first episode, This Glorious Mess co-host Annaliese Todd shares the love story she wrote to herself. No one plans on becoming a single parent, but through...

We need to talk about sleep. Not your kids sleep - YOUR sleep. Introducing This Glorious Mess the parenting podcast that's just had a major glowup. In this very special sleep episode hosts Tegan Natoli and Annaliese Todd share how the mental load impacts their sleep, and discuss how a "sleep divorce" could be the key to a good nights rest. Annaliese speaks to a sleep expert, leading to her full me...

We know teenagers are going through a lot, but they often don’t open up to us about it. After reading an article about what it’s like to be a teenager in 2024, we have some insight for any confused parents. Plus, seeing your kids fight can be really tough. So, what do you do when they both come to you to complain? And, how can you help them build a positive relationship with each other? And finall...

Parenting groups want to hold off on giving teens phones to protect them from disturbing online content. But does this risk making them feel left out? Ginni and Jo tackle the big conversation about teens and screens. Plus, parents separate for all sorts of reasons, but how do you talk to your kids about it when infidelity is involved? We discuss the best way to handle this tough topic. THE END BIT...