Parenting Out Loud

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 [email protected]
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 Kotowicz
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See 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 [email protected]
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 Kotowicz
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See 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 [email protected]
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 Kotowicz
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See 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 [email protected]
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 Kotowicz
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See 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 [email protected]
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 Kotowicz
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.