The Juggling Act

Turia a Pitt is an author, motivational speaker and mum to two beautiful boys – two-year-old Hakavai and Rahiti who is seven months. Last time we spoke she had a huge impact on me with her advice around handling those parenting days where you ‘just can’t’. Now she’s got a new book out called Happy (and other ridiculous aspirations) and she opens up about finding the silver linings and savouring the little things, even when parenting sucks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children can put a lot of pressure on even the strongest of relationships. You're both tired, adjusting to a new world (and person) and there are a lot of additional pressures that come with raising a family. So how do you know if it's just a bump in the road and something you can work through or whether your relationships is beyond repair? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we chatted about whether it’s okay to regift presents your kids were given? We’re joined by TV host and Play School legend Noni Hazlehurst on the struggles of solo parenting and family secrets… Former Miss World Courtney Thorpe reveals the important reason why she’s so open on social media. The fabulous Sally Obermeder joins us with her wild claim that can cook all your weeknight dinners in two hours – she explains how… And Pete Murray drops by to talk about working with family, homeschooling and the joy of being more present since Covid… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every night my kids ask me to sing them the same son at bedtime. One of the songs is The Rose, and I am no Bette Midler… It’s pretty safe to say that they would much rather someone like today's podcast guest sing to them at night. Pete Murray is a dad of three, while juggling a successful music career spanning twenty years. His new single Found My Place has a gorgeous video clip featuring his wife and adorable little girl on the beach, and Pete opens up about working with kids and how he finds that work / life balance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I don’t know about you guys, but every day around 3pm I have a slight panic attack. I call it the ‘what the hell am I going to make for dinner’ freak out. Well one of our fav podcast guests, Sally Obermeder, has the solution. The best-selling author and her sister Maha claim you can cook ONCE and have all your weeknight dinners done in under 2 hours. She joins us to explain how. (I'm pretty sure it's sorcery.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For some families and parents, this twist that we didn’t see coming – ie. Covid – has actually been a lesson in slowing down and reconnecting with each other. One mum who is embracing this new world, is Courtney Thorpe - former Miss World, TV Host, WaterWipes ambassador and mum to one yo Kennedy, who was 6 weeks premature, and step mum to Peyton (5) and Lara (7). Courtney joins us to share her parenting during Covid experience, how she makes co-parenting work and why she's so open on social media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our next guest is WITHOUT a doubt my favourite Playschool presenter growing up. It is of course Noni Hazlehurst. I’ll wait while you argue Benita or John were better… Nope, didn’t think so... Well, she’s packed Big Ted and Jemima away (quite a while ago) and she’s now the host of the SBS Observational doco Every Family Has A Secret. Noni opens up about her own family secrets, life as a solo mum and how her son thought she did Play School just for him! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you first have a baby you can be inundated with gorgeous and generous gifts, but so often they don't get used. Then as they grow up, they usually get totally spoilt on their birthday and sometimes don't really appreciate all the gifts they receive. So is it wrong to keep some of those items aside and regift? Or even give them back to your child at a later date? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Sarah and I discussed whether grandparents should be expected to step up and help care for our kids while we work? Author Karen Chaston joins us to talk about how to bounce back from a loss in your life – whether it’s a job or a loved one… Masterchef star Dani Venn opens up about splitting from her husband and juggling work with two small kids. PR guru Bec Brown has a new book out and shares her tips for building valuable career relationships and new mum Jesinta Campbell gets candid about the important message she wants to teach her indigenousness daughter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our next guest gave birth to her first child in Feb this year after a two and half year-long struggle to fall pregnant. Jesinta Franklin is understandably smitten with little Tallulah, and now she’s written a children’s book with an important message for her little girl. She joins us to chat about the first six months of motherhood and how having a baby has changed her relationship with her husband Buddy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former MasterChef contestant Dani Venn has had quite a year. She returned to MasterChef for the third time, juggled two phases of lockdown in Victoria, all while parenting her two young kids Harlow (5) and Oscar (2) after splitting from her partner of 13 years in July. The Founder of the Wholehearted Cook website joins us to chat about leaving her kids to return to MasterChef and how she's juggling work as a newly single mum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bec Brown is the founder and director of The Comms Department, a PR and crisis comms management agency, with more than 20 years working in the creative industry alongside people like Katy Perry and the Wiggles, and brands such as KISS FM and Live Nation. It’s a tough but rewarding industry, and one that she says you can totally succeed in - if you set your mind to it. So she pulled together an essential career handbook for creative women, called You’ve Got This’ (out now) and she joins us to share how you can build valuable career relationships without seeming like a user! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In July 2011, Karen Chaston’s life changed forever when her youngest child, Dan, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at her back door. She dealt with her loss by avoiding it; overworking, overeating and drinking, spiralling out of touch with herself and her life. Within 15 months, Karen resigned from her CFO role and became a beyond loss expert and co-founded her business: Live Love By Design. She joins us to share her heartbreaking story and her invaluable tips to coping with loss in your life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even though my parents live interstate, they never hesitate to help out with the kids when they can. It's something I definitely don't take for granted. I know a lot of families whose parents care for their kids on a regular basis, and some whose parents are not as involved. So should there be an expectation that our parents will step up and care for our children while we work or is that asking too much? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Sarah and I talked about whether you need to spend loads on your kids shoes or can you get away with the cheapies…We chat about my favourite new buzz word ‘presenteeism’ and whether that’s just a given for working parents…Parenting goddess Maggie Dent is with us to chat about raising boys (praise be) … we catch up with the Single mum running $7 million business from the AFL Bubble And How the fuck do you stop your child swearing when they don't know what they are saying ? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'll admit it, it's pretty funny when little kids swear and they don't realise what they're saying. But it might not be as funny to the people around them if it happens out in public! So should you just ignore it or pull them up? Especially if they don't realise what they're saying. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Klodinsky is the ultimate juggler. She started her swimwear label at age 24, spent years in court in a battle over the name – changing it twice - and now she’s running her $7 million business remotely from the AFL bubble with her toddler in tow. She joins us to chat about how she prioritises work and family and what lockdown in the bubble is really like. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being the mum of a boy is brilliant. But with it comes a responsibility to make sure they grow into a kind, compassionate and respectful man. Parenting author Maggie Dent has recognised that challenge and her latest book 'From Boys to Men' focuses on just that. She joins us to talk about how boys are just as emotionally sensitive as girls and how we can nurture those instincts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I love a buzz word, and my latest fav is Presenteeism. So what’s it mean? Presenteeism is a term that means you physically show up to work, but due to worries about the home front, poor physical or mental health, exhaustion or burnout your productivity levels and engagement are lower than usual. You are present in body but not in focus, energy or perhaps care factor. So what can we do about it? Elisabeth Shaw, the CEO of Relationships Australia NSW and clinical psychologist shares her advice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When my first child starting walking, I wanted to make sure that she had the best shoes possible for her growing feet. But they were expensive! And as she grew, I realised how quickly they wear out of them and sometimes, after spending a lot on a pair, she wouldn't wear them. So is it okay to put your kids in cheap shoes? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catch up on all the episodes you missed this week! Sarah and I talked about what age you can start leaving your kids home alone and the various things you need take into consideration… We’re joined by the author of BE YOUR OWN MAN Jess Sanders to talk about raising strong, kind boys. Writer and podcast host Cath Mahoney opens up about what it’s like quitting your day job in your 40s as a mum, to follow your dream. Dr Michelle Dickson shares her tips for talking to kids about the dreaded C word (that’s Covid people), and Kiss FM Melbourne breakfast host Jase Hawkins joins us to celebrate Father’s Day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is Father’s Day this weekend, a chance to celebrate the male role models in your life and your child’s life. And who better to celebrate with than one of the kings of dad jokes and pranks – co-host of KIIS 101.1 FM’s Melbourne breakfast Show 'Jase & PJ' and dad of two boys, Jase Hawkins. Jase joins us to talk lame practical jokes and the key reason why raising respectful boys comes naturally to him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covid. It ain’t going away, and that is a hard thing to explain to kids. Co-founder and creator of Nanogirl, Dr Michelle Dickinson, was an integral part of New Zealand's COVID response, working as an educator and advisor for the NZ Prime Minister, helping the NZ public, especially children, understand the science behind the virus and the different regulations. She joins us with some advice to help guide Aussie parents - especially families doing it tough in Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once you have kids, you start to see your career from a very different perspective. Do I love this job enough for it to keep me away from my children? Am I satisfied with this role or have I always dreamed of doing something else? Chasing your dreams becomes more complicated when you have little mouths to feed, especially if you’re a single mumma. But that’s what former publicist turned podcast host and writer Cathrine Mahoney decided to do at the end of last year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I love being the mum of a boy. There, I’ve said it. I’m just a little bit obsessed with how affectionate and loving he is. Every night since he was born, I whisper as I kiss him goodnight ‘you’re my kind, gentle, respectful little boy, and I love you’. Look he’s 5 now and he looks at me like I’m mad but still says ‘give me a hug mumma'. After going through a messy marriage breakdown, that’s exactly what I want for him as he grows up - to be kind, gentle and respectful. But how do we make that happen? Step in the fabulous Jess Sanders – author of a new book called 'be Your Own Man' - with some invaluable advice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picture this. You've just run out of bread for school lunches in the morning, the kids are happily watching TV and the shop is just down the road. Is it okay to duck out and leave them alone? There are so many variables to take into consideration when making that decision - their age, how long for you'll be gone for, whether they can call for help or ask a neighbour if they need it. Sarah and Mel talk about the situations they've found themselves and how to make the best decision for your family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Sarah and I talked about why we get Imposter Syndrome when we start a new role. We’re joined by dad-of-three and all-round Juggling Act fav Jimmy Rees on how his little family is managing during lockdown (yup it involves lots of silly videos and his wife is not impressed…) Former Bachelor winner Snezana Wood calls in and opens up about how her life behind closed doors is VERY different to Instagram. Dr Addie from Smiling Mind is here to help us identify anxiety in our kids, and Sarah wants to know if she should stop co-sleeping with her toddler. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-sleeping, it's often one of those things you think you'll never do PK (pre-kids), but then end up doing at some stage. Sarah has started sleeping in the same bed as her toddler, because it's just easier to get him to sleep - and stay asleep! So does it really matter, or should she find a way to stop? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year has been rough on everyone, but particularly our kids. Bushfires, a global pandemic, homeschooling, lockdown… and no end in sight. As a result, Smiling Mind - who help provide support and advice around children’s mental health - have been inundated with requests from teachers, parents and carers throughout COVID-19 on what they can do to help. We're joined by Smiling Mind CEO and Clinical Psychologist Dr Addie Wootten to share more about how to support our kids. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bachelor success story Snez and Sam Wood have now been in lockdown with three kids – twice. But if there socials and workout videos are anything to go by, they’re having the time of their lives – as always! Snez joins us and admits that Instagram is far from their reality and opens up about the joys and challenges of having three girls. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jimmy Giggle is one of our favourite guests on The Juggling Act, so I thought it was high time we checked back in with him to see how he’s managing in Melbourne with three small boys during Covid. He’s been churning out hilarious videos on Tik Tok and Instagram, reminding us all that we’re not alone on this crazy parenting journey - including one of my favourites about the things parents say, but actually mean. #relatable See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the recent Covid restructuring at my workplace, I was moved under a new manager. She gave me my first big project, and I was so stressed that she was going to suddenly discover that I sucked at my job and was a total fraud! Classic Imposter Syndrome, doubting myself even though I'd been in the job for more than four years. So why do we get it and how can we stop? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we chatted about whether you can ever ‘own’ a baby name? We’re joined by a mum who outsourced someone to homeschool her kids so she could keep working… Googlebox star Isabelle Silbury calls in to share her gorgeous engagement news and shares her advice on introducing kids to a new partner… Dr Sam Hay is in the studio with some tips on dealing with sensitive, itchy skin in kids (winter be gone!) And Sarah needs some toilet training advice (for her toddler, not her. Unless it’s an ‘asking for a friend’ type situation…) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toilet training your first child can be an overwhelming task. What age should you start? How do you know if they are ready? How do you do it? What about overnight? It's a lot for you to get your head around as a parent, let alone your child. Join Mel and Sarah as they share their experiences - what worked, what didn't and when they started. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hand sanitiser has become one of those things we don’t leave the house with… keys, wallet, phone, sanitiser. Good to go! But man it can be drying on your skin in winter (especially our little ones) and with the frequency we’re using it. Winter is a tough time on kid’s sensitive skin in general. Heating, warm baths, it’s all an itchy recipe for disaster. Dr Sam Hay joins us for a chat and some advice on treating it See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just a few weeks ago, Googlebox star and single mum Isabelle Silbery revealed she was engaged to her new boyfriend Alex after he proposed with a ring his mum gave him when he was 18. After she went through a traumatic breakup late last year, they started dating - but then COVID struck. Instead of putting her new love on hold, she decided to self-isolate with him - after five dates. She joins us to share more about her pandemic love story and how she introduced him to her five-year-old son. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s no secret that working mums have been struggling. It’s been a shitty, shitty year on so many levels with the additional pressure of working from home and in a lot of cases, homeschooling. And while research has found that men have been helping out more at home, it’s still mums that traditionally take on the bulk of the household management. That workload sometimes feels like it’s impossible to manage, and it never ends… The toll on our mental health is huge. Chrissie Davies runs Chaos To Calm Consultancy - a resource to help parents with child behaviors and parent education – and she wants to know why we’re waiting for permission to outsource for help, if we can get it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Choosing a name for your baby can be equal parts exciting and stressful! You've got to find one that both you and your partner agree on, that doesn't clash with their surname and that other kids can't make up a terrible nickname from when they start school. So what happens when someone else wants to use 'your' name? Can you ever 'own' a baby name? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we chatted about whether it's good for siblings to share a bedroom (if you have a choice!). We’re joined by Getaway host Charli Robinson who opens up about her breastfeeding struggles (while breastfeeding her two-week old bubba - total boss!). Blissed out new mum Jennifer Hawkins stops by and reveals how she handles those really tough days… Psychologist Belinda Williams gives us some tips on how what to do when your partner won't share the mental load. And Red Nose Australia CEO Keren Ludski tears up recounting the moment she lost her son to SIDS. Grab the tissues… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So today is a very important day – RED NOSE DAY. In Australia, nine babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every day. That's more than 3000 babies every year. Just devastating. But to provide some hope and support, we have Red Nose Australia. Founded in 1977 by parents who wanted to find out why their babies died suddenly and unexpectedly, and then educate parents and health professionals about how to prevent it… to make sure the devastating Impact of the death of their child never happened to anyone else. Red Nose CEO, Keren Ludski shares her own heartbreaking story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A colleague was telling me recently that she’s basically the man in their relationship because she’s working at home from 2-10pm each day, and misses out on bedtime. And her husband is struggling. He never realised how hard it was to go to work and then come home to your other job. It can be tough when your partner doesn’t step up and help share the mental load – especially when you’re both working. So how can you broach the issue? We’re joined now by psychologist Belinda Williams for some advice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In October last year, Jennifer Hawkins gave birth to her first child after a two year fertility battle, stage four endometriosis diagnosis and a heartbreaking miscarriage. Ten months on and they’re understandably smitten. Jen joins us and opens up about how overwhelming it can be as a first-time mum and her biggest hopes for Frankie when she grows up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breastfeeding - an incredible bonding experience if you and your bub can do it, a stressful situation if you can't. It’s just not as easy as you think it’s going to be when you first become a mum but not enough people talk about it. Today we're joined by Charli Robinson, TV presenter and mum of 18-month toddler Kensington and two-week-old newborn Theadora, who gets real about her breastfeeding struggles and why we need to support nursing mums more when returning to work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I was so worried about moving my second child into a room with the older sibling. I thought they'd just muck around and never go to sleep! While that did happen briefly, they now struggle to sleep in a room without the other. I also grew up sharing a room with my sister, so it's all I know. So if you have a choice, are siblings better off in the same room? When is the right time to transition and is there an easy way to go about it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we chatted about whether it’s okay to let your child watch a screen while they eat – is it practical or totally wrong? We’re joined by writer Annaliese Dent who tried Kate Middleton’s ‘no shouting’ rule with her kids. Hilarious! Mum of four Sophie –Gwidolin stops by to help us get our fitness journey started, while PR queen and single mum Tory Archbold reveals how she’s helping inspire other working mums. And we talk about how you find the balance between nurturing and discipline with your kids… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've been reading a lot about helping children calm down during a tantrum. Teaching them to name their feelings, letting them know you understand how they feel, then when they're out the other side having a conversation about what they could do differently next time. All sounds great in theory right?! But while I'm piling on the empathy, I'm struggling to teach them to respect boundaries - and me. So how do you find that balance? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I take my hat off to any working parent, but I know first-hand the additional pressures you face when you’re flying solo. Tory Archbold is one of those parents. A public relations powerhouse who launched her impressive PR business Torstar, 20 years ago, she’s amassed a seriously impressive client list, including Zara, Topshop and Victoria’s secret, all while raising her daughter on her own. But behind closed doors, she was living in a private hell. She was being stalked and harassed by her ex - and it went on for 12 years. Tory and her daughter Bella are now thriving and Tory is helping to inspire and empower other women with her platform, Powerful Steps. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve been trying to work out more at home, and I did a routine last night by Sophie Guidolin (along with all of her adorable kids) on Body+Soul. Phwoar, that one hurt! Sophie is a fitness entrepreneur, author of 9 recipe books and mum-of-four, including twin girls. That is a LOT of juggling. I caught up with the queen of multi-tasking who reveals the simple way she keeps all the balls in the air. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a common issue I hear from other friends with kids, trying to curbing the shouting. Not just us, but the kids yelling at each other as well. The bickering never ends! It’s something writer Annaliese Dent knows all too well. So when she stumbled across the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s strict ‘no shouting’ rule after a particularly shouty moment between her kids, she decided to give it a go. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether it's the TV, an iPad or your phone, I'm sure we've all let our kids watch a screen during a meal at some stage. But what about when it becomes a nightly habit because you just don't have the energy to battle with them to eat? We know mindless eating isn't great, but is it really that bad? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.