Welcome to Navigating Parenthood, the podcast for parents, not babies, brought to you by HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund.

Whether you’re already parent or planning to become one, these are real people’s compelling stories of finding their way along unexpected pathways, sharing what they’ve learned.

Side by side in conversation, about challenges and joys, is a line up of experts joining in to offer insight.

Welcome to Navigating Parenthood, the podcast for parents, not babies, brought to you by HCF, Australia&rsquo;s largest not-for-profit health fund.
Whether you&rsquo;re already parent or planning to become one, these are real people&rsquo;s compelling stories of finding their way along unexpected pathways, sharing what they&rsquo;ve learned.
Side by side in conversation, about challenges and joys, is a line up of experts joining in to offer insight.

Welcome to Navigating Parenthood, the podcast for parents, not babies, brought to you by HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund.  Whether you’re already parent or planning to become one, these are real people’s compelling stories of finding their way along unexpected pathways, sharing what they’ve learned.  Side by side in conversation, about challenges and joys, is a line up of experts joining in to offer insight.

Welcome to Navigating Parenthood

Even though Melanie’s son was born with brain damage, she wanted so badly to believe he’d be fine.

But when he was diagnosed with a permanent disability, everything changed. Melanie talks about the unexpected joys and the day-to-day experience of parenting a child with special needs.

Joan Bratel from Cerebral Palsy Alliance gives advice on coming to terms with a diagnosis like this and the support available.

For more information on cerebral palsy, visit cerebralpalsy.org.au and for disability support groups visit Better Health Channel.

Even though Melanie&rsquo;s son was born with brain damage, she wanted so badly to believe he&rsquo;d be fine.
But when he was diagnosed with a permanent disability, everything changed. Melanie talks about the unexpected joys and the day-to-day experience of parenting a child with special needs.
Joan Bratel from Cerebral Palsy Alliance gives advice on coming to terms with a diagnosis like this and the support available.
For more information on cerebral palsy, visit <a href="https://www.cerebralpalsy.org.au/">cerebralpalsy.org.au</a> and for disability support groups visit <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/disability-groups-and-networks">Better Health Channel</a>.

Embracing special needs parenthood

Julia Hasche never thought she’d be a single mum, but her relationship broke down just months after having her baby.

She shares her journey of single parenthood, from the vast emotional reward, to combatting loneliness and the work-family juggling act.

Julia now runs the website and podcast Single Mother Survival Guide to help and empower other single mums.

Elisabeth Shaw from Relationships Australia NSW talks about protecting your child from conflict and finding time to look after yourself.

If you need help with your relationship or after a relationship has ended, visit Relationships Australia or call 1300 364 277 (Aus).

Julia Hasche never thought she&rsquo;d be a single mum, but her relationship broke down just months after having her baby.
She shares her journey of single parenthood, from the vast emotional reward, to combatting loneliness and the work-family juggling act.
Julia now runs the website and podcast <a href="https://www.singlemothersurvivalguide.com/">Single Mother Survival Guide&nbsp;</a>to help and empower other single mums.
Elisabeth Shaw from Relationships Australia NSW talks about protecting your child from conflict and finding time to look after yourself.
If you need help with your relationship or after a relationship has ended, visit <a href="http://relationships.org.au/">Relationships Australia</a>&nbsp;or call 1300 364 277 (Aus).

A single mother’s path

What does it feel like to go home, after giving birth, without your babies? 

Mum Lee had her twins at 28 weeks and they landed up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 102 days. We hear from Lee and NICU nurse Maddie O’Connor about the challenges of becoming a parent in this environment, the impact it has and what help you might need.

For more information and support for parents of premature babies visit Miracle Babies at miraclebabies.org.au.

What does it feel like to go home, after giving birth, without your babies? 
Mum Lee had her twins at 28 weeks and they landed up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 102 days. We hear from Lee and NICU nurse Maddie O&rsquo;Connor about the challenges of becoming a parent in this environment, the impact it has and what help you might need.
For more information and support for parents of premature babies visit Miracle Babies at <a href="https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/">miraclebabies.org.au</a>.

Starting life in ICU

Before having a baby Stephanie was a busy news reporter who loved her job.

After giving birth she changed so much as a person she couldn’t look at work, or herself, in the same way. With psychologist Lisa Williams from the University of New South Wales we talk about how becoming a parent can fundamentally change your identity and your perspective on life and work.

Need help? If you feel depressed or anxious, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 (Aus).

Before having a baby Stephanie was a busy news reporter who loved her job.
After giving birth she changed so much as a person she couldn&rsquo;t look at work, or herself, in the same way. With psychologist Lisa Williams from the University of New South Wales we talk about how becoming a parent can fundamentally change your identity and your perspective on life and work.
Need help? If you feel depressed or anxious, please contact <a href="http://lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline </a>on 13 11 14 (Aus).

Reshaping your identity

Blogger Leah Williams from The Dearest Days and her partner had both experienced mental health problems before having their baby.

When their daughter turned out to be a “textbook difficult baby”, Leah struggled and knew she had to seek help.

Social worker and therapist Ray Medhora talks about how couples and families can support each other through postnatal depression and the major life changes of early parenthood.

If you’re a parent who needs help, speak to a maternal child health nurse from Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436.

If you feel depressed or anxious, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 (Aus).

Blogger Leah Williams from <a href="https://thedearestdays.com/">The Dearest Days</a> and her partner had both experienced mental health problems before having their baby.
When their daughter turned out to be a &ldquo;textbook difficult baby&rdquo;, Leah struggled and knew she had to seek help.
Social worker and therapist Ray Medhora talks about how couples and families can support each other through postnatal depression and the major life changes of early parenthood.
If you&rsquo;re a parent who needs help, speak to a maternal child health nurse from <a href="https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/pregnancy-birth-baby-helpline">Pregnancy, Birth and Baby</a> on 1800 882 436.
If you feel depressed or anxious, please contact <a href="http://lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14 (Aus).

Managing mental challenges

Saman is from Pakistan and her husband is from Scotland.

They’ve had children in three different countries.

Now living in Australia, they try and bring different elements of their cultures to parenting and family life.

Anthropologist Dr Geir Presterudstuen from the University of Western Sydney puts this in context of our constantly changing ideas of culture.

Saman is from Pakistan and her husband is from Scotland.
They&rsquo;ve had children in three different countries.
Now living in Australia, they try and bring different elements of their cultures to parenting and family life.
Anthropologist Dr Geir Presterudstuen from the University of Western Sydney puts this in context of our constantly changing ideas of culture.

Parenting across cultures

Ever wondered what your teen is thinking, feeling and experiencing? In season two of Navigating Parenthood – Talking to Teens, six switched-on teens and experts tell us what it means to grow up and get by in 2020: mates, dates, self-esteem, study stress, true grief and the grief we give them. Host Rebecca Sparrow takes us inside the heads of today’s teenagers, uncovering insights every parent needs to hear. 

Ever wondered&nbsp;what your teen is thinking, feeling and experiencing?&nbsp;In season two of Navigating Parenthood &ndash; Talking to Teens, six switched-on&nbsp;teens&nbsp;and experts&nbsp;tell us&nbsp;what it means to&nbsp;grow up and get&nbsp;by&nbsp;in 2020:&nbsp;mates, dates,&nbsp;self-esteem,&nbsp;study stress,&nbsp;true&nbsp;grief&nbsp;and&nbsp;the grief we give them.&nbsp;Host Rebecca Sparrow takes us inside the heads of&nbsp;today&rsquo;s&nbsp;teenagers,&nbsp;uncovering&nbsp;insights&nbsp;every parent needs to hear.&nbsp;

Season 2 - Talking to teens

What happens when your child unexpectedly has to face the worst of life’s challenges? There are hundreds of parenting books out there, but there are some things you can never prepare your kids for.

Grace was 10 when her father died. Since then, she’s had to process her own grief, as well as manage the feelings of people around her. Because as Grace says, people don’t know how to talk about death. 

In this episode of Navigating Parenthood – Talking to teens, brought to you by HCF, we hear from Grace and her mum Julie on how to talk about the teenage experience of grief and resilience, and what happens when your family unit changes forever.

Hosted by Rebecca Sparrow

Need help?GriefLine and the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement offer online support, information and telephone counselling services.

What happens when your child unexpectedly has to face the worst of life&rsquo;s challenges? There are hundreds of parenting books out there, but there are some things you can never prepare your kids for.
Grace was 10 when her father died. Since then, she&rsquo;s had to process her own grief, as well as manage the feelings of people around her. Because as Grace says, people don&rsquo;t know how to talk about death.&nbsp;
In this episode of Navigating Parenthood &ndash; Talking to teens, brought to you by HCF, we hear from Grace and her mum Julie on how to talk about the teenage experience of grief and resilience, and what happens when your family unit changes forever.
Hosted by <a href="https://rebeccasparrow.com/">Rebecca Sparrow</a>
Need help? <a href="http://griefline.org.au/">GriefLine</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grief.org.au/">Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement</a>&nbsp;offer online support, information and telephone counselling services.

Teens: Grief and resilience.

Study and exam stress can affect any student, and teenagers are experts at hiding their worries. So how do parents know when to offer help, and what should that help even look like? By the time Genevieve reached year 12, she was used to being on top of things: vice captain and sports captain of her school – a self-described high achiever. 

But in the middle of the HSC exam for her best subject, with her heart racing and everyone around her scribbling, she looked down at her paper, stood up and walked out. Gen had her first panic attack. 

In this episode of Navigating Parenthood – Talking to teens, brought to you by HCF, we learn how to talk about the teenage experience of stress and study. 

Hosted by Rebecca Sparrow
Featured expert: Jackie Hallan from Reach Out 

Need help? Read more on stress and study from Reach Out. If you feel depressed or anxious, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Study and exam stress can affect any student, and teenagers are experts at hiding their worries. So how do parents know when to offer help, and what should that help even look like? By the time Genevieve reached year 12, she was used to being on top of things: vice captain and sports captain of her school &ndash; a self-described high achiever.&nbsp;
But in the middle of the HSC exam for her best subject, with her heart racing and everyone around her scribbling, she looked down at her paper, stood up and walked out. Gen had her first panic attack.&nbsp;
In this episode of Navigating Parenthood &ndash; Talking to teens, brought to you by HCF, we learn how to talk about the teenage experience of stress and study.&nbsp;
Hosted by <a href="https://rebeccasparrow.com/">Rebecca Sparrow </a>Featured expert: Jackie Hallan from <a href="https://au.reachout.com/">Reach Out</a>&nbsp;
Need help? Read more on stress and study from <a href="https://parents.au.reachout.com/self-help-content">Reach Out</a>. If you feel depressed or anxious, contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a>&nbsp;on 13 11 14.

Teens: Stress, study and anxiety.

THE PODCAST PARENTS NEED

Being a parent can be the greatest and the hardest thing you’ll ever do. In Navigating Parenthood, brought to you by HCF, parents and experts share their stories – the joys and stress, the advice and the insight.

In the first 3 seasons of our podcast series, we explore the most challenging periods of any parent’s life: from taking those first baby steps in season 1, Baby Steps, to staying in step with our teens in season 2, Talking to Teens, to the juggles and struggles of raising healthy happy kids in season 3, Imperfect Parents.

In season 4, Growing Great Tweens, our host Dylan Lewis chats to parents about those years between 8 and 12, when our kids are navigating the journey from childhood to teenage-hood, providing tips on how to talk to and connect with our tweens along the way.

With special guests like Pia Miranda, Susie Maroney, Robbie Buck, Meshel Laurie, Sean Szeps, Andy Saunders, and David McCormack (who you might know as the voice of Bluey’s Dad), we explore topics like identity, resilience, technology and the online universe, friendships, and more.

Listen to the episodes below.

 

This podcast contains general health information and shouldn't be relied on as medical advice. If you have any health concerns, speak to your doctor. HCF doesn't endorse any statements or opinions made during the podcast. If the podcast makes you feel depressed or anxious and you need to talk to someone straight away, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

THE PODCAST PARENTS NEED
Being a parent can be the greatest and the hardest thing you&rsquo;ll ever do. In Navigating Parenthood, brought to you by HCF, parents and experts share their stories &ndash; the joys and stress, the advice and the insight.
In the first 3 seasons of our podcast series, we explore the most challenging periods of any parent&rsquo;s life: from taking those first baby steps in season 1, Baby Steps, to staying in step with our teens in season 2, Talking to Teens, to the juggles and struggles of raising healthy happy kids in season 3, Imperfect Parents.
In season 4, Growing Great Tweens, our host Dylan Lewis chats to parents about those years between 8 and 12, when our kids are navigating the journey from childhood to teenage-hood, providing tips on how to talk to and connect with our tweens along the way.
With special guests like Pia Miranda, Susie Maroney, Robbie Buck, Meshel Laurie, Sean Szeps, Andy Saunders, and David McCormack (who you might know as the voice of Bluey&rsquo;s Dad), we explore topics like identity, resilience, technology and the online universe, friendships, and more.
Listen to the episodes below.
&nbsp;
This podcast contains general health information and shouldn't be relied on as medical advice. If you have any health concerns, speak to your doctor. HCF doesn't endorse any statements or opinions made during the podcast. If the podcast makes you feel depressed or anxious and you need to talk to someone straight away, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Becoming a parent can be the greatest and the hardest thing you’ll experience. In the Navigating Parenthood podcast, brought to you by HCF, parents share their stories, the joys and challenges, in conversation with our host Gretchen Miller and an expert.   Join them on the ride.   What are the unexpected challenges that parents face? What impact can parenthood have on your identity, relationships and mental health?   We ask parents and health experts for their advice to help you navigate difficult situations.

Navigating Parenthood

THE PODCAST PARENTS NEED

Being a parent can be the greatest and the hardest thing you’ll ever do. In Navigating Parenthood, brought to you by HCF, parents and experts share their stories – the joys and stress, the advice and the insight.

In the first 3 seasons of our podcast series, we explore the most challenging periods of any parent’s life: from taking those first baby steps in season 1, Baby Steps, to staying in step with our teens in season 2, Talking to Teens, to the juggles and struggles of raising healthy happy kids in season 3, Imperfect Parents.

In season 4, Growing Great Tweens, our host Dylan Lewis chats to parents about those years between 8 and 12, when our kids are navigating the journey from childhood to teenage-hood, providing tips on how to talk to and connect with our tweens along the way.

With special guests like Pia Miranda, Susie Maroney, Robbie Buck, Meshel Laurie, Sean Szeps, Andy Saunders, and David McCormack (who you might know as the voice of Bluey’s Dad), we explore topics like identity, resilience, technology and the online universe, friendships, and more. Listen to the episodes below.

This podcast contains general health information and shouldn't be relied on as medical advice. If you have any health concerns, speak to your doctor. HCF doesn't endorse any statements or opinions made during the podcast. If the podcast makes you feel depressed or anxious and you need to talk to someone straight away, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

THE PODCAST PARENTS NEED
Being a parent can be the greatest and the hardest thing you’ll ever do. In Navigating Parenthood, brought to you by HCF, parents and experts share their stories – the joys and stress, the advice and the insight.
In the first 3 seasons of our podcast series, we explore the most challenging periods of any parent’s life: from taking those first baby steps in season 1, Baby Steps, to staying in step with our teens in season 2, Talking to Teens, to the juggles and struggles of raising healthy happy kids in season 3, Imperfect Parents.
In season 4, Growing Great Tweens, our host Dylan Lewis chats to parents about those years between 8 and 12, when our kids are navigating the journey from childhood to teenage-hood, providing tips on how to talk to and connect with our tweens along the way.
With special guests like Pia Miranda, Susie Maroney, Robbie Buck, Meshel Laurie, Sean Szeps, Andy Saunders, and David McCormack (who you might know as the voice of Bluey’s Dad), we explore topics like identity, resilience, technology and the online universe, friendships, and more. Listen to the episodes below.
This podcast contains general health information and shouldn't be relied on as medical advice. If you have any health concerns, speak to your doctor. HCF doesn't endorse any statements or opinions made during the podcast. If the podcast makes you feel depressed or anxious and you need to talk to someone straight away, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Navigating Parenthood

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