Have school photos become redundant? This week, Monz, Stacey and Amelia are unpacking the $180 million industry that's preys on nostalgia, guilt and the trust that no parent wants to be the one to opt out, despite their phones overflowing with perfectly good pictures of their kids. 

Plus, an Aussie influencer sparked a firestorm after leaving her baby in a hotel room to grab a quick massage, baby monitor in hand. Was the ensuing internet pile-on a genuine act of concern, or just a new way to pass around the "Bad Mother" baton?

And, party bags are officially cancelled, you're welcome. Why Stacey wants us all to call time on the noisy sh*t and sugar spikes that mark the end of a birthday party. 

Finally, science says telling your kids your "family lore" helps them build resilience, so is it time to spill the tea on your grumpy relatives? We unpack.

Reccos

Stacey recommends Everything Under the Sun by Molly Oldfield for the perfect gift. 

Amelia recommends the Substack, Gen Z Parents Don’t Hate Books by Rachel Bachman. To 

Monz recommends a DVD player: and getting DVDs from the library to make AN EVENT of your movie.

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What To Listen To Next: 

• Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud
• So, Are You A Popcorn Mum?
• The Lunchbox Theory & Our Complicated Feelings About YouTube
• The 3-Hour Mum & The Viral 'Jessica' Hack
• Golden Retriever Dads & The ‘You Come Last’ Rule
• The Celebrity Who Loves Bad Kids & The Sibling Effect
• The Bad Habit That's Back & The Politics Of ‘Bagsing’
• Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts 

What to read: 

• 'My phone addiction was genuinely taking over my life. This is the only thing that fixed it.'
• Modern Etiquette: The 19 rules we all need to agree on for kids' parties and playdates.
• In the age of iPhones do we really need to be forking out for overpriced school photos?
• The Madeleine McCann investigation stalled for years. Then police found eight buried hard drives.
• Andy Lee on the joy of not having kids.

GET IN TOUCH:

Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au 

Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show.

Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family

CREDITS:

Hosts: Monique Bowley, Amelia Lester & Stacey Hicks

Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine

Content Manager: Talissa Bazaz

Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

Junior Content Producer: Tessa Kotowicz

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.