By the age of 15 more than 50 per cent of teenagers have looked at porn. For teenage boys, this can quickly become a habit. Research points to a link between porn use and sexual violence, with young men the most likely offenders.  

So how can we help our teens understand that curiosity around sex is normal but the violence and degradation depicted in porn is not? And how can we help set them up to have healthy, respectful relationships? 

The last years of high school can be full of pressure and stress – but what do you do if your teenager just can’t seem to get organised or manage their time? Some teenagers become highly anxious and are weighed down by pressure to get top marks for university – while others just can’t seem to get motivated. 

Youth coach Claire Eaton joins Bec Sparrow to share strategies on getting study ready, planning, how to motivate teens and what to do when the pressure to achieve becomes too much.  

Today's teens are the "anxious generation" and anxiety is on the rise. It impacts their mental health and their ability to cope with school, friendships and everyday tasks.

Throwing a tantrum, being naughty and bawling their eyes out. Kids often react to situations that stress them in a way that's socially unacceptable.

A huge part of growing up though is learning how to regulate emotions. So what can parents do to help their kids spot what's going to tip them over the edge before it happens? Maggie Dent finds out from self-regulation expert, Dr Stuart Shanker.

Anxiety can be crippling for some kids. They can get terrified of the dark, or they don't want to go to school or the thought of exams makes them fall to pieces. And symptoms like a racing heart and negative thoughts can be really scary for little kids as well as teenagers. Maggie Dent talks to psychologist Karen Young from heysigmund.com about how to help your child tackle anxious moments and what you can do if you think your child has anxiety.

And here’s some other places you can find information and help:

Your GPYouth Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636Reach out https://au.reachout.com/Parent help line 1300 30 1300 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800Lifeline 131114

School is about to start for another year in Australia, and many parents will be waving their child off at the school gate for the first time. But how do you know they're ready to go? And what can you do to make their first day as stress and tear-free as possible? Maggie Dent talks to child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr Kaylene Henderson, about how to prepare kids for their first day and how to ease older kids back into the school year. Maggie shares her top tips on a smooth transition to high school.

Australia's favourite parenting expert and author Maggie Dent is back with a new series of Parental As Anything. She'll give you tips and answers to your real-world parenting problems — what to do if your child is anxious, helping kids deal with death and loss, making friends, and (gulp) how to talk to your kids about sex. Over 10 episodes, Maggie will give you a common sense, practical guide on how to raise kids of all ages. The first episode is about starting school and is out January 21.

There are challenges with raising boys that only the parents of sons will understand. Like why they bond using rough play and fart jokes; why your directions need a word limit; and why you can never get them to sit still. In the final episode of the season, Maggie Dent chats to family counsellor Dr Michael Gurian about what boys need, like positive role models, wrestling and classrooms that cater for their excess energy.

Maggie talks with Steve Biddulph — one of Australia's foremost experts on raising girls — about how parents can lead their daughters through childhood and the tumultuous teens to become strong, empowered, kind and self-assured women. No topic is left untouched: the pressure to be sexy in the age of social media; the big increase in anxiety among girls; the importance of dads and strong female role models; and how the internet has changed everything for girls from friendships to foreplay.

You want your kids to be able to handle the unexpected challenges life throws at them. But how do you raise a resilient child when your gut feeling is to protect them from all the bad things? Maggie Dent chats to Lyn Worsley, Director of the Resilience Centre and author of The Resilience Doughnut books, about how letting kids fend for themselves and work out tricky situations on their own, is exactly what they need.

Six hours in the classroom, then music practice and sport. Daily homework is a pain for kids and parents, and while lots of primary schools have lightened the load, it's still something plenty of families have to juggle. So how do you help your kids manage their homework without a battle? Maggie Dent chats to Maria Cook, the founding principal of Honeywood Primary School in Perth, about how to manage homework if your kids are getting it, and why you shouldn't worry if they're not.

Threats, bribes, shouting, and time-outs can work in the heat of the moment but when it comes to teaching your children to listen, do as they’re told and make good choices, discipline is a long game. So how do you do it right? Maggie Dent talks to the author of Discipline Without Damage, Vanessa Lapointe, about the best way to discipline your child.

Your screaming three-year-old in the supermarket; your eight-year-old losing it over a board game; your surly teenager slamming a door in your face — we’ve all been there. Kids are prone to tantrums, especially the little ones, but what’s the right way to deal with them? Maggie Dent talks to podcaster and author of No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame, Janet Lansbury, about how to manage meltdowns in our children, especially once they’ve passed the point of no return. Maggie has some fantastic advice for you on how to pause, breathe and avoid getting angry at your children.

Does your teen love nothing more than slothing about on the sofa? And the mere idea of a walk, bike ride or jumping on the trampoline seems like too much effort?

We know that movement and exercise is good for our mental and physical health, but knowing that, and getting our teen to muster the energy to do it are two different things.

Bec Sparrow gives her tips on how to get your teen moving.

Is your child on Snapchat, Instagram or Facebook? Ninety-one per cent of Australian teenagers use social media. And it has changed everything you know about how kids bully each other. Bullies used to torment their victims in the schoolyard. Now they can reach your kids any time of the day or night. They can even use anonymous accounts on platforms you’ve never even heard of. So how do you keep your tweens and teens safe from the mean kids and what do you do if they’re bullied online? Maggie Dent talks with Rachel Downie, founder of the website Stymie which supports kids and students being bullied online.

WARNING: This episode includes strong language and discussions of youth suicide and self-harm.

For more information or support contact:

Lifeline 13 11 14https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Parentline 1300 30 1300https://www.parentline.com.au/

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Make an anonymous notification about a student being bullied or harmedhttps://stymie.com.au/

Building cubbies, make-believe, dressing up - while it might just look like fun and games, play is actually crucial for your child's development. The problem is, as Australian kids spend more time at school, on their screens and in structured activities, they're not playing enough. Maggie Dent talks with expert Robyn Monro Miller about why kids of all ages need to play more. Plus, Bluey creator Joe Brumm chats about why play is the key to the success of Australia's most loved family of cartoon dogs.

Football, dance, art classes, karate and scouts. The extracurricular activities your kids can do are endless. But with so many on offer, are you getting the balance right? Maggie Dent talks with Positive Schools creator Dr Helen Street about the pros and cons of extracurricular activities for your children — when and why you should sign them up, what's the right amount and what are the signs you might be overdoing it.

Research shows Australian kids spend a third of their day in front of a screen. What's that doing to them? How much is too much? And how do we deal with a techno tantrum? Maggie talks to digital wellbeing expert Dr Kristy Goodwin to find out how we can best raise our kids in the digital age.

One of Australia's favourite parenting authors and educators Maggie Dent gives you tips and answers to your real-world parenting dilemmas — screen time, tantrums, building resilience, homework and more. Over 10 episodes, Maggie will give you a common sense, relatable, practical guide on how to raise kids of all ages. The first episode launches May 28.

Female teachers are being sworn at, sexually harassed and physically threatened in high schools by male students. These young men are under the thrall of Andrew Tate and other online influencers and are taking his misogynist ideas into the classroom. 

Your daughter asks you to buy her a vibrator. What should you do? 

Bec Sparrow on why sex positivity for our teens is important, why there’s still a taboo around female masturbation and the awkward, but important, conversations to have around pleasure. 

When they’re little, our kids idolise us. Then, they become teenagers and start to push us away, refusing to chat and rolling their eyes.

What can parents do to stay connected, when suddenly you're no longer the Taylor Swift or Drake of your teen's life? And why do they pull away from us in the first place?

Dr Justin Coulson joins Bec Sparrow to explain what is going on, and gives tips on how to stay close to your teenager.

(PS If you have a trick on how you have managed to stay connected, we’d love to hear them for a special episode we’re working on. Send us a voice note or email us at teens@abc.net.au)

The advice in this podcast is general and does not consider your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. 

• Guest: Dr Justin Coulson
• Producers: Hannah Reich, Josie Sargent 
• Supervising Producer: Tamar Cranswick
• Executive Producer: Alex Lollback
• Sound design: Ann-Marie de Bettencor

Has your tween bugged you to buy them fancy face cream or a Drunk Elephant serum? Younger and younger teenagers are lusting after super expensive — and age-inappropriate — beauty products that they’ve seen on social media.

Bec Sparrow is here to help you know what to do if your tween or teen is breaking the bank with creams, make-up and serums.  

The advice in this podcast is general and does not consider your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. 

• Producers: Hannah Reich, Josie Sargent 
• Supervising Producer: Tamar Cranswick
• Executive Producer: Alex Lollback
• Sound design: Ann-Marie de Bettencor

What do you do when you don't like your teen's mates?

Friends are so important for our teens, so how can you guide them to make good choices when it comes to buddies? Should you try and intervene, or will that only backfire?

How do you know when your teen’s gaming habit levels-up from hobby to obsession? 

Once teens are on their gaming consoles, it can be really tough to get them to press pause. Even to go to the toilet, eat dinner or go to sleep. 

Bec Sparrow uncovers the red flags to look for if your teenager’s gaming is becoming obsessive, and gives you practical tips on how to turbo boost your tech and gaming boundaries. 

You pick up your teenager from a party, see wasted kids stumbling around, vomiting in bushes and you realise they’re no longer playing pin the tail on the donkey. 

How do we teach our kids to have a healthy relationship with alcohol? And is it ever okay to give your teen booze?  

In this Parental As Anything: Teens, Paul Dillon, the director of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia, joins host Bec Sparrow to talk you through how to set boundaries, how to keep your child safe and what to do if your teen is asking for booze. 

From fancy drink bottles to the latest tech, teenagers want lots of stuff they (and you) can’t afford and don’t need.

So how can you push back from the constant barrage of demands? 

In this bite-sized Dear Bec episode, Bec Sparrow explains why giving teens what they want isn’t always good for them and that what they really crave, money can’t buy.  

Masturbation and self-pleasure are a normal part of exploring sexuality,  but that doesn't mean it's not awkward to talk about with our teens. Bec Sparrow shares her advice on talking to teens and tweens about exploring their own bodies and what to do if there is social pressure to overshare. 

OMG. You catch your teen hassling for nude pics. What the hell do you do?  

How to have those awkward conversations with your teenagers about sexting, consent and protecting yourself online.  

Teenage sex. Anxiety. Underage drinking. Porn. Phone addiction.  

Nothing truly prepares you for becoming a parent, but some of the best advice comes from other mums or dads – even famous ones like Hamish Blake.

In this special episode, Maggie Dent hands the reins over to the Parental As Anything community for you to share your best parenting hacks. Even comedian Hamish Blake shares his top tip for keeping kids entertained.

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional.

Starting high school is a massive change for both you and your tween. How do you get them ready and help them through the ups and downs of Year 7?

Youth coach Claire Eaton and Maggie Dent share their practical tips for the weeks before they start, routines to keep them on track and handling the rough patches.

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional.

Like it or not, children will learn to swear from school, videos, even their parents. So what can you do to stop your child being a pottymouth? 

In this Help Me, Maggie episode Maggie Dent explains why children might swear, how to discourage them from using offensive words and what to say if you slip up and swear in front of them. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. 

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Isabella Tropiano 

Sleep deprivation is a silent epidemic among our teenagers, according to paediatric and adolescent sleep specialist, Dr Chris Seton.

With screen time, social media and gaming competing for our teenager's attention, sleep disruption is at an all-time high.

Dr Seton tells Maggie Dent about the devastating effects sleep deprivation has on our teenagers. From social, emotional and mental health problems to declining academic performance, it is a wake-up call for parents to make sleep a priority.

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional.

Credits

Presenter: Maggie Dent

Producer: Maria Tickle

Executive producer: Monique Bowley

Consulting producer: Carmen Myler

Sound engineer: Nathan Turnbull

Field recordings: Rebecca McLaren

If your child is struggling to read or write, they may be among the 10 per cent of people who have dyslexia. What is it? How can it impact a child’s education, self-esteem and mental health? 

Maggie Dent speaks to Sarah Asome, a school principal and mum of dyslexic children, from advocacy group CodeREAD, and psychologist Dr Craig Wright from Understanding Minds. Together they discuss the signs of dyslexia, seeking a diagnosis and what parents can do to support their child at school and at home. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. 

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Isabella Tropiano 
• Field recordings: Rebecca McLaren 

Life with children means more stress, less sleep and less time for you. And when all of your energy goes to raising kids, what’s left for your spouse?  

In this Help Me, Maggie episode Maggie Dent gives tips on what adults can do to stay connected in the chaos, why effective communication is key and what to do when the bad moods of teenagers wear off on the whole household. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. 

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Isabella Tropiano 

Shouting? Time outs? Shaming? You don’t have to do any of this to effectively discipline your child. So how do you teach your kids right from wrong? 

We’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes. Vanessa Lapointe, the author of Discipline Without Damage, joins Maggie Dent to share the best way to discipline your child without punishing them, how to teach them to make good choices, and why discipline is a long game. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs please consult a professional.     

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Kim Lester 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Justine Kelly 
• Sound design: Isabella Tropiano / Ann-Marie Debettencor
• Field recordings: Anne-Marie Middlemast 

What if your kid feels ready to walk to school alone before you feel ready to let them? Will they be safe, and how will it make them more independent? 

Maggie Dent has tips for parents who want to know when a child is ready, how to take the first steps to independence and how to head off potential danger. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. 

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Isabella Tropiano 

There has been a huge rise in online bullying – and it can be subtle and sophisticated – with devastating impacts on victim’s mental health. These days bullies are on our teenager’s screens 24/7 via Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp and there’s no escaping the torture.  

How do we protect our teens online? What steps should we take if we find out our child is a target of cyberbullying? And what should we do if we find out our child is a cyberbully?  

Tweens and teens feel big emotions – and those turning to self-harm to cope is more common than you think. 

Professor Jo Robinson, who leads the youth suicide prevention group at Orygen, and teen expert Michelle Mitchell join Maggie Dent, host of Parental As Anything, to help parents understand why young people self-harm, how to have those initial conversations and how to help teens move away from self-harm. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. 

This episode deals with the issues of self-harm and suicide.

More information: Lifeline 13 11 14; headspace.org.au

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Isabella Tropiano 
• Field recordings: Rebecca McLaren 

Curious kids will ask questions about people who look or sound different to them. How do you talk to them about racism and inclusion? What if your child uses a racist slur? And how can you encourage them to be an ally? 

Ali Kadri, CEO of the Islamic College of Brisbane and host of The Swap, joins Maggie Dent to talk frankly about racism and encouraging children to learn about and embrace people’s differences. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. 

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Isabella Tropiano 

Grandparents do so much for our kids. But not every family has a Nanny or Pop in their life. And even when they do, keeping the peace can be tricky. 

How do you celebrate the joy grandparents bring to your family, while still forging your own path as a parent? How do you ask them not to spoil your kids, or discipline them like it’s 1985? And do you rely too much on them for free childcare?  

Anne McLeish, director of Grandparents Australia, joins host of Parental As Anything Maggie Dent, to celebrate the benefits – but to also offer tips on how to foster relationships from afar, what to do if tensions arise over child rearing ideas and what to say if a grandparent is not in their life at all. 

They are joined by special grandparental guests ABC broadcaster and author Richard Glover and Larrakia elder Richard Fejo. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. 

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Isabella Tropiano 
• Field recordings: Rebecca McLaren 

Tweens want a phone so they aren’t left out and many parents like being able to contact their kids. But, when should kids have their own mobile? 

You want your kids to be resilient enough to handle life’s unexpected challenges – but as parents, it is hard to step back. 

Lyn Worsley, director of the Resilience Centre, joins Maggie Dent on this Parental As Anything to give tips on why it’s important to let kids fend for themselves, how to start building resilience and how parents can learn to let go. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs please consult a professional.     

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Kim Lester 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Justine Kelly
• Sound design: Isabella Tropiano / Ann-Marie Debettencor
• Field recordings: Anne-Marie Middlemast

Kids love the idea of a pet. But, for parents they mean more mess, expense and time. So, should you cave? 

A busy mum asks Maggie Dent, do the benefits of owning a dog outweigh the training, cleaning and poo collecting? 

Maggie, the host of Parental As Anything, shares what she thinks families should consider if they have children pestering them for a dog. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs please consult a professional. 

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Simon Branthwaite

How do you teach children the realities of what you can afford without stressing them out. And if money isn’t tight, how do we curb their entitlement?

Maggie Dent asks finance author and mum Effie Zahos how and when to talk to kids honestly about your cashflow, the costs of running a family and what to say if you’re struggling to pay your bills and need to cut back on the fun stuff. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs please consult a professional.    

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Isabella Tropiano 
• Field recordings: Rebecca McLaren 

Has your child ever made a friend who dominates, bullies, or leads them astray? As a parent, what can you do if your kid’s BFF just isn’t good for them? 

Parenting author and host of Parental As Anything, Maggie Dent has some tips for mums and dads about being your child’s ‘friendship coach’. What to do if your child has a frenemy, ways to teach them about healthy friendships and why you SHOULDN’T approach the other child’s parents.

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs please consult a professional.

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Simon Branthwaite 

You decorate, bake and plan the perfect birthday party – only for your child to have a complete meltdown on the day. So, how do you throw a celebration your kid will actually enjoy? 

Genevieve Muir, of Connected Parenting, joins Parental As Anything host Maggie Dent to share tips for parents on how to plan a party kids will love, what to do if kids become overstimulated and how to include neurodivergent children in big, noisy parties. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs please consult a professional.    

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Simon Branthwaite 
• Field recordings: Rebecca McLaren 

Some kids are shy. Others love nothing more than talking non-stop to anyone who’ll listen. What can you do if your child is a chatterbox?  

Maggie Dent, parenting author and host of Parental As Anything, gives tips on how you can help teach your talkative child to listen and even give mums and dads some moments of peace and quiet. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs please consult a professional.   

• Host: Maggie Dent 
• Producer: Josie Sargent 
• Consulting Producer: Carmen Myler 
• Executive Producer: Kim Lester 
• Sound design: Simon Branthwaite 

Vapes come in fun, fruity flavours and are easy to hide, part of the reason they’re so appealing to teenagers. But what should you do if you catch your teen vaping? And are they worse than the cigarettes of our hey-day? 

Bec Sparrow shares the steps to take if your teenager is secretly vaping, how to help your adolescent resist social pressure to inhale and the importance of busting myths around  the health risks of vapes and e-cigarettes.