Vanessa Alexander has six children, from a one year old, to a 22-year old. She also has a job as a writer and director for TV and film, AND she's doing a PHd.  

She talks about the time she tried to start her own childcare centre, whether meditation can help mothering, and the reason she will never pay her children pocket money.

Show Notes

This podcast was produced by Sarah Macdonald for the Mamamia Podcast Network.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 kids and still sane.

Being a teenager has changed. A lot. There’s TikTok, vaping, d*ck pics, there are Snap maps, selfies and filters...and it's all a potential battlefield for parents where the stakes feel impossibly high. So welcome to some real parenting talk. As both clinicians and parents, Dr. Ginni Mansberg and clinical psychologist Jo Lamble know first-hand how challenging it can be to raise adolescents. This is why they're bringing their common-sense expertise to Mamamia’s Help! I Have A Teenager. Every week Dr. Ginni and Jo will be answering your questions, and you can submit them at podcast@mamamia.com.au 

Kids & Family

We know teenagers are going through a lot, but they often don’t open up to us about it. After reading an article about what it’s like to be a teenager in 2024, we have some insight for any confused parents.
Plus, seeing your kids fight can be really tough. So, what do you do when they both come to you to complain? And, how can you help them build a positive relationship with each other?
And finally, after two years of hosting this podcast and answering so many of your wonderful questions, what have Ginni and Jo learned about parenting teens?
THE END BITS 
Subscribe to Mamamia

Listen: How To Help Your Teen Stop Worrying About Cozzie Livs
Read: This is actually what it's like to be a 14-year-old girl in 2024.

GET IN TOUCH:
Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au 
If you want to remain anonymous, submit a question via our anonymous form here.
taxcuts.gov.au
CREDITS:
Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble
Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html 
Producer: Tahli Blackman
Audio Production: Scott Stronach
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What We’ve Learned Since The Start Of This Podcast

Parenting groups want to hold off on giving teens phones to protect them from disturbing online content. But does this risk making them feel left out? Ginni and Jo tackle the big conversation about teens and screens.
Plus, parents separate for all sorts of reasons, but how do you talk to your kids about it when infidelity is involved? We discuss the best way to handle this tough topic.
THE END BITS 
Subscribe to Mamamia

Listen: The Psychology Of Mum Guilt & How To Fight It

GET IN TOUCH:
Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au 
If you want to remain anonymous, submit a question via our anonymous form here. 
CREDITS:
Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble
Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html 
Producer: Tahli Blackman
Audio Production: Scott Stronach
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Infidelity Ended My Marriage: Should I Tell My Teen?”

Our teens get anxious about a lot of things; their body image, to school stress and fitting in socially. But how can you tell if it’s regular worry or something more serious like an anxiety disorder? We discuss.
Plus, creating family traditions is so important for connection. So, Ginni and Jo share what they do in their families, and other ideas you might want to try out.
THE END BITS 
Subscribe to Mamamia

Listen: The Psychology Of Mum Guilt & How To Fight It

GET IN TOUCH:
Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au 
If you want to remain anonymous, submit a question via our anonymous form here. 
CREDITS:
Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble
Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html 
Producer: Tahli Blackman
Audio Production: Scott Stronach
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Signs Your Teen Could Have An Anxiety Disorder

As parents, we often fret over how much time our kids spend on social media or with friends, but they have bigger worries. Ginni and Jo discuss the differences in worries between teenagers and parents, and how we can bridge that gap in understanding.
And, is your teen mumbling? We give advice on how to help teens communicate better when they want to be heard.
THE END BITS 
Subscribe to Mamamia

Listen: The Psychology Of Mum Guilt & How To Fight It

GET IN TOUCH:
Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au 
If you want to remain anonymous, submit a question via our anonymous form here. 
CREDITS:
Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble
Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html 
Producer: Tahli Blackman
Audio Production: Scott Stronach
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How To Help Your Teen Stop Worrying About Cozzie Livs

The sleepless nights, the expensive feeding, the mess... Just when you thought you were done with those years, your child becomes a teenager. This episode we discuss all the things that surprised us about becoming parents of teens and why we found those to be the hardest years.
Plus, what happens when your teen starts to distance themselves? Ginni and Jo share their insights and tips on fostering meaningful connections without pushing too hard.
THE END BITS 
Subscribe to Mamamia

Listen: The Psychology Of Mum Guilt & How To Fight It

GET IN TOUCH:
Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au 
If you want to remain anonymous, submit a question via our anonymous form here. 
CREDITS:
Hosts: Dr Ginni Mansberg & Jo Lamble
Find a copy of The New Teen Age here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-new-teen-age-ginni-mansberg/book/9781922351258.html 
Producer: Tahli Blackman
Audio Production: Scott Stronach
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 kids and still sane.

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