Sean Szeps is an influencer, podcaster and queer parenting advocate. Having grown up believing that parenthood was only for straight people, he is now a husband and father of twins. Sean talks about how he came to be a parent and what it's like being "the only gay in the playground". The new season of Come Out Wherever You Are is available now in the LiSTNR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) can be challenging children to be around. They might have loud and aggressive tantrums and come across as rude and anti-social. Caroline Moul is a Professor of Psychology at Sydney University. She has a research interest in ODD and says that while parenting strategies are a way to treat ODD, this doesn't mean that parents are to blame for the condition itself. Caroline explains what ODD is and how to support children with this disorder.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many parents are traveling overseas to visit family for the first time since having their babies. Mothercraft nurse Chris Minogue has been helping families with this kind of travel for over 30 years. Chris shares her experience on what works best for babies and toddlers (hint: it's very different!)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When small children go to day care, they can be seen in everything from tutus with hardhats to superhero costumes. But once kids enter formal education, with uniforms, just how much self expression are they allowed? Many schools have rules around hair, nails, and neatness of uniforms. But what is our role as parents when it comes to how our kids want to express their own sense of self? Anthony Semann is an early learning educator with Semann and Slattery. Anthony helps us find a balance between the rules and supporting our kids.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Female reproduction is often referred to as a "ticking clock" and yet many women are not aware how challenging falling pregnant after 40 can be. Dr Karin Hammarberg is a Senior Research Fellow at the School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine at Monash University. She also worked in the field of IVF for 20 years. Karin is concerned there is a myth about fertility that persists for both men and women. Karin talks about how likely it is for a woman to fall pregnant after 40 and what needs to change to allow women to have babies when they are most likely to fall pregnant. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Step parenting is not something we talk about a lot, but inheriting non-biological children as part of a new relationship is common. As common as blended families are, we don't often hear what it's like from the step-parent's perspective. Lem Zkharia was 28 when she met and fell in love with her partner, who at the time had two children aged 4 and 6. Things moved quickly and before she knew it, Lem was moving through the process of learning how to raise children. Lem talks about the challenges and joys of becoming a part of the family.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most parents have heard about the challenges that can arise once a child has their own phone. Access to the internet at all hours and with many social platforms can create a whole new universe that parents need to master and understand. Kate Browne from finder.com has done the research on when Australian parents are giving kids a phone. She explains what we might want to avoid and tips on ways to make it a better experience for everyone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tongue tie is when the membrane that attaches a baby's tongue to the floor of their mouth is tight or short. This can then cause problems with breastfeeding because the baby can't latch properly. However there are some who believe that tongue ties have become a catch-all for the many challenges that can come with breastfeeding. Paediatrician Dr Deb Levy talks us through where to go if you suspect your child might have tongue tie and how they are fixed.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shame is a very powerful word. One that most associate with the most serious of crimes. But the truth is shame is a very everyday experience. Parents can inadvertently use shame while trying to discipline their kids. Karen Young is a parenting educator and creator of the Hey Sigmund website. Karen gives practical examples of shaming language and tips on how you can turn this around.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your child was to wake up screaming in the middle of the night, would you know how to work out if they were having a nightmare or a night terror? While they might look similar the two experiences are very different. Dr Sarah Blunden is the Head of Paediatric Sleep Research at Central Queensland University and a spokesperson for the Sleep Health Foundation. Sarah explains the difference and how you can help your child manage both.
 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.