Parental As Anything

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.

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 [email protected])

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.  

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.