Before you become “Mum” or “Dad,” you're just you—with a first name, a spontaneous social life, and the freedom to pursue your career ambitions with no limits, even if that means sometimes working 20-hour days. That was the life of today's guest, Bec Bignell, before she became a parent.

Bec pushed herself to give 100% to both her career and her role as a parent, but eventually, the strain took its toll. Forced to pause, she reflected on the moments that truly brought her happiness and began to seek fulfilment on her own terms.

Read Bec's full Little Love Story here. 

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CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Grace Rouvray

Guest: Bec Bignell

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

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.

As the festive season approaches—with Christmas just next month—you might have a group holiday on the horizon. Whether it’s extended family gathered in one house or a group of friends coming together for the school holidays, things can get a bit crowded and tense as everyone navigates different routines and parenting styles.

Join Annaliese and Tegan as they get you prepped for the holiday, holiday season!

Plus Sarah Marie solves an interesting housing dilemma.  

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Head here to get a yearly subscription for just $39. and use the code MONTHOFTGM

Got a message for Sarah Marie? We’re listening! Send us a voice message, email us at [email protected]

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host: Tegan Natoli, Annaliese Todd & Sarah Marie Fahd 

Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

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.

Are you a 'one and done' household?

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has shown a drop in the birthrate, a trend we've seen developing in recent years. 

But why are people opting to call it a day after one child? This week, Mamamia's news podcast The Quicky looked at the rise of the triangle family. 

Liked this episode of The Quicky? You can listen to these parenting and families episode:

Daycare Deserts & Gaslit Parents: Is Childcare In Australia Working?

53 And Pregnant With Twins; The Boom In Ozempic Babies

Why Is Every Girl Called Olivia? Baby Names Data Reveals our Favourites

Skibidy Rizz Ohio? Gen Alpha Has Entered The Chat

The Birth Trauma Report: Are We Finally Listening To Mothers?

CREDITS

Host: Claire Murphy

With thanks to: 

Mark McCrindle, Principal & Founder of McCrindle 

Narayne, Parent of one child  

Executive Producer: Taylah Strano 

Audio Producer: Tegan Sadler 

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's Parents Anonymous dives into another three deliciously embarrassing confessions: a baby locked in the car sparks a lasting daycare shame, one parent confesses to dodging one-on-one time with their child, and childproofing materials prove smarter than the adults trying to navigate them.

You can share your best worst parenting stories by leaving us a voice note, email us at [email protected] or for super shame super anonymous you can pop them in this form. 

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Enter Lazy Gewl Giveaways here! 

Tell us what you really think so we can give you more of what you really want. Fill out this survey and you’ll go in the running to win one of five $100 gift vouchers.

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host: Annaliese Todd & Stacey Hicks

Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

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.

Whether it’s dating or that colleague with the grating habit, we’ve all experienced “the ick”—but did you know parenting can reveal a whole new set of unexpected ones?

In this episode, Annaliese and Tegan reflect on their own shameful “icks,” from old ones they’re not proud of to surprising new ones that have emerged since becoming parents. They also share how they’re working to keep these quirks from turning into full-blown red flags.

Plus, we hear from parents across Australia on how they handle the ever-challenging dinner time routine!

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Enter Lazy Gewl Giveaways here! 

Or click here to listen to the hosts of Mamamia Out Loud open up about creativity and how they stay inspired.

Got a message for Sarah Marie? We’re listening! Send us a voice message, email us at [email protected]

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Hosts: Tegan Natoli, Annaliese Todd & Sarah Marie Fahd 

With thanks to Michelle Fry

Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

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.

Ever heard of a therian?

Not to be confused with a furry, the rise of children identifying as animals has left some parents with questions.

Last week on our news podcast The Quicky, we looked at the world of therianthropy and how parents can learn to understand it.

Liked this episode of The Quicky? Listen to these:

Daycare Deserts & Gaslit Parents: Is Childcare In Australia Working?

What It's Like To Raise Your Child As Neither A Girl Or A Boy

Stop Saying My Child Doesn't Look Autistic: What Parents Of Neurodivergent Kids Want Us To Know

A Review Of Uber Teen From A Child Safety Expert

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Click here to start a seven-day free trial of our exercise app.

GET IN TOUCH

Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at [email protected]

CREDITS

Host: Claire Murphy

With thanks to: 

Deirdre Brander, Child Psychologist

Executive Producer: Taylah Strano 

Audio Producer: Thom Lion

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parenthood is life-changing, but for today’s guest, Anna Water-Massey, it came with both joy and deep loss. At 30, Anna became a mother to Cleo, and a year later, she lost her own mother to cancer. Despite the heartbreak, Anna shares the incredible bond she’s built with Cleo—a connection that continues to grow, especially now that Cleo has become a mother herself to baby Indigo.

In this episode of Little Love Stories, Anna reflects on the powerful ties between mothers, daughters, and granddaughters, and how love can transcend even the hardest of times.

You can read Anna's full little Love Story here. 

THE END BITS 

Tell us what you really think so we can give you more of what you really want. Fill out this survey and you’ll go in the running to win one of five $100 gift vouchers.

Subscribe to Mamamia

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Grace Rouvray

Guest: Anna Waters-Massey

Anna's menopause skit here

You can watch the viral TikTok pregnancy announcement here 

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

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.

Life can get hectic—between chores, work, and managing the mental load, it's easy for connection with your partner to slip down the priority list. Before you know it, you might find yourselves in the "roommate phase."

In this episode, we explore the telltale signs of this phase and share tips on how to reconnect. We're also joined by a dad, who brings his own perspective on navigating the roommate dynamic in relationships.

And to wrap things up, we leave you with a song that might just hit you right in the feels.

You can read Bek Day's Mamamia article 'I coach married parents through the "roommate phase". Here's the 2 day experiment I swear by.'

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If you’re looking for something else to listen to why not check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Or click here to listen to the hosts of Mamamia Out Loud open up about creativity and how they stay inspired.

Got a message for Sarah Marie? We’re listening! Send us a voice message, email us at [email protected]

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Hosts: Tegan Natoli, Annaliese Todd & Sarah Marie Fahd 

With thanks to Thom Lion

Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

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.

On this week's episode, we uncover how a mystery rash is actually tied to last night’s dinner, a parent who’s taking "work from home" to a whole new level, and meet a mum who’s embracing sleep deprivation—for a surprising new reason. 

You can share your best worst parenting stories by leaving us a voice note, email us at [email protected] or for super shame super anonymous you can pop them in this form. 

THE END BITS 

Tell us what you really think so we can give you more of what you really want. Fill out this survey and you’ll go in the running to win one of five $100 gift vouchers.

Subscribe to Mamamia

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host: Annaliese Todd & Stacey Hicks

Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

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.

Did you know that even having just one child could reduce your super by almost $100k? It's a staggering statistic that highlights the "mum tax" women face all the way into retirement.

In this week’s episode, we break down the numbers behind "mum math" and share how to secure your finances—not in a dry, boring way, but in a way that makes sense for everyone. Promise!

Plus, we've got some helpful tips from finance guru Canna Campbell!

THE END BITS

If you’re looking for something else to listen to why not check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.

Or click here to listen to the hosts of Mamamia Out Loud open up about creativity and how they stay inspired.

Got a message for Sarah Marie? We’re listening! Send us a voice message, email us at [email protected]

We’ve compiled all the best resources for new mums in a free newsletter. Join the mailing list.

CREDITS:

Host: Tegan Natoli, Annaliese Todd & Sarah Marie Fahd 

With thanks to Canna Campbell and Yvette Bay 

Producer: Grace Rouvray

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

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.