This episode is all about nourishing yourself as a mum, recognising depletion, and making your own health and wellbeing a priority.

Nadia and Althea have an honest conversation about how easy it is for mums to put everyone else's needs before their own. They explore why constant tiredness, brain fog, forgetfulness and feeling depleted can become so normalised in motherhood, and why these feelings may be a sign that it's time to check in with yourself.

Drawing from their own experiences, they talk about physical, mental and emotional nourishment, including movement, eating well, seeking professional support, and finding time to do things that make you feel like yourself again.

They also discuss the importance of being proactive rather than waiting until you reach breaking point, and why mums shouldn't feel like they have to carry everything alone. Whether it's getting a health check, speaking with a professional, creating regular time for yourself, or simply making space for activities you enjoy, small changes can make a meaningful difference.

Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that feeling depleted all the time shouldn't simply be accepted as part of motherhood — and if you're not feeling like yourself, it may be time to ask for support.

Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler and Althea Smith — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between.

Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between.

Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode.

If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes.

Disclaimer

The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

This episode is all about child safety, body safety, body autonomy, and practical ways parents can help keep their children safe.

Nadia and Althea discuss how parents can start teaching children about their bodies, boundaries, and protective behaviours from an early age. As well as teaching children the correct names for body parts, understanding body autonomy, and helping children feel comfortable saying no to physical affection such as hugs and kisses. They also explore how parents can navigate body safety alongside cultural expectations around greetings and physical touch.

Nadia and Althea unpack the importance of creating a child's "safety network" of trusted adults, why families may want to avoid teaching children about secrets, and how to build an open and approachable relationship where children know they can always ask for help.

Content warning: This episode discusses body safety and prevention of child sexual abuse. Some listeners may find this content distressing.

Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between.

Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode.

If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes.

This episode is all about food challenges in young children, picky eating, problem feeding, and taking the pressure off mealtimes.

Althea is joined by occupational therapist Tara from Evolve With Us Allied Health to unpack one of the most common concerns parents have around young children: food and mealtimes. Together, they explore what typical mealtimes can actually look like, why some of the expectations we have around children's eating may be unrealistic, and how to tell the difference between picky eating and problem feeding.

Tara shares her experience working with children, including neurodivergent children, and explains why understanding the "why" behind a child's behaviour is so important when it comes to feeding. They discuss how children's food preferences can change from day to day, why eating a varied diet and finishing everything on their plate aren't always realistic expectations, and when food challenges may require additional support.

They also unpack the difference between a picky eater and a problem feeder, including restricted food choices, dropping previously accepted foods, avoiding entire food groups, nutritional concerns, and when a child's response to food begins to significantly impact their wellbeing or family mealtimes.

Whether you're dealing with a child who has a small list of "safe" foods, struggling with introducing new foods, or simply feeling overwhelmed by mealtimes, this episode offers practical, evidence-informed strategies and reassurance that feeding is a journey. Tara and Althea discuss how to make mealtimes more predictable, use familiar foods as a starting point, introduce new foods without pressure, and involve children in food preparation and shopping.

They also talk about the impact of social media on parental expectations around feeding and why the "perfect" mealtime you see online doesn't reflect the reality of most families.

Links mentioned in the episode

Tara works as an occupational therapist at Evolve With Us Allied Health, supporting children and families with areas including emotional regulation, motor skills and feeding. She frequently contributes to the Evolve With Us Instagram (@evolvewithus.alliedhealth) and Facebook (Evolve With Us Allied Health) pages, where families can learn more and get in touch.

Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between.

Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode.

If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes.

Disclaimer

The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

This episode is all about family rhythm, creating calm in the chaos of family life, and finding a flow that works for your family. Nadia and Althea explore what a family rhythm actually is and how it can help make everyday life feel calmer, more predictable and connected. They chat about the difference between a family rhythm and a rigid routine, and why having some consistency doesn't mean every part of your day needs to go exactly to plan.

Nadia shares what family rhythm looks like in her home, from resetting the house the night before and having breakfast together, to using a visual calendar to help her children understand what the day will look like. She also shares their family traditions, including their "Shimmers and Glimmers" at the dinner table, family walks and their bedtime rhythm.

Althea shares her experience of moving from a more rigid routine with her first child towards a more flexible rhythm with two young children. Together, they talk about how disrupted sleep, newborn stages, work, holidays and changing family circumstances can affect your rhythm—and why flexibility and trial and error are such an important part of finding what works.

They also discuss the benefits of family rhythm for children and parents, including creating a greater sense of calm, helping children understand what is expected of them, supporting connection and making everyday transitions easier. They unpack research exploring the relationship between consistent family rhythms and children's mental health and family wellbeing.

In this episode we discuss:

• Family rhythm vs rigid routines and schedules
• Visual calendars and helping children understand what's coming next
• Family traditions and rituals
• Finding flexibility when life doesn't go to plan
• How family rhythm can support children's behaviour and emotional wellbeing
• Trial and error and finding what works for your family

Tried & True

Each week, we share something we're loving (or not loving!) in motherhood, business or everyday life.

Althea's recommendation:

Side by Side Push SUV – A side-by-side push wagon that Althea has been loving for her two young children. She shares how they've used it for trips to the beach, the zoo and around the neighbourhood, as well as the features that make it practical for families with children close in age. She also shares the one thing to consider before buying: its size and how much boot space you'll need.

Nadia's recommendation:

Indoor climbing frame – Nadia shares an indoor climbing frame that has helped her children get more movement into their day and has significantly reduced the amount of jumping on the lounge! The climbing frame can be mounted to the wall and used with different attachments, including a lycra swing.

Links mentioned in the episode

Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between.

Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what your family's rhythm looks like and what is working for you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes.

Disclaimer

The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

This episode is all about ADHD in mums, ADHD in women, and why so many women don't realise they're neurodivergent until adulthood.

After unpacking ADHD in children in our previous episode, Nadia and Althea continue the conversation by exploring what ADHD can look like in women and why ADHD in mums is so often missed. Althea also shares her own lived experience of receiving an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, and how becoming a mum of two made many of her ADHD traits far more noticeable.

Together, they discuss why ADHD in girls and women has historically been under-recognised, how masking can delay an ADHD diagnosis, and why many women first begin exploring whether they have ADHD after becoming mothers. They also unpack executive functioning, working memory, emotional regulation, hyperfocus, dopamine, procrastination, and the invisible mental load that many mums experience every day.

Whether you're exploring an ADHD assessment, have recently received a late ADHD diagnosis, or simply want to better understand yourself or someone you love, this episode offers neuroaffirming education, practical strategies and honest lived experience to remind you that you're not alone.

• ADHD in women and mothers
• Late ADHD diagnosis in women
• Why ADHD is often missed in girls
• ADHD masking and why women learn to hide their traits
• Executive functioning and working memory
• Emotional regulation and ADHD
• The mental load of motherhood
• Hyperfocus, motivation and dopamine
• Practical ADHD-friendly strategies for everyday life
• When to consider an ADHD assessment
• The strengths of an ADHD brain and learning to work with your brain instead of against it

Each week, we share something we're loving (or not loving!) in motherhood, business or everyday life.

Nadia's recommendation:
Apple Calendar – A simple way to keep track of birthdays, appointments and family events in one place. If remembering birthdays feels impossible amongst the mental load of motherhood, this one is worth exploring.
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/calendar/id1108185179

Althea's recommendation:
Trello – A free organisation app that helps manage life admin, reminders, projects and to-do lists. Althea shares how she uses labels, due dates and automations to create an ADHD-friendly system that keeps everything organised.
https://trello.com

Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between.

Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode.

If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes.

The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances

Preparing Your Toddler for a New Baby

This segment is all about introducing a new sibling into the family.

Welcoming a new baby is one of the biggest transitions a family can experience. Alongside the excitement often comes worry, guilt and questions about how to support your older child through such a significant change. In this episode, psychologist Nadia Bachler and occupational therapist Althea Smith share both their personal experiences and professional insights into helping children adjust to becoming a big brother or sister. 

Together, they discuss what secure attachment looks like during this transition, how to prepare your child before the baby arrives, and why regressions in sleep, toileting, feeding or behaviour are often a normal response to change. They also explore practical strategies including using play to prepare children, creating social stories, protecting one-on-one connection, avoiding comparisons between siblings, responding with empathy instead of punishment, and supporting your child's emotional needs through one of the biggest changes of their early years. 

Whether you're currently pregnant, preparing your toddler for a new sibling, or already navigating life with two children, this conversation is filled with evidence-informed strategies, honest reflections and reassurance that you don't need to do everything perfectly. Small, intentional moments of connection can make a meaningful difference. 

In this episode we discuss:

* How to prepare your toddler for a new baby

* Supporting secure attachment when welcoming a sibling

* Why sibling transitions can bring big emotions

* Common regressions after a new baby arrives

* Preparing children through play and social stories

* One-on-one connection with your older child

* Language to avoid when talking about the baby

* Responding to regressions with empathy

* Managing parental overwhelm during the newborn stage

* Practical strategies that support the whole family

Tried & True

Each week, we share something we're loving (or not loving!) in motherhood, business or everyday life.

Nadia's recommendation:

Taking intentional moments for yourself throughout the week. Whether it's browsing an op shop after school drop-off, enjoying a quiet coffee or simply giving yourself permission to slow down, those small moments can help make motherhood feel more sustainable. 

Althea's recommendation:

Chekoh Baby Carrier — a beautiful, aesthetic baby carrier that Althea loved for its design, while also sharing some honest thoughts about the features she wished were more functional. 

Links mentioned in the episode

Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between.

Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode.

If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes.

Disclaimer

The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

ADHD or Just Being a Kid? Understanding the Difference

What does ADHD actually look like in children, and when is it more than typical childhood distractibility, impulsivity or high energy?

In this episode of Practicing Mums, Nadia and Althea unpack ADHD in kids in a practical, neuroaffirming and evidence-based conversation. We explore the different presentations of ADHD, common signs parents might notice, executive functioning, friendships, assessment and practical ways to support ADHD children at home and in everyday life.

We chat about:

• The three presentations of ADHD

• ADHD vs typical childhood behaviour

• Executive functioning, including working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility

• Why “not listening” isn’t always as simple as it seems

• How ADHD can impact friendships and social interactions

• When parents might consider an ADHD assessment

• Practical strategies for supporting ADHD children

• How occupational therapy can support children with ADHD

Research shows that ADHD is associated with differences and difficulties in executive functioning, although every ADHD child has their own individual pattern of strengths and support needs.

Research mentioned: Willcutt et al. (2005); Barkley (1997); Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD (AADPA, 2022); DSM-5-TR (APA, 2022).

Tried & True 

Nadia recommendation:

Creating a list on the Woolworths app for your go to groceries 

Althea’s recommendation:

Stackable washing machine and dryer 

Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between.

Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today’s episode.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, we’d love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes.

Disclaimer: The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Understanding Toddler Tantrums Without the Guilt

This segment is all about understanding toddler tantrums, emotional regulation and practical ways to support young children through big feelings.

Tantrums are one of the most common parenting challenges, yet they're also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, Nadia and Althea unpack what tantrums actually are, why they happen, and how understanding your child's developing brain can completely change the way you respond.

Together, they explore the difference between tantrums and sensory meltdowns, why toddlers often struggle to regulate their emotions, and how co-regulation helps children gradually develop emotional regulation skills over time. They also share practical, evidence-informed strategies they use at home, including responding with calm, setting boundaries with empathy, repairing after difficult parenting moments, and supporting children through public tantrums without shame.

Whether you're navigating the toddler years, wondering if your child's tantrums are developmentally typical, or looking for realistic strategies that actually work, this episode is filled with compassionate, neuroaffirming guidance and honest reflections from two mums and clinicians who know that parenting through big feelings isn't always easy.

Each week, we share something we're loving (or not loving!) in motherhood, business or everyday life.

Nadia's recommendation:
Adjustable weighted walking vest for family walks. Nadia shares how adding a weighted vest has made slow family walks feel more like a workout while her children ride bikes and scooters.

Adjustable Washable Weighted Vest for Women Men: Sportneer 0.9-8 kg/0.9-19 kg Weight Vest for Weight Loss Fast Adjust Running Vests with Reflective Strip for Home Gym Workout Fitness Exercise

Althea's recommendation:
Amazon Prime vacuum deals (and an honest discussion about the never-ending search for the perfect family vacuum!)

Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between.

Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode.

If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes.

Disclaimer

The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

EP 7: Althea shares her journey through PCOS, Infertility, Birth Trauma and the Unmedicated Homebirth that Changed Everything

A gentle disclaimer:
Before listening, we'd like to acknowledge every woman and every birth journey. Conversations about infertility, pregnancy, emergency births and birth experiences can be deeply personal and may bring up many emotions. No matter how your story unfolded, whether you conceived quickly or after years of trying, whether your birth was vaginal, caesarean, medicated, unmedicated or somewhere in between, please know that you are incredible. This episode shares one woman's personal experience only. Every birth story is valid, and every mother's journey deserves to be honoured.

In this deeply personal episode, Althea shares her journey through PCOS, infertility, an emergency caesarean birth and the unmedicated homebirth that changed everything.

After nearly two years of trying to conceive, Althea opens up about the emotional highs and lows of infertility, the uncertainty that accompanied the journey, and what it was like finally falling pregnant. She then shares her first birth experience, which resulted in an unexpected emergency caesarean section. She reflects on how that experience impacted her emotionally, the challenges she faced afterwards, and the journey of processing and healing from it.

Althea also shares the story of welcoming her second daughter through an unmedicated homebirth. For her, it became far more than a birth story. It was an experience that restored trust in her body, rebuilt her confidence and completely shifted the way she viewed herself and birth. She describes it as an experience that changed her brain chemistry for the better and became one of the most empowering moments of her life.

This episode is not about promoting one way to give birth over another. It is about sharing a story of healing, resilience and hope, and recognising that every woman's journey is unique.

Whether you're navigating PCOS, infertility, preparing for birth, recovering from an emergency caesarean, exploring VBAC or homebirth, or simply looking for an honest conversation about motherhood, this episode offers a heartfelt and vulnerable perspective.

In this episode:

• Living with PCOS
• Trying to conceive for nearly two years
• The emotional impact of infertility
• Pregnancy after infertility
• An unexpected emergency caesarean birth
• Healing after a difficult birth experience
• An unmedicated homebirth story
• How homebirth transformed Althea's confidence and mindset
• Reflections on motherhood, healing and resilience

If this episode resonated with you, we'd love for you to follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with someone who may find comfort in Althea's story.

Keywords: PCOS, infertility, trying to conceive, pregnancy after infertility, emergency caesarean, emergency C-section, birth trauma, healing after C-section, homebirth, unmedicated birth, positive birth story, VBAC, motherhood, postpartum, women's health.

This week's conversation is all about the reality of running a business while raising young children.

After asking our Instagram community what they wanted to know about motherhood and business, we sat down to answer your questions honestly. We chat about taking the leap into business, balancing work with family life, the emotional weight of leadership, why running a business can feel surprisingly lonely, and the unseen work that happens long after the workday ends.

We also share how becoming mums has changed the way we lead, the values we want our children to grow up with, and why, despite the challenges, building something meaningful that makes a difference in the lives of other families continues to make it all worthwhile.

Whether you're already running a business, dreaming of starting one, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode is an honest conversation about the highs, the hard moments and everything in between.

Each week, we share something we're loving (or not loving!) in motherhood, business or everyday life.

Nadia's recommendations:

• The "deep, not wide" approach to toys. Instead of buying lots of different toys, invest more deeply in open-ended favourites like magnetic tiles, train tracks or blocks. Having enough pieces allows children to build more creatively, encourages longer periods of imaginative play, and makes birthdays and Christmas much simpler when family ask for gift ideas.
• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. A practical read for anyone thinking about starting or growing a business. Nadia shares how this book helped shape her understanding of cash flow, planning for tax, paying yourself first and creating healthy financial systems from the beginning.

Althea's recommendation:

• Starting a family vegetable garden. While it takes time and patience, it's been one of the most rewarding ways to involve the kids in everyday life, encourage curiosity about where food comes from, and spend meaningful time together outdoors.

Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between.

Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode.

If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes.

The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.