Is the family dinner really just a guilt trip with cutlery?

One of the most pervasive pieces of parenting advice is making everyone feel bad about themselves. Jessie Stephens and Amelia Lester unpack the pressure to sit and eat at a dining table together—even when that table (if you have actually have room for one) is buried under laundry and unopened mail.

Also, Kourtney Kardashian says school is outdated. With homeschooling on the rise, is she actually onto something?

Plus, the model who makes money from encouraging women and girls to live a 'skinny' lifestyle. Different generation, different platform, same disturbing message. We discuss.

And in our reccos this week:

• Amelia's got a brilliantly grim podcast that both you and your kid will love.

• Jessie shares her sneaky hack to score all the toys—no meltdown required.

Come join the conversation. New eps drop Saturdays. No shoulder spit-ups required.

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WHAT TO LISTEN TO NEXT:

• Parenting Out Loud Ep 1: Grandparents — It's Time For Your Performance Review
• Undoing Toxic 90’s Diet Culture For The Next Generation
• A Declutter Expert's Top Hacks And Why Every Family Needs A 'Drop Zone'
• How To Build A Universe: Trains, Planes And Adventure Games!
• But Are You Happy: The Right Way To Say No To People You Love

WHAT TO READ:

• 'I'm an organisational expert, and the "drop zone" hack is all you need to beat clutter.'
• 'My house was full of clutter, until I learnt about the "reach" theory.'
• STEPH CLAIRE SMITH: 'Your whole family will love these 20-minute dinner recipes.'
• LYNDI COHEN: 'The simple recipe I recommend everyone makes for a family dinner.'
• "It sucks if you have carpet." 6 things no one told me about feeding a baby.

THE END BITS:

Mamamia studios are styled with furniture from Fenton and Fenton

GET IN TOUCH:

Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au

Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show.

Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family

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.

Big news, friends. Jessie Stephens and Amelia Lester are bringing a whole new vibe to parenting podcasts with this brand new mini series: Parenting Out Loud.

If you're deep in the trenches, Parenting Out Loud will help make your world feel just that little bit bigger with the week's hot topics explored, examined and digested. Because if parents are thinking about it, we're talking about it.

On this week's episode, grandparents get a long overdue performance review, we unpack the article that stopped us in our tracks, take a deep dive into Mormon Wives (and mothers), and investigate the playroom that got Amelia all riled up.

Plus, recommendations: A fool-proof recipe, a genius toy to get kids off screens and a book that shines a light on sibling relationships.

Come join the conversation. New eps drop Saturdays. No shoulder spit-ups required.

Support independent women's media

Recommendations

Jessie wants you to bake these oat bars and recommends the toy, Tonies.

Amelia wants you to read Intermezzo by Sally Rooney.

THE END BITS:

Mamamia studios are styled with furniture from Fenton and Fenton

GET IN TOUCH:

Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au

Join our Facebook group Mamamia Family to talk about the show.

Follow us on Instagram @mamamia_family

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.

In this special final episode of This Glorious Mess, leading psychologist and one of Australia's most sought-after voices on child development, Claire Rowe shares her insights on guiding our daughters through the emotionally intense world of female friendships. Claire unpacks normal friendship drama and actual bullying, from playground politics to social media pressures; and the big mistake we are all making and hindering their resilience.

And after ten years of parenting conversations, confessions and chaos, the TGM team bids a final farewell and the OG team pop in to say goodbye - Holly Wainwright, Andrew Daddo, Leigh Campbell, Libby Trickett and Sarah Marie Fahd. They reminisce about how the show has guided countless parents through their "glorious messes" and celebrate the show's legacy of embracing imperfect parenting and creating a supportive community where the chaos, triumphs and challenges of raising children have been shared with honesty and humour.

We’ve got a new family brand coming, so watch this space and keep your eye on this feed for something special coming in June.

THE END BITS

WIN $10k to use towards a cleaner*

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*Promotion starts between 24/03/25 (AEDT) – 31/07/25 (AEST). AU residents 18+. Max 1 entry p/person. Draw: Unit 3/2 Cross St, Brookvale NSW 2100 at 10am AEST on 05/08/25. Prize: $10,000 transferred to winner’s bank account. Winner notified and published on nestle.com.au/productnews/winners by 12/8/25. Claim prize by 5pm AEDT on 12/11/25. Unclaimed prize draw occurs 13/11/25. Promoter: Nestle Australia Ltd. Full T&Cs at www.nestlebabyandme.com.au/pausethechores. Permit No's: ACT TP 25/00355 & SA T25/260.

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With thanks to Clare Rowe

CREDITS:
Hosts: Annaliese Todd & Tegan Natoli

Producer: Tina Matolov
Audio Producer: Jacob Round

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.