Harassed Mum

Harassed Kid: Hip Dysplasia And A Full Body Cast

When you’re the mum of a three-and-a-half year old and an 18-month old, at the very bottom of your wish list is, in no particular order, is a dislocated hip (of the littlie), a five-day stay at a children’s hospital and a full-body cast for six weeks. Hmm – which would be worse? A toddler’s inability to move for a month and a half, or t... read more

Dr Happy

All Work, No Play Makes For Unhappy Families

My husband and I (don’t I sound like the Queen?!?) both work full-time and we’re both absolutely exhausted by the time the weekend comes around – the only chance we get to be with each other and our two daughters (three and nearly one). We both work hard all week while the girls are at family day care – and during the week we are all so tir... read more

Bad Parent

How To Do Everything Wrong

Conception: After psychologically disturbing visit to childhood home, solo, for Christmas, have crazy, drunken break-up sex with ex-boyfriend. Don't use birth control. Pregnancy: Be freelance and have the kind of "catastrophic" insurance that covers something if you are hospitalised, but not sonograms, medicine or doctor visits. Have no end of s... read more

Angry Dad

Hey! Parents! Leave Them Kids Alone!

I’m sick and tired of mothers and fathers who continue to micro-manage their children’s lives. There seems to be an increasing fear and anxiety about children these days. The idea of protecting your kid – against bullying, colds, lice, falling down, sleeping too little, sleeping too much, paedophiles, cars, dogs, violent television, sexy tele... read more

Harassed Mum

The Naked Truth

Maybe it was my experience on a clothes-free Italian beach, where a mahogany-tanned man shook his chamois leather at me – but I’ve never been a fan of public nudism. Until now. I’ve not recently uncovered the secret exhibitionist in me (a night at the student union did that long ago). But were I to pay and display at Le Camping au Naturel... read more

Angry Dad

The Cat’s In The Cradle Syndrome

I’m SO sick and tired of women bleating on and on and on. And on. About what? About how THEY are the biggest losers in this parenting biz. About how being a mother is SO difficult and how fathers have it SO easy. “Oooh the glass ceiling”; “ooh sexism in the work place”; “I wish I could have a career”; “raising kids is a... read more

Family Ties

Mia Freedman Chats To Babble!

In the second installment of our brilliant new series, Family Ties, we chat to Mia Freedman - ex-magazine editor, mum-of-three, keen blogger (mamamia.com.au) and author of Mama Mia - A Memoir of Mistakes, Magazines and Motherhood.* So, where and when were you born? Australia 1971 Where did you grow up? Any abiding memories of your childhood... read more

Harassed Mum

Guys Just Don’t Get It, Do They?

Now, before I say anything, I want to make it quite clear that I'm not a man-hater - far from it. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that some of my favourite people in the whole wide world are men - my husband, my brother, my father, Paul Weller to name a few. I love them and feel an affinity with them all, too - an equality, if you will. But when i... read more

Dr Happy

Does My Kid Love Her Dad More Than Me?

Dear Dr Happy My nearly-three-year-old daughter seems to prefer my husband to me – and she makes it very plain, indeed. When I go to pick her up from day-care, she cries and says: ‘Daddy! I Want Daddy!’ Apart from it being really embarrassing, it also breaks my heart! I’ve been back at work now for about a year and before, when I was at ho... read more

Bad Parent

I Hate Calling My Kids When I’m Away

Spring is here, which means a lot of us are hitting the trail to teach, speak, meet, and conduct all manner of business that keeps money and professional mobility flowing in our households. My slate is full this year and while I'm excited to be on the road — - all those Bliss Spa beauty products and random chats with cab drivers - I dr... read more