The Parent Squad

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If it takes a village to raise a child, it must take a whole country to raise a family! Newstalk ZB’s Parent Squad helps to do just that. Joined by expert guests The Weekend Collective team delves into the complexities of Kiwi family life.

Newstalk ZB


    • May 10, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 36m AVG DURATION
    • 315 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Parent Squad

    "They just want to connect with their mates": A parenting expert's take on potential social media ban

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2025 36:32 Transcription Available


    The National Party have proposed a bill to ban social media for under 16 year olds - following Australia's lead. But do parents really need legislative support with things like this? And how much help is really needed? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Dougal Sutherland: Your teen's angst may be your fault

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2025 36:33 Transcription Available


    All teenagers have their moments - but what are the signs there's something seriously wrong? And how much of the teenage angst can be blamed on parents expecting to have a horrible teen? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Sandy Pasley: Teaching values falls on parents as well as schools

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2025 35:38 Transcription Available


    It takes a village - parents, caregivers, family, and community. It takes a bit from everyone to raise successful adults. Parents will do their best to instil particular values into their children - but as we slowly let go as they progress through their schooling, it's unavoidable that others will begin to have a say. So in terms of values, what is the role of parents and schools as children grow up? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kathryn Berkett: Should you try to manage your children's friendships?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2025 60:54 Transcription Available


    This week on The Parent Squad, neuroscience educator Kathryn Berkett revealed how much - if at all - you should get involved with your children's friendships. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Jenny Hale: Parents are raising less resilient children

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2025 35:35 Transcription Available


    Senior Parent Coach Jenny Hale discusses the importance of resilience in parents. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Sara Chatwin: Setting boundaries in a blended family household

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2025 35:57 Transcription Available


    Combining two families under one roof can be hard at the best of times. Whether a couple are both bringing kids from a previous marriage together, or someone is becoming a step parent having never had kids before. But what happens when there are disagreements between the couple? What if a step parents thinks their stepchild should move out when he turns 18? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Grace Strange: The birth plan leaves at the first contraction

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2025 36:35 Transcription Available


    Midwife Grace Strange joins the show to discuss birth plans vs reality. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Rockley Montgomery: Military school principal on character schools

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2025 36:36 Transcription Available


    All parents send their children to school with the hopes of high results and great values, but which are they prioritising? Special character schools are significantly different from the public school system - and state schools may have a few things to learn. Rockley Montgomery is the principal of Vanguard Military School and he joins to discuss the place that character schools hold in the education system. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kathryn Berkett: Don't make it easy for your kids to live at home after school

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2025 36:29 Transcription Available


    Neuroscience educator Kathryn Berkett joins to discuss how to kick your kids out - the right way. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Dougal Sutherland: You don't need to treat your kids equally

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2025 37:05 Transcription Available


    Psychologist Dougal Sutherland joins Tim Beveridge to discuss how parents should handle the pressure to treat their children equally. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    John Cowan: When the empty-nester syndrome starts to set in

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2025 36:06 Transcription Available


    Parents nationwide are saying goodbye to their kids as they set off to university, their OE, or countless other adventures. It leaves the parents with an unusually quiet home - so how do they deal with it? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Dr Leila Masson: Our children are chronically stressed

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2025 37:27 Transcription Available


    The number of anxiety diagnoses is becoming increasingly more common in newer generations. Dr Leila Masson, paediatrician and author of Children's Health A to Z, says children are put in a difficult position with the rising popularity of social media. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Dave Atkinson: Building resilience in your children

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2025 36:35 Transcription Available


    The Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa (YDSA) recognised six key principles to support the positive development of teens and tweens. Understanding, connection, and relationships are just some of the focal points found to be essential for resilient and thriving young adults. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kathryn Berkett: Spotting neurodiversity in your children

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2025 41:20 Transcription Available


    All children have their quirks - especially coming into the teenage years. But when does it cross the line from awkwardness to potentially needing some extra support? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    John Cowan: Parents are passing their anxieties on to their kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 36:16 Transcription Available


    Prince William himself recently admitted that when asked what they had learnt at school that day, his children respond with "nothing". But how much of the anxiety around change is really coming from the child, and how much is being projected onto the child by their parents? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Grace Strange: Drastic increase in women requesting c-sections

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2025 41:20 Transcription Available


    Statistics from Auckland Hospital show there has been a dramatic increase in women requesting c-sections in recent year, but a drop in women actually getting elective c-sections. The number also show an unfortunate increase in emergency c-sections. Grace Strange is a midwife and founder of Antenatal Co., and she joins with more. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Dougal Sutherland: Dealing with the fallout from a bad exam result

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2025 35:35 Transcription Available


    NCEA exam results have been released, and many students are less than pleased with how they did. Every parent wants their child to be their best, but how can they push their children to improve without destroying their self confidence? As parents deal with the fallout from exam results, many have had to return to work while school holidays drag on. With only 20 days of annual leave, how can parents manage to find or afford childcare for the longest school break of the year? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    John Cowan: Managing family conflict over Christmas

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2024 36:52 Transcription Available


    Family arguments are more common than not over the holiday period - but when is it time to step in when it comes to relatives making comments to children? John Cowan joins to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Dougal Sutherland: Kids need awards as reinforcement

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2024 36:44 Transcription Available


    School prizegivings can be a chore this time of year, along with the increasing popularity of participation awards - but the burning question is whether these are helping or harming children. Dougal Sutherland joins with more. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kim Harvey: Avoiding teaching your kids over-consumption at Christmas time

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2024 36:17 Transcription Available


    Parents nationwide have one question on their minds this time of year - how on earth they can get their kids out of the house and off their devices once school finishes up for the year. Also, are parents teaching their children how to be over-consumers and materialistic by over-gifting at Christmas, and what is the limit when it comes to presents? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kathryn Berkett: You need to let your kids be stressed

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2024 36:01 Transcription Available


    Most parents hate seeing their children in stressful situations, regardless of what the cause is - but there may be an argument for allowing them to experience the stress. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Holly Brooker: Helping kids adjust when it's time to move out

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2024 38:07 Transcription Available


    With the year drawing to a close, teenagers are finishing up with school and leaving home. Holly Brooker joins to discuss how parents can best support their children through the transition, and when it's time to give them a gentle nudge. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Sara Chatwin: Leave kids out of politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2024 36:18 Transcription Available


    How involved should you allow your children to become in politics? What warnings should you give them? Psychologist Sara Chatwin joins to discuss this and more. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    John Cowan: How to help your kids this exam season

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2024 36:39 Transcription Available


    With exam season just around the corner, John Cowan joins Tim Beveridge to let you know how you can help your children in the lead-up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Dougal Sutherland: What should you do when your child makes negative comments about themselves?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2024 38:39 Transcription Available


    Most children reach a point in their pre-teen or teenage years when they grow more self aware, they begin to make comments that are critical of themselves. Dougal Sutherland joins Tim Beveridge to discuss how parents should respond to these comments to avoid worsening their self-image. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Dave Atkinson: The impact parenting has on your mental health

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2024 36:35 Transcription Available


    Recent studies from the United States show how detrimental being a parent can be to your mental health. Tim Beveridge is joined by Parenting Place CEO Dave Atkinson to discuss how to maintain your mental health with children. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Nathan Wallis: Raising resilient children

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2024 32:30 Transcription Available


    Neuroscience Educator Nathan Wallis joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the harms of helicopter parenting and how to raise resilient kids. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kathryn Berkett: Every child studies differently

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2024 35:57 Transcription Available


    Children will often insist on having music or a TV show playing in the background while they study, but how distracting is it really? Also, how are single parents able to cope with all the decision making and responsibilities they have to do alone? Neuroscience trainer Kathryn Berkett joins Tim Beveridge to discuss this and more. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Sara Chatwin: Let your kids be bored

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2024 31:36 Transcription Available


    Parents often feel pressured to have the school holidays fully booked with activities and programs, but psychologist Sara Chatwin says that may not be the best thing to do for children. Sara joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss this and more. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    John Cowan: The importance of reading to children

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 34:01


    Parenting expert John Cowan joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss the importance of reading to children and how children books have changed over the years. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Holly Brooker: Parents should be more hesitant putting their children on social media

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 34:10


    Many parents have grown more hesitant when it comes to posting pictures of their children online.  The conversation is growing around the dangers of sharing photos and information publicly.  Parenting expert Holly Brooker joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss this and more.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kathryn Berkett: Students need schools

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2024 33:33


    Several schools nationwide are considering online learning as a solution to manage poor attendance, teacher shortages, and student mental health.  Kathryn Berkett joins Tyler Adams on The Weekend Collective to explain why this is a bad idea.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Dr Dougal Sutherland: How to get more involved in your child's education

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2024 34:58


    A British mum is facing backlash after allowing her 15 year old son to travel Europe with his 16 year old friend.  The mum acknowledged the danger in this, but said, "in this increasingly risk-averse world it's vital that we find any ways we can to give our children the confidence that only comes from trusting them." So where do you draw the line? How can you let your children go without giving too much freedom? Dr Dougal Sutherland joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kim Harvey: Helping your children form healthy habits

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 31:32


    How do you help your children build healthy habits without taking it too far?  Kim Harvey joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss this and more.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Sara Chatwin: The balance between authoritative and authoritarian parenting

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2024 31:33


    How do you balance disciplining your children while still allowing them to choose their own path? Sara Chatwin joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss this and more. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    John Cowan: How involved should parents be in school subject decisions?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2024 31:59


    What do you do when your child is picking school subjects? Do you step in when they want to drop core subjects?  Parenting expert John Cowan joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss this and more.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Jenny Hale: Why is anxiety becoming so prevalent in kids?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2024 29:29


    Why is anxiety becoming so much more prevalent in children? Are evolving parenting styles to blame?  Parent coach Jenny Hale joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss this and more.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Dougal Sutherland: How do you get past the stigma of being a step parent?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2024 35:33


    Is it possible to break out of the stigma and be a successful step-parent? Dougal Sutherland joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss this and more.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kathryn Berkett: Parents need to allow kids to build resilience

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2024 39:36


    Educational Psychologist Kathryn Berkett joins Tim Beveridge on The Weekend Collective to discuss where to draw the line when your child is being bullied.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Parent Squad with Sara Chatwin: Kiwi kids are using devices far more than the rest of the world

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2024 32:42


    Psychologist Sara Chatwin joined Tyler Adams on The Weekend Collective to discuss new statistics showing that children in New Zealand are using screens far more than children in other countries.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Parent Squad with John Cowan: Getting through the puberty talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2024 31:45


    Getting through the classic puberty talk can be a difficult and awkward experience for parents and children alike. How do we handle this tastefully? Expert John Cowan joins the Weekend Collective to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Parent Squad with Dr Simon McDowell: Why is fertility declining worldwide?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2024 41:33


    Fertility expert Dr Simon McDowell joins the Weekend Collective to discuss why fertility is declining worldwide - and how prospective parents can prepare for the best chances to conceive. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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