Parenting Unpacked

Welcome to Parenting Unpacked. A podcast for parents seeking evidence, empathy and kindness. Hosted by Child Development PhDs Dr. Siobhan Kennedy-Costantini and Dr. Kristyn Sommer.
As mums we know how hard parenting is. We also know how much conflicting information exists out there in the parenting space. As experts in children's cognitive, social and emotional development we're here to help you unpack the science of parenting and to see the beauty in the grey.
Join us every week as we bring you content from the science of parenting, with a good dose of empathy and common sense.

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20 episodes
Avg 1 hr 4 min
English

Episodes 20

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S3 · E3
Nov 13, 2024 · 32 min
Siobhan's birth story (with her second child)
Trigger Warning: We discuss about Birth Trauma and PTSD
S3 · E2
Nov 6, 2024 · 34 min
Screentime, SIDS anxiety and starting daycare
We recorded this episode way back in January 2024 and here it is for your ears all the way at the other end of the year in November 2024. We had the best of intentions getting episodes to your ears many many months ago but alas, life gets in the way. However, we did manage to record a few episodes back then and here is the first of the (non)Lost Episodes. We hope you enjoy! Siobhan & Kristyn Follow us on Instagram: @science_minded @drkristynsommer @parentingunpackedpodcast
S3 · E1
Oct 30, 2024 · 35 min
Voice Notes from Motherhood
We are BACK! It's been a minute since we've shared an episode with you and since we were last in your ears, two new babies have joined our respective families! But now we are back, and we can't wait to catch you up on everything. After having tried (and failed) to record and share several episodes this year due to very little spare time, several children underfoot and also managing our outside of social media *real people* jobs, we have decided to give a new format a go this season. We're calling "Voice Notes from Motherhood". Let us know what you think! Follow us on Instagram: @science_minded @drkristynsommer @parentingunpackedpodcast
Apr 24, 2023 · 58 min
Why are toddlers a**holes?
This week we tackle your burning questions which include why toddlers are assholes (hint: it’s not just your kid & it’s not your fault). This is our second last episode for season 2! To find out what your little one’s temperament is, check out this link: scienceminded.org/temperament
S2 · E23
Apr 17, 2023 · 1 hr 18 min
Our top baby must-have-NOTs
Re-live the trauma of the baby days with Siobhan and Kristyn as they recount just how many baby “must-haves” turned out to be “must-have-NOTs”, from carseats, prams to mamaroos and owlets. Get the full low down as we dive in to all things baby.
S2 · E22
Apr 11, 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
Postpartum Planning
In this episode, Siobhan and Kristyn discuss their planning for their respective postpartum periods, the second time around! In particular, Siobhan shares her experience of working with Kathryn Millhouse from @‌_motherup to prepare a postpartum plan and she shares some of the great ideas and prompts that she's included. This is an episode packed full of practical and flexible ideas for postpartum support. Siobhan’s Postpartum Planning resources on Canva: Draft/pared down version of my Postpartum Planning Canvas: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFfNavl5vg/U_VyDy0RqJK4Wz0GSH4V9A/edit?utm_content=DAFfNavl5vg&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton Postpartum Planning Lists (including shopping list/toddler list/jobs for people to do list): https://www.canva.com/design/DAFfNRLxdwk/2UY2CTLL3PZJhWr9GxEyxg/edit?utm_content=DAFfNRLxdwk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton Things I’m doing differently/same: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFbvXEiaqY/0gV0c0abHjmtIV0-pKl2Dg/edit?utm_content=DAFbvXEiaqY&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
S2 · E21
Apr 3, 2023 · 57 min
Talking Toilet Training
Description: In this episode Kristyn and Siobhan talk all things toilet training - pee, poo and potty! Kristyn also shares about a research project she has going on all about making therapy better for autistic people. Find out more here - https://www151.griffith.edu.au/redcap/surveys/?s=YY8LXD3XT9ATPJCE Resources discussed in this episode: The Incredible Poo Party by Zoe Panto: https://www.amazon.com.au/Incredible-Poo-Party-Zoe-Panto/dp/0987644041 ‌
S2 · E20
Mar 27, 2023 · 55 min
Is time out ever ok? With Sarah R. Moore
In this episode, Siobhan and Kristyn interview with Sarah R. Moore from @dandelionseedpositiveliving on Instagram. She has a book “Peaceful discipline”. She was trained by Dr Bessel van der Kolk (author of The Body Keeps the Score) and Dr Dan Siegel (author of The Whole Brain Child). We tackle all the tricky stuff including whether timeout is ever okay?
S2 · E19
Mar 20, 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
Maternal Mental Health and Social Media
Kristyn and Siobhan catch up and talk about Social Media, maternal mental health, and influencers - do social media influencers have a responsibility to account for how their content affects their followers' mental wellbeing?
Mar 13, 2023 · 1 hr 46 min
Birth with B
This episode is all about birth, birth trauma and physiological vs natural vs vaginal births. B from @‌coreandfloorrestore (who has a background in midwifery and personal training) joined us to talk all things birth, pelvic floor health and everything in between. In the episode Kristyn and Siobhan talk about jumping to the outro - if you want to do this, jump to around 1hr 25 minutes in (it's a long episode!) Other accounts mentioned: Sarah Elrami @‌sarah_elrami Kathryn Millhouse @‌_motherup
S2 · E17
Mar 6, 2023 · 1 hr 36 min
It's safe sleep week!
In this episode Kristyn and Siobhan chat with Dr Bec Thornton, the National Health Promotion Manager for Red Nose. Red Nose is Australia’s leading authority on safe sleep and Siobhan and Kristyn ask Dr Bec lots of curly questions about the application of safe sleep practices in real life. Red Nose have a great range of resources to support parents available on their website - https://rednose.org.au/section/education
S2 · E16
Feb 27, 2023 · 1 hr 16 min
Learning Through Play
In today’s episode, Siobhan has a chat with Tiffany from @simplifyingchildhood. They talk about all things play-based and child-led learning and discuss the problems associated with the current push for formalised education in the early years, including the focus on attainment and success over relationship. They also have an interesting discussion about the place of ‘self-care’ in motherhood. You can find Tiffany at https://simplifyingchildhood.com.au/ or on Instagram at @simplifyingchildhood.
S2 · E15
Feb 20, 2023 · 1 hr 4 min
Attachment in our past and our present
In this episode, we talk about Australia's stolen generation and the impact this has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' attachment to community and country. The following link is to a testimony from a woman who was stolen - https://www.stolengenerationstestimonies.com/donna-meehan.html We also discuss Jacinta Ardern's decision to step aside as the New Zealand Prime Minister, daycare drop-off challenges, and being “too proud” (or not) to ask for help (particularly in early parenthood).
S2 · E14
Feb 13, 2023 · 1 hr 22 min
An Australian Surrogate Story
In this episode, we chat with two amazing women - Bec and Krista. Krista has a medical condition that means she is unable to fall pregnant, and when she shared this information with her friend Bec, Bec offered to act as her surrogate. As a result, Krista is now mum to a beautiful 8-month-old baby girl! Bec and Krista very generously share with us the highs and lows of their journey and how they navigated both the legal and medical hurdles involved. We are so honoured and grateful that they shared their story with us - and we are so excited to share it with you.
S2 · E13
Feb 6, 2023 · 1 hr 4 min
Whining, Why's and What the F*$% is happening with bedtime
We start this year the way we left the last, with chaos! In this episode, we chat about how we celebrated Christmas and the gifts we gave our toddlers (some were immediate winners, others have taken time). We also talk about the whining phase, the onslaught of “why's” from our toddlers, what is happening with daytime naps and what we’re planning to do in 2023 (apart from Siobhan giving birth and Kristyn trying to find another job because hers finishes in January 2024)!
S2 · E12
Dec 19, 2022 · 1 hr 14 min
The CHAOS of the festive season has arrived!
Buckle in because Siobhan and Kristyn are exhausted and burnt out after of long year of researching, social media-ing, podcasting, parenting, working in child cares and so on. The effects of this show in the pure chaos that is this episode. Kristyn talks about her horror experiences in academia as a woman and a mother. The girls chat about casual, systemic and culturally ingrained sexual assault and harassment. They jump around topics A LOT. Kristyn realises she has more than one friend and now has absolutely no idea what to do with that knowledge or friendship. They talk autism, disability, gendered norms and stereotypes. They also discuss teaching kids about boundaries around physical affection and how its not obligatory after receiving gifts. Its the last episode of the year and wow, it was long, chaotic and full of so. many. belly laughs. and quite a few swear words (so watch out for those little ears when listening). This is Kristyn, Siobhan and the Parenting Unpacked team signing off for the year, we will see you in the new year, hopefully rested, restored and rejuvenated (but let’s be honest we will probably be exhausted, tired and shattered after two weeks of bringing Christmas joy to our toddlers.)
Dec 15, 2022 · 1 hr 7 min
That one sleep training study everyone is talking about - Journal Club #4
Journal club is back for its final 2022 installment! This week we are talking about a new sleep training study that's been making A LOT of (unfounded) headlines. So, to help you parse fact from fiction, to give you an insight into the strengths and weaknesses of this research AND to help you figure out what the research ACTUALLY says (hint it is definitely not what the media is saying) tune in and listen.
S2 · E11
Dec 12, 2022 · 1 hr 8 min
We Love CRABS - with Dr. Jess Stokes Parish
In this episode of parenting unpacked we chat with Dr. Jess Stokes Parish. Jess is an ICU nurse, researcher, and science communicator. She has created a really useful template called CRABS which helps you interpret the reliability of the information you see on social media. Also, Siobhan is back and healthy (and hiding in a cupboard in an effort to improve our audio quality)!
Dec 8, 2022 · 57 min
Journal Club 3 - Apologising, parenting and kids
Welcome back to journal club! This week we're all about the new article on mothers' tendency to apologize to their children and how it impacts their behavior. Watch along to hear about the findings and what we think! On today's journal club we have Jess Guy @infantsleepscientist, Laura Gainche @scienceforallwomen and Cara Goodwin @parentingtranslator. Check out the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/34jefyuf
S2 · E10
Dec 5, 2022 · 46 min
Surrogacy in India - With Lopamudra Goswami
In this episode, Kristyn has a chat with Lopamudra Goswami. Lopa is an Indian research scholar currently pursuing her doctoral studies at Griffith University in Australia. Her research since 2014 has revolved around Indian surrogate mothers in Gujarat (once known to be the surrogacy capital of the world) and Karnataka, which has lent itself towards her Ph.D. thesis. She is invested in gaining a deeper understanding of mental health in surrogate mothers post relinquishment of their surrogate babies and in offering safe transition spaces for the mothers' post-delivery. Through her research, she is hoping to draw more focus on the surrogate mothers themselves and develop an interpretation of their surrogacy experience through their personal lens. Lopa has in-depth field experience in collecting data from rural areas in India and works relentlessly towards being more involved in fieldwork than being at her work desk.

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