You can’t have failed to notice how many ways we can find information. Podcasts have become a really important way that you will learn, are entertained, inspired, take action and grow. Podcasts are produced by enthusiastic hosts passionate about their subjects. The parenting world has a range of podcasts which are a perfect way to listen to information and be part of a community connected without boundaries. They offer comment on current issues in a way that leaves you thinking long after the show is over and urge you to take some action.

Podcasts in general take a huge amount of time to produce and in the parenting world this coupled unpredictable nature of it with more kids coming along, new directions, maternity leave over and normal life there is a tendency to see your favourite show on hiatus or podfade.

The podcasts listed here are in no particular order. They were all current for 2012. Visit the website or better yet download a show and let the host know what you think. They will appreciate it.

Podcasts of 2012

Unplugged mom covers topics of relevance to home educating, natural/holistic and free thinking parents.  It is for anyone who wishes to unplug from the manufactured mainstream current and reconnect with reality! A refreshing show that’s not afraid to be provocative and sometimes controversial. Laurette provides a much-needed thought-provoking and informative show. Listen : The Cry to Progressives to Stay in School: How Indie Education Threatens the Status Quo

Over thinking mom  with Meredith a podcasting, blogging, overthinking, military marrying, sorta homemaking, grammatical phrase abusing new mom. Meredith interviews other moms and produces amazingly researched programs. I’m a big fan of her show. There’s no way I could glean that much information in the time she shares in her show. I’ve also been a guest on her show. Listen: Modern Day Wet Nursing: Weird or Wonderful? [Episode 22]

Manic Mommies Erin and Kristin share their everyday parenting ups and downs about their lives, careers, children and families. Lots of laughing, stories and things we can all relate to as modern parents learning on the go. These hosts have a great chemistry and differ in opinion which makes for great radio. You’ll soon find you identify with one and then the other then the other again.This is often a light-hearted conversational show between hosts but they do have guest interviews. Listen: Podcast: Putting Our Lives Online

Parenting Unplugged Radio Laura and Todd talk about current articles of interest to parents. As a husband and wife team they bring a fun perspective to the conversation whether it is a show of them talking or they have a featured guest. They cover a variety of topics and offer useful resources for parents in their honest and entertaining show. Listen: Thank you Whitney for helping me talk to my kids about drugs.

Parents’ Perspective Linda and Sandra host an interview show with guest experts talking about a lot of parenting ideas. They have an extensive back catalogue and are heard around the world via American Forces Radio. There show is full of information and cover a vast diversity of topics Listen: 493. Tricks of the Trade: Dr. Riley’s Box of Tricks

Behind the blog  Erin offers a gentle parenting podcast going behind the blog of interesting parents and sharing their daily lives. It’s a fascinating fly on the wall of other people’s lives, escapism, aspiration, inspiration and surprise all rolled into one. It’s an authentic look at the real lives of other parents. Listen: Episode Two :: Tara Wagner

The Parent Report Short and to the point tips on all aspects of parenting with guest excerpts with host Joanne Wilson Listen: How to Discipline Children with Fairness

Raising Playful Tots  This is a show dedicated to mums who want to make the most of playtime with their under 5 tots via appropriate play in Early Childhood. It’s a mix of show formats with guest experts, educators and practitioners and mums sharing their knowledge, experience and comment about play for the 21st century family. Listen: 87. How to teach children to share

The Power of Moms Part of a large community of moms this show interviews guests with the aim of enriching your life by listening to meaningful conversations. The current show list seems to favour empowering the mom to take action with interesting guests and bubbly hosts. Listen: Raising Global Children – Episode 29

Family Anatomy  hosted by two psychologists  having conversations about children and families. They discuss articles and research that’s not getting to parents as well as interview experts. They use their experience of their day jobs and as parents to share down to earth practical advice and information. As well as discuss and translate research ideas into practical ideas that parents can use. Listen: Anatomy of Three Things (Episode 133) | families

The Simple Mom Podcast Hosted by Tsh of Simplemom.net. She interviews contributors, good friends and favourite bloggers about all things related to simple living just like her network. We get to know the people behind the blogs as they share their journey in this conversational show. As well as asking interesting questions, Tsh has a set of questions she asks every guest.  Listen: Doing it all

Positive Parenting Radio  Armin interviews expert guests about important and timely topics of interest to parents and families. He also provides engaging advice and answers reader questions in his weekly show. Listen: Keep your brain health for the rest of your life

The American Muslim Mom Ponn shares parenting ideas and thoughts from a Muslim perspective with lots of cross over content appealing to all parents. Her shows are full of information and empower us to be better parents. It was so exciting to interview her about life as a Muslim parent. Listen: American Muslim Mom Podcast #11 – Ramadan and Sadaqah Drives

Brain Burps about books  Katie interviews authors, publishers, illustrators and those working in the world of kidlit. She has monthly contributors who review picture books, talk about marketing your picture book. Katie takes time to answer listener questions about book related ideas and provides current views of what’s going on in the children’s book market. I love her style and enthusiasm. Listen: Reading is Fundamental

Childhood Matters This general parenting show offers a variety of advice for parents who are looking for answers to a wide range of parenting dilemmas and topics. It covers a wide span of ages. Guests, experts and parents both appear on this show. The host is really good at letting the guest speak and asking good questions Listen: Baby Proof Your Relationship

Hand in Hand  provides support and helpful information for new Moms and Dads on everything from Responding Well to Crying to Helping Baby Sleep to Handling the “Baby Blues” in these short, easy to use audio files. Listen: Building a Special Relationship with Your Baby

The Mom Podcast tackles topics between two to three co hosts. Shows are conversational so you feel like you’re listening in to friends chatting as well as featured guests talking on an issue. These women have varied opinions so makes for an interesting show. It’s not just about the kids but includes all things mom. Listen: Dating after a Divorce

The Parents journall produces short educational shows on specific topics. Bobbi interviews Guest experts who share practical ideas on common parenting issues. The ideas cover childhood and show length varies according to topic. This show  makes it on to my weekly download every week. Listen: Helping Your Preschooler Adjust to Nursery School

What Really Matters  This two cohost show is produced really well and both are always sunny, down to earth and ask great questions. It’s a family resource site about making life simple so you can enjoy what really matters via experts. It’s easy to pick up practical ideas. Listen: #252 Title: How to Be a Grown Up: 10 Secret Skills Everyone Needs to Know

The Creative Mom Podcast Amy hosts a creative talk show filled with good creative discussion and inspiring music for creative moms (and non-moms and artists and creatives of all types) to listen to for a feeling of community, understanding, and inspiration.  The show includes creative projects with kids, artist notes from the week in review, journaling ideas and suggestions, book reviews, blog mentions, weekly prompts, and, sometimes, creative non-fiction essays. Listen: Episode 169: Vignettes

Pregtastic Perfect for the soon to be pregnant or pregnant with a group of hosts in various stages of pregnancy sharing their stories at a time when you’re hungry for information and want to talk about everything. They also interview guest experts and proud parents come back to the show to share their stories. Listen:  Natural Baby Pros’ Empowered Birth Stories: Natasha

Baby and Toddler Instructions Blythe’s show features information, advice and conversation around the baby and toddler years. With guest experts  together they will provide instructions to make those first years a breeze!! Lots of the advice and information around this age group but it relates to older children as well. Blythe has interviewed me and I’ve interviewed her on the show and she’s a lot of fun and full of information. Listen: WHAT ARE THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILD?

Musing Mommies is a podcast designed for moms by moms!  If you are looking for a very informative show with experts in their fields giving advice? It’s not them!  They will give you info and some interviews in their own way.  The diversity of the topics are interesting and there’s a lot of moments where you can really relate to situations.Well worth a listen to Dawn and Kim. Listen: Musing Mommies Podcast Episode 144 {How We Women Treat Each Other}

Mom Enough This mother/daughter cohost team explore the many facets of motherhood in today’s world – from confronting the daily joys and struggles of helping kids grow up well, to balancing work and family, to considering the big questions of how society views and values mothers and mothering. Listen: DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE A HABIT THAT DRIVES YOU UP THE WALL?

BAM radio  is a multi channel network appealing to educators, parents and leaders in education. Host Rae interviews 2-3 guests around an issue or question. The guests views are often diverse and discussion of the issues present themselves in these short shows. It promises to deliver the latest insights and wisdom from the leading experts in the fields of early childhood education, physical education/motor development, play research, child development, and the neurosciences. Listen: Talking Candidly with Teens about Contemporary Racial Issues

Triple P Parenting Experts from the Positive Parenting Program at the University of Queensland provide parenting advice in simple, effective language. Listen via subscription in itunes.   Listen: Work Life Balance

The Parent’s Plate  Brenda hosts this show . She’s a parenting author, expert, and mom who understands you want to be a great parent - or just survive – amid life’s chaos. Mission-driven to empower parents through education and encouragement. She interviews guest and shares practical ideas, suggestions and comment on modern parenting. Listen: Give Dads a Second Chance

I know this has been a longer than usual post and I thank you for staying with me and reading this far. Why not bookmark this list in your favourite places like Pinterest or StumbleUpon.  There’s a share it button at the foot of this post.

Since this list covers different stages of parenting as you and your child grows and your needs change so might your podcast listening.

There’s bound to be many more parenting podcast out there. Do let me us know in the comments below so we can visit these shows too. I don’t recommend you subscribe to all these shows but listen to a few episodes not just the one listed here to get a feel for the show, then subscribe, call in or write them.

The information in these shows make for great conversations with friends over coffee and soft play , provide points of discussion for your spouse,  have you nodding or raging, as well as make you cry, laugh so hard your child gives you that “What on earth?” look.

I’m starting a collaborative board on Pinterest of Parenting Podcasts. If you are a producer and wish to share your shows in a network  with other shows. Get in touch with your Pinterest id to my email address and I’ll send you the details.

This post is long enough.

Happy Listening :: Conversation and renewed direction!

 Edited to add: Many thanks to Kara of SimpleKids  and Meredith of OverthinkingMom for sharing their favourite parenting podcasts. 

27 Parenting Podcasts for the 21st Century parents is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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Melissa over at Chasing Cheerios mentioned a Cultural Exchange  just before the Summer. It sounded a great idea.

The idea was to send a packgae out that represented your country to a group of people. Melissa coordinated the whole thing. We were in a group of 6 people. 6 packages- how difficult would that be?

Naturally life gets busy during the summer. My husband was back after a year deployment so life was hectic. The kids also spent a large portion with Grandparents. I didn’t want to send activities for them to do. Hanging out with the Grandparents was all that was required.

So September rolls around and back to school. Again super busy. The boys and I worked really  hard on finding UK things and what they wanted.

This is what we selected for our package. Each one was a little different.

• ELC money in Euros and Sterling
• Twining fruit Tea. (We’re big fruit tea drinkers but we were thinking of the kids- no caffeine!)
• Mini chocolate digestives ( I had to buy a second packet the first packets got…er..um eaten)
• Love hearts and traditional sweets
• keyring with a tourist attraction from the UK/London. Here we have the traditional phone box. Not many of these around.
• Make a flag activity
• Information pack about the K including recipes
• Drawn picture of a Beefeater costume.

Imagine that duplicated 6 times. It was an interesting time at the post office sending these off.

Next the wait…….

So far we’ve received one from Arizonia and one from Japan.

The boys are beyond excited to open them up. We unpacked them at Dinnertime.

If you get the chance to participate in an exchange….do!

There are lots of physical swaps online. I spoke about the International Postcard Swap  on the podcast recently.

Have you participated in any swaps? Share the links below

Cultural Exchange is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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What’s family dinner like in your home? Probably pretty busy. Anytime for play activities?

Family meal times can be a really chaotic time of day with the bewitching hour close by/ clubs and activities/ and the general hustle and bustle of preparing a meal with children underfoot. By the time we make it to the table we’re all a little frazzled. Once we start eating we try a conversation and get mixed results.

Dinner time is a great time to connect and feel that family bond. We’ve had a lot of success with Dinner games and now were extending the fun.

Extending the fun

During the meal we try the conversation starters to get to know our children. Then move onto family night activities.

At the end of each month I’ll be sharing a download full of activities to try over the month for dinner conversation and together family activities.

Photo credit

Download April here

Contents

Since we’re at dinner I thought I would continue the theme………………….

Appetizer: Conversation starters during dinner

4-6 questions to promote conversation with your under 5s plus space to add your own.

First course: Recommended family game or activity

Games we recommend that encourage team work, participation, conversation and appeals to various ages.

Second course: Book recommendation

These books work really well read aloud or working together as a family.

Salad course: Podcast recommendation

Podcasts for kids or parents to enjoy

Dessert: Music

Start their musical appreciation with some carefully thought out musical journeys.

Cheese course: find some excellent play activities to do for the month.

How?

Combine them in one night and have a playful family’dinnight’ or try different parts over the month.

Photo credit

Happy family ‘dinnight’!

Download April here

Family night and dinnertime play activities- April is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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What’s family dinner like in your home? Probably pretty busy. Anytime for play activities?

Family meal times can be a really chaotic time of day with the bewitching hour close by/ clubs and activities/ and the general hustle and bustle of preparing a meal with children underfoot. By the time we make it to the table we’re all a little frazzled.  Once we start eating we try a conversation and get mixed results.

Dinner time is a great time to connect and feel that family bond. We’ve had a lot of success with Dinner games and now were extending the fun.

Extending the fun

During the meal we try the conversation starters to get to know our children. Then move onto family night activities.

At the end of each month I’ll be sharing a download full of activities to try over the month for dinner conversation and together family activities.

Photo credit

Contents

Since we’re at dinner I thought I would continue the theme………………….

Appetizer: Conversation starters during dinner

4-6 questions to promote conversation with your under 5s plus space to add your own.

First course: Recommended family game or activity

Games we recommend that encourage team work, participation, conversation and appeals to various ages.

Second course: Book recommendation

These books work really well read aloud or working together as a family.

Salad course: Podcast recommendation

Podcasts for kids or parents to enjoy

Dessert: Music

Start their musical appreciation with some carefully thought out musical journeys.

Cheese course: find some excellent play activities to do for the month.

How?

Combine them in one night and have a playful family’dinnight’ or try different parts over the month.

Download January

Photo credit

Happy family ‘dinnight’!

Improve your family dinner and family night with play activities is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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It’s been almost a month now since you got your shiny new smartphone/ipad/ipod. You’ve got to grips with some features but you know it can do so much more.

You’ll be wanting to listen to shows that help you as a parent or maybe you need some light relief.

Photo credit

How to find shows?

iTunes

• Ask your friends and bloggers. Kara from Simplekids.com shared her favourites recently.

• Download iTunes it’s a free piece of software that holds a vast directory of podcasts, as well as music, movies and radio.

• Once you have downloaded iTunes visit the podcast section in the iTunes store. There’s a search bar in the top right corner.

• Look at your favourite radio shows most have a podcast version so you never miss them again.

Smartphones

• Blackberry has a podcast directory where you can find shows.
• Stitcher is a free application you install on your smartphone. You can listen to content right from your phone without needing to be syncing your computer and ipod.

Podcasts to try

The (Over)thinking Mom

This is a recent find for me and I’m loving digging into the archives as Meredith has some great topics.Meredith talks about interesting and topical subjects around parenting. She loves researching and investigating- which is good for us as she shares it all in this podcast. I’ve really enjoyed her range of episodes and just like “MPR”  ( NPR), I found myself listening to topics I didn’t think I would be interested in and totally got hooked. Cost : Free

Tweet with The (Over)thinking Mom on Twitter | Like The (Over)thinking Mom on Facebook

BAM- Body, Mind and Child

BAM is a radio network of many channels that caters to parents, educators and leaders in Education. The show I listen to the format is the host, Rae Pica putting questions to two or more guests with opposing opinions. It often makes for a lively discussion.   Deborah of Teachpreschool.org was a recent guest. These shows are 10- 15 minutes long and are packed with lots of information and background on children. It’s the one that plays in the right sidebar of this site. Cost: Free

Like BAM- Body, Mind and Child on Facebook

Apple Juice Radio

This a fun husband and wife podcasting duo talking about the parents guide to children’s books and films. This show is based in the UK. I really enjoy the reviews as they are not sugar coated and always with a positive spin neither do the couple  always agree so the discussion is spirited and you can totally get the point the view. There’s a lot of laughter and you really feel like you’re listening into a conversation in their 15-25 minute show. They are show notes that give more information about the book and the film. Cost: Free

Tweet with Apple Juice Radio on Twitter | Like Apple Juice Radio on Facebook

Classics for Kids podcast

All the previous podcasts were for parents to listen for themselves or to learn for the children. This podcast is one that was recommended to me by a homeschooling mom who uses the podcast as part of her curriculum. It’s a short podcast that illustrates a classic composer and is full of music.  At 6 minutes it’s perfect “setting the table” listening in our house to keep everything moving along. Each composer lasts 3-5 podcasts but with the bite sized child friendly language and chunks it is totally accessible as an easy listen. Cost: Free.

Parents’ Perspective

One of the first podcasts I subscribed to in the mid Naughties and still a favourite today. This is a co-hosted show where the topics are on parenting and offer a wie range of material, not just focused on the Early years. The host starts with a senario and ends with the interview  of a special guest expert that attempts to answer the question. With each show approximately 27 mintues long the time goes really quickly as you listen to stories and information. Cost: Free

Like Parents’ Perspective on Facebook

The Because Show

All the previous shows were information about development or parenting ideas whereas these three women from Los Angeles talk about a subject each week. It’s not a parenting show and it is a parenting show as all three are parents. They have occasional guest but usually we have girlfriends answering questions, sharing stories and commenting on life. It’s a refreshing  to listen  to parents who can talk about and experience other things other than children and perfect listening during the day. They do have an explicit tag to some of their material which is useful when you have little ears who would love nothing better than to repeat what they hear. You can check each show and they usually say beforehand in the intro. They really are like a magazine with the diversity of subjects and views. They have long and short shows. Cost: Free

Tweet with TheBecauseShow | Like TheBecauseShow

Raising Playful Tots

My show.

Raising Playful Tots (RPT) is a weekly podcast and Internet Radio show for mums who want to make the most of Early Childhood playtime. We offer tips, suggestions, guest interviews and conversation about how to keep appropriate play central in the under 5s in our care.  Time: between 20 and 30 minutes. Cost: Free

Tweet |Facebook

Carnival of Parenting Podcasts

Why Podcasts?

Photo credit

What do you do once the children go to bed of an evening? Slump in front of the TV, grab a book, watch a movie, study for school, go to club, Facebook or Tweet? We all have our things we do. There’s a podcast out there for you too.

::Ones for parents to learn and grow

::Once for parents to be transported

::Ones for parents to laugh and groan.

So many different types.

As a parent who is interested in playing with their child there’s got to be time for the parents to play. Fun for your ears.

What’s a recent podcast you’ve subscribed to?

Dusting off your new ipod or smartphone is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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Brrrrr…… Happy CyberMonday!

Original Play Activities first ebook!

Treasure Basket Play

Treasure Basket Play shows you step by step how to effectively and safely set up and use a treasure basket in your home today that will engage and challenge your baby each time they use the basket. Treasure basket play is suitable for sitting babies to approximately 12 months. Read more about Treasure Basket Play

Grab the ebook, audio interview, transcript and case studies for $8.95

Right click Add to cart. (Open in a new window or tab to see contents of your cart)

Second ebook:

Here is a downloadable ebook of play activities and discussions collated from the Play Activities blog for the last 3 years. Plus
* The bonus section has 3 exclusive play activities never before published along with an exclusive video.
* It is in an ebook format.
* It makes finding an activity, looking at a discussion or visiting a new play place that much easier.
* Each post has been formatted for the ebook with clickable links.
* Comments are open to add to discussions or comment at the original post.
* It makes an ideal gift for a baby shower, discussion material for baby and toddler playgroups or first birthday gift.

Buy now
$8.95

For more information

How to buy now?

1. Right click the add to cart button and open in another tab.
2. Choose your quantity
3. Update cart
4. Checkout

If you have any problems downloading these ebook bundles please contact me. I’m happy to help.
Subscribe to the Raising Playful Tots Podcast

Gifts for Toddler and babies is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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Since the interview with Caroline Webster of Small Fry Outdoors, we have been inspired to take more of our indoor activities outside in our quest to play outdoors. The boys love to pretend play and it is encouraging that Superhero play isn’t the only play we do and especially if you have lots of other characters about. This is our newest family members to our play characters box.

With the weather being so nice and the collection of natural items we keep collecting on our walks we decided to make a miniture garden for our new family. This whole thing was an idea we had together. The boys wanted to build a garden for them and I felt having a portable one would be better for us and a more realistic target.

How to make a miniature garden

• Use a tray, shallow baking tray or any item with sides to contain soil.

• Collect lots of ingredients to make the garden such as soil, rocks, moss, twigs, dried flowers. Be inspired by the season and your imagination from your garden. We found it best to heap the items in piles around the plate to help inspire us.

• Plan your garden using the resources you have available.

Getting Started and Assembling a Miniature Garden

• Cover the table with newspaper

• Build up your garden.

Decorating Your Miniature Garden Imaginatively

Add your washing line by using two twigs and some thread. Wind the thread around the twigs. Cut out clothes from a magazine and glue or tape to the line.

• Push each twig into play-dough that affixes to the tray. Cover the play-dough.

• Add people to your garden and let the imagination begin.

Miniature gardens bring a little of the outdoors indoor and provide an ideal play starter or activity to use with imaginary play and story telling.

Miniature Gardens with little ones is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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What should I do?

This is the common cry on forums and mother/child groups up and down the land. Not many of us have enough experience other than our own children in knowing if what we as seeing is typical or not.

Below are three real life examples from parents…..

My son is 20 months old and he does not talk alot, we read to him and as he points to things we talk about what they are.  The Dr.  says all of his other communication skills are great but I am starting to get concerned that he does not say a lot of words, at time he will repeat what you say but not on a consistent basis.  He has said mamma and dadda for a long time.  Does anyone have some advice or some activities my husband and I can use to help this process?

It’s become obvious that my son is having trouble with speech, specifically stuttering and having a hard time getting the words to come out.  It’s been going on for about 9-12 months and I thought it would get better or he would grow out of it, but it’s just getting worse.  So much so, that last night he was crying because he couldn’t get the words.

I thought my daughter had a problem with her speech b/c at 1, she wasn’t talking, everyone including Drs. told me I was over worried, (she will talk) they told me ,( give her time !), at 2 she wasn’t talking, nothing, zip! Same scenario, im a worried Mom, she’ll talk when she wants too. At 3 still not talking, Drs. after Drs., even switched Drs., im still a worried Mom, after all Albert Einstein didn’t talk until he was much older than that! So at 4 my daughter started talking, but we had a prob., it sounded like Chinese, very weird, so I took her to the DR and demanded that they evaluate her! So they did and she failed everything! So she started speech therapy and she was talking in 1 yr., yes, at 5 yrs old she could finally talk. They asked me why I waited so long to have her tested, I was like, don’t even go there! She’s 11 and still in speech. I say if you think there’s a problem, make them listen to you! Do something about it. I wish I hadn’t listened to family, friends and Drs., they all were wrong! I knew something was wrong and I wish she would have gotten the help she needed sooner!

Raising Playful Tots is an Internet radio or Podcast available 24hrs a day . Host: Melitsa Avila of Play Activities. Download each episode yourself visit each show notes to do this or have iTunes do this automatically for you.

Week 13th June 2010: Talking Tots with Lisa Houghton. Lisa share answers to questions like those above in this weeks show. A must listen if you have a little one.

Raising Playful Tots show 29: Talking Tots

Keep up to date with new show by signing up for the newsletter. When you sign up for the newsletter you get a free 11 page special report 10 ways to extend your child’s play. New show on Wednesday!

Help my child’s not talking! is a post from: Play-Activities.com
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