Parenting can involve big ideas, public debates and the odd festive guilt trip - and this week, we’re tackling all three.

The man who created Adolescence has a new idea for how dads can connect with their sons - it’s beautiful, but one of us hates it.

Plus, Amelia dives into the kids party photo that’s divided Australia: can you really “bags” a park table?

And finally, it’s Elf O’Clock. Monz realises she’s the last mum on earth without a tiny spy living in her house, and wonders aloud if there are some traditions that should just be left alone.

Our recommendations: 

💄Stacey recommends you treat yourself to a $150 Mecca makeup lesson (redeemable on product) where you learn game-changing tips.

❤️‍🩹 Monz wants you to check out A Year of Healing by Lucy Ormonde on Substack, a brilliant guide to showing up for a friend going through cancer.

⏰ Amelia is recommending Dr Dan Shapiro’s idea of time-ins: five minutes of phone-free, one-on-one time fully led by your child.

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WHAT TO LISTEN TO:

• Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud
• The Scariest Truth about Halloween & A Nepo Baby Debate
• The Royal Who Flipped The Script On Dads & The Unholy Truth About 'The Squeeze'
• So That's Why Magicians Are Back & The Eldest Daughter Theory
• Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's 'Love Junk' Rebrand & The TikTok Training Camp
• Stealth Mums, The Roblox Controversy & A Tiny Internet Feud
• Unpacking The KPop Demon Hunters Obsession & A Tracking Tool Controversy
• Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts 

WHAT TO READ: 

• So your friend's been diagnosed with breast cancer. Here's how you can help.
• No Elf on the Shelf or Santa photos: The 6 Christmas traditions I'm cancelling this year.
• 'My daughter found out the Elf on the Shelf isn't real because of an article I wrote.'
• There's one question we're all asking since watching Adolescence. An expert just answered it.
• 'As a mum of teen boys, Adolescence was a sobering watch.'
• 'I had breast cancer and I'd love for my story to scare the s**t out of you.'

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.

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CREDITS:

Hosts: Monique Bowley, Stacey Hicks & Amelia Lester

Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine

Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock

Senior/Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Junior Content Producer: Tessa Kotowicz

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.

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