Practicing Mums

Practicing Mums
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Welcome to Practicing Mums — hosted by Nadia and Althea. Two friends. Two therapists. Two mums. With over 20 years of combined experience as a psychologist and occupational therapist, we talk about motherhood, parenting, child development and the realities of balancing careers, ambition and family life. Between us, we run award-winning allied health businesses while raising young families, and we know motherhood is both beautiful and messy. Each week, we share honest conversations, practical strategies, research-backed insights and relatable stories about the mental load, the milestones and everything in between. Practicing Mums is a space for both sides of motherhood, the wins and the overwhelm, the ambition and the burnout, the chaos and the connection. Follow along on Instagram and TikTok @practicingmums, @nadiainpractice and @evolvewithalthea for podcast updates, behind-the-scenes moments and more.

  1. 4d ago

    EP 21: What’s your parenting style? Authoritative, Permissive, Neglectful or Authoritarian

    This episode is all about parenting styles, gentle parenting, and how our approaches to raising children evolve as we navigate motherhood. Nadia and Althea explore the four main parenting styles, how they show up in everyday situations, and how we can balance emotional connection and understanding with clear boundaries. They reflect on the parents they thought they would be before having children and how their experiences have shaped their approach to parenting. Drawing on Nadia’s background in psychology and Althea’s experience as a mum, they break down permissive, authoritative, authoritarian and neglectful parenting, using relatable examples like snack requests and meltdowns to explain the differences. The conversation explores why gentle parenting is often misunderstood on social media and confused with permissive parenting. Nadia and Althea discuss how validating a child's feelings doesn't mean giving in to every demand, and why empathy and consistent boundaries can go hand in hand. They also acknowledge that parenting isn't always perfect, especially when we're tired or overwhelmed, and highlight the importance of repairing relationships and reconnecting with our children after difficult moments. They reflect on how our own childhood experiences influence our parenting, why unlearning familiar patterns takes time, and how perspectives on children's sleep can change as we learn more about emotional wellbeing and secure attachment. They also discuss social media pressure and remind parents that every family is different, and it's okay to change your mind as you discover what works for your children. Tried and True Nadia shares her DIY fabric birthday banner idea, using different fabrics for each letter and iron-on bonding tape instead of a sewing machine. It's a fun, reusable decoration that can involve the kids, too! Althea talks about her experience with the Huckleberry app for tracking children's sleep and feeding. While it can be helpful for some families, she found that tracking every detail sometimes increased her anxiety and made it harder to trust her instincts. They discuss how these tools work differently for everyone and why there's no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between. Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode. If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes. Disclaimer The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

  2. Oct 11

    EP 20: Autism & ADHD Assessment process in Australia, explained by Psychologist Nadia

    This episode is all about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD assessments, helping parents understand when to consider an assessment, what the process involves, and how it can support their child’s development. Nadia and Althea sit down for an insightful conversation about the assessment process, with Nadia sharing her experience as a child psychologist who has worked with children and families for over 15 years. They explore some of the common questions parents have when considering an assessment, including the differences between seeking an autism or ADHD diagnosis, which professionals can help, and how to decide on the right pathway for your family. They discuss what happens during an assessment, from gathering information from parents, teachers and other environments to completing standardised assessments, observations and feedback sessions. Nadia explains why it’s important to consider a child’s experiences across different settings and how a thorough assessment can help families better understand their child’s strengths, challenges and support needs. They also touch on early intervention, potential funding and support options, assessment costs, and why it’s worth understanding the process before booking an appointment. The conversation also explores the emotional side of seeking a diagnosis, including the uncertainty and anxiety some parents may experience. Nadia shares practical advice for families who are unsure about taking the next step, including starting with a screening tool and speaking with their child’s school or preschool. Most importantly, she reminds parents that regardless of the assessment outcome, their child is still their child, and every family’s experience and feelings throughout the process are valid. Plus, Nadia and Althea share their latest life updates, from Nadia’s journey towards prioritising self-care after a demanding period of motherhood and business ownership to Althea’s home renovation plans. Tried and True Nadia shares her latest creative obsession: needlepoint, a modern take on traditional tapestry and cross-stitch. She loves having a relaxing, hands-on activity to enjoy while watching TV, giving her a chance to unwind and spend less time scrolling on her phone. Althea shares a practical tip for families with young children: consider professional upholstery and furniture cleaning before replacing your couches, dining chairs or rugs. She explains how a professional clean helped refresh her furniture for a fraction of the cost of buying new pieces, even if keeping everything clean with little ones around is another challenge altogether! Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between. Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode. If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes. Disclaimer The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

  3. Oct 4

    EP 19: Women in Business Awards debrief + Althea’s recent trip away

    This episode is all about women in business, celebrating achievements, and the realities of balancing motherhood, work, and everything in between. Nadia and Althea catch up after attending the Australian Women’s Small Business Champions Awards, where they were both nominated in the Health Improvement category. They share their experience of the evening, the inspiring women they met, and why being recognised for the hard work behind running a business can be so meaningful, regardless of whether you take home an award. They reflect on the challenges of being working mums and business owners, from the guilt of spending a night away from their children to the pressure of juggling family responsibilities and professional goals. They also discuss why hustle culture shouldn’t be glamorised and why there’s no single right way to approach motherhood, work, or success. The conversation highlights the importance of celebrating achievements, finding time to switch off, and recognising the effort that goes on behind the scenes. Plus, they share a few life updates, including Althea’s family trip to Vanuatu, Nadia’s home renovation decisions. Tried and True Althea shares her toddler sling, a handy travel essential for carrying little ones when they’ve outgrown a baby carrier but aren’t quite ready to walk everywhere. https://amzn.asia/d/0eirhvkF Nadia recommends hiring a dress for special occasions as a more affordable alternative to buying an outfit you may only wear once or twice. Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between. Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode. If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes. Disclaimer The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

  4. Sep 27

    EP 18: Let’s Catch Up! From Home Renos to Postpartum Reflections

    This episode is all about checking in, reflecting on life, and sharing the honest behind-the-scenes moments of motherhood, work, family, and everything in between. Nadia and Althea switch things up with a “good and growth” check-in, sharing what’s been going well in their lives and the areas they’re currently finding challenging. They chat about Nadia’s home renovation and the excitement of creating a new family home, while Althea reflects on how much has changed since the more overwhelming days of early motherhood. They talk honestly about juggling business, work, parenting, rest, and self-care, and why finding balance doesn’t always mean giving every part of life equal attention. They also discuss adjusting expectations, asking for support, recognising when you’re feeling overwhelmed, and using a simple “reset, restart” mindset to come back to the present moment. The conversation also turns to family traditions, creating core memories for children, and finding simple ways to make birthdays and special occasions meaningful without adding more pressure to mum’s already-full plate. Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between. Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode. If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes. Disclaimer The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

  5. Sep 20

    EP 17: When Your Child Doesn’t Want to Go to School: What Can Parents Do?

    This episode is all about supporting children who are struggling with school and helping them feel safe, supported, and able to thrive in their school environment. In this episode, Nadia and Althea focus on children who may be struggling at school, whether they’re finding it difficult to attend, becoming overwhelmed by the school day, or simply not seeming like themselves. They explore why it’s important to look beyond academics and consider a child’s emotional safety, sensory needs, social experiences, and overall wellbeing. They discuss the roles parents, teachers, and health professionals can play in supporting a child, from teaching social-emotional skills and co-regulation at home to building strong partnerships with teachers and making appropriate adjustments within the school environment. They also talk about recognising patterns such as difficulty getting to school, exhaustion after school, anxiety, sensory overwhelm, and feeling misunderstood. Nadia and Althea share practical strategies including reducing demands before school, helping children regulate their nervous systems, creating predictable routines and visual schedules, understanding their triggers and strengths, and starting with one manageable strategy at a time. They also discuss supporting neurodiverse children and why strategies may need to change as a child’s needs and environment change. Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between. Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode. If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes. Disclaimer The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

  6. Sep 13

    EP 16: What does “School Ready” actually mean?

    This episode is all about transitioning to school, school readiness, and helping your child feel safe and confident as they take this big next step. Nadia and Althea have an honest conversation about the emotional side of starting school and why school readiness is about so much more than knowing letters, numbers, or how to write. They explore emotional regulation, social skills, sensory needs, functional independence, and how every child develops at their own pace. They share practical ways to prepare your child, including familiarising them with the school environment, practising everyday skills like opening lunchboxes and using the toilets, creating social stories and visual supports, and helping them identify trusted adults at school. They also discuss advocating for your child’s individual needs, particularly for neurodiverse children. The conversation also explores whether there is a “right” age to start school and why parents shouldn’t compare their child’s development to others. Most importantly, Nadia and Althea remind mums that it’s completely normal to feel excited, overwhelmed, or uncertain about this transition — and that supporting your child is about helping them feel safe, secure, and ready in their own way. Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between. Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode. If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes. Disclaimer The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

  7. Sep 6

    EP 15: Nourishing Mum: Why Your Wellbeing Matters Too

    This episode is all about nourishing yourself as a mum, recognising depletion, and making your own health and wellbeing a priority. Nadia and Althea have an honest conversation about how easy it is for mums to put everyone else's needs before their own. They explore why constant tiredness, brain fog, forgetfulness and feeling depleted can become so normalised in motherhood, and why these feelings may be a sign that it's time to check in with yourself. Drawing from their own experiences, they talk about physical, mental and emotional nourishment, including movement, eating well, seeking professional support, and finding time to do things that make you feel like yourself again. They also discuss the importance of being proactive rather than waiting until you reach breaking point, and why mums shouldn't feel like they have to carry everything alone. Whether it's getting a health check, speaking with a professional, creating regular time for yourself, or simply making space for activities you enjoy, small changes can make a meaningful difference. Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that feeling depleted all the time shouldn't simply be accepted as part of motherhood — and if you're not feeling like yourself, it may be time to ask for support. Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler and Althea Smith — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between. Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between. Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode. If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes. Disclaimer The views and information shared in this podcast are general in nature and are provided for educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Listening to this podcast does not create a clinician-client relationship. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

  8. Aug 30

    EP 14: Body Safety Starts Early: Teaching Kids About Body Autonomy & Safety

    This episode is all about child safety, body safety, body autonomy, and practical ways parents can help keep their children safe. Nadia and Althea discuss how parents can start teaching children about their bodies, boundaries, and protective behaviours from an early age. As well as teaching children the correct names for body parts, understanding body autonomy, and helping children feel comfortable saying no to physical affection such as hugs and kisses. They also explore how parents can navigate body safety alongside cultural expectations around greetings and physical touch. Nadia and Althea unpack the importance of creating a child's "safety network" of trusted adults, why families may want to avoid teaching children about secrets, and how to build an open and approachable relationship where children know they can always ask for help. Content warning: This episode discusses body safety and prevention of child sexual abuse. Some listeners may find this content distressing. Practicing Mums is hosted by Nadia Bachler (@nadiainpractice) and Althea Smith (@evolvewithalthea) — two mums, business owners and clinicians navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, work and everything in between. Come say hi over on Instagram and let us know what resonated with you from today's episode. If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love it if you could share it with a friend, leave a review, or follow along for future episodes.

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About

Welcome to Practicing Mums — hosted by Nadia and Althea. Two friends. Two therapists. Two mums. With over 20 years of combined experience as a psychologist and occupational therapist, we talk about motherhood, parenting, child development and the realities of balancing careers, ambition and family life. Between us, we run award-winning allied health businesses while raising young families, and we know motherhood is both beautiful and messy. Each week, we share honest conversations, practical strategies, research-backed insights and relatable stories about the mental load, the milestones and everything in between. Practicing Mums is a space for both sides of motherhood, the wins and the overwhelm, the ambition and the burnout, the chaos and the connection. Follow along on Instagram and TikTok @practicingmums, @nadiainpractice and @evolvewithalthea for podcast updates, behind-the-scenes moments and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Practicing Mums
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Practicing Mums
  • Show Website
    Practicing Mums

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