The Celebrity Who Loves Bad Kids & The Sibling Effect

Have you ever seen a video online that made you feel like you were failing at a job you didn't even apply for? Welcome to parenting in 2026.
This week, Monique Bowley, Stacey Hicks and special guest, Clare Stephens, are diving into a viral trend romanticising the bond between young siblings—and it's left some only-child parents feeling a little judged.
Plus, we discuss the basketball coach who went viral for screaming in a player's face. Was it ‘toxic’ or exactly the kind of high-stakes motivation our ‘gentle parenting’ era is missing?
And, if your child throws a tantrum in the middle of a busy shopping centre or sticks their fingers in someone else's birthday cake, they may have a fan in award-winning actress Viola Davis. We explain why.
Our Recommendations:
🏀 Monz is loving this Amazon Lock Phone Box. (fave.co/4lUJpft)
📖 Clare recommends midwife Jen on Instagram @_jen_hamilton_ (instagram.com/_jen_hamilton_)
🧴 Stacey is loving the COSRX Snail mucin power essence (fave.co/40ZoQ8d).
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What To Listen To Next:
• Don't miss an episode of Parenting Out Loud (mamamia.com.au/podcasts/parenting-out-loud)
• The Bad Habit That's Back & The Politics Of ‘Bagsing’ (mamamia.com.au/podcasts/parenting-out-loud/fam…)
• New Twin Dad Luca Enters The Chat & Divorce Just Got A Rebrand (mamamia.com.au/podcasts/parenting-out-loud/cel…)
• Empty Weekend Parenting & The Viral Rocking Chair Test (mamamia.com.au/podcasts/parenting-out-loud/wha…)
• Wait, Did We Just Witness The Ultimate Co-Parenting Sin? (mamamia.com.au/podcasts/parenting-out-loud/co-…)
• The Problem With Being The 'Easy Kid' (mamamia.com.au/podcasts/parenting-out-loud/pic…)
• FFS, Just Invite People Over To Your Messy House (mamamia.com.au/podcasts/parenting-out-loud/tri…)
• So, Yeah. Turns Out THIS Is The Very Last Parenting Taboo (mamamia.com.au/podcasts/parenting-out-loud/wut…)mamamia.com.au/podcasts/parenting-out-loud/mic…
• mamamia.com.au/podcasts/parenting-out-loud/wha… your subscription to Apple Podcasts (podcasts.apple.com/au/channel/mamamia/id644250…)
What to read:
• 'My mum and dad had 8 kids. Here's the most important lesson I learned growing up in a big family.' (mamamia.com.au/growing-up-big-family-lessons-l…)mamamia.com.au/hiku-by-harper-beckham
• OPINION: 'You're not gentle parenting, you're Instagram parenting.' (mamamia.com.au/gentle-parenting-instagram)
• "I'm 34 with three kids. My expectations of friendship have completely changed." (mamamia.com.au/friends-after-kids)
• 'My best friends ghosted me after I had a baby. It taught me a lesson I didn't expect.' (mamamia.com.au/losing-friendship-to-motherhood)
• Flakiness is out of control at the moment. (mamamia.com.au/flaking-on-social-events)
GET IN TOUCH:
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CREDITS:
Hosts: Stacey Hicks, Amelia Lester & Monique Bowley
Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine
Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock
Audio Producer: Jacob Round
Junior Content Producer: Tessa Kotowicz
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