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The Parent Squad

Newstalk ZB
The Parent Squad
Latest episode

369 episodes

  • The Parent Squad

    John Cowan: Should kids under-16 have smartphones?

    18/07/2026 | 36 mins.
    ACT's David Seymour has floated the idea of a smartphone ban for under-16s to replace a social media ban, allowing teenagers to only use good old brick phones.
    Could this be a good alternative to the social media ban, or should this not be government decision?
    John Cowan joins Tim Beveridge for The Parenting Squad to discuss.
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  • The Parent Squad

    Sara Chatwin: It's okay to interfere with your child's friendships

    04/07/2026 | 36 mins.
    What happens if my child starts befriending or dating someone I'm really not a fan of. How do I protect them from getting played or getting into a toxic relationship?
    When should we interfere with our children's personal lives? When and how do we put our foot-down and say "no, you can't hang out with this person"
    How do we do that with respectful authority, that strikes a balance between making sure you're not ruling with an iron fist, and that our kids understand where we're coming from?
    Mindworks' Registered Psychologist Sara Chatwin joins Tim Beveridge to unpack what can be done.
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  • The Parent Squad

    Stephanie Pow: Kids, pocket money and parental control - where do we start?

    27/06/2026 | 37 mins.
    Founder of Crayon Stephanie Pow joins Tim Beviredge on Parent Squad to discuss how you should monitor your kids' pocket money. When's the right time to get them started? And how much control should parents have to veto kids' purchases?
    But is it all up to parents to teach kids about cash? Or do schools have a responsibility to help out.
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  • The Parent Squad

    Maneesh Deva: Is kids being bored without their phones such a bad thing?

    20/06/2026 | 37 mins.
    Paediatrician Maneesh Deva joins Tim Beviredge on Parent Squad to discuss the social media ban for kids under 16. One girl in the UK said she would simply stare at a wall without social media, but is that such a bad thing?
    And what do teens need for positive brain development? And what should be dodged?
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  • The Parent Squad

    John Cowan: Teaching your kids to drive

    13/06/2026 | 35 mins.
    Author and host of Real Life John Cowan joined Tim Beveridge to chat about whether you should teach your kids to drive or leave it to the professionals.
    And tips and tricks for if you decide to self-instruct your teens.
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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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About The Parent Squad
If it takes a village to raise a child, it must take a whole country to raise a family! Newstalk ZB’s Parent Squad helps to do just that. Joined by expert guests The Weekend Collective team delves into the complexities of Kiwi family life.
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The Parent Squad: Podcasts in Family