Why Does My Child? https://journey.edu.au/ Why does my child…?

It’s the start of so many questions we find ourselves searching at 11pm, wondering if what our child is doing is normal, why they’re doing it and, most importantly, what we can do to help. 

Why Does My Child? is a six-part podcast series from Journey Early Learning, hosted by Cat, mum of two kind and curious girls, and Ash, mum of two playful and adventurous boys. They’re parents too, asking many of the same questions and navigating the same everyday moments. 

Across the series, Ash and Cat have the opportunity to ask Journey’s experts the questions we’re all thinking as parents - from picky eating and tantrums to why our children can seem like completely different little people at care. 

Together, they unpack the why behind what our children do and share practical, realistic advice we can take into everyday family life. 

There’s no perfect way to parent, and none of us have all the answers. Sometimes, understanding a little more about what’s happening for our children can make those challenging moments feel a little easier. 

And if there’s one thing we want every parent to take away from the series, it’s this: you’re doing a great job.

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 04:00:00 +1000 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en © 2026 Journey Early Learning Kids & Family:Parenting 1440 episodic Why does my child…? It’s the start of so many questions we find ourselves searching at 11pm, wondering if what our child is doing is normal, why they’re doing it and, most importantly, what we can do to help. Why Does My Child? is a six-part podcast series from Journey Early Learning, hosted by Cat, mum of two kind and curious girls, and Ash, mum of two playful and adventurous boys. They’re parents too, asking many of the same questions and navigating the same everyday moments. Across the series, Ash and Cat have the opportunity to ask Journey’s experts the questions we’re all thinking as parents - from picky eating and tantrums to why our children can seem like completely different little people at care. Together, they unpack the why behind what our children do and share practical, realistic advice we can take into everyday family life. There’s no perfect way to parent, and none of us have all the answers. Sometimes, understanding a little more about what’s happening for our children can make those challenging moments feel a little easier. And if there’s one thing we want every parent to take away from the series, it’s this: you’re doing a great job. Journey Early Learning Journey Early Learning No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/22724203/WDMC_SECONDARY_DUAL_BRAND_PC_COVER_ART_LR_Podbean6m79z.jpeg Why Does My Child? https://journey.edu.au/ 144 144 Why Does My Child Behave Differently at Care? Why Does My Child Behave Differently at Care? https://why-does-my-child.podbean.com/e/why-does-my-child-behave-differently-at-care/ https://why-does-my-child.podbean.com/e/why-does-my-child-behave-differently-at-care/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2026 04:00:00 +1000 why-does-my-child.podbean.com/5415462f-a8f4-3d0b-8ec8-aa312f45203a Ever picked your child up and heard, “They’ve been amazing all day,” only for them to completely fall apart five minutes later? 

In this episode, we look at why children can behave so differently at care compared with home. We talk about routine, connection, feeling safe and something called after-care restraint collapse, including why those big emotions at the end of the day can often come out with the people children feel safest with. 

We’re joined by Monique Dowd, Journey’s Head of Pedagogy, who brings decades of experience in early learning and a strong background in psychology, human services and family and community services. Monique is also a licensed Circle of Security Classroom Coach and an Ambassador for Children’s Rights Queensland. 

Together, we unpack what’s really happening behind those big emotions, what educators do when they happen at care, and some simple things parents can try during that tricky pickup-to-dinner part of the day.

In This Episode We Discuss:
  • Why children often behave differently at care and at home
  • What after-care restraint collapse really means
  • Why children save their biggest emotions for their parents
  • How routine and emotional safety influence behaviour
  • Practical ways to make afternoon transitions smoother
About the Guest

Monique Dowd  is Journey’s Head of Pedagogy .

Connect with Monique :

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-dowd-810196162/
About the Host

Ashlee Carroll — Head of Experience at Journey Early Learning Group

  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlee-carroll/

Catherine Warne — Chief Quality Officer at Journey Early Learning Group 

  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-warne-30550520b/
Keep in Touch

Visit our website and discover the Journey Difference.

Website: https://journey.edu.au/ Email: contact@journey.edu.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7661277/

Recorded and produced at The Podcast Boss podcast studio in Brisbane.

]]> Ever picked your child up and heard, “They’ve been amazing all day,” only for them to completely fall apart five minutes later? 

In this episode, we look at why children can behave so differently at care compared with home. We talk about routine, connection, feeling safe and something called after-care restraint collapse, including why those big emotions at the end of the day can often come out with the people children feel safest with. 

We’re joined by Monique Dowd, Journey’s Head of Pedagogy, who brings decades of experience in early learning and a strong background in psychology, human services and family and community services. Monique is also a licensed Circle of Security Classroom Coach and an Ambassador for Children’s Rights Queensland. 

Together, we unpack what’s really happening behind those big emotions, what educators do when they happen at care, and some simple things parents can try during that tricky pickup-to-dinner part of the day.

In This Episode We Discuss:
  • Why children often behave differently at care and at home
  • What after-care restraint collapse really means
  • Why children save their biggest emotions for their parents
  • How routine and emotional safety influence behaviour
  • Practical ways to make afternoon transitions smoother
About the Guest

Monique Dowd  is Journey’s Head of Pedagogy .

Connect with Monique :

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-dowd-810196162/
About the Host

Ashlee Carroll — Head of Experience at Journey Early Learning Group

  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlee-carroll/

Catherine Warne — Chief Quality Officer at Journey Early Learning Group 

  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-warne-30550520b/
Keep in Touch

Visit our website and discover the Journey Difference.

Website: https://journey.edu.au/
Email: contact@journey.edu.au
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7661277/

Recorded and produced at The Podcast Boss podcast studio in Brisbane.

]]> Ever picked your child up and heard, “They’ve been amazing all day,” only for them to completely fall apart five minutes later? In this episode, we look at why children can behave so differently at care compared with home. We talk about routine, connection, feeling safe and something called after-care restraint collapse, including why those big emotions at the end of the day can often come out with the people children feel safest with. We’re joined by Monique Dowd, Journey’s Head of Pedagogy, who brings decades of experience in early learning and a strong background in psychology, human services and family and community services. Monique is also a licensed Circle of Security Classroom Coach and an Ambassador for Children’s Rights Queensland. Together, we unpack what’s really happening behind those big emotions, what educators do when they happen at care, and some simple things parents can try during that tricky pickup-to-dinner part of the day. Journey Early Learning false No 2453 1 2 full Why Is My Child So Picky? Why Is My Child So Picky? https://why-does-my-child.podbean.com/e/why-is-my-child-so-picky/ https://why-does-my-child.podbean.com/e/why-is-my-child-so-picky/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2026 17:18:03 +1000 why-does-my-child.podbean.com/cd76cdde-60e2-35bf-aa0c-00eaf9a07577 One day they love something, the next day they won’t even look at it. Picky eating is something almost every parent experiences but knowing what’s normal and what to do about it isn’t always easy. 

In this episode, Ash and Cat are joined by two special guests who know a thing or two about feeding little ones - Teri Lichtenstein, Journey’s Chief Foodie Officer and Advisor, and Julie Lovett, Journey’s National Chef Mentor. 

Teri is an accredited nutritionist and dietitian with more than 25 years’ experience. She is a member of Dietitians Australia and Sports Dietitians Australia and was a Board Director of Nutrition Australia from 2017 to 2021. 

Julie brings more than a decade of experience as a chef, along with plenty of real-life experience as a mum of three. 

Together, we unpack why children can become selective with food, why beige foods are often a favourite, why they suddenly stop eating foods they once loved, and why they might eat beautifully at care but refuse dinner at home. 

We also share some simple, practical things parents can try to make mealtimes a little easier and take some of the pressure off.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Why picky eating is often a normal stage of development
  • Why children suddenly stop eating foods they once loved
  • Why beige foods are such a favourite
  • Why children eat differently at care than they do at home
  • Practical strategies to reduce mealtime stress
Connect with Teri Lichtenstein:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terilichtenstein/

Connect with Julie Lovett

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-lovett-339882341/

Links & Resources Mentioned

Visit our website and discover the Journey Difference.

Website: https://journey.edu.au/ Email: contact@journey.edu.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7661277/

Recorded and produced at The Podcast Boss podcast studio in Brisbane.

 

]]> One day they love something, the next day they won’t even look at it. Picky eating is something almost every parent experiences but knowing what’s normal and what to do about it isn’t always easy. 

In this episode, Ash and Cat are joined by two special guests who know a thing or two about feeding little ones - Teri Lichtenstein, Journey’s Chief Foodie Officer and Advisor, and Julie Lovett, Journey’s National Chef Mentor. 

Teri is an accredited nutritionist and dietitian with more than 25 years’ experience. She is a member of Dietitians Australia and Sports Dietitians Australia and was a Board Director of Nutrition Australia from 2017 to 2021. 

Julie brings more than a decade of experience as a chef, along with plenty of real-life experience as a mum of three. 

Together, we unpack why children can become selective with food, why beige foods are often a favourite, why they suddenly stop eating foods they once loved, and why they might eat beautifully at care but refuse dinner at home. 

We also share some simple, practical things parents can try to make mealtimes a little easier and take some of the pressure off.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Why picky eating is often a normal stage of development
  • Why children suddenly stop eating foods they once loved
  • Why beige foods are such a favourite
  • Why children eat differently at care than they do at home
  • Practical strategies to reduce mealtime stress
Connect with Teri Lichtenstein:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terilichtenstein/

Connect with Julie Lovett

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-lovett-339882341/

Links & Resources Mentioned

Visit our website and discover the Journey Difference.

Website: https://journey.edu.au/
Email: contact@journey.edu.au
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7661277/

Recorded and produced at The Podcast Boss podcast studio in Brisbane.

 

]]> One day they love something, the next day they won’t even look at it. Picky eating is something almost every parent experiences but knowing what’s normal and what to do about it isn’t always easy.  In this episode, Ash and Cat are joined by two special guests who know a thing or two about feeding little ones - Teri Lichtenstein, Journey’s Chief Foodie Officer and Advisor, and Julie Lovett, Journey’s National Chef Mentor.  Teri is an accredited nutritionist and dietitian with more than 25 years’ experience. She is a member of Dietitians Australia and Sports Dietitians Australia and was a Board Director of Nutrition Australia from 2017 to 2021.  Julie brings more than a decade of experience as a chef, along with plenty of real-life experience as a mum of three.  Together, we unpack why children can become selective with food, why beige foods are often a favourite, why they suddenly stop eating foods they once loved, and why they might eat beautifully at care but refuse dinner at home.  We also share some simple, practical things parents can try to make mealtimes a little easier and take some of the pressure off. Journey Early Learning false No 1745 1 1 full