After Bedtime with The Parenthood: It's not you, it's the system

Monday 16 November, 8–9pm AEDT, on Zoom.

You're doing everything right, and it still feels impossible.

You're working more hours and paying more for everything. There's never enough time in the day, and there's no margin left when the car breaks down. At night you lie awake wondering why it all feels so hard.

Here's the truth: you're not failing. The system is.

When Georgie Dent took The Parenthood's campaign to the National Press Club in September, thousands of parents told us what family life is really like for them. One mum wrote: "Until your speech, it genuinely felt like no-one wanted to listen."

We're listening. Now it's time to talk, together.

After Bedtime with The Parenthood is our new town hall series. It's one hour once the kids are down, or nearly down if the bedtime gods are kind. Parents talk honestly about what's hard, hear from people who get it, and work out together how we change it. Our goal is to make Australia the best place in the world to raise a family.

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE NIGHT

Parenting in a Broken System

Georgie sits down with author, mum-of-four, parent educator Gen Muir and a special guest (watch this space!) for a fireside chat about raising kids when everything costs more. It won't be a lecture or a checklist. We'll talk about what children really need (it's less than you fear), what you can let go of and why the problem is the system, not you. Think of it as the group chat on Zoom. You'll feel better for it.

Over to you

This is your turn. Ask the question that's been keeping you up at night, or say the quiet part out loud. You can send it when you register or in the chat on the night. Some of what you send will shape the conversation, and some we'll put straight to our guests.

Get Organised

How do we change this together? We'll show you a few simple ways to get involved, from two minutes on your phone to bringing The Parenthood to your community. You choose what fits your life.

OUR PROMISE FOR THE NIGHT

• No parenting to-do lists. You'll leave feeling lighter.

• No judgement. Every family and every choice is welcome here.

• Come as you are. Join us from the couch in your pyjamas, with a baby on the boob or a toddler who won't sleep. We get it.

• Your story is yours. You can ask questions anonymously, and we'll never share what you tell us without asking first.

WHY COME?

You're not the only one feeling this way.

Your experience is evidence and decision-makers need to hear it.

Change happens when parents show up together.

When you register, tell us: What's one thing that makes parenting harder than it needs to be?

Can't make it live? Register anyway and we'll send you the recording.

It shouldn't be this hard to raise a child in Australia. Let's change that, together.