The Baby Playbook

In this episode of The Baby Playbook Podcast, Nikolina sits down with Caitlin Bath, founder and author of She’s Giving Wealth, for a powerful conversation about money, motherhood, and the identity shifts that can come with parental leave.
If you’ve ever wondered whether maternity leave is a financial setback, felt guilt about going back to work, or questioned what you really want during this season of life, this episode is for you.
Caitlin shares a refreshing way to think about maternity leave as a reset rather than a failure, and explains why traditional money advice often doesn’t account for the reality of unpaid care, career breaks, and the emotional load mothers carry.
Together, they unpack practical steps for preparing financially before leave — from building a leave buffer to calculating super shortfalls and having honest household conversations about income, childcare, and future planning.
Caitlin also introduces her “return on energy” framework, helping mothers decide what’s truly worth their time, energy, and attention when balancing work, family, and personal fulfillment.This is an empowering, honest, and deeply validating episode for any woman navigating maternity leave, return to work, or the question of what comes next.
Topics covered:
How to prepare financially for maternity leave
Why parental leave can be a reset, not a setback
The importance of superannuation during care gaps
How to talk to your partner about money and workload
Using a “return on energy” lens for work decisions
Reclaiming identity beyond productivity and work

Tune in for an encouraging conversation about building wealth, protecting your future, and staying connected to yourself through every season of motherhood.
In an exclusive for the podcast Caitlin has shared her Maternity Leave Super Calculator with us for FREE:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x4ZV8a7c0oRUu5giyGo0gUpduTAhXJD2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107594843193970711491&rtpof=true&sd=true
Links:
Follow Caitlin here: https://shesgivingwealth.com/
Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en
Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/
Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 
Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge

Most parents feel the squeeze when it comes to finances during the early years. But what if a few clever strategies could transform the chaos into confidence? Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon, renowned finance expert and author of How to Get Mortgage Free Like Me, shares the secrets to navigating the nursery, baby gear, and financial stress—without breaking the bank.
In this eye-opening episode, Nicole reveals how early preparation, smart money habits, and even a tiny savings deposit for your child's future can set you up for long-term success. You'll discover practical tips for budget-friendly baby shopping, secondhand treasure hunting on Facebook Marketplace, and how to avoid unnecessary product traps fueled by targeted marketing.
She's also breaking down the hidden costs of maternity leave, superannuation considerations, and how to harness government schemes like co-contribution and spouse contributions to boost your family's financial health—even during the busiest, sleep-deprived days.We delve into the importance of aligning with your partner on financial goals before the baby arrives, plus the critical questions to ask when planning time off work and daycare. Nicole emphasizes the value of emotional well-being, sharing ways to keep your identity, relationships, and sanity intact through this transformational season.
Whether you’re expecting your first or your tenth, these insights will help you move through parenthood with confidence, not chaos.Don’t let social media's picture-perfect parenting or extravagant birthday parties pressure you into overspending. Instead, learn how small, consistent investments and thoughtful planning can produce life-changing benefits for your family and your child's future.
From savvy gift-giving ideas to effective communication strategies with your partner, this episode offers a blueprint for balancing love, money, and stress—so you can enjoy the precious moments, not the money worries.Tune in for clear, actionable advice that’ll help you build a financial safety net, nurture your family's health, and turn the chaos of parenthood into a season of security and joy. Perfect for new parents, expecting couples, or anyone looking to rewire their financial blueprint during life's most important journey.
And as a special gift, Nicole is offering a 40% discount on her book How to Get Mortgage Free Like Me—just use the code Playbook at checkout at nicolesmartmoney.com. Don’t miss this chance to set your family on a path toward financial freedom and peace of mind.
#ParentFinance #BabyMoneyTips #SmartParenting #FinancialFreedom #MoneyMindset
Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en⁠Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: ⁠https://heynikolinak.co/⁠Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: ⁠https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice⁠ Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282⁠ Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): ⁠https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge⁠

Most parents feel the squeeze when it comes to finances during the early years. But what if a few clever strategies could transform the chaos into confidence? Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon, renowned finance expert and author of How to Get Mortgage Free Like Me, shares the secrets to navigating the nursery, baby gear, and financial stress—without breaking the bank.
In this eye-opening episode, Nicole reveals how early preparation, smart money habits, and even a tiny savings deposit for your child's future can set you up for long-term success. You'll discover practical tips for budget-friendly baby shopping, secondhand treasure hunting on Facebook Marketplace, and how to avoid unnecessary product traps fueled by targeted marketing. She's also breaking down the hidden costs of maternity leave, superannuation considerations, and how to harness government schemes like co-contribution and spouse contributions to boost your family's financial health—even during the busiest, sleep-deprived days.
We delve into the importance of aligning with your partner on financial goals before the baby arrives, plus the critical questions to ask when planning time off work and daycare. Nicole emphasizes the value of emotional well-being, sharing ways to keep your identity, relationships, and sanity intact through this transformational season. Whether you’re expecting your first or your tenth, these insights will help you move through parenthood with confidence, not chaos.
Don’t let social media's picture-perfect parenting or extravagant birthday parties pressure you into overspending. Instead, learn how small, consistent investments and thoughtful planning can produce life-changing benefits for your family and your child's future. From savvy gift-giving ideas to effective communication strategies with your partner, this episode offers a blueprint for balancing love, money, and stress—so you can enjoy the precious moments, not the money worries.
Tune in for clear, actionable advice that’ll help you build a financial safety net, nurture your family's health, and turn the chaos of parenthood into a season of security and joy. Perfect for new parents, expecting couples, or anyone looking to rewire their financial blueprint during life's most important journey.
And as a special gift, Nicole is offering a 40% discount on her book How to Get Mortgage Free Like Me—just use the code Playbook at checkout at nicolesmartmoney.com. Don’t miss this chance to set your family on a path toward financial freedom and peace of mind.
#ParentFinance #BabyMoneyTips #SmartParenting #FinancialFreedom #MoneyMindset
Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en
Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/
Get your copy of MUM ADVICE (a great gift for an expecting friend!) here: https://heynikolinak.co/b/mumadvice 
Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282 
Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge

Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health or your baby's health.
Most moms are told to push through pregnancy aches and postpartum discomfort — but what if there was a gentle, evidence-backed way to support your body through every stage?
Dr. Amy Norman, a pregnancy and pediatric chiropractor based in Sydney, reveals how chiropractic care can do more than just manage pain — it can optimize your birth, ease postpartum recovery, and even improve breastfeeding experiences. If you're feeling overwhelmed by pregnancy aches, postpartum aches, or just want to nurture your body for motherhood’s challenges, this episode is your game-changer.
Dr. Norman breaks down why maintaining mobility and addressing old injuries early in pregnancy can impact your labor and recovery. She shares surprising insights into how body support during pregnancy can decrease fatigue, improve posture, and even enhance your chances of going into labor spontaneously. We break down practical strategies for busy moms: how ergonomic modifications—like carrier advice, breastfeeding posture, and safe lifting—can prevent long-term aches. Dr. Norman explains the vital role chiropractic care plays in postpartum recovery, from alleviating neck and shoulder tension during breastfeeding to supporting optimal spine development in babies.
Connect with Amy:
Website : ⁠www.dramynorman.com.au⁠
IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dramynorman?igsh=eTltamFsZmxybHJ4&utm_source=qr⁠
#PregnancySupport #MotherhoodJourney #ChiropracticCare #BabyHealth #PostpartumRecovery

Most parents are never prepared for the profound grief of losing a baby — yet so many face it silently. Hannah’s story of baby loss, her journey with Olive & Kin, and her pivotal insights into supporting grieving parents will change how you navigate loss, compassion, and connection.
If you’ve ever wondered how to truly help someone in their darkest moments, or how to hold space without judgment, this episode is your essential guide. Hannah shares her heartbreaking experience of losing her daughter Olive at 23 weeks, the healing power of creating memorial keepsakes, and how her grief fueled a movement that has touched hundreds of families across Australia.
You’ll discover the vital importance of presence and specific support, such as using a baby’s name, offering tangible help through a “grief menu,” and avoiding well-meaning platitudes that minimize pain. Her insights illuminate how small gestures — a thoughtful message, remembering a baby’s name, or simply being there — can make all the difference during one of life’s most challenging times.
We break down practical advice on how to communicate with grace, what support looks like in those early days of grief, and the ways community and resources can help parents navigate their unique journeys. Hannah discusses the power of “grief literacy”—understanding and respecting the complex emotions that come with loss—and how society can better equip us all to respond with compassion rather than clichés or silence.
This episode is perfect for parents, friends, counselors, and anyone eager to foster kindness and understanding when it’s needed most. If you want to learn how to listen better, support more meaningfully, and honor the profound experience of baby loss, this conversation will leave you inspired and more prepared to show up with empathy.

#BabyLossSupport #GriefAwareness #CompassionateCommunication #ParentingAfterLoss #SupportGrievingParents #EmpathyInAction #HealingThroughCommunity
https://oliveandkin.com.au/
What to send your grieving friend when you don't know what to send: https://alittlehelpfromjack.com.au/
helptexts.com
Red nose grief and loss support line, it's 24/7 phone support- 1300 308 307-
Red nose hospital to home program - connection with a bereavement outreach worker for support in the months after you leave hospital.
Books - Miles Apart by Annabel Bower, Resilient Grieving by Dr Lucy Hone and Loving the Gone by Sara Rian
Podcasts - Good Mourning, Little Life Big Loss, The Glimmer Podcast
Insta accounts - @alittlehelpfromjack, @wombspace.au, @zoeadelle, @sara_rian_books, @thegriefgang, @lossmomclub, @evergreenthreeorg, @love.from.dad