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21 Things I have learnt in my first 70 years of life

Maggie Dent is one of Australia’s favourite parenting authors, educators and podcasters, with a particular interest in resilience, the early years and adolescence. Commonly known as the ‘queen of common sense’, she is also an undisputed ‘boy champion’.

Maggie’s experience includes teaching, counselling, and working in palliative care/funeral services and suicide prevention. She is an advocate for the healthy, common-sense raising of children to strengthen families and communities. She is a passionate, positive voice for children of all ages.

Maggie is host of The Good Enough Dad podcast and hosted six seasons of the award-winning ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. In 2025, she appears in the genre-bending ABC TV series about the challenges of parenting modern tweens/teens, The Role of a Lifetime. Maggie is the author of 10 major books, including the bestselling Mothering Our Boys, From Boys to Men and Girlhood. In 2024, she published her final book for parents, Help Me Help My Teen.

Maggie is the mother of four sons and a very grateful grandmother.

Read more about Maggie here

FEATURED RESOURCES

 

“I love Maggie’s style. Quite simply, when she talks, we should listen.”
– Hamish Blake, 2023 Father of the Year

"Maggie Dent is a national treasure."
Tracey Spicer AM
"Maggie is my favourite presenter on parenthood, she is earthy and real, full of love and knowledge especially on raising sons. I would highly recommend listening to her if you get the chance."
Steve Biddulph / Author of Raising Boys, Raising Girls and The New Manhood (Facebook post)
"I have so much respect and admiration for the genuine and authentic way in which you serve Australian families. Thank you for all you have done, and continue to do, for kids and parents in this country."
Sonja Walker / Kids First Children's Services
"Poor Maggie. Every time she comes into the studio to help our listeners, I unload all my problems onto her instead. Thank god she’s there for me; The ultimate parenting guide. PS. She’s also a great baker."
Shaun McManus / father of four & Nova 93.7 breakfast announcer
"I love your energy and your heart and I often think 'if only there were a few more Maggie Dents in this world for those having a bit of a hard time'. We all need an injection from time to time of your blithe spirit."
Bryce Courtenay / Author
"Maggie is like a wise and entertaining aunt, whose experience and wisdom you want to drink in. She’s someone I’d love to have on speed dial to ask all those tricky parenting questions, to hear her sage words of sense and calmness. She’s someone who will tell you sit down with a cup of tea and keep a vague eye on your kids while they dig in the garden and climb trees. And that is the kind of advice I like to hear."
Kirrily Martin / Blogger, www.playgroupmum.wordpress.com/guest-blogs

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