What Were We Thinking for Ethiopian families
Information, resources and reassurance for Ethiopian parents living in Australia navigating the highs and lows of life with a new baby.
About the program
This program is developed with and for Ethiopian parents living in Australia together with community partners, community experts and health experts. This program includes 5 podcasts in Amharic and 14 interactive worksheets.
Please not that this site is not a substitute for advice from your family doctor or another health professional. If you feel sad, worried, or irritable most of the time, then it is important to talk to your family doctor.
Worksheets
Each episode comes with interactive worksheets for you and your partner to fill in, either together or separately, shown in the menu on the left hand side of the page. There are no right or wrong answers; the purpose of these worksheets is to help you manage your experience as first time parents.
Once both of you have completed the worksheet select the "Compare" tab and both your answers will appear.
Podcast Episodes
Welcoming a new baby is always accompanied by mixed feelings, like feeling anxious, low mood, irritability and diminished enjoyment, and many parents feel under-equipped for the tasks of infant care and managing a household with a new baby.
In a series of conversations over coffee, we talk about all things babies, life as an Ethiopian parent in Australia, and everything in between. In each episode, you will hear health experts and community members:
- Talk about common ways of raising children in both Ethiopian and Australian cultures
- Answer questions many new parents ask
- Share good ideas from research to help you enjoy being a parent
Episode 1
Understanding Each Other Better
"There's a new baby in the family…what were we thinking?!" Sounds oddly familiar? You're not alone. Let's unpack the joys and challenges of welcoming a new baby. Listen to honest talk, research insights, and practical tips from Ethiopian and Australian experts. We'll talk about the importance of building empathy, communicating openly with your partner, and tackling parenthood as a team.
Jul 24
32 min
Episode 2
Understanding Our Baby Better
Is your baby crying from hunger, discomfort, or something else? It's not always as intuitive as you might expect. Our health and community experts share insights and practical tips to help you understand your baby's behaviours and cues, create healthy routines, and balance baby care with self-care.
Jul 24
26 min
Episode 3
Caring Well for Our Baby
Ever feel like you need a manual to take care of your baby? With so much advice flying around on the internet, it's hard to know what to actually follow and which ones to ignore. We're shaking things up with a Q&A session, addressing parents' most pressing baby care concerns. Our Ethiopian and Australian experts share insights on sleep practices, breastfeeding, establishing routines, and more.
Jul 24
38 min
Episode 4
Caring Well for Each Other
Are household chores piling up with a new baby, and it feels overwhelming? This is a common source of tension among couples. Join us as Ethiopian and Australian experts offer practical advice on sharing responsibilities and improving communication. We'll also discuss how cultural traditions influence family roles and why respectful conversations matter. Tune in for helpful tips to manage everyday tasks and keep your family running smoothly.
Jul 24
32 min
Episode 5
The Family/The People Around Us/Our Network/Making Intergenerational Change
They say "it takes a village to raise a child," and in this episode, we explore exactly why. Join us as we dive into the roles of extended family, friends, and community networks in raising children. Hear from Ethiopian and Australian parents about navigating cultural differences, the importance of social support, and traditional practices like postpartum care.
Jul 24
42 min