How to have the hard conversations with your parents with Jean Kittson
Jean Kittson AM, has spent the last decade caring for her parents, Elaine and Roy. She joins me to discuss the big lessons of family, love, aged care and loss.
In this episode of Prime Time, I sit down with the incredible Jean Kittson AM — performer, writer, comedian, and author of the bestselling book We Need to Talk About Mum and Dad. Jean opens up about the decade she spent caring for her parents, Elaine and Roy, and the many lessons she learned along the way — about family, love, aged care, and what it really takes to help our parents through their final chapter.
We talk about the emotional weight of being part of the sandwich generation, the complexity of the aged care system, and the importance of early conversations — the hard ones that help everyone make better choices. Jean is generous, wise and deeply real about what it means to be a carer, and this conversation is one I think every midlifer should hear — whether you’re just starting to notice your parents slowing down, or you’re right in the thick of it.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Highlights of the conversation:
Jean shares the story behind her book — and why so many of us stumble through the aged care system without a plan
We talk about the emotional load of caring for ageing parents and the toll it can take if you’re unprepared
Jean explains how early conversations can change everything — especially if you talk about fears, not just logistics
We unpack how the aged care system works (and why it’s so frustrating), including how to get started with My Aged Care and Centrelink
Jean shares the importance of knowing your parents’ financial position early — and how to avoid getting ripped off
We dive into palliative care — why access is so limited, and how Jean’s personal experience shaped her advocacy
Jean reflects on grief, guilt, and how becoming a grandmother changed the way she sees her role in the family
We talk about the idea of the “dignity of risk” — and why we need to respect our parents' right to make their own choices, even when we disagree
And finally, we talk about legacy, love, and the incredible impact grandparents have on their grandkids — often more than we realise
It’s a great show, packed with useful insights to help everyone navigating ageing parents.
My new book Prime Time is now available for pre-order!
I wrote Prime Time – 27 Lessons for the New Midlife for anyone navigating that space between “not done yet” and “what’s next?” It’s for all of us in our 40s, 50s and 60s who want to make this next chapter the best one yet — with more purpose, more clarity, more momentum.
This book brings together everything I’ve learned (and lived) about money, work, health, relationships, identity and ageing better — in 27 real, practical, powerful lessons.
It’s now available for pre-order, and I’d be so grateful if you grabbed a copy. Pre-orders make a huge difference in getting the book into more hands and onto more shelves.
Order your copy on Booktopia here: https://lnkd.in/gFSi3y_t
Or Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3HyZ6J9
I'll be signing all the pre-orders from Booktopia before they hit the mail!
Let’s make your Prime Time count.
The How to Have an Epic Retirement Flagship Course is back for August kickoff! And the Earlybird 25% off won’t last!
This 6-week program has helped thousands of Aussies get retirement-ready—with smart strategies for money, time, health, happiness and purpose, travel and your home as you age.
🎟️ The 25% off early bird spots are now open and they’re filling up quickly. So get in and lock down your place at this price.
👉 Check it out here and download the new brochure for Spring 2025
Let’s make your retirement epic.