Bel Sloane: 'I thought I knew everything about parenting. Then I had another child.'

Thanks to our brand partner, HEALTH PARTNERS

Bel Sloane starts her day early — think 6am pilates, toddler negotiations and school lunch prep — all before the coffee has a chance to kick in.

You might know Bel from her career as a television presenter, with stints at Channel 7, Fox Footy and Nova. These days, she's still working in media, but with a few extra (unpaid) titles too: family CEO, mental load manager and mum to Sonny, Bodhi and Summer.

Together with her husband, AFL great Rory Sloane, Bel is raising her family in beautiful South Australia, where community, connection and coastal living help keep life grounded — even when it all feels a bit chaotic.

And with three kids under six, Bel is the first to admit that parenting, while beautiful, can feel like "juggling with one hand and vacuuming with the other".

Image: Instagram/@bel_sloane.

Two's company, three's… chaos?

With Sonny and Bodhi already keeping things busy, Bel thought she knew what to expect when she fell pregnant again. But when their youngest, Summer, came along, life definitely shifted.

If Bel thought her boys brought their own energy, well, Summer arrived in an entirely different gear.

"She's two going on 20," Bel laughed. "With the boys, we set the pace. With Summer, we're just trying to keep up."

"She's fiercely independent. Won't take no for an answer. And she knows exactly what she wants and when she wants it (now)."

But at the heart of Bel's parenting journey is a deeper story. Her and Rory's first son, Leo, was stillborn at 34 weeks — a loss they've shared openly.

"Leo made me a mum," Bel said. "He taught me more than I can explain. Every child since has brought something unique, but they're all connected to him. He's still very much a part of our family."

Leaning on her village

Parenting may be universal but for Bel there is real strength in staying local.

"Our favourite beach, our school, our cafe — they're all part of our village," she said.

"We're raising our kids around people who know us and that support means everything."

That community mindset extends to healthcare too — because with three young kids, unpredictability was guaranteed. "There's always someone needing something — a check-up, medicine for a cough, a specialist. That's why having access to local health services can be helpful."

Health Partners is South Australia's largest, open not-for-profit health fund, supporting local families for over 85 years with affordable access to services like dental, optical and pharmacy benefits that can assist with the family's health day-to-day.

And because Health Partners is not-for-profit, the focus is on supporting their members, not profits.

So, what does maintaining good health look like for the Sloanes? It begins at home — with fresh air, family time and staying active together.

"We spend so much time at the beach. It's our happy place," Bel said. "Even just packing up the kids and going for a quick swim could shift the whole mood of the day."

Image: Supplied.

Back home they build daily habits around exercise and food too.

"We have a little gym setup and the kids are always jumping in. It's not about being perfect — it's about moving our bodies and doing something together."

Bel also gets the boys involved in cooking. "Bodhi loves it," she said. "We go shopping together, he helps plan meals — it gives him a real sense of pride. Plus it makes dinnertime a lot easier."

Surviving the scramble

While managing three small kids is no joke, mornings in the Sloane house are an organised scramble.

"Rory and I get up before the kids and try to get ahead of the game," Bel said. "I'll do a 6am pilates or yoga class. By the time I get back the boys are up getting themselves dressed and making their own breakfast. It helps that they're really proud of their independence."

Post school drop-off, Bel makes the most of Summer's nap window.

"That's when I prep dinner, do some emails or just watch some trashy TV on my iPad while I tidy up. It's a couple of hours of calm before the school pick-up madness kicks in again."

But it's that solo self-care time that Bel said was key to managing the juggle.

"It's not selfish, it's essential. Just 45 minutes to myself helps me to reset. It makes me a better parent and a better partner."

Parenting, on her own terms

Bel's the first to say it — life with three kids is far from picture perfect, and that's exactly how it should be.

"Some days feel robotic — drop-offs, appointments, dinner, repeat," she said.

"But then one of the kids asks to do something totally random, like grab a babycino before school, and it snaps you out of autopilot. Sure, it ends up all over the floor, but it's a little moment that turns into a memory. And you think, this. This is the good stuff."

Her approach to parenting now is softer, more flexible.

"I try to let the kids lead when I can — choose their snack, pick the park. Those tiny choices give them confidence and they add up."

Image: Instagram/@bel_sloane.

As for Bel's biggest lesson from life with three kids?

"You never run out of love. It just grows."

There was a time when she wondered how she could possibly love another child as deeply.

"But when Summer was born, my heart just expanded. That's the magic of it."

Find out more about Health Partners health insurance online.

This information is general in nature and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. As with any medical condition, always seek health advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Feature Image: Instagram/@bel_sloane.

Health Partners have been looking after the health and wellbeing of South Aussies for over 85 years. Their mission is to create a better state of health for their members and all South Australians.
As South Australia's largest not-for-profit, open health insurer providing cover to over 95,000 people, they're on their members' sides for the moments that matter. Health Partners. Health insurance. Made human.