Ford appears alongside writer Maxine Beneba Clarke and social researcher Rebecca Huntley today (Sunday, May 20) at The Motherload, a post-Mother's Day discussion about parenting in modern-day Australia.

The event boasts a free creche service for youngsters and babes-in-arms are invited to sit in on the talk.

Ford is particularly looking forward to chatting about the political side of having children such as the economic impact of motherhood, the gender division of labour and the current problems with postnatal care.

"I don't think it will be your typical mums-getting-together-and-talking-about-stuff event," she says. "Mothers have been encouraged and given a space where they can be a lot more honest about what is involved in motherhood, which is great."

The Motherload, 1pm, Sunday May 20, Sydney Opera House, $39, sydneyoperahouse.com.