In this episode of Thriving Parenting, I address the fears that often drive parenting actions, particularly in the realm of baby sleep. I explain how such fear-based decisions can result in feelings of being trapped, stressed, and overwhelmed.

Highlighting the differences between fear-driven and choice-driven parenting, the episode encourages parents to become more attuned to their motivations and to make decisions that truly align with their instincts and beliefs. Real-life examples from clients, including a mother who learned to trust her instincts and successfully transitioned her baby to cot sleeping, underscore the benefits of moving beyond fear.

This episode also discusses societal pressures and the misconceptions they create, urging parents to embrace a variety of parenting approaches based on what feels right for them. Practical tips on recognizing and managing fear responses help parents foster a calm, supportive environment where both they and their children can flourish. Ultimately, the episode empowers parents to trust themselves, embrace change, and create a joyful and fulfilling parenting journey.

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Sleep Guidance Program

90 minutes empowering sleep coaching over two individual calls! Complimented with tailored notes sent straight to your inbox!

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Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 30 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

In this episode of the Thriving Parenting Podcast, I engage in a detailed conversation with Gen, a Social Worker, parent educator, founder of Connected Parenting, Author of the new parenting bible Little People Big Feelings, Co-host of Beyond the Chaos Podcast, and Mum to four boys.

Gen shares her personal experiences of raising four boys, highlighting that the transition from one to two children is often the most challenging for parents. She explains the reasons behind this difficulty, such as the need to manage the demands of two children at different developmental stages and the potential struggles of the older child in sharing attention and resources with a newborn.

Gen also offers practical advice for parents to navigate this transition, including strategies for building connections with older children, setting and enforcing loving boundaries, and understanding the emotions behind difficult behaviors. She emphasises the importance of preparing oneself as a parent rather than focusing solely on preparing the child.

The discussion also covers how small acts of connection and empathy can significantly impact a child's adjustment to a new sibling. Gen's insights aim to reassure parents that it's okay to feel overwhelmed and stressed during this period and that through patience, empathy, and consistent connection, families can find their rhythm and thrive.

Get a copy of Little People, Big Feelings - https://www.amazon.com.au/Little-People-Big-Feelings-Muir/dp/1761266594/ref=asc_df_1761266594/

Connect with Gen Muir:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectedparentingau/

Website: https://www.connectedparenting.com.au/

Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 29 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

In this episode of Thriving Parenting, I explored effective communication strategies with toddlers, particularly around sleep times. Drawing insights from Simone Davies' Montessori approach and her toddler sleep ebook, she provides a deep dive into understanding toddler behavior and needs.

This episode's key topics include the necessity of movement and exploration for toddlers, the importance of consistent boundaries, and creating safe spaces for them to explore. The episode also covers the impact of parental emotional triggers, the importance of healthy communication, and how to foster independence in toddlers.

Practical tips are shared for managing bedtime routines, handling transitions, and encouraging toddler participation in family activities. By emphasising empathy, patience, and predictable routines, the episode aims to help parents support their toddlers' development and improve their own parenting experience.

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The Toddler Sleep E-Book

The Toddler Sleep E-Book has been designed to provide you with a clearer understanding and much needed support and practical advice around the fun and games of toddler development and sleep! Grab this guide to support your toddler towards balanced and restorative sleep both day and night, with kindness and respect #winning!

Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 28 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

In this enlightening episode of the Thriving Parenting Podcast, I invited Steph Beers, a fellow motherhood coach, to explore the complex emotions that often accompany motherhood, particularly anger.

We dive deep into understanding anger as a secondary emotion, commonly masking feelings like hurt, guilt, and overwhelm. Through personal anecdotes, we discuss the importance of self-awareness and emotional regulation in managing these intense feelings.

Steph shares practical strategies, including the benefits of shadow work, setting healthy boundaries, and involving self-care practices like exercise and seeking help. We also address common parenting challenges, such as balancing self-care with parenting responsibilities and overcoming societal expectations that contribute to mum guilt.

The episode highlights the critical role of communication and the positive impact of modeling emotional intelligence for children. We encouraged our Thriving Parents to adopt respectful parenting practices and to seek support when needed, ultimately aiming to create a more sustainable and joyous parenting experience.

About Steph Beers:

Steph lives in Darwin with her husband and 3 children. After a rocky road into motherhood, she landed in shadow work and motherhood coaching, helping other mums reclaim their identities as mums, cut the yelling, and heal their trauma so they can become the mother they always pictured themselves as.

Find out more about Steph’s work and her latest program Healing You 2.0 | 6-month program here:

https://www.instagram.com/stephbeers_/

https://stephbeers.com.au/

Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 27 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

In this episode of Thriving Parenting, I discussed the importance of activity, bath time, nutrition, and sunlight in promoting better sleep for babies and toddlers. Each of the four key areas is explored in detail:

I explained the importance of physical activity for children of all ages, emphasising how it helps maintain a healthy weight, build strong bones and muscles, improve balance and coordination, enhance mental and emotional well-being, and reduce the risk of injuries. I provided age-specific activity recommendations and stressed that physical movement is crucial for raising core body temperature which aids sleep.

Bath time is highlighted as a powerful tool for promoting sleep due to its ability to raise and then lower the core body temperature, signaling the body that it’s time to sleep. I also mentioned the benefits of co-regulation during bath time, such as boosting immunity and gut health and increasing stress resilience. Using Epsom salts in baths is recommended for its magnesium content, which can further improve sleep quality.

The relationship between nutrition and sleep was discussed, with a focus on the importance of maintaining a balanced diet rich in key nutrients like magnesium and iron. I debunked the myth that food before one is just for fun and emphasises the importance of introducing solids at six months to meet the baby’s nutritional needs. Foods high in tryptophan and other sleep-promoting nutrients are recommended, with practical tips for integrating them into the child’s diet.

Lastly, in this episode, I highlighted the significance of sunlight exposure for resetting the circadian rhythm and boosting serotonin levels, which convert to melatonin, the sleep hormone. Practical suggestions are offered for parents to get outside and enjoy sunlight with their children, regardless of energy levels or weather conditions.

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Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 26 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

This episode of Thriving Parenting is not just an episode but a heartfelt pep talk aimed at parents, particularly mothers, to help them recognize and celebrate the immense responsibility and effort they put into raising their children.

I emphasized the uniqueness of the parenting journey, highlighting that it's okay to feel overwhelmed and to have days where only the minimum is accomplished. I highlighted the importance of self-compassion, urging parents to accept life's inevitable challenges as natural humps that build resilience over time. There's a focus on understanding matrescence—the transformative process of becoming a mother—and how crucial it is to recognize and fulfill one's needs, whether that's finding alone time or social interactions.

This episode encourages authenticity in parenting, allowing oneself to express all emotions and letting loved ones in on personal struggles and feelings.

Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 25 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

In this episode of Thriving Parenting, I dive into the topic of understanding and managing stress, particularly for parents. I explained stress in simple terms, aiming to make the concept accessible to everyone. I highlighted the significance of recognizing stress triggers and how increased awareness can help in managing stress effectively.

The episode covers the primitive brain's role in stress responses, often referred to as the 'lizard brain', and how it's designed for survival but can become detrimental when overactive in modern day scenarios.

I explained that while some level of stress is beneficial for growth and learning, chronic stress can be harmful. Parents are encouraged to identify the root causes of their stress, which could stem from past experiences or ongoing circumstances, and work on creating new, healthier pathways to handle stress. Various practical tips are shared, including the importance of taking quiet moments, setting realistic expectations, and staying mindful to help reduce stress levels.

The episode concludes with inspirational quotes about stress, emphasizing that managing stress is about choosing how to respond to various situations. The host advocates for conscious awareness and self-care as key strategies to thrive as a parent.

Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 24 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.

In this episode of Thriving Parenting, I dive into various parenting styles, with a special focus on understanding and mixing different approaches to create a balanced parenting experience.

The core discussion revolves around four main parenting styles—authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved—and how sub-styles like gentle, attachment, and mindful parenting can fit within these categories.

I highlighted the authoritative style as the most recommended due to its balance of security and support and identified the three essential needs children have: love, safety, and being seen and heard.

A key takeaway is the encouragement for parents to adapt and blend various styles to suit their unique situations, rather than rigidly following one method.

In this episode, I also addressed common fears parents face regarding their child's emotions and offered practical advice on how to navigate these challenges. A client case study is shared to illustrate the flexibility and personalization required in effective parenting, demonstrating how tailored support can help overcome the limitations and demands of a single parenting style.

Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 23 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow.

And click the +Follow button to never miss an episode. New episodes are released every Tuesday!

To find out more about how I can support you, visit my website here.