Thriving Parent-ing

In this second part of the previous episode, I delve into actionable steps parents can take to prevent their children's emotions from defining their parenting.  The episode begins by encouraging parents to reflect on their feelings, sharing practical ways to explore why certain child behaviors trigger deep emotional responses. Crying is highlighted as a common trigger, with suggestions for jo...

In this episode of Thriving Parent-ing, I discuss eight critical signs that parents may be letting their children's emotions define their parenting abilities. I provided a compassionate approach, encouraging parents to allow themselves to feel and process these emotions. The episode covers the following signs: taking emotional reactions personally, creating inconsistent boundaries, overcompensatin...

In this enlightening and comprehensive episode of Thriving Parenting, I sat down with Caitlin Hosking, a renowned shadow work coach and trainer. Caitlin shares her expertise on shadow work, a practice that involves diving deep into the hidden parts of ourselves formed by societal conditioning and personal experiences. We discussed how these hidden 'shadows' can impact our behavior, particularly in...

In this episode of Thriving Parenting, I unpacked the challenges of separation anxiety in young children. I highlight various aspects of the development stage, including its timing, common behaviours, and underlying causes such as stranger anxiety, object permanence, and physical development. I shared some practical advice that you can add to your toolbox as a parent on how to support children thr...

In this episode, my discussion centres on the Middle Ground Parenting Movement, which encourages parents to balance their needs with their children's, offering flexible and personalised approaches to parenting and baby sleep. I address the challenges parents face, such as societal pressure and the dichotomy between constant physical contact and cry-based sleep training methods. The aim is to empow...

This episode dives into the well-known adage "It takes a village to raise a child", exploring its relevance and application in contemporary Western society. I shared personal experiences of initially resisting assistance in parenting, reflecting a common societal mindset that equates accepting help with inadequacy. Through recounting moments of realisation and change, the discussion highlights the...

In this episode of Thriving Parenting, I explore the concept of the window of tolerance, originally coined by Dr. Dan Siegel, explaining it as the optimal state of arousal where individuals can best support their mental health, well-being, and emotional regulation.  The discussion covers the impacts of being outside this window, in either a hyper or hypo-aroused state, and their effects on pa...

For this week's episode, I dived deep into the topic of sleep regressions, addressing common parental concerns such as its impact and management strategies.  Sleep regressions as natural developmental milestones that can disrupt a child’s sleeping patterns, arguing against the notion that such regressions are a negative phenomenon. Instead, I promote understanding and positive management of t...

Here's why embracing the inevitable bumps on the road to better parenting can actually be a good thing. In this episode, I discussed seven reasons why parenting can be challenging. I also explored how these challenges can be a learning curve, filled with emotional ups and downs. But fear not! I also shared some great tips for navigating these early days. Leaning on your partner, family, and friend...

Change is a constant in life, but why does it often feel so hard? In this episode of Thriving Parenting, the focus is on the complexities of change, particularly how it can incite discomfort and fear, yet ultimately lead to personal growth and better parenting. I share insights into the neurological aspects of change, emphasizing that discomfort is a normal and necessary part of the process. Key p...

Picture your body as a symphony orchestra, and sleep as the conductor ensuring every instrument plays its part to perfection. Without this maestro, the melody of your health and well-being falls out of tune. That's the power of sleep – the unsung hero orchestrating harmony in our lives. This episode of Thriving Parent-ing explores the importance and benefits of establishing a sleep routine for bab...

In today's episode, we're diving deep into a powerful parenting tool that promises to revolutionize your approach to raising kids. This tool is not only accessible to every parent out there but also packs a punch with a trifecta of benefits. You guessed it—humor. Now, I know what you're thinking. "But how do I incorporate humor into my daily parenting routine?" Don't worry; I've got you covered. T...

We’re all familiar with the phrase, “where there’s a will, there’s a way” and, when it comes to making changes in parenting and throughout our lives, we need both a strong will and a clear way , to achieve successful change that lasts.  In this episode, I explore the reason why change is so important as our children themselves change, grow and evolve, and the secret to how you implement real...

In today’s episode we are busting the longstanding myth that we need to ‘teach’ our babies how to fall asleep! This powerful mindset reframe will change your approach to your baby’s sleep and will provide you with what you can be focusing when it comes to supporting your baby in this process. We’ll also be exploring the difference between self-soothing and self-settling and how you can use this to...

In today’s episode we are talking all about mindset, which is one of my favourite areas to talk about because it is such a powerful tool when it comes to our quality and fulfilment in life.   Carol Dweck, a professor of psychology, identified that people tend to fall into two categories when it comes to mindset – a fixed mindset, where people believe their abilities and intelligence cannot be...

There’s no escaping the fact that parenting sometimes just feels hard, and there are many valid reasons for this; we’re doing it without prior experience, we’re sleep-deprived, and we’re raising human beings from scratch!   But we have the power to shift our mindset and reframe our thoughts, to make conscious changes to how our brain thinks and how our body feels.   In this episode, I ex...

Welcome Thrivers, to the first episode of Thriving Parent-ing! I’m so glad you’re here! Today I am talking about self-soothing, why I believe that having it as your baby’s ultimate sleep goal is actually your parenting nemesis, and what to focus on instead. By reframing this focus point, you can shift your perspective and feel more secure and confident in your parenting. I’ll be breaking down what...

Welcome, thrivers! Yep, we are changing the narrative from survivors to thrivers right now because I know that, if you’re here, then you’re already on the campaign to level up your life in parenting. You want the support to evolve and become a parent you are proud of, creating a more confident (and 100% less tired) sustainable existence and that, my friend, is something to celebrate because to thr...