What if self-care in motherhood wasn’t a luxury, but a necessity?

In this heartfelt episode of the Thriving Parent-ing, the conversation explores a powerful reframe around self-care — not as something mums “earn” after everything is done, but as an essential form of stress management and nervous system regulation. Through relatable examples and practical insights, this episode unpacks why parenting overload can leave mums feeling reactive, exhausted, and disconnected from themselves, and how small, intentional moments of self-care can help restore calm, resilience, and emotional balance for both parent and child.

• Why self-care should be viewed as stress buffering, not selfishness
• How motherhood changes your nervous system load and emotional capacity
• The difference between fight-or-flight mode and a regulated nervous system
• Why your child “borrows” calm from your nervous system through co-regulation
• How small “boring” self-care moments can prevent emotional overwhelm
• Practical stress-buffering ideas that fit into busy parenting life
• Why traditional pre-kids self-care routines often need adapting in motherhood
• How to recognise when your emotional “cup” is overflowing
• Simple ways to regulate your nervous system in everyday moments
• How consistent self-care can help parenting feel calmer, steadier, and more enjoyable

Would like to access tailored 1:1 sleep support but don’t know where to start? Jump on a FREE sleep clarity session with Jen here https://sleepthrivegrow.com/

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 113 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.

Until next time, Thrivers

Stepping from one child to two is one of the most emotional and identity-shifting transitions a parent can experience. In this honest and reassuring Baby Bitesize episode, we unpack the guilt, fear, and uncertainty that often arise before welcoming a second baby—especially the worry that your first child will lose something or that your love won’t stretch far enough. Through lived experience, this episode gently reframes those thoughts, reminding you that these feelings are not only normal, but part of the process. With practical insights and grounded reassurance, you’ll learn how to support your older child through the adjustment, release perfection, and trust yourself to navigate the unknown—one moment at a time.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why feelings of guilt, fear, and “not enough love” are completely normal when expecting a second child
• The concept of “good enough parenting” and why meeting every need perfectly isn’t required
• How to emotionally support your older child through the transition to becoming a sibling
• Simple language and reassurance strategies that help your child feel secure and loved
• Why lowering expectations can ease the pressure for both you and your children
• The importance of holding boundaries and preparing your toddler before the baby arrives
• How communication builds trust, cooperation, and connection during change
• Practical ways to manage two children’s needs without overwhelming yourself
• Why guilt and shame don’t serve you—and what to focus on instead
• How to trust yourself, adapt in real time, and confidently navigate life with two kids

Would like to access tailored 1:1 sleep support but don’t know where to start? Jump on a FREE sleep clarity session with Jen here https://sleepthrivegrow.com/

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 112 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.

Until next time, Thrivers

If you've ever wondered why your child snores, breathes through their mouth, or struggles with crowded teeth, this episode is going to be a game-changer.

Jen sits down with Mel Van Schelven — Oral Health Therapist, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist, and founder of The Face Place to unpack the often-overlooked connection between how our kids chew, breathe, and sleep. Mel shares why the mouth is truly the foundation of so much of our children's health, how our increasingly soft, processed diets are robbing kids of the jaw and airway development they need, and what parents can do right now — starting at the dinner table — to set their little ones up for a lifetime of better health.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why the bones of the mouth are literally the bones of the airway — and why oral function and sleep cannot be separated
• How our ancestors chewed up to four and a half hours a day compared to our modern average of just half an hour, and what that means for our kids' facial development
• The difference between crunchy and chewy foods, and why crackers and pouches aren't cutting it for jaw development
• Why "food before one is just for fun" could be doing more harm than we realise when it comes to chewing development and iron intake
• What Mel actually sees in clinic — from crowded baby teeth and open bites to mouth breathing and fussy eating — and how it all connects back to oral function
• How dummy and thumb sucking habits affect dental development, and the three key factors (intensity, frequency, and duration) that determine how much impact they'll have
• Why taking away a dummy or thumb isn't always the right first step, and when it's actually better to leave the habit alone for now
• The gentle, age-appropriate approach Mel used with her own daughter to navigate thumb sucking — without shame or pressure
• When to seek an assessment and who to see (hint: it's not always your GP or paediatrician)
• Why tongue ties and tonsils are the two most confusing topics Mel sees parents struggling with online — and how to cut through the noise
• The simple audit you can do of your child's diet today to understand whether they're actually getting the chewing practice their developing mouth needs
• Why the dinner table is one of the most powerful tools you have as a parent — for connection, modelling, and oral development

Connect with Mel:

📱 Instagram: @thefaceplace_oht

🌐 Website: thefaceplaceofm.com.au

🎓 Foundations for Growing Faces Masterclass: thefaceplaceofm.com.au/foundations-for-growing-faces-masterclass

Would like to access tailored 1:1 sleep support but don’t know where to start? Jump on a FREE sleep clarity session with Jen here https://sleepthrivegrow.com/

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 111 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.

Until next time, Thrivers