How To Help Your Child Feel Safe With Their Feelings - And Yours Too. With Dr. Bianca Mastromanno
In this heartfelt episode of Thriving Parenting, Jen is joined once again by Dr. Bianca Mastromanno, clinical psychologist and mother of two, to explore one of the most powerful skills we can develop as parents — helping our children (and ourselves) feel safe with big emotions.Together, they unpack why feelings can be so hard to sit with, how our own upbringing shapes the way we respond to emotions, and what it really means to emotionally coach our kids — without trying to fix, rush, or rescue their feelings.From real-life motherhood stories to practical, compassionate insights, this episode helps you embrace imperfection, build emotional trust, and navigate those intense moments with more calm and connection.In This Episode:The impact of our own emotional history on how we respond to our child’s feelingsWhy “good girl/boy” or “stop crying” messages affect emotional safetyWhat emotion coaching really means (and why it starts with your own awareness)How to validate your child’s emotions without rewarding unwanted behaviourUnderstanding guilt vs shame and how self-compassion transforms parentingThe balance between empathy, boundaries, and allowing healthy discomfortWhy repair after rupture matters more than getting it perfect every timeParenting isn’t about eliminating your child’s big feelings, it’s about being their safe place while they learn to move through them. When you show them that emotions are safe, you teach them resilience that lasts a lifetime.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 88 Show NotesAnd 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
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1:11:21
Baby Bitesize | When Sleep Feels Stuck: Five Questions to Find Your Middle Ground
Are you feeling torn between what you “should” do and what actually feels right for your family? In this bite-size episode, Jen shares five powerful reflection questions to help you reconnect with your instincts and find balance when baby sleep feels confusing, overwhelming, or stuck.These questions are designed from real conversations with parents who’ve been exactly where you are — caught between expert advice, exhaustion, and guilt. Jen helps you gently tune out the noise, explore what you truly want for your family, and discover a version of sleep that feels sustainable for both you and your child.You’ll be invited to reflect on:What would you change if there was no guilt or fear?What does sleep look like if it works for everyone?Are your beliefs helping or limiting your growth?What makes change feel impossible?Is your motivation coming from you — or outside pressure?This episode isn’t about following a formula. It’s about creating space to get curious, honor your needs as a parent, and find a flexible middle ground that feels aligned with your values.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 87 Show NotesAnd 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
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The Bedtime Clash: Why It’s Not About Sleep (and How to Shift the Energy)
Why does bedtime often feel like a battle? In this episode of Thriving Parenting, we explore what’s really behind those nightly clashes, and it’s not about sleep. It’s about connection, capacity, and energy.Jen unpacks the real reason bedtime feels so hard: your exhaustion meets your child’s deep need for closeness. You’ll learn how to shift this dynamic with simple, realistic strategies that bring calm back into the evening routine. In this episode:Why bedtime resistance is a sign of unmet connection, not “bad behaviour”How to create a calm transition from awake time to sleep timeThe power of small, quality moments of connection before bedChecking your emotional capacity and resetting through the dayPractical tools to make nights smoother (even when you’re exhausted)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 86 Show NotesAnd 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
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3–4 Hours of Sleep in 30 Minutes or Less?! Breaking Down the Power of Yoga Nidra and Breathwork for Our Rest and Wellness Benefits with Kellie Blinco
Feeling cooked, burnt out, and running on fumes? In this conversation, Jen sits down with trauma-informed breathwork facilitator Kellie Blinco to unpack two deceptively simple practices—Yoga Nidra (non-sleep deep rest) and conscious breathwork that can reset your nervous system, sharpen your focus, and help you feel human again. Kellie shares her personal path from chronic dysregulation to healing, why a 21-minute Yoga Nidra can feel like 3–4 hours of restorative sleep, and how different breathwork styles from gentle diaphragmatic breathing to conscious connected breathwork—support real emotional processing (not just “thinking about it”). You’ll hear practical tips for mums and time-poor parents, what to expect in a session, how safety and facilitation matter, and why the attempt to outrun pain often creates more of it.Kellie Blinco is the founder of Feather & Sage Bloom studio in Joondalup (WA). Trauma-informed facilitator specialising in Yoga Nidra, gentle breathwork, and conscious connected breathwork.What we cover:Kellie’s journey: from nervous system dysregulation to plant-medicine insights and finding breath as a legal, accessible healing pathwayYoga Nidra basics: seven guided stages, accessing theta brainwaves, and why stillness mattersWhy 21 minutes is enough: the science-adjacent rationale for deep mental relaxation in light-sleep statesNon-sleep deep rest (NSDR) for parents: quick recovery when real naps aren’t happeningBreathwork 101: box breathing vs. gentle diaphragmatic breath vs. conscious connected breathworkMental vs. body resistance: how to tell the difference and work safelyFinishing stress cycles: releasing stored emotions somatically (not just talking about them)Safety, set & setting: the role of a trauma-informed facilitator and consent-led pacingReal-world outcomes: clarity, energy, lowered mental chatter, and softer reactivity in day-to-day parentingWould 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 85 Show NotesAnd 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
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Baby Bitesize | When to Skip the Bedtime Story: Rethinking Nighttime Routines
In this bite-size episode of Thriving Parenting, we’re flipping the script on one of the most common bedtime rituals—reading a book before sleep. While storytime is often seen as a cornerstone of early parenting routines, Jen explores why it might actually be too stimulating for some babies and young toddlers.She unpacks the signs that a bedtime book may be delaying rather than supporting sleep—like restlessness, over-engagement, and long settling times—and shares gentle adjustments parents can make to create calmer, smoother nights. From shifting storytime earlier in the evening to toning down animated reading voices, Jen offers practical ways to tailor bedtime to your child’s age, temperament, and needs.For parents of older toddlers and preschoolers, she highlights how connection-focused books can still play a beautiful role in filling up emotional cups before sleep. Jen even shares her favourite reads, like More Than by Hayley M. Willis and The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, to nurture security and connection at bedtime.The takeaway? There’s no universal right or wrong routine—just what works best for you and your baby. Sometimes, skipping the bedtime story is the kindest thing you can do for a restful night.Key Takeaways:Some babies find bedtime stories too stimulating—watch for restlessness or long settling times.Try moving reading earlier or softening your tone to create a calmer wind-down.For older toddlers, choose connection-rich stories that reassure and soothe.There are no “shoulds” in parenting—trust what works for your family.Recommended Books:More Than by Hayley M. WillisThe Invisible String by Patrice KarstListen now on Thriving Parenting and discover how rethinking your nighttime routine could transform your evenings.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 84 Show NotesAnd 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
Welcome to Thriving Parent-ing with Jen, your compassionate godmother (the cool, modern version…) who’s here to help you unlock your full parenting potential by exploring the dynamic duality of personal growth and parenting strategies, empowering you to break free from the grips of survival mode and embrace the joys of thriving parenting.
If you’re looking to level up and make sense of your parenting reality, feel confident in your parenting ability, nurture your self-growth and begin to thrive alongside your children, this is the podcast for you.
Thriving Parent-ing is your go-to resource where we consider your growth journey as equally important, evolving into the person and parent you aspire to be. A happy, healthy child starts with a happy, healthy you so consider this podcast your permission to place your oxygen mask on first, to show up in a way you are proud of and your child benefits from. We’re here to support, encourage and inspire you every step of the way.
As a baby and parent sleep coach and mentor, mind-body practitioner, RN and mother-of-three, Jen brings a unique blend of expertise and empathy to the table. Join her every week as she explores the art of thriving in parenthood - bringing you practical sleep support, tangible parenting tools, positive mindset coaching, insightful guest interviews and expert advice, equipping you with the knowledge and perspectives, that will assist you in navigating the challenges of raising happy, healthy children while prioritising your own well-being too.
Thriving Parent-ing is here to empower you to have your cake and eat it too! Kick survival mode to the curb and step confidently into thriving mode - see you there Thrivers!
You can find out more about Jen and her work supporting parents on Instagram at @sleep_thrive_grow and www.sleepthrivegrow.com.
South Africa