In this baby bite-sized episode, Jen breaks down one of the most common modern parenting dilemmas: “Does that quick car nap actually count—and what should I do next?”

If you've ever rushed home for nap time only to face a failed transfer, a full-blown nap protest, or a suddenly wide-awake baby, this episode gives you the clarity and calm you need.

Jen explains why on-the-go dozes and mini car snoozes can completely reset sleep pressure—especially for babies under six months and why heading straight to the bedroom often backfires. Instead, she guides you through what actually works: slow transitions, gentle interaction, and watching for fresh sleep cues rather than watching the clock.

You’ll learn:

• Why a 10–15 minute car nap can wipe out more sleep pressure than you think
• When a transfer might work—and when it absolutely won’t
• How to create a short “adjustment window” at home so your baby can reset before the nap
• What to do differently if they only dozed off versus slept for 20+ minutes
• How to honour your baby’s nervous system and your own, so naps feel less stressful for everyone
• Why flexibility and compassion matter far more than perfect timing

Jen also shares her own relatable “please don’t fall asleep yet!” car moments because we’ve all been there, and gives you permission to adapt, reset, and trust the process.

You’ll walk away knowing exactly what to do after an on-the-go snooze, how to prevent a nap battle, and how to stay grounded when routines don’t go to plan.

A gentle reminder to take with you:

A short car nap doesn’t always mean an easy transfer. Give your baby time to adjust, follow their cues, and trust your own instincts. You’re not failing—you’re finding your rhythm.

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 90 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

In this episode of Thriving Parenting, Jen dives into pram sleep and motion sleep – the good, the tricky, and how to set pram naps up so they support both your baby and your sanity.

She starts by revisiting her popular “10–10–10 Rule” for pockets of connection, sharing real stories from families who’ve used it to transform challenging behaviour and create more harmony at home. From there, she guides you through the world of pram naps: why they work, how they support your baby’s nervous system and body clock, and how they can give you some much-needed breathing space in your day.

Drawing on her own experience with three children (including seasons of multiple kids under five and life overseas), Jen breaks down practical, compassionate steps to help you feel confident using pram naps without guilt, fear of “junk sleep,” or pressure to get it perfect.

• How the 10–10–10 Rule sets up cooperation, eases tricky moments, and helps you feel more like the parent you want to be.
• Why naps on the go are not junk sleep, and how motion, gentle rocking and outdoor light support your baby’s nervous system, circadian rhythm, and sense of safety.
• How pram naps looked different with each child, from “nice to have” with her first, to essential with a toddler in tow, to ultra-flexible naps while living in South Korea.
• Six practical steps to make pra naps work
• How to tell the difference between tired/frustrated cries and “this is too much” stress, when to keep gently supporting, and when to pick up, reset, or transfer.
• Why shorter pram naps as babies grow are normal
• What to expect as your baby becomes more aware, and how to work with changing nap lengths without panicking.
• How a simple pram nap – a walk outside, a quiet coffee, a few minutes to actually breathe – can reset your nervous system and increase your patience for the rest of the day.

Jen closes with a reminder that neither you nor your baby are robots, and that flexibility, repetition, and self-kindness are some of the most powerful parenting tools you have.

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 89 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

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 feelings
• Why “good girl/boy” or “stop crying” messages affect emotional safety
• What emotion coaching really means (and why it starts with your own awareness)
• How to validate your child’s emotions without rewarding unwanted behaviour
• Understanding guilt vs shame and how self-compassion transforms parenting
• The balance between empathy, boundaries, and allowing healthy discomfort
• Why repair after rupture matters more than getting it perfect every time

Parenting 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 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

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 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

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 time
• The power of small, quality moments of connection before bed
• Checking your emotional capacity and resetting through the day
• Practical 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 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

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 pathway
• Yoga Nidra basics: seven guided stages, accessing theta brainwaves, and why stillness matters
• Why 21 minutes is enough: the science-adjacent rationale for deep mental relaxation in light-sleep states
• Non-sleep deep rest (NSDR) for parents: quick recovery when real naps aren’t happening
• Breathwork 101: box breathing vs. gentle diaphragmatic breath vs. conscious connected breathwork
• Mental vs. body resistance: how to tell the difference and work safely
• Finishing stress cycles: releasing stored emotions somatically (not just talking about them)
• Safety, set & setting: the role of a trauma-informed facilitator and consent-led pacing
• Real-world outcomes: clarity, energy, lowered mental chatter, and softer reactivity in day-to-day parenting

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 85 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

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. Willis
• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

Listen 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 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

In this episode of Thriving Parenting, host Jen introduces two simple yet powerful practices that can completely transform your family’s connection and calm — the 10:10:10 Rule and the 10-Minute Do Nothing Rule.

Jen shares how these time-tested tools helped her navigate early motherhood with three kids under five and a husband often away for work. Through small, intentional moments — 10 minutes after waking, 10 minutes when reuniting, and 10 minutes before bedtime. She discovered how meaningful connections can shift behaviour, reduce overwhelm, and bring more joy into the home.

You’ll also learn why doing nothing for 10 minutes with your child is one of the most productive things you can do — no instructions, no multitasking, just being present.

By focusing on connection over perfection, you’ll see more calm, more cooperation, and more closeness in your family life. Jen reminds us: “Connection is why we’re here — it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.”

Tune in to learn how just 30 minutes a day can change everything — for you and your child.

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 83 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