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

Snoring in kids is often brushed off as “cute” or “normal” - but did you know it can actually be a hidden red flag for serious health issues? In this episode of Thriving Parenting, we’re joined by paediatric ENT surgeon and sleep expert Dr. David McIntosh to unpack the truth about sleep disordered breathing in children.

We dive into:

• Why snoring is never just harmless noise in kids
• The link between sleep disordered breathing and behaviour, focus, and growth
• How to spot early warning signs parents often miss
• Practical steps to seek help and treatment

If your child snores, mouth breathes, or struggles with restless sleep, this conversation is a must-listen. Learn how early intervention can make a life-changing difference to your child’s wellbeing, development, and future health.

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 82 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 found yourself wide awake at 2 a.m. with a baby who is not crying, not hungry, but instead happily babbling, standing in the cot, or ready to start the day—you’ve met the world of split nights. These long stretches of middle-of-the-night wakefulness can feel confusing and exhausting for parents, especially when your little one seems perfectly content while you’re desperate for sleep. In this bite-size episode of Thriving Parenting, we unpack what’s really going on during split nights, why they happen, and how you can gently guide your baby or toddler back toward more restful, consolidated sleep.

You’ll learn:

• What split nights really are (and how they differ from regular night wakings).
• Why they happen—from developmental leaps to a mismatch between circadian rhythm and sleep pressure.
• Why they’re actually normal
• Practical steps to help—including adjusting naps, bedtime, and wake times, plus keeping things calm and boring at night.
• Real client stories that show how small tweaks can make a big difference.

Split nights might be normal, but they don’t have to derail your family’s sleep. With the right strategies, patience, and consistency, you can support your child back into more restful nights.

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 81 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

This episode of Thriving Parent-ing dives beneath sleep tactics into the stories we tell ourselves—especially in hard moments. Through a real Sleep Godmother client case, we surface three common beliefs that stall progress, unpack why they feel so true in the moment, and show how nervous-system-first tools help you move from stuck to steady, with changes that actually last.

What you'll learn:

• The 3 sticky stories that keep parents looping at sleep time
• Why crying with a caregiver present is not harmful—and how co-regulation builds safety and resilience
• How your brain’s survival wiring (fight/flight/freeze) makes old patterns feel “safer” than change
• The difference between short-lived stress of change vs ongoing stress of fragmented sleep
• Working within your (and your child’s) challenge zone so change is doable, not overwhelming
• A practical, step-by-step way to pace adjustments and keep momentum

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 80 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

Becoming parents is one of the biggest shifts a relationship can ever go through—and yet, no one really prepares you for what happens between you and your partner after kids. In this episode of Thriving Parenting, we sit down with Leonie Akhidenor, relationship coach, mum of two, and host of Parenthood Podcast, to talk honestly about what really changes. Her podcast Parenthood was a 2024 Australian Podcast Awards finalist.

You’ll hear why even the strongest couples experience comparison, resentment, and disconnection in the early years and how those same challenges can actually build a stronger foundation when navigated with awareness and care.

We’ll talk about:

• Why relationships always change after children—and why that’s not a bad thing
• The comparison game: how sleep deprivation and imbalance fuel tit-for-tat thinking
• Resentment, guilt, and mourning your old life—normal emotions no one talks about
• The mental load and why partners aren’t mind readers
• Intimacy after birth and why connection looks different in this season
• How to ask for help in ways that actually land
• Micro-moments of reconnection and why they matter more than grand gestures
• The importance of seeking support whether through honest conversations or professional help

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “are we okay?” in the chaos of new parenthood, this episode is here to reassure you that you’re not alone. Relationships don’t stay the same after kids—and that’s the point. With compassion, communication, and a little creativity, they can become stronger than ever.

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 79 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 unpack one of the most common sleep questions parents ask: Do babies really need a nightlight?

Host Jen takes you through the science of circadian rhythms, melatonin, and how light exposure affects sleep. You’ll discover why complete darkness is best for little ones under two, why separation anxiety (not fear of the dark) is often behind bedtime struggles, and simple strategies like dimming the house lights, leaving the door ajar, or using hallway light to ease the transition to sleep.

For toddlers over two, when imagination and genuine fears of the dark can appear, Jen shares when and how a soft, warm nightlight might help—plus tips for using it without disrupting sleep.

This episode is packed with practical advice, personal stories, and gentle reminders that parenting is about experimenting, connecting, and finding what works best for your family.

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 78 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

Sleep associations are one of the most misunderstood topics in parenting—often surrounded by guilt, pressure, and myths. In this episode of Thriving Parenting, we’re breaking it all down and reframing what sleep associations really mean for you and your baby.

You’ll learn why sleep associations aren’t “bad habits” but instead powerful tools for connection, safety, and trust. From rocking and feeding to sleep, to white noise, bedtime routines, and comforters, these cues are the building blocks of how babies feel safe enough to drift off.

We’ll talk about:

• Why every human (babies and adults alike) has sleep associations
• The difference between perspective and perception when it comes to your child’s view of safety
• How instinct and biology shape your baby’s need for connection
• When and how to gently shift sleep associations if they’re no longer working for you or your child
• Myths about “bad habits” and why they aren’t true
• Why your bond with your baby won’t break if things change—it can actually grow stronger

If you’ve ever worried about creating “rods for your back” with rocking, feeding, or cuddling your baby to sleep—this episode will give you relief, clarity, and confidence. Because sleep isn’t about habits; it’s about safety, connection, and love.

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 77 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