Thriving Parent-ing

Jen Cuttriss - Sleep Thrive Grow - Baby & Parent Sleep Coach & Mindset Mentor
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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.

  1. Postpartum Rage Isn’t a Failure: One Mum’s Story and the Tools That Helped

    10M AGO

    Postpartum Rage Isn’t a Failure: One Mum’s Story and the Tools That Helped

    Postpartum rage is rarely spoken about, yet so many mums quietly carry it with shame. In this episode, Jen sits down with Beth Caniglia business owner, brand strategist, speaker, and mum of two to share her lived experience of postpartum rage after her second baby. Beth opens up about the brutal shift from one child to two, the sleep deprivation that tipped her from “thriving” into survival, and the moments that left her feeling scared of her own reactions. Together, Jen and Beth unpack what postpartum rage can look like, why it can feel like it comes out of nowhere, and how awareness and the right tools can help you interrupt the spiral before it explodes. This conversation is honest, warm, and deeply normalising. If you’ve ever thought “What’s wrong with me?” after yelling, snapping, or feeling like you’re about to lose it, this episode will help you feel less alone and more supported. About Beth Caniglia Beth is a business owner, mother of two, speaker, storyteller, and brand strategist. She runs Firesauce Creative with her husband and is passionate about speaking honestly about the highs and lows of blending entrepreneurship and motherhood. Find Beth here: Firesauce Creative (firesauce.com.au) In This Episode, We Cover Why the jump from one to two kids can feel like being “split in two”How sleep deprivation shrinks your capacity and fuels reactivityThe shame spiral that often follows rage, and why it keeps mums stuckThe “bottling it up” pattern: why anger can feel sudden, but isn’tHow postpartum rage can be a nervous system signal, not a character flawTools that helped Beth rebuild regulation and widen her window of toleranceWhy community, support, and honest conversations matter more 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 99 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

    49 min
  2. Baby Bitesize | Choosing Your Response in Parenting — The Power of the Pause

    JAN 19

    Baby Bitesize | Choosing Your Response in Parenting — The Power of the Pause

    In this gentle, baby bite-sized episode of Thriving Parenting, Jen explores one of the most powerful and often overlooked parenting tools: the pause. When our baby cries or our child becomes upset, the instinct to fix, stop, or intervene immediately can feel overwhelming. And that instinct exists for a reason. Our nervous system is wired for protection. But when hypervigilance runs the show all day, every day, parenting can start to feel harder rather than easier. This episode unpacks how pausing is not ignoring your baby. It is choosing to respond from safety rather than reflex. Jen explains how a brief pause helps bring our adult brain back online, giving us access to perspective, choice, and intuition. From newborn sleep to toddler emotions, pausing creates space to observe, gather information, and decide what support is truly needed in that moment. You will hear why: Hypervigilance is a normal part of becoming a parent, but can become exhausting when it stays switched on constantlyPausing helps regulate your nervous system so you can co-regulate with your childBabies and toddlers often surprise us when given a small moment to settle, adjust, or problem-solveThe pause supports sleep by avoiding unnecessary overstimulationOur own past experiences shape how we respond to crying, anger, and frustrationAwareness and compassion are key to breaking reactive cycles Jen also shares a simple, tangible practice she uses herself, placing a hand on her chest and breathing, to interrupt knee-jerk reactions and return to intentional leadership. This episode is a reminder that you are not doing less by pausing. You are choosing presence, wisdom, and connection. And that choice matters for both you and your child. 🎧 Listen now to learn how the pause can help you parent with more calm, confidence, and trust in yourself. 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 98 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

    19 min
  3. Is This Normal? Postpartum Anxiety & Intrusive Thoughts with Dr Bianca Mastromanno

    JAN 12

    Is This Normal? Postpartum Anxiety & Intrusive Thoughts with Dr Bianca Mastromanno

    In this episode of Thriving Parenting, Jen is joined by Dr Bianca Mastromanno, perinatal clinical psychologist, for a compassionate, grounding conversation that helps new mums feel seen and less alone. Together they unpack what postpartum anxiety can actually look like, why a degree of hyperawareness is expected, and how to tell the difference between normal maternal vigilance and anxiety that needs extra support. They explore maternal preoccupation (Winnicott’s term for the brain shift that happens in motherhood), explaining why your mind may feel intensely focused on your baby’s safety, needs, and environment, especially in the first 6–12 months. Bianca reframes this hypervigilance as functional, evolutionary, and often temporary, while also acknowledging that for some parents, anxiety can become self-fuelling and get “stuck” in ways that interfere with daily life. A big focus of the episode is intrusive thoughts: unwanted, automatic thoughts that often involve harm, safety, or worst-case scenarios. Bianca normalises how common they are (often close to universal), why they show up more when you’re sleep deprived, and why having intrusive thoughts does not mean you want them to happen. Jen and Bianca share real examples to reduce the shame and silence so many parents carry. They also discuss modern triggers, including how social media can intensify fear and expand the “library” your brain pulls from, feeding postpartum hypervigilance. The conversation offers reassurance, practical tools, and clear guidance on when to reach out for support, especially if thoughts become frequent, intense, or start changing your behaviour in avoidant or compulsive ways. This one is for the parent who’s quietly wondering, Am I okay? You’re not broken. You’re not alone. And help can be gentle, accessible, and deeply supportive. In this episode, you’ll hear:Why the question Is this normal? is almost universal in postpartumWhat maternal preoccupation is and why hyperawareness is expectedHow postpartum anxiety can show up as vigilance, scanning, and constant mental checkingWhat intrusive thoughts are, why they happen, and what they do not mean about youThe difference between noticing a thought and acting as if it’s a factHow sleep deprivation can worsen intrusive thoughts and nervous system sensitivityThe role of social media in amplifying postpartum fear and threat perceptionPractical ways to “step back” from intrusive thoughts (without battling them)When professional support is recommended, and why it’s safe to seek helpResources like PANDA for support, information, and referral pathwaysSmall nervous system supports postpartum: hydration, nutrition, sunlight, movement, music, micro-moments 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...

    1h 4m
  4. Laughing Again in Parenthood (Even If It Doesn’t Come Naturally Right Now)

    JAN 5

    Laughing Again in Parenthood (Even If It Doesn’t Come Naturally Right Now)

    Welcome back to the Thriving Parenting Podcast, where we explore the parent behind the act of parenting itself. In this episode, Jen dives into one of the most accessible yet overlooked parenting tools we all already have, even on our most exhausting days: humour. If parenting feels heavy, serious, or like you’re just pushing through the afternoons, this episode is a gentle reminder that laughter doesn’t have to be loud, performative, or natural right now to be powerful. It’s not about being funny or entertaining your child. It’s about using small, playful moments to regulate your nervous system, support your child’s emotional world, and bring connection back within reach. Humour, even in its tiniest form, is nervous system medicine. Jen explores how laughter helps complete stress cycles, supports emotional regulation, and brings the prefrontal cortex back online for both parents and children. When we laugh, we soften separation, ease transitions, and remind our children through our bodies that they are safe and supported. This episode offers practical, real-life examples of how humour can be woven into everyday parenting without adding more to your plate, including: Using playful connection during bedtime, mealtimes, and transitionsGentle humour for babies, toddlers, and preschoolersHow silliness supports emotional regulation and rupture and repairWhy laughter models safety more effectively than lecturesWays to access humour when it doesn’t feel natural or safe for you yet Jen also speaks honestly about why humour can feel vulnerable, especially if you didn’t grow up with it, and how to rebuild your “humour muscle” slowly and compassionately. From shaking stress out of your body, to laughing at parenting mishaps, to building a “funny bank” of memories, this episode invites you to reconnect with the playful part of yourself without pressure. Because parenting doesn’t need to be serious all the time. Your child doesn’t need perfection. They need your presence, and laughter helps you return to it faster than almost anything else. 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 96 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

    22 min
  5. Baby Bitesize | Presence More Than Presents – Five Intentional Moments of Connection When Life Gets Busy

    12/29/2025

    Baby Bitesize | Presence More Than Presents – Five Intentional Moments of Connection When Life Gets Busy

    In this gentle baby bitesize episode of Thriving Parenting, Jen invites you to pause and reflect on a pattern many parents know all too well. Rushing through the day, counting down to bedtime, and only truly delighting in our children once they are asleep, through photos, videos, or the baby monitor. Jen explores why this happens, especially during busy seasons like Christmas, and how the mental load, invisible to-do lists, and survival mode can pull us away from real-time connection. While this is completely human and deeply common, she offers a compassionate reframe. What if connection didn’t have to wait until the day was over? This episode gently reminds us that connection is a core human need, for both parents and children. When children feel seen, heard, and delighted in, it can support cooperation, ease transitions, and make parenting feel lighter. Jen shares five simple, intentional moments of presence you can weave into everyday life. From eye contact during feeds, to fully listening to their stories, to noticing their little hands in the shopping trolley. These small pockets of connection matter more than we realise. This is not about doing more. It is about being more present in the moments you are already in. A beautiful reminder that your presence is the most precious gift you can give your child. Especially at this time of year. Your children need your presence more than your presents. If sleep or parenting feels overwhelming right now, Jen also shares details about her free Sleep Clarity Sessions, offering calm, pressure-free support to help you move from surviving to thriving. 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 95 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

    8 min
  6. Airway-First Parenting: Supporting Breathing, Feeding & Sleep from Day One with Dr Shereen Lim

    12/22/2025

    Airway-First Parenting: Supporting Breathing, Feeding & Sleep from Day One with Dr Shereen Lim

    Airway health is one of those invisible pieces of the parenting puzzle that can quietly shape everything, from feeding and sleep to behaviour, development, and long-term health. In this episode of Thriving Parenting, Jen dives into what many parents are never told to look for early on: the spectrum of airway dysfunction that often starts long before a child would ever be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea. Jen is joined by Dr Shereen Lim, a pioneer in dental sleep medicine and author of Breathe Sleep Thrive, whose work centres on early intervention and helping families understand how breathing, feeding, tongue function, and jaw development are all deeply connected. If you’ve ever wondered why your baby mouth breathes, snores, struggles to feed, seems restless at night, or avoids chewing, this conversation will help you connect the dots in a way that finally makes sense. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why obstructive sleep apnoea is often the tip of the iceberg, and what can show up years earlierThe early signs of airway dysfunction that can be easily missed, especially in infancyWhy mouth breathing is never “normal”, and how early awareness can change a child’s long-term health trajectoryThe powerful “rapid growth window” in the first year, and why jaw and facial development matters for the airwayHow modern feeding patterns (purees, pouches, processed foods) can keep kids stuck in the “suck phase” and reduce jaw strengthWhat parents can do if breastfeeding didn’t work out (without guilt), including practical ways to support oral function and chewing from six monthsWhat to look for if your baby is snoring, noisy breathing, or sleeping with an open mouthA grounded, individualised take on tongue ties, why release isn’t a magic fix, and why support matters before and afterRed flags beyond sleep, including feeding struggles, “reflux-like” symptoms caused by air intake, picky eating, gagging, speech delays, and teeth grindingWhy airway issues aren’t only an ENT problem, and how adenoids and tonsils can be a symptom, not the root causeWhat “good sleep” should actually look like: silent, still, mouth closed, and truly restorative Book: Discover How Airway Health Can Unlock Your Child’s Greater Health, Learning, and Potential 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 94 Show Notes And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram ata href="https://thriving-parent-ing.captivate.fm/instagram" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    50 min
  7. Baby Bitesize | The Quiet Shame of Babies Who Sleep Better With Distance

    12/15/2025

    Baby Bitesize | The Quiet Shame of Babies Who Sleep Better With Distance

    Welcome back, Thrivers, to another baby bite-sized episode. This short and gentle conversation is for the parents who don’t often feel seen in baby sleep spaces. The ones whose babies settle well with space, sleep independently, and don’t always need to be held to drift off, yet somehow feel guilt or quiet shame because of it. In this episode, we explore why it’s not only possible, but completely healthy, for some babies to feel safe and secure outside of arms. We unpack the many reasons this can happen, from early exposure to multiple safe sleep spaces, emerging self-soothing skills, and temperament, to regulation, responsiveness, and the emotional tools parents bring into the relationship. This episode gently challenges the belief that secure attachment is measured by exhaustion, constant proximity, or how much a baby needs you at night. Instead, it reframes attachment as responsiveness, trust, emotional availability, and meeting needs when they arise, not forcing closeness when it isn’t needed. If you’ve ever felt triggered by online conversations about baby sleep, questioned yourself because your experience looks different, or wondered whether you’re doing it wrong because things are actually going well, this episode is for you. You’re not doing something wrong. You’re responding to your baby. And that matters more than the noise. Inside this episode: Why some babies genuinely sleep better with spaceHow temperament and regulation influence sleepThe hidden identity shifts that come with easier sleepWhy secure attachment isn’t about where or how your baby sleepsLetting go of guilt and trusting your baby as your guide Book: Discover How Airway Health Can Unlock Your Child’s Greater Health, Learning, and Potential 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 93 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

    12 min
  8. Co-Regulation Shouldn’t Break You: 5 Ways to Support Without Losing Yourself

    12/08/2025

    Co-Regulation Shouldn’t Break You: 5 Ways to Support Without Losing Yourself

    In this grounding and deeply validating episode, Jen unpacks one of the most misunderstood parts of modern parenting: the difference between co-regulating and controlling. On the surface, our responses can look the same, but underneath, the energy is completely different — and it’s often our own nervous system, not our child’s emotions, driving the moment. Jen walks you through why young children cannot regulate on their own in the early years, what true co-regulation looks like, and the subtle ways we may accidentally slip into control when our own triggers, childhood patterns, or overwhelm take over. Inside the episode, you’ll learn: Why co-regulation was never meant to burn you outHow generational patterns shape the way you respond to cryingWhy trying to “fix” emotions actually makes things harderWhat your child really needs during big feelings (hint: not perfection)Five simple, practical ways to support emotional regulation without losing yourself Jen also explores how our instinct to stop tears — in children and adults — often interrupts the emotional release our bodies are designed for. She shares how shifting from fixing to anchoring can change the entire experience for both you and your child. This episode is full of compassion, clarity, and real-world tools to help you respond with presence rather than pressure, attunement rather than anxiety, and confidence rather than exhaustion. 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 92 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

    27 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Jen Cuttriss - Sleep Thrive Grow - Baby & Parent Sleep Coach & Mindset Mentor
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jen Cuttriss - Sleep Thrive Grow - Baby & Parent Sleep Coach & Mindset Mentor
  • Show Website
    Thriving Parent-ing