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. Why Oral Function Matters More Than You Think (For Sleep, Feeding & Development) with Mel Van Schelven

    3D AGO

    Why Oral Function Matters More Than You Think (For Sleep, Feeding & Development) with Mel Van Schelven

    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 separatedHow 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 developmentThe difference between crunchy and chewy foods, and why crackers and pouches aren't cutting it for jaw developmentWhy "food before one is just for fun" could be doing more harm than we realise when it comes to chewing development and iron intakeWhat 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 functionHow dummy and thumb sucking habits affect dental development, and the three key factors (intensity, frequency, and duration) that determine how much impact they'll haveWhy 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 nowThe gentle, age-appropriate approach Mel used with her own daughter to navigate thumb sucking — without shame or pressureWhen 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 noiseThe simple audit you can do of your child's diet today to understand whether they're actually getting the chewing practice their developing mouth needsWhy 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

    42 min
  2. Baby Bitesize | My Baby Always Wakes Crying… What’s Actually in Your Control?

    APR 20

    Baby Bitesize | My Baby Always Wakes Crying… What’s Actually in Your Control?

    If your baby wakes up crying after every sleep, it can feel confusing, exhausting, and even like you’re doing something wrong—but the truth is, this behaviour is often completely normal. In this Baby Bitesize episode, we unpack what’s actually happening beneath those tears, from sleep cycles and body clock misalignment to the powerful role of your response as a parent. You’ll learn why your baby’s reaction isn’t something you need to “fix,” but how small, intentional shifts in your approach—especially around calm, non-urgent responses—can significantly change how your baby experiences waking. This episode reframes crying not as a problem, but as communication, and empowers you to focus on what you can control: your presence, your energy, and the message of safety you send. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why babies commonly wake up crying and what’s happening biologicallyHow sleep cycles and overtiredness can affect your baby’s mood on wakingThe hidden impact of rushing in immediately when your baby wakesHow your body language and tone shape your baby’s sense of safetyA simple “pause and respond” approach to reduce waking tearsWhat co-regulation looks like during wake-ups (without instantly picking them up)How to reinforce the cot as a safe and secure spaceThe role of comforters and familiar cues in easing transitionsWhy you can’t control your baby’s reactions—but you can transform your responseHow small changes in your behaviour can lead to big emotional shifts for your baby 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 110 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

    13 min
  3. Why Your Baby Still Fights Sleep Even When You’ve Changed Everything

    APR 13

    Why Your Baby Still Fights Sleep Even When You’ve Changed Everything

    Even when you’ve slowed down, changed your approach, and feel like you’re doing everything “right,” your baby may still resist sleep—and it’s not because you’ve failed. In this episode, Jen unpack the powerful role of your baby’s brain and how it predicts sleep based on past experiences, not just what’s happening in the moment. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, this conversation helps you understand why your baby reacts before anything even happens at bedtime, and how both your nervous systems are influencing each other. Most importantly, it reframes sleep struggles not as a behaviour problem, but as a pattern that can gently shift with consistency, safety, and new experiences over time. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your baby reacts to sleep before anything actually happensHow the brain uses past experiences to predict and prepare for bedtimeWhat “miscuing” looks like and why it’s completely normalHow your baby’s nervous system responds to previous sleep strugglesThe role your own nervous system plays in bedtime resistanceWhy consistency in how you show up matters more than strict routinesHow to create new, positive sleep associations over timeWhy change doesn’t happen instantly and what to expect insteadHow to shift your mindset from “fixing sleep” to creating safetyPractical ways to help your baby feel calm, secure, and supported at bedtime 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 109 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

    18 min
  4. Building Connection Before Correction (Especially When Your Child’s Wiring Is Different) with Leanne Tran

    MAR 30

    Building Connection Before Correction (Especially When Your Child’s Wiring Is Different) with Leanne Tran

    In this episode of Thriving Parent-ing, we explore why connection must come before correction, especially when parenting children with different neurological wiring. Joined by psychologist and parenting educator Leanne Tran, the conversation dives into how behaviour is often just a signal of deeper needs, not something to simply fix. Instead of relying solely on rewards and consequences, this episode highlights the power of building trust, understanding, and emotional safety first. You’ll learn how connection strengthens cooperation, supports long-term mental wellbeing, and becomes even more essential when raising neurodivergent children. This episode is a reminder that parenting isn’t about controlling behaviour—it’s about nurturing relationships that last a lifetime. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why connection is the foundation for effective parenting, not correctionThe hidden reasons behind your child’s behaviour (and what they’re really communicating)How connection builds cooperation, trust, and emotional safetyThe limitations of traditional behaviour-based parenting modelsPractical ways to connect with your child in everyday momentsHow to parent neurodivergent children with understanding and flexibilityWhy unmet needs—not defiance—often drive challenging behavioursThe long-term impact of connection on your child’s mental health and relationshipsHow to repair disconnection and rebuild trust after difficult momentsWhy supporting yourself as a parent is essential to supporting 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 108 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

    1 hr
  5. Baby Bitesize | When Your Baby Gets Overwhelmed (What’s Really Happening)

    MAR 23

    Baby Bitesize | When Your Baby Gets Overwhelmed (What’s Really Happening)

    When your baby suddenly becomes overwhelmed, crying harder than usual and unable to settle, it can feel confusing and even distressing as a parent. In this baby bite-sized episode, we unpack what’s really happening in those moments of dysregulation, breaking it down in a simple, relatable way. You’ll learn how your baby’s nervous system is still developing, why even small triggers like tiredness or overstimulation can tip them out of balance, and how they rely on you to co-regulate and feel safe again. More importantly, this episode reframes dysregulation not as something to “fix,” but as a normal, essential part of your child’s development and a powerful opportunity for connection, growth, and emotional learning for both you and your baby. In this episode, you’ll learn: What dysregulation actually means in everyday parentingWhy babies get overwhelmed so easilyThe concept of the window of tolerance explained simplyThe difference between hyper-arousal and hypo-arousalWhy your baby can’t self-regulate yet and needs co-regulationHow your calm nervous system helps your baby feel safeWhy dysregulation is normal, not a sign of failureHow your own triggers show up in parentingThe difference between a knowledge gap vs a tool gapWhy parenting is an opportunity for your own emotional growth 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 107 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

    14 min
  6. Do I Need to Co-Sleep? Why This Isn’t a Yes or No Question

    MAR 16

    Do I Need to Co-Sleep? Why This Isn’t a Yes or No Question

    In this episode of the Thriving Parenting Podcast, Jen explores one of the most common and emotionally loaded questions parents ask: Do I need to co-sleep? Rather than offering a simple yes or no answer, Jen unpacks why sleep choices are far more nuanced than the internet often suggests. She explains that the real issue isn’t where your baby sleeps, but how connection and safety are maintained within the parent–child relationship. Through a compassionate and practical lens, Jen encourages parents to step away from rigid sleep rules and instead consider their unique family circumstances, their baby’s developmental stage, and their own capacity. Ultimately, this episode reminds parents that there is no single “right” sleep method, only the approach that supports both connection and sustainability for your family. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the co-sleeping vs. sleep training debate is often oversimplifiedThe deeper question parents are really asking when they worry about co-sleepingWhy connection and relationship matter more than the specific sleep methodHow babies maintain a sense of connection even when sleeping separatelyWhy sleep is a developmental process rather than a skill to trainHow your baby’s developmental stages influence their sleep needsWhy every family’s sleep setup will look differentHow to create flexible sleep approaches that prioritise both connection and sustainabilityWhy patience and responsiveness play a key role in healthy sleep developmentHow to find a middle ground that works for both your baby and your family life 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 106 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
  7. You Were Never Meant to Be the Perfect Mum. Diving into Perfectionism in Parenting with Dr. Bianca Mastromanno

    MAR 9

    You Were Never Meant to Be the Perfect Mum. Diving into Perfectionism in Parenting with Dr. Bianca Mastromanno

    In this thoughtful and reassuring conversation, the host sits down with perinatal clinical psychologist Dr. Bianca Mastromanno to unpack the pressure many mums quietly carry, the belief that they must be perfect. Together they explore the “perfect mother myth,” where it comes from, why high-achieving and people-pleasing women often struggle with it most, and how striving to meet every need perfectly can actually fuel anxiety and burnout. Through research, clinical insights, and honest personal stories, this episode reframes what healthy parenting truly looks like. Instead of perfection, Dr. Bianca highlights the power of “good enough” parenting, where mistakes, repair, and self-compassion become essential parts of raising resilient and secure children. In this episode, you’ll learn:What the “perfect mother myth” is and why it still shapes modern motherhoodWhy high achievers and “good girl” personalities are especially vulnerable to parenting perfectionismHow cultural expectations, social narratives, and generational beliefs fuel unrealistic standardsWhat research actually says about secure attachment and “good enough” parentingWhy rupture and repair moments are essential for children’s emotional developmentHow perfectionism can quietly steal joy from everyday parenting momentsPractical ways to challenge perfectionist thinking and reconnect with your values as a parentA powerful self-compassion exercise to help you speak to yourself with the same kindness you give 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 105 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

    1 hr
  8. Baby Bitesize | Sleep Habits, Attachment & Letting Go of Control

    MAR 2

    Baby Bitesize | Sleep Habits, Attachment & Letting Go of Control

    In this Baby Bitesize gold nugget episode, we gently unpack one of the biggest sources of anxiety in early parenting: sleep habits and attachment. If you’ve ever worried that feeding to sleep, rocking, co-sleeping, or lying beside your baby is creating bad habits or damaging secure attachment, this conversation is for you. You’ll hear a powerful mindset shift inspired by attachment expert Eli Harwood: secure attachment is not built on where or how your baby sleeps, but on consistent responsiveness, warmth, and emotional availability. This episode invites you to release the pressure to control your child’s sleep and instead focus on what you can control, your responses, your mindset, and the connection you model. Because you are not the pilot of your child’s plane, you are the mechanic helping make it flight worthy. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why sleep associations are neutral, not good or badWhat actually builds secure attachment in early childhoodThe difference between responsiveness and controlA secure attachment mindset shift to reduce sleep anxietyHow to know when a sleep habit is still serving your familyThe three essentials needed to shift sleep patterns in a connected way: knowledge, skill, and desireWhy shame and blame keep you stuck, and what to focus on insteadHow connection and safety create the foundation for healthy sleep 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 104 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

    9 min
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Trailer

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
    112
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jen Cuttriss - Sleep Thrive Grow - Baby & Parent Sleep Coach & Mindset Mentor
  • Show Website
    Thriving Parent-ing