52. Parenting with more Self Compassion, with Dr Jen Ferris

52. Parenting with more Self Compassion, with Dr Jen Ferris

Parenting can feel incredibly heavy sometimes - especially when we’re carrying guilt, self-doubt, and the pressure to “get it right.” In this episode, Nina is joined by Dr. Jen Ferris to talk about what self-compassion really looks like in everyday parenting and why learning to be a little kinder to ourselves can have such a powerful impact on family life. Dr. Jen shares her own parenting experiences, the challenges that led her to explore self-compassion more deeply, and practical ways parents can begin supporting themselves through the hard moments. You’ll Learn * What self-compassion actually means in parenting  * Why so many parents struggle with guilt and self-criticism  * How self-compassion can help reduce reactivity and overwhelm  * Why being kinder to yourself benefits your children too  * Small ways to start practicing self-compassion every day Why This Episode Matters So many parents feel like they should be coping better than they are. This conversation is an important reminder that parenting is hard, that you’re not alone, and that supporting yourself matters too. Self-compassion for parents isn’t about lowering your standards - it’s about creating enough space to keep showing up with care and connection, even on difficult days. Small Shift for Big Impact Jen’s small shift for this week is to practise putting your hand on your heart, taking a couple of deep breaths, and asking yourself, “What do I need right now?” Try it first in a calm moment, when things aren’t stressful. This helps it become more familiar, so it’s easier to access when parenting feels overwhelming. Then, when a hard moment does come, you have a gentle way to reconnect with yourself and respond with a little more care.   Take the Next Step If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to invite you to connect with me over on Instagram or join my mailing list for more mindful parenting support and practical tools.   Links and Resources * Grab Dr. Jen Ferris’ book: Parenting with Self-Compassion [https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/WOdebP]  (please note this is an affiliate link) * Visit Dr Jen’s website [https://www.drjenferris.com/home]  * Check out Dr Jen’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drjenferris/] or Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/drjenferris] Page * Related Podcast Episodes * Episode 19. [https://podcast.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/episode19] Are You Drowning in the Parenting Juggle?  * Episode 20. [https://podcast.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/episode20] What If You Could Let Go of Mum Guilt? with Dr Camille Guillerey  * Episode 23. [https://podcast.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/episode23] What is self compassion, really?  * Episode 27. [https://podcast.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/episode27] Are you feeling the invisible weights of motherhood? Let’s Connect Want more support? Follow Nina on Instagram, or sign up for tips and updates at mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [http://mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/]. Have a question or parenting challenge you'd like addressed on the podcast? Send a DM or an email. * Follow Nina on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mindful_parenting_lifestyle/] * Website: mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [http://mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/] * Email: nina@mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [nina@mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au] About the Hosts Nina is a mindful parenting coach, educator, and mum passionate about helping overwhelmed parents move from reactive parenting to calmer, more connected family relationships. Through practical strategies, mindfulness, and compassionate support, she helps parents break generational patterns and create the kind of home life they truly want for their families. On Your Calm Parenting Path, Nina shares relatable stories, expert conversations, and simple tools that help parents feel more confident and less alone in the everyday challenges of raising children. Her approach is warm, realistic, and grounded in the belief that small shifts can create a big impact.   Dr. Jen Ferris is a writer, former child development professor, and mum of two teenagers. Through her work, she explores the very real pressures parents face and the emotional load that can come with trying to “get parenting right” all the time. After experiencing her own struggles with overwhelm, guilt, and self-doubt in motherhood, Jen became passionate about helping parents approach themselves with more compassion and understanding. Her book, Parenting with Self-Compassion, offers practical, gentle support for parents who want to care for their children without losing themselves in the process.

51. How Worth Shapes the Way We Parent, with Nellie Harden

Why do we react in ways we don’t want to as parents, even when we’re trying so hard to stay calm? In this episode of Your Calm Parenting Path, Nina is joined by writer, speaker and family life advocate Nellie Harden for a thoughtful conversation about parenting stress, emotional regulation, self-worth and the deeper layers underneath parenting reactions. Nellie shares openly about her upbringing, becoming a mother to four daughters, and how parenting became part of her own healing journey. Together, Nina and Nellie explore how stress responses, childhood experiences and a sense of worth can shape the way parents show up within their families. This conversation is honest, compassionate and deeply reassuring for parents who are trying to break old patterns and build calmer, more connected relationships with their children. You’ll Learn * Why parenting and healing often happen side-by-side  * Why self-awareness matters so much in family relationships  * How to take inventory of what you want to bring into your parenting - and what you want to leave behind  * The five components of worth and how they shape family connection and communication  * Ways to build emotional safety and stronger relationships at home  * How understanding worth, identity and belonging can support both parents and children  * Practical ways to respond more thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically Why This Episode Matters Many parents are carrying stress, pressure and old patterns into their parenting without even realising it. This episode offers a compassionate reminder that parenting is deeply human, and that awareness can help create meaningful change over time. Nina and Nellie explore how understanding worth - both in ourselves and our children - can shape calmer, more connected family relationships.   Small Shift for Big Impact Nellie reminds parents that it’s never too late for repair, connection and change within family relationships. She also shares how important the first 18 years are, as this is the greatest window parents have to shape connection, trust and leadership within the home. She encourages parents to intentionally create one-on-one time with each child each week. Even small pockets of focused connection can help children feel seen, valued and secure. She also suggested reflecting on the following questions: * How do I feel seen?  * How do I feel heard?  * When do I feel invisible?  * When do I feel silenced?  * What do I want to leave behind in my parenting?  * What do I want to bring forward into my family relationships?  Nellie also spoke about how past trauma and difficult experiences can continue to sit alongside us throughout life. Rather than pretending they never happened, she shared the importance of acknowledging them, being aware of them, and recognising that they do not have to direct the way we parent or live today. Take the Next Step If this episode resonated with you, Nina’s free guide So You Yelled, Now What? [https://www.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/5-little-secrets-org] is a gentle next step for parents wanting to move through guilt and reconnect after difficult parenting moments. You can also explore one-on-one coaching and mindful parenting support through Mindful Parenting Lifestyle. Links and Resources * Connect with Nellie Harden on her website [https://www.nellieharden.com/].  * Download Nina’s free guide: So You Yelled, Now What? [https://www.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/5-little-secrets-org]  Let’s Connect Want more support? Follow Nina on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mindful_parenting_lifestyle/], or sign up for tips and updates at mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [http://mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/].   Have a question or parenting challenge you'd like addressed on the podcast? Send a DM or an email - nina@mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [nina@mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au]   About the Host/s Nina Visic Nina Visic is a certified Mindful Parenting Coach, Head and Heart Mindfulness Instructor, podcaster and mum to three boys. Through Mindful Parenting Lifestyle, she supports overwhelmed parents to move from reactive and stressed to calm, connected and confident using mindfulness, emotional regulation and practical parenting strategies. Her approach is warm, compassionate and grounded in real family life. Nellie Harden Nellie Harden is a speaker, author and family life and leadership coach who is passionate about helping families build strong foundations of worth, identity and connection. As a mum of four daughters, she brings both personal experience and practical insight to conversations around parenting, emotional wellbeing and family relationships. Her work focuses on empowering families to create healthy, connected homes where both parents and children can thrive.

50. 11 Parenting Lessons From 50 Episodes

Can you believe this is Episode 50 of Your Calm Parenting Path? 🧡 Over the past 50 episodes, this podcast has become a space for honest conversations about the messy, beautiful reality of raising kids while trying to grow alongside them.  In this special milestone episode, Nina reflects on the biggest parenting lessons she’s learned through mindful parenting, coaching, motherhood, and the many conversations shared on the podcast so far. From perfectionism and parenting guilt to repair, self-compassion, and connection, this episode is a gentle reminder that you do not need to parent perfectly to be a deeply good parent. You’ll Learn * Why “good enough” parenting matters more than perfection  * How mindful parenting helps us respond instead of react  * Why repair is more important than never making mistakes  * The small shifts that can create lasting change in family life  * How self-compassion can transform your parenting journey Why This Episode Matters So many parents feel like they’re failing when they lose patience, get overwhelmed, or struggle to stay calm. These parenting lessons offer a more compassionate perspective - one that makes room for growth, humanity, and learning along the way. It’s also a celebration of the incredible community that has grown around Your Calm Parenting Path over these first 50 episodes. Small Shift for Big Impact At the end of this episode, Nina invites you to choose just one of these parenting lessons to focus on this week. Not all 11. Just one small shift that feels supportive, achievable, or particularly relevant for your family right now. Because lasting change in parenting rarely happens all at once. More often, it comes from small moments of awareness, repair, compassion, and connection repeated over time. Take the Next Step At the end of this episode, Nina invites you to choose just one of these parenting lessons to focus on this week. Not all 11. Just one small shift that feels supportive, achievable, or particularly relevant for your family right now. Because lasting change in parenting rarely happens all at once. More often, it comes from small moments of awareness, repair, compassion, and connection repeated over time. Links and Resources * Grab your Free downloadable PDF: 11 Lessons From 50 Episodes [https://nina66316.wixforms.com/f/7459878043754955791] Let’s Connect Want more support? Follow Nina on Instagram, or sign up for tips and updates at mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [http://mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/]. Have a question or parenting challenge you'd like addressed on the podcast? Send a DM or an email. * Follow Nina on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mindful_parenting_lifestyle/] * Website: mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [http://mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/] * Email: nina@mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [nina@mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au] About the Host Nina is a mindful parenting coach, educator, and mum of three who helps overwhelmed parents move from reactive parenting toward calmer, more connected family relationships. Through practical tools, mindfulness, and compassionate support, she helps parents break generational patterns and parent in a way that feels more aligned with the kind of family life they truly want. As the host of Your Calm Parenting Path, Nina shares honest conversations, relatable stories, and evidence-based parenting lessons designed for real life - especially for parents who are exhausted by yelling, guilt, and the pressure to “get it right” all the time. Her approach is warm, grounded, and focused on small shifts that create meaningful long-term chang

49. Why Punishment Backfires in Sibling Conflict

When siblings fight, it’s easy to step in quickly and reach for consequences.  Send them to their room. Take something away. Try to stop it before it escalates. But what if punishment is doing more than just stopping the moment? In this episode, we explore how punishment shapes children’s behaviour, thinking, and relationships - especially with their siblings. This isn’t about getting it “right” or never using consequences again. It’s about understanding what’s happening underneath… so you can start responding in a way that builds the skills your children actually need. You’ll Learn * The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation  * How punishment affects your child’s thinking and behaviour  * Why punishment can shift kids into self-protection instead of connection  * The long-term impact on sibling relationships  * Why stopping behaviour isn’t the same as teaching skills Why This Episode Matters This episode matters because sibling conflict isn’t just about what’s happening in the moment - it’s shaping how children think, feel, and relate to each other over time. By understanding what punishment is teaching underneath the surface, you can start to notice patterns and consider a different way forward. Small Shift for Big Impact This week, focus on noticing - not fixing. When sibling conflict happens, try one of the following: Option 1: If you use punishment, reflect afterwards: * What happened next?  * Did it resolve anything between them?  * How did everyone feel?    Option 2: Try something different: * Pause before giving a consequence  * Allow space before stepping in  * Focus on understanding first  Then reflect: * What felt different?  * What felt challenging?  * Did anything shift? Take the Next Step If this episode resonated with you and you’d like more support, Nina’s Siblings Without Rivalry program offers a step-by-step approach to handling sibling conflict with more calm and confidence. Click here [https://www.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/siblings-without-rivalry] for more information. Links and Resources * Episode 28: How to Stop Being the Referee in Sibling Fights [https://podcast.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/episode28]  * Episode 47: Understanding Sibling Conflict: What’s Happening Underneath [https://podcast.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/episode47] * Find out more about the Siblings Without Rivalry Program [https://www.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/siblings-without-rivalry] Let’s Connect Have a question or parenting challenge you'd like addressed on the podcast? Send a DM or an email. * Follow Nina on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mindful_parenting_lifestyle/] * Website: mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [http://mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/] * Email: nina@mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [nina@mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au]   About the Host Nina is a mindful parenting coach and mum of three boys, so she knows firsthand how quickly sibling conflict can take over a home. She supports parents to move from reactive and overwhelmed to calm, confident, and connected in their parenting, using practical strategies grounded in mindfulness.

48. Reconnecting With Yourself in Busy Seasons of Parenting, with Meg Summers

If you’ve been feeling a little disconnected from yourself lately, this conversation will feel like a gentle exhale. In this episode, Nina sits down with yoga teacher Meg Summers to explore what it really looks like to reconnect with yourself in the middle of busy family life. Together, they reflect on how our needs shift through different seasons of parenting, and how we can begin to come back to ourselves in a way that feels supportive, not like another thing to do. You’ll Learn * Why it’s so common to lose touch with yourself in parenting  * The difference between doing something and feeling nourished by it  * How communication and awareness can support reconnection Why This Episode Matters Reconnecting with yourself isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about noticing what you need, and creating small moments of steadiness that support both you and your family.   Small Shift for Big Impact Bring a little more awareness to your communication today. Notice how you’re speaking to yourself and to your children, and gently shift towards something that feels calmer and more supportive. Take the Next Step Meg’s Reconnect & Begin course starts May 13. Use code RECONNECT for early bird pricing (valid until May 4). Links below. Links and Resources * Reconnect & Begin In-person course: click here [https://app.arketa.co/ipgzhozzccrnomsrmey3nrijnvm2/checkout/n2cM9i1qTmHWHX55hPBH].  * Reconnect & Begin Online option ($99): click here [https://app.arketa.co/iframe/ipgzhozzccrnomsrmey3nrijnvm2/series/b1WLUzJyS9ixOO4jB93f]  * Connect with Meg Summers on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/megaglowyoga/] or Facebook [https://m.facebook.com/megaglowyoga/]  * Visit Megs’ website [https://megaglowyoga.com.au/]  * Send Meg an email: meg@megaglowyoga.com.au [meg@megaglowyoga.com.au] * Listen to Episode 33: What if self-care could actually feel easy? with Melissa Howel [https://podcast.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/episode33] Let’s Connect Want more support? Follow Nina on Instagram, or sign up for tips and updates at mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [http://mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/].   Have a question or parenting challenge you'd like addressed on the podcast? Send a DM or an email.   * Follow Nina on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mindful_parenting_lifestyle/] * Website: mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [http://mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/] * Email: nina@mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au [nina@mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au] About the Hosts Nina Visic is a mindful parenting coach and mum who supports parents to move from feeling reactive and overwhelmed to calm, confident and connected. Through simple, practical tools and a compassionate approach, she helps families create lasting change in their everyday lives.   Meg Summers is a yoga teacher with over 25 years of teaching experience and nearly 30 years of personal practice. Her work is grounded in her own lived experience, using yoga as a way to reconnect, find clarity, and support overall wellbeing. As a parent, Meg understands how easily these practices can slip during busy seasons, and how important it is to gently return to them over time.