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Guess who's back, back again...today we are lucky enough to chat with the toddler whisperer Mandy from @raisetoddlers again! And boy did we throw some questions at her! We cover so much in today's episode and we know you will get so much out of it so grab a coffee and settle in!

 Episode breakdown:

• Let's discuss some classic toddler behaviours such as hitting (or aggression),  shyness, fussy eating
• Jess' experience with her daughter who struggles with extreme shyness that comes out in the form of aggression. We discuss how as parents we feel a certain pressure to respond a certain way or discipline our children a certain way that perhaps don't normally align with our values.
• Some practical actions we can take as parents in the thick of toddler meltdowns.
• Helping kids explore and learn safely incl pushing boundaries.
• Ways we can help to build confidence in our kids and teaching them boundaries around others expectations (hello grandparents and strangers at the park!)
• Developmental leaps that happen around the 2-2.5 year mark in terms of sleep (or lack ther-of).
•  Toilet learning, when to and when not to. A lot of actionable takeaways and useful tips for this one! 
•  Fussy eaters - something all parents have dealt with! Mandy chats about the tactics she takes in tackling this behaviour 

 Mandy has some amazing services and packages to help you with the toddler years. Get in touch with Mandy here or have a look at her membership options here. 

If you enjoyed this episode we would really appreciate if you could leave us a rating or review, it means so much to us and it really helps us to be seen (and obviously we will love you forever for it!) 

Follow us at @mother_unrefined to find out more! And feel free to have a little stalk sesh... @the__unrefinednutritionist  @j.oc__

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Travelling with a toddler – sharing our experiences of our travels with kids. Plane rides, long car trips, shitty hotel rooms, what to pack and what to expect.

Mother, Unrefined moments – Halloween vomit sesh and smelly shower wee.

 Episode breakdown:

·       Leo’s first flight – Nicola’s anxieties with flying and Leo loved it! 

·       Long haul flights and expectations vs reality 

·       Packing light or overpacking – which one are you? 

·       Packing food for toddlers on flights because they don’t get food 

·       How our toddlers went being away from home. Sleep, packing, behaviour etc

·       Apartment and hotel sizes and set ups- do your research! 

·       Product review Aim’n code: UNREFINED20

ILIA skin tint 

If you enjoyed this episode we would really appreciate if you could leave us a rating or review, it means so much to us and it really helps us to be seen (and obviously we will love you forever for it!) 

Follow us at @mother_unrefined to find out more! And feel free to have a little stalk sesh... @the__unrefinednutritionist  @j.oc__

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Toddler sleep...what has happened to our amazing little sleepers? In episode 24 we chat with Hannah from @thesleepnurse (a registered nurse, sleep consultant and mum of 3) all about the changes that happen with our toddlers and why they suddenly start waking up all throughout the night or eye-wateringly early in the morning. Hannah is amazing and gave us so many good tips to help us navigate this phase. This episode is a MUST LISTEN! 

 Episode breakdown:

·       The changes that happen in a 1-2 year old and their sleep needs

·       How do we know when our kids are ready to drop the last nap?

·       What to do once the nap is gone and adjusting bedtimes

·       Temperature and toddler sleep

·       The main reasons for night wakings

·       Sleep training for toddlers vs newborns

·       Gradual withdrawal and checklists

·       Bringing toddlers into our beds

·       Big kid bed set ups – what to do and when to do it

·       Baby gates – game changers!

·       Nightmares and monsters, understanding it and what to do

·       Introducing newborns into the family and how to adjust for changes in sleep and routines for bigger kids

·       Room sharing 

·       Listener questions – we ask Hannah some of the questions you guys sent in - real life case studies! 

If you want to get in touch with Hannah you can reach her here or via her Instagram @thesleepnurse

If you enjoyed this episode we would really appreciate if you could leave us a rating or review, it means so much to us and it really helps us to be seen (and obviously we will love you forever for it!) 

Follow us at @mother_unrefined to find out more! And feel free to have a little stalk sesh... @the__unrefinednutritionist  @j.oc__

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Welcome to today's special episode of Mother, Unrefined. In today's interview we chat to the inspiring and courageous, Christielee Plumridge. Christielee is a single mum of 4, a suicide loss survivor, writer and story teller and mental health advocate. We are so honoured to be chatting with her and hearing her story and Christielee, we can’t thank you enough for sharing with us. You are a true light! 

Trigger warning

This episode talks about very big issues such as suicide, rape, domestic violence and addiction. If this is triggering for you we ask that you switch off now and listen when you feel ready or just skip it completely and join us in the next episode. 

•   A quick round of this or that 
• A brief outline of her story, Has she found that sharing so openly has helped in your healing journey? 
• Take us through the immediate 48 hours after an event like this, particularly as you had children to care for. What did this look like?
• What are some of the immediate coping mechanisms that worked for you with your best friend but also your ex-partner?
•  What was your last interaction with your ex before he passed away, did you notice any signs that something wasn’t right?
•   What are some of the immediate coping mechanisms that worked for you with your best friend but also your ex-partner
• In those immediate months after experiencing this type of trauma, what are some conversations that you would avoid? Did you welcome questions about it or would have preferred people didn’t discuss it?
• Christielee shares her amazing friendship with her partners ex
• How did you cope with parenting while experiencing such trauma?
• How did you approach the issue with your children? How have they coped? 
• How do you prioritise looking after yourself while looking after 4 children?
• Did you start your blog and the Facebook group to connect with other women - has this been part of your healing journey

If you enjoyed this episode we would really appreciate if you could leave us a rating or review, it means so much to us and it really helps us to be seen (and obviously we will love you forever for it!) 

Follow us at @mother_unrefined to find out more! And feel free to have a little stalk sesh... @the__unrefinednutritionist  @j.oc__

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Welcome to today’s special bonus episode of Mother, Unrefined! Nicola has announced some news…she is 14 weeks pregnant! And we wanted to dedicate a special episode to chatting all about it and discussing the ins and outs, the highs and lows and differences to her pregnancy with Leo.  

 Episode breakdown:

·       Conception, how she found out she was pregnant…and a little confession to Mitch.

·       The hormonal shift Nicola went through when weaning in early pregnancy.

·       The noticeable differences to her first pregnancy

·       What are the main symptoms she has faced?

·       How her appointments have gone. With a special nod to her obstetrician!

·       Pregnancy with a toddler…and a quick off topic on the rough toddler sleep she is currently going through with Leo.

·       How she is feeling about the birth after the complications she face with Leo’s birth and what she is doing to prepare herself. 

If you enjoyed this episode we would really appreciate if you could leave us a rating or review, it means so much to us and it really helps us to be seen (and obviously we will love you forever for it!) 

Follow us at @mother_unrefined to find out more! And feel free to have a little stalk sesh... @the__unrefinednutritionist  @j.oc__

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In todays episode we vent out our toddler exhaustion. Apologies in advance if you’re not ready to hear us rant but it’s been a week and we don’t want to pretend like we have it all together when we are struggling! The terrible two’s are well and truly here for both of us so settle in while we talk through it and solve absolutely nothing! 

Let’s jump into the episode: Mother, Unrefined moments with artistic licence from Matilda and announcements from Leo

 Episode breakdown:

·       Jess in Brisbane this week and we got to parent together

·       Terrible two’s have begun for Nicola!

·       Sleepless nights again – sickness and monsters (thanks YouTube kids)

·       Leo front flipping out of the cot – Nicola is off to buy a toddler bed

·       The week that has been…

·       Everyone is sick again, Matilda is hitting again & Leo only eating toast again

·       Gentle parenting went out the window this week but at least we were together

NEWS THIS WEEK!!

Nics pregnant! Stay tuned for the next bonus episode where we chat all about it!

Jess launched her business @littlefrankstore and we chat about how and why it started as well as the brand ethos and the difficulties and excitements.

Check it out: www.littlefrankstore.com

Use the code motherunrefined for 10% off your order! 

If you enjoyed this episode we would really appreciate if you could leave us a rating or review, it means so much to us and it really helps us to be seen (and obviously we will love you forever for it!) 

Follow us at @mother_unrefined to find out more! And feel free to have a little stalk sesh... @the__unrefinednutritionist  @j.oc__

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In todays episode we chat to the lovely Patti Lupari from @pattionthemoney about a topic that’s usually shied away from – MONEY! Patti is a mindful wealth advocate and her page gives some practical tips and actional takeaways for us to improve our financial literacy. 

Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Let’s jump into the episode: Mother, Unrefined moments that in classic us style centre around bowel movements…sorry! 

 Episode breakdown:

·       Building a relationship with money and why it’s important

·       When and how to discuss finances with your partner

·       What’s fair when it comes to spending and different roles in the household

·       Having separate finances

·       Budget conversations

·       Budget tips

·       Finances in the relationship when one partner has their own business

·       Unhealthy financial relationships

·       Advocating for ourselves

·       Investing for our children and helping to nurture a healthy financial relationship    
         for them 

·       Patti answers some anonymous questions that came through from you!

Some resources we mentioned in this episode

https://www.barefootinvestor.com/

https://sugarmamma.tv/the-1000-project/

If you enjoyed this episode we would really appreciate if you could leave us a rating or review, it means so much to us and it really helps us to be seen (and obviously we will love you forever for it!) 

Follow us at @mother_unrefined to find out more! And feel free to have a little stalk sesh... @the__unrefinednutritionist  @j.oc__

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It's time for Nicola's birth story!  Today Jess interviews Nicola about her pregnancy and the birth of her son. What she expected vs what actually happened and what she would do differently.  

Mother, Unrefined moments first! We also offer a trigger warning for those triggered by themes of conception and birth trauma. 

 Episode breakdown:

·       Pre-conception and telling Nicola's partner she was pregnant

·       Pregnancy, implantation bleeding and perinatal haematoma 

·       Birth plan and hypnobirthing 

·       Stretch and sweeps and inductions

·       Labouring at home to start – KFC two piece labour box 

·       35 hour labour 

·       Induction, infection, haemorrhage, retained placenta x 2 

If you enjoyed this episode we would really appreciate if you could leave us a rating or review, it means so much to us and it really helps us to be seen (and obviously we will love you forever for it!) 

Follow us at @mother_unrefined to find out more! And feel free to have a little stalk sesh... @the__unrefinednutritionist  @j.oc__

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Birth story time - the day Matilda came into the world! Today Nicola interviews Jess about her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter. What she expected vs what actually happened and what she would do differently.  

Mother, Unrefined moments that is basically a collection of messiness, overwhelm, baking and never-ending daycare sickness

 Episode breakdown:

·       Pre-conception and the whacky way Jess found out she was pregnant

·       Pregnancy, spreadsheets, and the steps after finding out she was pregnant

·       Pregnancy during Covid in London

·       Birth plan and hypnobirthing 

·       Stretch and sweeps and inductions

·       Labouring at home to start – Jess couldn’t get into the bath for a long time after labour! Shoutout to the TENs machine

·       Breaking down at the hospital and sneaking Matt into the hospital room

·       Gas and air time and losing the plot

·       Choosing intervention and time to push 

·       Matt eats a burrito and Jess gets the Ventouse 

·       Matilda arrives and Jess didn’t have the immediate connection

·       The big tea and toast let down

·       The recovery 

Nicola’s birth story – up next episode!

If you enjoyed this episode we would really appreciate if you could leave us a rating or review, it means so much to us and it really helps us to be seen (and obviously we will love you forever for it!) 

Follow us at @mother_unrefined to find out more! And feel free to have a little stalk sesh... @the__unrefinednutritionist  @j.oc__

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In today's episode we chat with the lovely Mitch Kriesler - A product coordinator at Planet Ark who is helping to deliver a new product scheme for coffee pods.  We spoke all about the ways that we can change our behaviour and mindset when approaching the topic of our environmental footprints with our kids. He is a wealth of knowledge (as well as an all around great guy!) and we had the best time learning from him and we know you will love this episode too! 

As always we start with our Mother, Unrefined moments that get passive aggressive with Nicola’s partner Mitch and Jess just being a Muppet. 

 Episode breakdown:

·       Learn about the coffee pod scheme here

·       Educating our kids about the environment. Some resources below
         https://www.coolaustralia.org/learning-at-home/
         https://juniorlandcare.org.au/
         https://www.ap4ca.org/localgroups
         https://treeday.planetark.org/

·       Turning eco anxiety into an opportunity to get involved for our kids and taking positive 
        action and connecting to nature with our kids 

·       Connecting with community and tackling major weather crisis

·       Food waste and some food saving hacks! 

·       https://www.vejibag.com/

·       http://seasonalfoodguide.com/

·       Being realistic about re-usable products – here comes that eco anxiety again! Plenty of       
        brands that do reusable nappies so do your own research – we talk about modibodi

·       Clothing waste and the impact on the environment and even our hormones. 

·       Some tips to shop responsibly https://goodonyou.eco/

·       Help to capture your microplastics in the wash https://www.coraball.com/en-au

·       Clean cleaning options 

·       Recycling correctly and teaching our children the importance of this. Some resources
        below
         https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/

·       Compost options and showing the connection of food to our kids. Some resources below
         https://sharewaste.com/share-waste
         https://www.bokashi.com.au/
         https://compostrevolution.com.au/

·       Mitch’s top three changes we can make to improve our environmental impact – Lowering            our meat consumption, using public transport or walking where possible, understanding              recycling. 

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