The Parenting Couch

Want to create lasting positive habits so that you can live the lifestyle you've always wanted? We sit down with the inspiring Dr. Gina Cleo to understand the power of habits - and how we can use them to propel our lives forward.

Dr. Gina Cleo is a trained dietician, author, speaker and habit researcher. Gina specialises in guiding people to transform their habits, whether it's for their health, technology usage, sleep routines, work and money-related behaviours, or relationship dynamics. She’s incredibly passionate about teaching and empowering people to achieve long-term success through the incredible power of habits.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How we can use the science of habits to improve our lives
• What can we do to make habits stick?
• What’s the difference between people who can keep a habit, and others who can’t
• 21 days to create a habit - is it real?
• How to create habits quicker (so you can reach your goals faster!)
• The power of visualisation to achieve your goals
• Why you need to set up your environment to support your new habit
• How to stop scrolling on your phone before bed

Find out more from Dr Gina Cleo:

Website | Instagram 

Buy 'The Habit Revolution' by Dr Gina Cleo

Free habit training

Habit Tracker Apps

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Are you struggling with getting your baby or toddler to sleep? Or simply want to learn some tips about how to make the process easier? We chat to Baby Sleep Consultant for her expert tips about how to get more sleep for baby... and for YOU! Plus:

• What age should a baby be able to ‘sleep through’ the night?
• Should you use an app to track baby sleep?
• What is a holistic approach to sleep for each individual child?
• At what point should you get professional support if your child isn’t sleeping?
• Importance of rituals to help them sleep
• Dummies. Yes or no?
• Is it ok to feed your baby to sleep?
• What to do if your baby wakes up super early?

About Catherine Thompson

Catherine Thompson from Completely Baby is an experienced Baby Sleep Consultant based on the lower north shore of Sydney, who provides practical sleep support and guidance to families with babies and toddlers from newborn up to 3 years.

She has professionally cared for babies and toddlers for over 20 years as a Children’s Nurse and Early Childhood Educator. As a mother of two girls, she appreciates more than ever the daily challenges you might be facing with your own baby. This can be a stressful and anxious time for you which is why getting the right support and guidance is crucial to give you and your baby the best possible start in this journey together.

When it comes to sleep there is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all approach’! Like adults, all babies have different sleep requirements and can find falling asleep easy or difficult.

Find out more about Catherine Thompson from Completely Baby:

Website | Facebook | Instagram

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Want to learn how to raise your kids without bribes, threats and punishment? Emotional Intelligence Coach Stephanie Pinto, shares how you can replace this style of parenting with something much more respectful, productive and compassionate.

In this episode of the Parenting Couch, you'll learn...

• What is emotional intelligence?
• How to get your kids to brush their teeth… share the ipad… or do their homework… without using bribes or threats.
• How to deal with tantrums in public (and at home!)
• Why ‘time outs’ don’t work, and more effective tools that you can use instead.
• How we can collaborate with our kids to form solutions to problems.
• Why it's important to apologise to your child when you 'mess' up.
• And so much more!

ABOUT STEPHANIE PINTO

Stephanie Pinto is an award-winning Emotional Intelligence coach, best-selling author, and international speaker. She’s also the host of the Emotionally Intelligent Parenting podcast.

Stephanie founded Let's Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids, an online community of over 100,000 parents. Her best-selling book, From Chaos to Connection, was published in February 2023.

Stephanie is the Emotional Intelligence Mentor for Australia’s Nurture Parenting Magazine. She has also been featured in numerous international summits and conferences and in 2023 hosted her own virtual parent conference with 30 speakers from across the globe.

Stephanie has written for numerous publications such as Guide & Grow, Kiddiepedia, and Teachers Matter. In 2023 she received two Health and Wellbeing Business awards by Ausmumpreneur, a prestigious organisation that recognises the best and brightest businesses run by women.

Stephanie is also a paediatric anxiety therapist and former speech pathologist.

She lives in Sydney, Australia with her family.

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Are you feeling a little frazzled after a busy festive season? If 'self-care' has been at the bottom of your 'to do' list recently, it's time to change that. We chat with local spa owner, Jillian Coughlan, to find out some super simple ways that we can incorporate self-care into our daily lives, to improve our health, happiness and overall wellbeing. 

It's the busiest time of year for parents! With end-of-year concerts, presentation days, gift shopping, work deadlines, graduations (the list goes on!), it's no wonder we just want to collapse by the time Christmas Day comes along. With all the extra stress, it can be hard to live in the moment and enjoy the simple pleasures, and it's not unusual to be a little snappier with the ones we love!

It's time to put 'self'-care' back to the top of your daily priorities, and it can be a lot easier than you think. Rachel and Sarah chat to busy mum-of-two and Spa Owner Jillian Coughlan to get some advice about how we can all incorporate self-care into our daily routine to live a calmer, more fulfilling & present life.

Jillian Coughlan

Jill is the Owner of The Spa Rooms, which first opened in Berowra Heights in 2021, and has recently opened a second spa in Hornsby. She's also a mum to two Primary School aged boys.

She comes from the 5-Star Day Spa industry, and has trained teams in some of Australia's top day spas- including the Bailies Lodges, The Darling Spa in Star City Casino, Orpheus on Lord Howe, The Lost World Day Spa in the Gold Coast Hinterland and numerous Hilton, QTand Peppers Spas.

Having worked with an Elder who mentored her into the incredible sacred wisdoms, rituals and earth medicine of her country, she has incorporated many of these elements into the treatments and beautiful products that she offers at The Spa Rooms. The elements of sacred ritual, meditation and healing interwoven through our entire treatment experiences.

The Spa Rooms: Essential Details

• Locations: Berowra Heights: 1/136-138b Berowra Waters Road (enter via Alan Road) | Hornsby: 1/264 Peats Ferry Road
• Phone: (02) 9456 0801
• Email: [email protected]
• Website | Facebook | Instagram

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Is your child starting high school soon? Make the transition from primary to high school a smooth one. This podcast interview with Youth Mindset Coach, Claire Eaton, is packed with invaluable tips for both parents and students to help them get off to the best start!

Starting high school is one of the biggest changes that your child will go through. But it is also a time of huge excitement, maturity, responsibility and an opportunity to make lots of new friends.

In this interview on The Parenting Couch podcast, Claire Eaton shares invaluable tips about starting high school. Be sure to listen to the episode so you can support your tween as they move to the next stage of school! Here are just some of the topics covered:

• The most important thing you need to look for when choosing a high school for your child.
• Why it's okay to move your child to another school if it isn't working out.
• What can parents in Year 6 do to help their child get ready for high school.
• Top tips for students starting high school.
• How to help kids find their tribe at high school... and the importance of being themselves in those first few weeks.
• How to support a shy or anxious child.
• What are kids most scared about, and how can we help them overcome it?
• Why it's so important for teenagers to be organised... and yes, they can be taught to be organised!

About Claire Eaton

Claire Eaton is a national speaker, youth coach and author of 5 books for teens, Hello High School + Planner, ROC and Rise, You are Awesome and her newest book, The Organised Teenager. View the books. https://www.claireeaton.com.au/teen-books/

Beginning her career as a teacher, deputy principal and tutor at Edith Cowan University, it is where her deep interest in prevention-focused social, mental, and emotional health for young people, parents and families evolved.

In 2007 Claire left education to share her messages as speaker and begin her own youth coaching practice in Perth, which is still successfully supporting teenagers and families today.

Since 2007 Claire has been privileged to work with people of all ages and present her wellbeing ethos throughout Australia and she is well known for her practical and prevention focused approach and is sought after for the real and heartfelt way she connects with people she meets.

Follow Claire on Facebook and Instagram.

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Do you know what to say when your child asks you how babies are made? From what age should you talk to kids about sex? How do you teach children about consent? These are just some of the many issues that are covered in this latest podcast episode with Vanessa Hamilton, Author of 'Talking Sex".

Whether you're a parent, carer, health professional or a teacher, talking about sex doesn't have to be awkward.

In this interview on The Parenting Couch podcast, Vanessa Hamilton shares many simple tips and strategies to help you have these essential conversations with your kids. Whether you've got a toddler or a teenager, it's important to have age-appropriate conversations that support children as they grow up. Vanessa's goal is to empower the current generation of children with essential information to ensure they have safe and positive relationships during their lifetime.

• When should we start talking to our kids about sex?
• What to say if your child asks a question that you don't know how to answer
• Why parents should be the first place that kids hear about sex
• Is it okay to give nicknames to body parts?
• What to do if you find out your child has sent a nude picture
• How do you answer when children ask very personal questions about your own sex life
• When your child gets a boyfriend or girlfriend, should you allow them to spend time alone in their bedroom?
• How to talk to your kids about consent, from an early age
• And much more!

About Vanessa Hamilton

Vanessa Hamilton is a Sexuality Educator, Speaker, Co-Author of consent resource Kit and Arlo Find a Way, Founder of Talking The Talk Healthy Sexuality Education. In her 25 years as a sexual health nurse and educator, she has been privileged to hear, support, and contribute to the intensely personal stories of thousands of people about their journeys and experiences ‘as a sexual being’.

Vanessa wants parents talking to their children about sexuality, safety, reproduction, their bodies, diversity, pleasure, relationships, positivity, health, consent and more! The more people talk, learn, educate, and share accurate, comprehensive, diverse information about sex and sexuality, the better the outcome for everyone.

In her latest book Talking Sex, Vanessa Hamilton discusses how human sexuality is complex, interesting, and constantly changing in our society. It's hard for adults to talk about it with children. This difficulty can be overcome with some very simple strategies and key educational points.

As a nurse and educator, Vanessa has had the privilege of hearing from thousands of people about their sexual experiences throughout their lives. Her goal is to share experiences, stories and insights that enable parents to have an open, honest, and necessary conversation about human sexuality, respectful relationships and consent with your children or children you care for.


Online Resources

• Talking The Talk: Sex Education
• E-Safety
• Kids Helpline
• Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation
• Take It Down

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Are you in an unhappy or unhealthy marriage, and have been thinking about separation? If you're unsure of the first steps to take, or what might be ahead of you, be sure to listen to this enlightening interview with Family Lawyer, Anna Roberts from Delaney Roberts Specialist Family Lawyers.

One of the 'most asked' Anonymous questions in the North Shore Mums Facebook group are around relationship and marriage issues. These can vary from women who want to leave a loveless marriage, right through to women who feel trapped in a toxic marriage that they feel they cannot escape.

To help our members get the correct advice they need in the early stages, Rachel and Sarah spoke to Anna Roberts, from Delaney Roberts Family Lawyers, to ask all those common questions. After years of working with people experiencing separation, Anna knows how important it is to start the separation process in a strong, informed and clear-minded place.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• Should you always appoint a family lawyer?
• Do all cases need to go to court, or are they resolved beforehand?
• How much would you expect to pay to see a family lawyer?
• What if you can’t afford a lawyer? Are there any free services for people who are financially struggling?
• How can you leave a narcissistic partner?
• Some couples decide to separate but stay living under the one roof. Does 'nesting' work?
• How you can get early funds from the property pool if you don't have an income.
• Should you stay in the family home or move out?
• How to get an AVO

About Anna Roberts

Anna is the Principal Solicitor and Director of Delaney Roberts Family Lawyers. She is also an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. Anna has over 15 years’ experience in the area of Family Law including Divorce and Separation, Family Estate Planning and Contested Wills Claims.

Anna has a niche practice representing the spouses of high-income professionals and executives in relation to the division of complex property and investment holdings including business structures, as well as parenting arrangements and spousal maintenance.

Her empathetic nature, commercial acumen and strategic approach assist her clients to progress throughout their dispute with dignity, confidence and success.

Essential Details: Delaney Roberts Family Lawyers

Delaney Roberts Specialist Family Lawyers are a leading Australian specialist Family Law Firm with offices in Sydney and Newcastle. They deliver expert legal assistance in the framework of a specialised service delivery model, tailored to assist you to achieve an outcome and move on with dignity, certainty and security.

To make a Smart Start, book a Smart Start Appointment for $350.

• Address: Suite 1506, Level 15, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 1300 760 773
• Website | Facebook

Domestic Violence Support Services

If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

• Services for women escaping DV.
• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
• NSW DV Line: 1800 656 463
• NSW Sexual Violence Helpline: 1800 424 017

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A happy life starts with a happy home... and Feng Shui is a four-thousand-year-old practice that can be used to supercharge your home to create a balanced and harmonious space. Feng Shui Expert Patrica Lohan shared her top tips for updating your home to balance your house's energy, find greater flow and design a living space that can help you realise your dreams.

Rachel and Sarah are joined by Patricia Lohan on The Parenting Couch, to learn how Feng Shui can enhance the harmony and well-being of your family's living space. In this interview you'll learn:

• The importance of noticing how your home makes you feel when you arrive home
• Why your bedroom should be a sanctuary, and not a place for laptops, mobile phones or photos of your kids!
• Why toys belong in the playroom (and not your child's bedroom)
• How to choose what toys to declutter, and what can happily stay
• Ways to 'switch off' from work when your desk is in the middle of the house or on your kitchen table

About Patricia Lohan

Patricia Lohan is a Feng Shui expert, manifesting magnet, alchemist, healer and real-life Irish Celtic Shaman. Some people call her the “Mary Poppins of Prosperity".

Patricia is the creator of PowerHouse Feng Shui and Author of The Happy Home: A Guide To Creating A Happy, Healthy, Wealthy Life. She has helped thousands of people across the globe embrace Feng Shui and creates lasting changes in their businesses, homes and lives. Patricia has seen first hand the power of the mind, surroundings and inner healing, clearing and aligning everything so it works holistically.

Patricia has been featured in media around the world including The New York Time, CNN, Fox, Forbes, The New York Post, She Knows, Essence, Mind Body Green, USA Today and Elephant Journal.

• Want to know more about Feng Shui? Join Patricia's Feng Shui Mini Course for $9!
• Follow on Instagram
• Join the Powerhouse Feng Shui Facebook group

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Is your child plagued by negative self-talk? Do they have low self-esteem? In this empowering episode of The Parenting Couch podcast, Rachel and Sarah talk to Lauren Thompson, Author of 'There's a Bully in my Brain' who shares her tips about how kids can develop a more positive self-talk and healthy self-esteem.

One of the most significant mental well-being issues facing Australian children is declining self-esteem.With one in 5 students saying they already feel negative about their self-esteem as they enter high school, children need help in developing positive self-talk from a young age.

Working as a support teacher (and a mum of three herself), Lauren Thompson saw the impact that negative self-talk has on children firsthand. Lauren began challenging these thoughts with her primary school students, helping them to develop a more positive mind set and healthy self-esteem. In teaching them to stand up to the bullies in their brain, Lauren watched as the children around her began to change into happier, healthier versions of themselves.

In this episode, Lauren shares:

• The power of positive affirmations - and her top 3 affirmations for kids
• Why it’s more important to praise your child’s effort, not just their successes
• The 'GGG' dinner ritual that you can do every night at the table
• How kids have the power to change their negative self-talk
• How to help your child take risks, without saying ‘be careful’
• Why it's okay to use the 'Parent Pause'

There's a Bully in My Brain, by Lauren Thompson

After seeing the positive impact her work was having and recognising that her own struggle with negative self-talk first came at a young age, Lauren decided to write a picture book to help turn one’s inner-dialogue from a bully into a friend, offering practical strategies to counteract negative thoughts.

There’s a Bully in My Brain takes readers inside the mind of one young girl, struggling with negative self-talk, who begins to stand up against the bully in her brain, fighting away the pessimistic thoughts with uplifting and inspiring words of kindness.

There’s a Bully in My Brain is for every child that has told themselves they aren’t good enough and every adult who wants in inspire their children’s ability to fight the voices in their head.


About Lauren Thompson

Lauren Thompson has a passion for helping children and currently works in primary schools as a support teacher, working with children with additional needs. She has always loved helping children feel their best and spent many years teaching yoga and meditation where she specialised in children’s classes.

Lauren lives on the South Coast of NSW and is a loving mother of three children. Working with kids as well as having her own has given Lauren deep insight into what challenges children are struggling with the most today. She hopes that her books will be able to reach a wider span of young people to help them overcome any difficulties they might be experiencing.

Buy a copy of There's A Bully in my Brain.

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Got a spring in your step? Keen to tackle the cutlery drawer, linen cupboard or wardrobe? The Decluttering Diva joins Rachel & Sarah on The Parenting Couch to share her top tips for Spring Cleaning. This interview will give you the motivation you need to get started... and once you've sorted one area of your life, you'll be keen to move onto the next!

In the latest episode of The Parenting Couch podcast, Rachel and Sarah sit down with Kristina Duke, Decluttering Diva, to get her top tips for Spring Cleaning! In the episode, you'll learn...

• What's the best way to approach Spring Cleaning?
• The clever tactic to ensure you smash all your spring cleaning goals
• How to tackle spring cleaning the wardrobe... kitchen... and linen cupboard
• To sell, donate or recycle... how to choose and how to action
• Why a tidy cupboard reduces the mental load and helps your mental health

Kristina Duke

Kristina Duke is a North Shore Mums of three kids, and is the lead of organiser and founder of Decluttering Diva since 2013.

Since its inception Decluttering Diva has grown to a team of 6 professional organisers servicing clients with chronic disorganisation, hoarding disorder and/or ADHD issues across Sydney.

Kristina takes clutter seriously and has recently been accredited as NSW’s 1st Certified Professional Organiser in Chronic Disorganisation through ICD – a not for profit organisation that provides education and training to professional organisers and related professionals who specialise in working with the population affected by chronic disorganisation.

When she isn’t organising Kristina loves DIY projects in her home, op-shopping, and singing – hence the Diva name.

• Mobile: 0402 021 995
• Website | Facebook | Instagram

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