In today’s episode, Nina is joined by Nicola McAlister - child development consultant, trainer, and founder of The Regulated Child UK. With over 30 years' experience in education and foster care, Nicola shares how to move from reactive parenting to responsive, attuned support using her simple 5-step self-regulation model.

They dive into practical ways to reframe 'bad behaviour', reduce stress for both you and your child, and co-regulate through everyday routines like getting dressed, managing transitions, or even surviving the school run!

You’ll Learn:

• Why traditional “rewards and consequences” systems often don’t work
• The power of seeing behaviour as a signal, not a problem
• A 5-step framework to support your child’s self-regulation
• Scripts and language you can start using straight away
• How to shift from firefighting behaviour to preventing it
• Why your regulation matters most when things feel hard

Nicola's 5-Step Self-Regulation Framework: 

1. Goal - Get specific about what your child needs to do. Break down big routines (like bedtime) into smaller, manageable tasks.
2. Predict - Talk about what might be tricky or stressful before it happens. Help your child anticipate and name challenges.
3. Plan - Collaborate on a plan together. Ask open questions like “What might help?” so your child feels invested and supported.
4. Do - Support your child in the moment with co-regulation. Stay nearby, offer reminders, or use visuals if needed.
5. Review -Afterward, reflect together (without shame). Celebrate what worked or adjust the plan with curiosity and care.

Why This Episode Matters

So often, we react to behaviour without understanding the need underneath. This conversation offers a gentler, more effective approach - one that’s rooted in connection, development, and real-world parenting. If you’ve ever wondered why your child is acting out - or how to support them differently - this episode is a must-listen.

Take Home Action

Pause before reacting. Ask yourself, “How regulated am I right now?”

Your child can only borrow your calm if you’ve got some to give. Start there.

Take the Next Step

To learn more about Nicola’s work or explore her coaching and training programs, visit her website.

Looking for more support on your own mindful parenting journey? Nina offers 1:1 coaching, digital resources, and group programs to help you respond (not react), create calmer routines, and feel more confident in your parenting even on the tough days. Find out more here.

Links and Resources 

• Free download: The Regulated Child Self-Regulation Scripts
• Follow Nicola on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn
• Episode Referenced
  • Episode 11. Tired of Doing It All? What Needs to Change? With Eva Rado

Let’s Connect

• Follow Nina on Instagram
• Website: mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au
• Email: [email protected]

In this honest and supportive episode, Nina explores what it means to experience big, difficult emotions as a parent - and how to respond to them in ways that are kind, mindful, and empowering.

Rather than pushing feelings down or getting overwhelmed by them, you’ll learn how to move through them using body-based and compassion-led tools like TIPI and RAIN.

Because feeling frustrated or resentful doesn’t make you a bad parent - it just makes you human. And with the right tools, those big emotions can become opportunities for healing, awareness and growth.

You'll Learn

• Why it’s okay (and even important) to feel anger, frustration, and resentment as a parent
• The difference between blocking emotions and drowning in them
• How to use the TIPI technique in real time to process intense feelings
• How the RAIN method can help you meet hard emotions with compassion
• Simple, in-the-moment strategies for shifting your emotional state

Why This Episode Matters

So often, mindful parenting advice focuses on what to do when your kids lose it. But what about when you do?

This episode focuses on the inner experience of parenting - those hidden emotional build-ups that lead to snapping, shutting down, or self-blame. 

It’s not about being a perfect parent. It’s about understanding yourself more deeply so you can respond, not react. If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck in your own big feelings, this one’s for you.

Take Home Action - When You're Stuck in Big Feelings

This week, when a difficult emotion shows up, try one of the five strategies from today’s episode:

 TIPI (Technique for Processing Emotions Through the Body)

1. Pause and close your eyes
2. Notice the physical sensations in your body
3. Stay with the sensation without analysing or judging
4. Let it shift naturally (30–90 seconds is often enough)

RAIN (A Compassion-Based Mindfulness Tool)

1. Recognise the emotion
2. Allow it to be there
3. Investigate with curiosity (What does it feel like? What does it need?)
4. Nurture yourself with kindness

Repeat a Grounding Mantra

Try: “This is hard, not bad.” or “I can feel this and still choose kindness.”

Move Your Body

Shake, stretch, stomp, or dance - movement helps shift emotion quickly.

Name It + Breathe

Say aloud: “I’m feeling really frustrated right now,” and take a deep breath. This activates your thinking brain and creates space to respond more gently.

🧡 Pick just one of these this week and try it once. Then reflect:

• Did it shift the feeling?
• Did it help you stay present?
• Did it change how you responded?

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to bring these tools into your real-life parenting moments, I’d love to support you. Book a free 30-minute Parenting Support Session where we’ll talk through one challenge you’re facing - and explore gentle, doable ways to move forward.

Head to https://www.mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au/service-page/free-30-minute to book your free call.

Links and Resources

• Book your Free 30-minute Parenting Support Session
• Learn more about TIPI 
• Learn more about RAIN meditation 
• Free Mindful Parenting tools and support here
• Related Podcast Episodes
  • Episode 52 - Parenting with More Self-Compassion with Dr Jen Ferris
  • Episode 23 - What Is Self-Compassion in Parenting, Really?
• Related Blog Posts
  • How to Handle Big Emotions as a Parent (Without Getting Stuck or Overwhelmed)
  • Staying Calm in the Midst of a Tantrum
  • How to Stay Calm as a Parent When You Feel Overwhelmed

Let’s Connect

Want more support? Follow Nina on Instagram, or sign up for tips and updates at 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
• Website: mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au
• Email: [email protected]

About the Host

Nina Visic is a mindful parenting coach, podcast host, speaker, and mother of three boys. She’s the founder of Mindful Parenting Lifestyle and is deeply passionate about helping overwhelmed parents reconnect with themselves so they can raise their kids with more calm, confidence, and compassion.

As a trained Mindful Parenting Coach and Parent Effectiveness Training instructor, Nina draws on evidence-based strategies, lived experience, and a whole lot of heart. Her work gently empowers parents to let go of perfection, stay regulated in the chaos, and build strong relationships with their children - one small shift at a time.

In this episode, Nina opens up about the realities of parental emotion - the guilt, the shame, the “why am I like this?” moments - and how simple tools like TIPI, RAIN, and grounding mantras can create powerful change. Her message is one of self-kindness, emotional awareness, and real-life support for parents who want to do better without being perfect.

Packing a zero waste lunchbox can feel overwhelming - but it doesn’t have to be. In this inspiring conversation, Nina chats with Julia Clifton, owner of 4MyEarth, about practical ways to simplify family routines, cut down on plastic, and create healthier, more sustainable lunchboxes without the stress.

You’ll Learn:

• The biggest challenges parents face with zero waste lunchboxes
• Simple swaps that reduce single-use plastic and save money
• Why planning ahead makes mornings smoother and more sustainable
• Practical tips for lunches kids will actually enjoy
• How small, consistent shifts can create a big impact for your family and the planet

Why This Episode Matters

Lunchboxes are part of everyday family life, yet they’re often a source of stress - and a surprising contributor to household waste. This episode shows you how reducing waste doesn’t mean adding pressure. Instead, by adopting easy swaps and using tools like Julia's Sustainable Kitchen Planner, you can lighten the load, save money, and raise children who value sustainability.

Take Home Action

Choose just one swap to try this week - whether it’s using a reusable food cover, freezing sandwiches ahead of time, or decanting snacks into reusable bags. Notice how this small change makes your mornings calmer and your lunchbox a little more eco-friendly. 

Take the Next Step

Ready to make your family routines feel lighter and more sustainable? Explore mindful parenting coaching with Nina to learn how small shifts can transform daily stress points into opportunities for connection. Book your free 20-minute Clarity Chat here.

Links and Resources 

• Visit the 4MyEarth website - use code MINDFUL for 15% off full-priced items
• Grab your 4MyEarth Sustainable Kitchen Planner
• Follow Julia and 4MyEarth on Instagram
• Related podcast episodes:
  • Episode 6. Parenting Path in Action: Six Steps for a Happier Morning Routine

Let’s Connect

• Follow Nina on Instagram
• Website: mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au
• Email: [email protected]

About the Hosts

Nina Visic is a mindful parenting coach, mindfulness coach, and mum to three energetic boys. Through her business Mindful Parenting Lifestyle and her podcast Your Calm Parenting Path, Nina helps parents shift from overwhelm and reactivity to confidence and connection. She believes that small, mindful changes - whether in parenting routines, emotional regulation, or even creating a zero waste lunchbox - can have a big impact on family life and wellbeing.

Julia Clifton is the owner of 4MyEarth, a family-run Australian business making practical reusables to replace single-use plastic. A mum to two almost-adult boys, Julia has built her business around family life with the aim of making sustainable living simple, affordable, and stress-free. Her products, from food covers to reusable snack bags and kitchen planners, are designed to make zero waste lunchboxes an achievable reality for busy families.

Self-compassion is often misunderstood - but in parenting, it’s one of the most powerful tools you can build. In this episode, we’ll explore what self-compassion really means, how it helps you shift from shame to growth, and why it’s not about letting yourself off the hook.

Through honest reflections and real-life examples, you’ll learn how to bring mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness into your day-to-day life as a parent.

Whether you’ve had a tough week, yelled more than you wanted to, or just need a reset - this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and show up for yourself with more care.

You’ll Learn

• What self-compassion in parenting is - and what it’s not
• The difference between guilt and shame, and why that distinction matters
• How self-compassion can help parents stop “shooting the second arrow”
• Kristin Neff’s three principles of self-compassion and how they apply to real-life parenting
• Journal prompts and examples for daily reflection and emotional growth

Why This Episode Matters

It’s easy to be hard on yourself as a parent. But when your inner voice is full of shame and blame, change becomes even harder. 

Self-compassion gives you another way forward - it allows you to parent yourself with the same kindness you want to give your kids.

This episode will help you replace that inner critic with a more caring voice - and show you how to turn everyday parenting moments into chances for growth and healing.

Take Home Action

This week, try a simple self-compassion check-in using pen and paper. Do it either first thing in the morning or just before bed - whenever you can carve out five quiet minutes.

• Be Mindful – What am I feeling right now? 

Be honest. There’s no right or wrong. 

You might write:

“I feel exhausted and a little short-tempered.”
“I’m still holding onto guilt from yelling this afternoon.”

• Remember Common Humanity – I’m not alone in this. 

Remind yourself that other parents feel this too. 

You could write:

“Lots of parents lose their cool. It doesn’t mean I’m a bad mum—it means I’m human.” “Everyone finds the dinner-bath-bed stretch overwhelming sometimes.”

• Offer Kindness – What do I need to hear right now? 

Speak gently to yourself.

For example:

“I’m doing my best. Tomorrow is a new day.” 

“I showed up, even though it was hard. That matters.”

You don’t need to write a full page - just a few lines are enough. What matters is taking that moment to be with yourself in truth, care, and understanding.

And if you’d like a little accountability, feel free to share a photo of your notebook or a line from your check-in with me on Instagram (link below). I’d love to hear how it’s going.

Take the Next Step

If this episode brought something up for you - or if you're navigating a parenting moment that feels heavy - book a 30 minute free Parenting Support Session with Nina. 

You’ll talk through what’s going on, get clear on what’s really beneath the surface, and walk away with one or two mindful strategies to try right away.

Links and Resources

• Book your free Parenting Support Session
• Check out Dr. Kristin Neff’s website
• Learn more with Dr Kristin Neff's books (affiliate links):
  • Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself 
  • Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive
• Related Podcast Episodes
  • Episode 52 - Parenting with More Self-Compassion with Dr Jen Ferris
  • Episode 27 - Are You Feeling the Invisible Weights of Motherhood? with Michelle Marks
  • Episode 53 - The Way You Talk to Yourself After a Hard Parenting Moment
  • Episode 20 - What If You Could Finally Let Go of Mum Guilt? with Dr Camille Guillerey
• Related Blog Posts
  • Overcoming Parent Guilt
  • How to Handle Big Emotions as a Parent (Without Getting Stuck or Overwhelmed)
  • Feeling Triggered by Your Kids? Try This Mindful Parenting Shift
  • Holiday Parenting Stress Is Real — Here's How I'm Handling It

Let’s Connect

Want more support? Follow Nina on Instagram, or sign up for tips and updates at 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
• Website: mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au
• Email: [email protected]

About the Host

Nina Visic is a mindful parenting coach and founder of Mindful Parenting Lifestyle. She helps parents like you move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm, confident, and connected using simple, powerful mindfulness-based tools.

After years of struggling with yelling, guilt, and that never-good-enough feeling, Nina discovered that true change began when she started talking to herself with the same compassion she wanted to give her kids. Now she shares those same practices with you - so you can parent from a place of calm, clarity, and courage.

Through her coaching, workshops, and podcast, Nina shows that you don’t have to be perfect to be present. You just have to start - with one kind breath, one pause, one new thought at a time.

Parenting can feel overwhelming, messy, and at times isolating - but it doesn’t have to be. 

In this episode of Your Calm Parenting Path, host Nina Visic, mindful parenting coach and founder of Mindful Parenting Lifestyle, is joined by fellow coach Natalie Ventura, founder of See Me Circle.

Nina and Natalie first connected through Hunter Clarke-Fields’ Mindful Parenting Teacher Training, where they both trained to support parents with mindfulness and compassion. Together, they explore the importance of building a parenting village, the power of community, and how small moments of self-compassion can transform family life.

This conversation is for parents who want to feel calmer, more connected, and supported on their parenting journey - and who are ready to discover the strength that comes from not parenting alone.

For full show notes, resources, and links, head to the show notes page.

This episode offers a compassionate look at what’s really going on behind the scenes for busy mums. 

Drawing on real-life stories and powerful quotes from other mothers, Nina breaks down the emotional weight of the parenting juggle and explores what truly helps when you’re overwhelmed. 

If you’ve been feeling like it’s all too much - you’re not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong.

You’ll Learn

• The four biggest reasons modern motherhood feels so hard
• Why knowing what to do often isn’t enough - and what to focus on instead
• Practical ways to slow your internal pace and create breathing room (see below)
• Gentle communication shifts that invite cooperation instead of conflict
• A simple mindfulness practice you can use today.

Ways to slow down without adding more:

• Pause for three deep breaths once the kids are in the car.
• Let the shower be a sensory reset—notice the warmth, the scent of your conditioner.
• Rub in hand cream slowly, focusing on the feeling and scent.
• Rest while the kettle boils—just sit and breathe.
• Watch your kids play silently, being fully present.
• Try a grounding moment: hand on heart, noticing three things around you, or standing outside barefoot.
• Choose to rest instead of tidying. Let the mess wait.

These micro-moments reduce your baseline stress and create a little more capacity for calm.

Why This Episode Matters

We hear a lot about how to parent better, but not enough about why it’s so hard in the first place.

This episode speaks directly to that truth. If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I just get it together?” - this conversation will help you understand that you’re not the problem.

The parenting juggle is real, and you deserve support, not self-blame.

Take Home Action

Before you rush to the next task, pause. Place your hand on your heart and ask:

• How am I really feeling?
• What do I need right now?
• What can I let go of?

Let that moment of mindfulness be enough.

Take the Next Step

As a listener of this episode, you're invited to book a free Parenting Support Session with Nina. 

These sessions aren't publicly listed - they're Nina's way of offering something a little more personal to the people she's already in conversation with. 

In 30 minutes, you'll work through whatever's feeling hardest right now and find a practical next step together.

Book your free session here. 🧡

Links and Resources

• Book your free 30-minute Parenting Support Session
• Related episodes:
  • Episode 29 - What If You're Just Too Tired to Be Mindful?
  • Episode 27 - Are You Feeling the Invisible Weights of Motherhood? with Michelle Marks
  • Episode 9 - Can Mindful Parenting Really Make a Difference??
  • Episode 5 - Can Connection Really Help Your Kids Listen Better?
• Related blog posts
  • How to Stay Calm as a Parent When You Feel Overwhelmed. Read here.
  • Easy Mindfulness for Mums Who Don't Have Time to Meditate. Read here.

Let’s Connect

I love hearing from you! Send me a DM on Instagram or shoot me an email! Let me know how this episode resonated or what challenge you’re working through right now.

• Follow Nina on Instagram
• Website: mindfulparentinglifestyle.com.au
• Email: [email protected]

About the Host

Nina Visic is a mindful parenting coach, speaker, and mum to three boys. She helps overwhelmed parents move from chaos and yelling to calm, connected communication that actually works in real life. Drawing from her training in Parent Effectiveness Training and her lived experience as a working mum, Nina offers a grounded and honest approach to modern parenting.

Her work is rooted in the belief that parenting isn’t about perfection - it’s about presence. And in episodes like this one, she opens the door for parents to feel deeply seen and supported. Nina knows firsthand how exhausting the parenting juggle can be, and she’s passionate about helping mums build small, sustainable shifts that lower their stress and increase their sense of calm.

Through Your Calm Parenting Path, Nina creates a space where real-life parenting struggles are met with real-life strategies - and where you’ll always be reminded that you’re not alone, and you’re doing better than you think.

What if you could finally let go of mum guilt? 

In this episode of Your Calm Parenting Path, Nina speaks with Dr Camille Guillerey, wellness and mindset coach for working mums, about the role of self-talk and how it shapes your experience of motherhood. 

Together, they explore why guilt shows up, how it can spiral into shame, and the simple language shifts that can bring more kindness into your everyday parenting.
 
 

Tune in and discover practical ways to move past mum guilt and step into calmer, more joyful days with your kids.
 
 

Find all the show notes here.

In this deeply honest episode of Your Calm Parenting Path, we unpack the four challenges so many mums are silently struggling with: the invisible mental load, the constant pressure to regulate yourself, the unrealistic expectations to do it all, and the reality of still being the default parent - even when you have support.

You’re not failing. You’re just carrying too much. And you deserve space to breathe, reflect, and feel seen.

Want to feel less overwhelmed and more supported? Start here.

 Show notes here.

When your child has learning differences, it can be hard to know how to help without making learning feel like more pressure. 

In this episode of Your Calm Parenting Path, I’m joined by educator and mum Emily Fogg, founder of Wise Owl Tuition, to explore the best ways to support children who learn differently - including those with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, autism, and other unique learning profiles.

We talk about evidence-based strategies grounded in the Science of Reading, practical ideas for weaving learning into everyday life, and how to build your child’s confidence so they feel capable and supported - both in and out of the classroom.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help your child thrive in learning without turning home life into another “classroom,” you’ll find plenty of encouragement and practical tips here.

For all the resources and links from this episode, head to the full show notes here.

If you’re tired of asking your kids to clean their room - only to end up in a power struggle, or worse, doing it yourself - this episode is for you. 

I’ll walk you through how to figure out what you’re actually asking for (and why), a simple three-step mindful approach that works for all ages, and fun ways to make tidy-up time easier, especially for little ones. 

We’ll also talk about how simplifying your child’s space can lower stress and make keeping things tidy much more manageable.

It’s not just about the mess - it’s about building skills, confidence, and connection that last a lifetime.
 
 

Listen now and find the calm way forward: Find the show notes here.