Welcome to another insightful episode of Thriving Parenting! Today, we’re thrilled to have Dr. Bianca Mastromano, a clinical perinatal psychologist, joining us to talk all things parenting and emotional development. Dr. Bianca, also a mother of two, brings a unique perspective shaped by her extensive experience in clinical and forensic psychology. She shares her journey from studying forensic psychology to her current passion: supporting parents through the early stages of parenthood and helping them nurture their children’s emotional wellbeing.

What Bianca is sharing today is intended to be educational in nature and not to replace individualised assessment or treatment of mental health concerns. Bianca encourages anyone needing individualised support to speak with their GP so that they can access whatever support they may need.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Importance of Emotional Development
• Dr. Bianca explains how children, from babyhood to toddlerhood, undergo key emotional development stages. She highlights the importance of recognising nonverbal cues, like mirroring our child’s emotions, to foster connection and resilience.
• Balancing Boundaries and Emotions
• We dive into the delicate balance of setting boundaries while supporting our child’s emotional expression. Dr. Bianca assures us that children need safe spaces for big feelings and provides insights on holding boundaries without suppressing emotions.
• Managing Societal Pressures
• From societal expectations to social media standards, today’s parents are often bombarded with the notion of raising the “perfect” child. Dr. Bianca shares practical tips on tuning out external pressures and nurturing our parenting intuition.
• Emotion Coaching Explained
• Learn about the concept of emotion coaching—identifying, validating, and connecting with your child’s emotions. Dr. Bianca emphasises that it’s not about getting it perfect every time but about showing up with empathy and understanding.
• Rupture and Repair
• Dr. Bianca reassures us that it’s okay if we don’t always get it right. The idea of “rupture and repair” is key: even if we lose our cool, it’s possible to reconnect and strengthen our relationship with our child through repair.
• Embracing Our Own Parenting Journeys
• Throughout the episode, we discuss the importance of self-compassion in parenting. Dr. Bianca encourages parents to reflect on their own childhood experiences and let go of unhelpful patterns, helping us create a nurturing environment for ourselves and our children.

You can find Dr. Bianca Mastromano on Instagram @drbiancamastromano or on her website at drbiancamastromano.com.au, where she shares valuable resources and insights for parents.

Tune in for this heartfelt episode that encourages us to embrace the beauty of imperfect parenting!

Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 36 Show Notes

And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come and connect with me on Instagram at

Welcome back to Thriving Parenting! In this episode, I dive into a topic close to every parent’s heart – the power of connection. Through a personal journey, I share how embracing small moments of connection shifted my parenting approach and made a tangible difference in my relationship with my children.

1. The Weight of the Invisible Load: Parenting comes with an immense invisible load that can feel overwhelming. As parents, we juggle endless responsibilities, from providing nutritious meals to ensuring developmental milestones are met. I unpack how this invisible “backpack” often distracts us from meaningful connection with our kids.
2. Mini Moments of Connection: Connection doesn’t have to mean hours of focused time. Small pockets of connection – even just 10 minutes – can fill our children’s need for attention and nurture a happier relationship. I discuss how these brief, intentional moments create a sense of security for both parent and child, making day-to-day parenting smoother and less reactive.
3. Fulfilling Our Own Needs: Parenthood isn’t just about being there for our children; it’s about ensuring we, as parents, have our needs met too. I share personal insights on the importance of self-care, whether it’s through movement, a brief moment alone, or setting boundaries that allow us to recharge and show up better for our children.
4. Connection as a Parenting Strategy: So often, we focus on strategies to manage behaviour without addressing the foundational need for connection. In this episode, I explain how building a “connection loop” enables us to hold boundaries with ease and navigate parenting challenges with more empathy and resilience.
5. Bringing Self-Compassion into Parenting: Parenting is tough, especially in today’s world where “the village” is often absent. I encourage listeners to offer themselves the same compassion they show to their children. You are doing a fantastic job, and your child is lucky to have you.

Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 35 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.

Welcome to another episode of Thriving Parenting! Today, we’re diving into something profound yet often overlooked: the will for change. Change is hard, especially in parenting, where our instinct to protect and sacrifice can sometimes overshadow our own needs.

In this episode, I explore why finding the will to change is essential, especially when it comes to sleep and overall well-being. As parents, we’d do anything for our children, even depriving ourselves of sleep and comfort to keep them secure. But that intense protective instinct can sometimes hinder logical thinking, especially in those challenging sleep-deprived moments.

We look at how to manage our protective instincts so that they benefit both us and our kids. By understanding the “will” behind why we need to change, like needing more rest or wanting more energy to enjoy life beyond just parenting, we unlock healthier habits that support our children’s growth—and our own peace of mind.

Throughout this episode, I share personal insights, client stories, and practical motivations for change. We talk about how something as simple as wanting to reconnect with your partner or having energy to pursue personal goals can be a powerful motivator. Change isn’t easy, but finding your will can make it possible.

• Parenting Instinct vs. Logical Thinking: Understanding when instinct can take over and how to bring balance for the well-being of both parent and child.
• Benefits of Change in Sleep Routines: How addressing sleep habits can lead to more personal freedom, connection with partners, and overall family happiness.
• Motivators for Parents: From reclaiming personal time to feeling energized enough to exercise or socialise, discover what might motivate you to embrace change.
• Coping with Sleep Deprivation Positively: Avoiding the trap of letting exhaustion become an identity and finding healthy ways to manage challenges.
• Empowering Yourself for Better Parenting: Realising your own worth, your needs, and how small changes can bring significant rewards for the whole family.

Watch my free empowerment video and in less than 20 mins, gain some healthy Instagram perspective to help you to stay clear and become mindful of the Instagram vortex.

For more information on this topic, head to the show notes: Episode 34 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.