Are you tired of saying “no” all day—and still dealing with tantrums and power struggles?

In this episode of Thriving Mummas, I’m joined by Montessori educators Bec Bridge and Carolyn Saunders to explore what freedom and limits really mean in Montessori—and how respectful boundaries can help your child feel safe, regulated, and independent.

We talk about what true freedom looks like at different ages, how to set loving limits without constant conflict, and what it means to be the prepared adult in your home environment.

✨ What you’ll learn:
✔️ How to set age-appropriate boundaries that calm chaos
✔️ What Montessori means by “freedom within limits”
✔️ Real-life examples for toddlers and preschoolers
✔️ How to handle meltdowns, resistance, and boundary-testing
✔️ Why you are the most important part of your child’s environment

🎧 Whether you’re Montessori-curious or just craving more calm at home, this one’s for you.

💬 If this episode resonated, share it with a fellow mum and tap “Follow” so you don’t miss future conversations. If you loved what you heard, please leave a 5-star rating or a quick review to help more mummas discover the show!

Keywords:
Montessori freedom and limits, Montessori parenting at home, how to set boundaries with toddlers, conscious parenting strategies, toddler meltdowns in public, gentle discipline that works, respectful parenting techniques, Montessori toddler independence, emotional regulation for parents, what is freedom within limits Montessori, Montessori and discipline, setting limits without yelling, how to stay calm as a parent, prepared environment Montessori, raising emotionally intelligent children

Don't be a stranger! Follow or DM Ivy @thrivingmummas on Instagram.

Episode 007: Postpartum Support in Australia: Why Postnatal Care Matters with Anna Harreveld

Are mums in Australia getting the postpartum support they actually need? Or are they being left to navigate early motherhood alone?

In this episode of Thriving Mummas, the podcast for conscious mums who want to raise their kids without losing themselves, I’m joined by Anna Harreveld, founder of Queensland Cradle Care, to unpack what real postnatal care in Australia can look like.

We explore:

• Why so many new mums feel unseen and unsupported after birth
• How professional postpartum support eases the mental load and prevents burnout
• The difference between help that helps… and help that adds to your stress
• What new mums really need in the fourth trimester (even on a tight budget)
• Why caring for mothers is just as important as caring for babies

Whether you’re preparing for birth, recovering from it, or supporting someone else, you’ll walk away with real insight into how to lighten the load.

Because sometimes, the best gift for a new mum isn’t another onesie. It’s support she doesn’t have to ask for.

💡 Keywords: postpartum support Australia, postnatal care, fourth trimester help, newborn care services, Queensland Cradle Care, postnatal doula, postpartum doula, support for new mums, mental load, motherhood recovery, post-birth support

Don't be a stranger! Follow or DM Ivy @thrivingmummas on Instagram.

Too overwhelmed to declutter? Start with one small corner. A simple 15-min reset to shift your space, your energy—and your mood.

In this episode, Ivy Rose shares how to clear one small corner and shift your energy—without needing to clean your whole house. Learn why clutter = stuck energy and how a simple 15-minute reset can help you feel lighter, calmer, and more in control.

Ivy opens up about the emotional impact of clutter, what finally helped her break the cycle, and how to start small even when your mental load is heavy.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about feeling lighter, calmer, and more in control—one corner at a time.

✨ You’ll learn:

• Why clutter is more than just mess—it's energetic overload
• The easiest way to start when everything feels too hard
• How to avoid the “organise while decluttering” trap
• What to do if you need help getting started

🎁 Grab the free “Too Overwhelmed to Declutter? Start Here” guide to reset your space and energy in just 15 minutes.

How to Start Decluttering When You’re Too Overwhelmed
Clear the Clutter, Clear Your Energy: A Gentle Start for Overwhelmed Mums

Keywords: decluttering when overwhelmed, how to start decluttering, overwhelmed by clutter, gentle decluttering tips, declutter energy shift, minimalist mums, clutter and mental load, overwhelmed mum cleaning tips, mindful home reset, decluttering guide for moms

Don't be a stranger! Follow or DM Ivy @thrivingmummas on Instagram.

Feeling snappy, foggy, or like you’ve hit your limit? You might be dealing with mom burnout. In this episode, Ivy breaks down the real signs of parental burnout, shares 10 grounded self-care strategies, and opens up about her own recovery journey. Practical, compassionate, and validating — this is the episode tired mums need to hear.

Are you constantly tired but wired? Snappy with your kids but riddled with guilt? Or staying up late just to finally feel like you again?

These aren’t just “normal mum moments.” You might be experiencing mom burnout — and you’re not alone.

In this heartfelt episode of Thriving Mummas, host Ivy Rose breaks down what burnout really looks like (beyond just exhaustion), the 3 stages of parental burnout, and the doable self-care strategies that actually help.

You'll learn:

• The emotional and physical symptoms of burnout in moms
• What causes burnout in mothers and how it creeps in silently
• 10 burnout recovery strategies for moms that are actually doable — no guilt, no overhaul
• How to support your nervous system, reclaim energy, and find relief through small, sustainable shifts
• Insights from Ivy’s personal journey with parental burnout during lockdown
• Gentle ways to reconnect with your needs and take empowered baby steps forward

Whether you’re in survival mode or slowly crawling back to yourself, this episode offers self-care tools for overwhelmed moms, guidance for mindful parenting, and reminders that you are not broken — just in need of real support.

✨ Includes tips on rest, movement, nutrition, and asking for help (plus how alternative practices like energy work and brain codes helped Ivy start to heal).

This is your compassionate roadmap back to you. One small step at a time.

✨ Whether you’re mildly burnt out or on the edge of a full crash, this episode is your gentle reminder:
You are not broken. You are tired.
And there are ways to feel like you again.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📲 Follow @thrivingmummas on Instagram for more honest support and real talk.

Keywords: mom burnout, self-care, burnout recovery, motherhood exhaustion

#MomBurnout #ThrivingMummas #SelfCareForMums #ParentalBurnout #MotherhoodSupport #GentleParenting #BurnoutRecovery

Don't be a stranger! Follow or DM Ivy @thrivingmummas on Instagram.

In this episode of Thriving Mummas, I sit down with Annie Baker Atwood—Reiki Master and a retired kindergarten teacher—to explore the distinctions between the trending 7-7-7 parenting method and Montessori principles.

We discuss how misinformation spreads, especially when buzzwords like “Montessori” get tossed around, and explore what the Montessori philosophy really stands for. Annie brings her years of experience in early childhood education to the table, offering thoughtful insights on child development, the importance of trusting your instincts as a parent as well as adapting methods to fit individual children's needs, and why doing your own research matters more than ever.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the parenting advice out there, this episode is here to help you feel grounded, informed, and empowered to choose what truly works for your family.

00:52 Debunking the 7 7 7 Parenting Method
01:53 Meet Annie Baker Atwood
02:34 The Origins and Misconceptions of Montessori
05:30 The Role of Developmental Stages in Parenting
08:08 The Impact of Historical Context on Montessori
13:16 The Challenges of Modern Education
17:47 Navigating Parenting Trends and Fads
27:33 The Importance of Play and Self-Directed Learning
34:26 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice
44:24 Conclusion and Resources

Guest Spotlight: Annie Baker Atwood
Annie is the host of the podcast Is Reiki Relevant and the founder of Red Boots Reiki, where she helps parents through energy healing, Akashic record readings, and intuitive parenting support. Learn more about her work at www.redbootsreiki.com and follow her on Instagram @redbootsreiki.

Let’s Connect!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow mumma who might find it helpful. Your support helps us reach more parents who want to raise their children with mindfulness and intention.

🎧 New episodes drop every Thursday.

Don't be a stranger! Follow or DM Ivy @thrivingmummas on Instagram.

Feeling isolated in motherhood? You’re not alone. Learn practical ways to build your village and find the support you need, starting today.

In this episode of Thriving Mummas, host Ivy shares her personal journey of building a support network as a multicultural family in Australia, with heartwarming stories of connecting through a Dutch school and Filipino playgroup in Brisbane. You’ll get practical, real-world strategies to find mom friends, join local playgroups, and tap into virtual mum support when in-person options aren’t available.

Whether you're navigating modern motherhood, craving connection, or ready to grow your parenting community, this episode is your gentle guide to finding your people.

Don't be a stranger! Follow or DM Ivy @thrivingmummas on Instagram.

As mums, we often feel like we need to do it all — but the truth is, asking for help is one of the most powerful forms of self-care. In this episode of Thriving Mummas, we explore why seeking support isn’t a weakness but a strength that helps you show up better for yourself and your family.

Join me as I share:🤲 The emotional and practical benefits of asking for help🌸 How to overcome guilt and the "supermum" myth✨ Practical tips for building your support network

Whether you’re a new mum, a seasoned pro, or supporting a mum in your life, this conversation will remind you that we all thrive better when we lean on each other.

🎧 Tune in now and let’s thrive together, mumma!

#ThrivingMummas #ParentingPodcast #SelfCareForMums #SelfCareForMoms #AskingForHelp

Don't be a stranger! Follow or DM Ivy @thrivingmummas on Instagram.

Real talk on motherhood, self-care, and connection—without the pressure to be perfect.

In this first episode of Thriving Mummas, Ivy Rose and special guest Ping Manongdo dive into honest motherhood—why real talk matters, what inspired this podcast, and how sharing struggles builds connection. A must-listen for mums craving authenticity, support, and self-care without the pressure to be perfect.

Ivy is joined by one of her long-time friends, Ping—a loving and happy mother of three, a wife, and a sustainability media professional—for a real, unfiltered chat about the inspiration behind the podcast. They explore what it means to show up authentically in motherhood, how vulnerability creates deeper connection, and why we need spaces where moms can share real stories—without pretending everything's perfect.

From surprise motherhood to self-care struggles, identity shifts, and the deep need for connection—this episode is a warm, honest invitation into a space where mums can show up just as they are.

Whether you're a surprise mum, a seasoned parent, or somewhere in between, this episode is your invitation to join a community where self-care, honest talk, and support matter.

Keywords: motherhood podcast, real talk for moms, authentic parenting, self-care for mums, parenting support, connection over perfection, honest mom stories

Let’s Connect!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a fellow mumma who might find it helpful. Your support helps us reach more parents who want to raise their children with mindfulness and intention.

Don't be a stranger! Follow or DM Ivy @thrivingmummas on Instagram.