Episode 58: The Importance of Postpartum Support in Motherhood with Kirsty Fernandes
In this episode I invited fellow Aware Parenting Instructor, Kirsty Fernandes on the podcast to share her passion for postpartum support during motherhood. Over the course of the episode we share our own postpartum experiences. Kirsty shares her own journey into what led her to working with mothers, and that the postpartum period extends for our entire lives once we have children.
We also discuss:
the differences in Western Culture and Traditional Cultures in supporting the Mother
How to go into the postpartum period feelings empowered
The positive impact of intergenerationals communitieis and support
How the medicalisation of birth is detrimental to the Mother and Baby
How it's never too late to recover from the immediate postpartum period
Setting boundaries with healthcare providers and loved ones
Plus so much more
Where to Find Kirsty:
Website: Honouring Mama
Instagram: @kirstyfernandeshonouringmama
Facebook: Kirsty Fernandes - Honouring Mama
Resources Mentioned:
Nurtured Postpartum Workshops with Kirsty
Aware Parenting books by Dr Aletha Solter
The Willingness Practice by Marion Rose PhD
ABOUT KIRSTY:
Kirsty is wife to Duane and Mama to a beautiful 6 year old daughter and gorgeous 4 year old son, Aware Parenting Coach, postpartum care provider, and passionate advocate for Mama and families getting the support they need and deserve throughout their fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenting journey.
Episode 53: Steph & Nic's Homeschooling Series - Part Two
After receiving so much positive feedback about Part One of the Homeschooling Series, we are excited to share with you Part Two. We both enjoyed this conversation so much. Nic had many of her questions answered, and Steph loved reflecting on her own journey as a homeschooling parents.
In this episode we discuss:
The different types of homeschooling - including Distance Education, Structured Homeschooling, Unschooling & Natural Learning, and Eclectic Homeschooling
Deschooling - what it is, how to do it, and how it can help you heal your own school traumas and hurts
How neither of us remember anything about what we were taught at school
Creating meaningful learning experiences for our child/ren
Plus so much more
ABOUT STEPH:
Steph is a Level 2 Aware Parenting Instructor, Early Childhood Educator and Parenting Support Counsellor. She has worked with parents and children for over a decade. With degrees and qualifications in psychology, counselling and early childhood education, Steph is extremely passionate about child development, trauma, attachment and neuroscience. She works with parents and educators from around the world, supporting them through 1:1 mentoring sessions and online courses. As well as co-operating a Family Day Care alongside her husband.
ABOUT NIC:
Nic is a Level 1 Aware Parenting Instructor and Marion Method Mentor. Nic is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with parents from around the world. She loves supporting children and parents navigate challenges at school.
KINSHIP CONNECTION with Steph & Nic:
Steph and Nic are incredibly excited to introduce you to something that we are so passionate about; Kinship Connection. This is a safe, supportive and accepting space for children aged 6-12 years old and their families. To find out more click here.
If you would like us to respond to any of your reflections, queries or questions during an episode in this homeschooling series, please feel free to contact Steph or Nic on Instagram @spirited_hearts or @peacefulparenting and Steph's website or Nic's website.
Episode 52: Introducing - Kinship Connection with Steph & Nic
We are so incredibly excited to FINALLY share with you something we have been working on together for the past year.
Introducing: Kinship Connection
In this episode we share and discuss:
How Kinship Connection started and what it involves
Meaningful friendships
Listening partnerships for children
How to nurture empathy and compassion
Going beyond school labels
Preventing depression and anxiety through emotional and social wellbeing (the core of Kinship Connection)
Our monthly Kinship Cubby
Plus so much more
Kinship Connection is for families with children aged 6-12 years old.
We are here to support parents and children with unconditional acceptance, compassion, understanding and joy.
We only have space for 30 families in Kinship Connection, so if you would like to join please click here to join today.
FIND STEPH AT:
Website: Spirited Hearts
Instagram: @spirited_hearts
FIND NIC AT:
Website: Peaceful Parenting
Facebook: Peaceful Parenting
Instagram: @peacefulparenting
Episode 51: Steph & Nic's Homeschooling Series Part One
In the Steph & Nic's Homeschooling Series, we are so excited to share with you our journeys, fears, apprehensions and knowledge. This series will comprise of several parts and will be released over the coming months.
In part one we took a deep dive into how each of us came to the decision to homeschool our children, including Nic's desire to homeschool, yet still having her daughter at school.
We also discuss:
- some of the fears we have with homeschooling - i.e. how will I teach my child to read?
- how schooling affected Steph's eldest child, and why her younger child has more freedom in himself
- why meaningful learning elevates instrinsic motivation
- school trauma and bullying
- how to support your child if you cannot homeschool, including helpful questions you can ask your child at the end of every school day
- the importance of mixed-age schooling and socialisation
- plus so much more
Resources Mentioned:
Ep 27 The Power & Freedom of Expressing Our Authentic Self with Nic Wilson
Ep 33 Supporting & Advocating for Our Children at School with Nic Wilson
Ep 35 The Freedom to Learn & Play with Peter Gray
Blog Post - My 10 year old's Traumatic Memory of When he was One Day Old
How Children Learn by John Holt
Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
If you would like us to respond to any of your reflections, queries or questions during an episode in this homeschooling series, please feel free to contact Steph or Nic on Instagram @spirited_hearts or @peacefulparenting and Steph's website spiritedhearts.net
Episode 50: Raising a Connected Family
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Welcome to Episode 50! In this week's episode, I felt called to speak about raising a connected family, something I am very intentional with in my own family.
I reflect back on my own childhood, and all the areas where connection was present, including how my grandparents and parents shaped my core value of 'family.'
I also share with you all the ways that I bring connection to my own family:
- Presence time
- Family Collaborations
- The importance of honest, open communication
- How to repair the connect with our child/ren after a rupture
- Accountability and reflections
- Re-parenting ourselves
- Listening partnerships
- Plus so much more
Where to Find Me:
Website: Spirited Hearts
Instagram: @spirited_hearts
Resources:
The Spirited Hearts Play Files
1:1 Sessions
About Me:
Stephanie Heartfield is the creator and founder of Spirited Hearts® which is a multi-service community supporting children, families and educators. She is a Parenting Support Counsellor, Aware Parenting Instructor and Early Childhood Educator.
Steph has spent the better part of two decades, dedicated to child development, trauma and providing support to children, their families and early childhood educators.
She created her Natural Learning & Healing Haven (registered Family Day Care) alongside her husband, Lukas to provide the strongest emotionally supportive environment in the industry, which is trauma-informed, and where children have the space and freedom to be their beautiful, unique selves.
Steph will be soon be launching the very first live round for her Certification Program for the Spirited Hearts Approach to Early Childhood & Learning. This is for teachers, educators, parents and anyone wanting to create their own trauma-informed natural learning haven from home and in their community.
Steph provides 1:1 support for parents all over the world, providing a space filled with unconditional acceptance, compassion, empathy and deep listening. Assisting parents with their own childhood traumas, as well as offering healing solutions for many parenting challenges from tantrums and crying to sleep and separation anxiety.
Steph has two children of her own who are homeschooled, as well as a chocolate lab, ragdoll cat and five chickens.