36. The One About Sleep and the Nervous System (with Jen of Sleep Thrive Grow)

What this episode covers

In this episode of The Mindful Educator Podcast, Victoria is joined by sleep consultant and founder of Sleep Thrive Grow, Jen, for a compassionate and insightful conversation about sleep, parenting, nervous system regulation, and the reality of raising little humans. Jen shares how her background as a nurse, combined with her own experiences as a mother of three, led her into the world of sleep consulting. What began as a personal journey to better understand her own children grew into a deeply supportive business helping families navigate sleep in a way that feels realistic, flexible, and aligned with their unique needs. Together, Victoria and Jen explore why sleep is never just about sleep. They discuss the role of attachment, co-regulation, temperament, parental overwhelm, and the importance of moving away from rigid, one-size-fits-all sleep methods. Jen explains her holistic approach, which considers not only the child, but the entire family dynamic, nervous system capacity, lifestyle, and emotional wellbeing. This episode is full of reassurance for parents who feel like they're getting it wrong, along with practical wisdom around what children actually need in order to feel safe enough to rest. In this episode, we chat about: * Jen's journey from nursing to sleep consulting * How her own children shaped her parenting and coaching approach * Why sleep support should never be one-size-fits-all * The connection between sleep, nervous systems, and emotional regulation * Why babies and children borrow regulation from us * How parental triggers and overwhelm can impact sleep * The importance of flexibility, experimentation, and dropping rigid rules * Why connection and safety matter more than perfection * Sleep challenges in older children and how developmental changes can affect bedtime * Jen's REST framework for supporting sleep * Why "pause" may be one of the most powerful parenting tools we have A reminder from this conversation: You are not supposed to know exactly what you're doing all the time. Parenting is a constant learning curve, and sleep is not a measure of your worth as a parent. There is so much power in staying curious, softening expectations, and supporting both yourself and your child with compassion. Connect with Jen: You can find Jen at Sleep Thrive Grow on Instagram: @sleep_thrive_grow She also hosts her own podcast, Thriving Parenting, and offers a range of support options including one-on-one coaching, sleep guides, and membership support for parents. Connect with Victoria: 🌐 www.victoria-r.com.au [http://www.victoria-r.com.au/] 📧 [email protected] 📱 @the.victoria.r