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Katie Parker

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25.01.2022 ‘That’s enough cuddles now mummy’ my 3yo daughter tells me after approximately 3 minutes of cuddling at bedtime. It hasn’t always been this way. When she stopped breastfeeding to sleep I would lie with her for an hour, sometimes up to an hour and a half until she fell asleep. ... Before that I breastfed her to sleep for every sleep, apart from the times she fell asleep in the car, pram or carrier. Until the age of 20 months, she slept either in my bed or in the co-sleeper bassinet attached to my bed. At 20 months we moved into a new house that only had two bedrooms so we decided she would share a room with her 3.5 year old brother. It took two weeks of my partner and I alternating sleeping on the camp bed in their room until she was happy to sleep all night in her room. No leaving her to cry required. Details, details. They’re not super important but the thought that popped into my head tonight as she sent me on my way was the comment Julie Tenner’s Maternal and Child Health Nurse said to her: no attachment parented child sleeps well. Well my daughter is clear evidence of the contrary. Seriously, this kid sleeps like a teenager. She wakes in the night so infrequently now, and far less than her older brother who was certainly not ‘attachment parented’ as a baby. Just last night he arrived in our bed as was scared of the wind and the rain (it was pretty damn loud). Not our little ‘attachment parented’ girl though! This morning I gave a mini workshop in my Group Hug program and then a 90 minute workshop in Anna Cusack’s ‘Prepared Together’ course on biological infant sleep. You know what pisses me off about giving these talks? It’s that I have to differentiate between the ‘mainstream’ approach to infant sleep, e.g. delayed responses to baby’s cues feed-play-sleep cycles sleep schedules and charts the ‘teach self-settling by putting the baby down drowsy but awake’ advice advising against ‘allowing’ sleep in arms or at the end of feeds for fear of setting up ‘bad habits’ the ‘babies need a lot of sleep for optimal brain development’ line and the Neuroprotective Developmental Care approach I am trained in (also known as the Possums Programs), which is actually based on the latest research in sleep science, neuroscience and attachment psychology. Somehow, the approach that is based on evidence isn’t the mainstream one. Instead the majority of health professionals who work with parents and babies are providing outdated advice based on first-wave behaviourism approaches of the 1950s. Enough of that though, I ranted enough on this topic in my post last week. So all I really wanted to say tonight was, if you’re feeling like you might be cuddling or feeding your baby to sleep forever you won’t be. One day your little love will tell you ‘that’s enough cuddles mummy’ and roll over and go to sleep all by themselves.

25.01.2022 How good is a good old belly laugh?! Had the whole family in hysterics when I went looking for 'interactive Christmas cards' for the interstate and overseas family I hadn't gotten organised enough to send cards too. We have made five different ones, all hysterical! https://www.jibjab.com//69a2afe0-73b0-4f38-b470-9642c8f5df

25.01.2022 A chat about Mum guilt with Dr Sophie Brock

24.01.2022 I’ve recently finished this course and it was AMAZING!!! Highly recommend to anyone who works with mothers. Tomorrow is the last day for 2020 pricing - get on it!

23.01.2022 Success in your business does not define your worth as a human. The two are not connected. When their businesses aren’t growing as fast as they would like, women can often take this as a personal failure as though there is something inherently wrong with them as a person. But this is simply not the case!... Come and join me in Nurtured my small group mentoring program - where we will be exploring our own personal value and recognising our worthiness is inherent, not earned. Your business can grow when this becomes a core knowing. Nurtured is a space where you have the container created and held for you to be able to do this work and exploration in a group of women who are all on the same page, committed not only to the growth and expansion of their businesses, but also committed to their own personal growth. It is these two that are interconnected. We start Monday! Further info in comments below x

22.01.2022 A little update (and a snuggly puppy) - Pregnancy Support Group update - One place left in Nurtured (my small group mentoring program for mums in business) - our first group call is tomorrow morning!... - Taking name suggestions for our new puppy, something starting with M (check him out, he’s so cute!!)

21.01.2022 I’ll be talking all things sleep in Anna’s course Prepared Together this morning. I have many passions and this is one of them: normalising biological infant sleep!

21.01.2022 What’s everyone up to today? I’m taking my youngest to the hairdresser to fix up the haircut her brother gave her yesterday

21.01.2022 I've been told. Both kids were happily playing with their new stash, my partner is at work and I had a couple of emails to get back to and my last post for my 12 Days of Christmas Specials to do so jumped on my laptop. It didn't take long for my son to call me out on it. I'm the first to admit that I work too much and spend too much time on my phone. It's something I really want to change in 2021.... So I'm off to help my son with his new lego set and have at least a few hours off my devices! Hope you all have a beautiful day

21.01.2022 I'm really looking forward to my chat with Cindy Lee Fenn tomorrow at 2pm about how Circle spaces support feminine embodiment practises and how this can be helpful for cultivating instinctive birth. Cindy will share how feminine embodiment practises support you to build a stronger connection to your baby and cultivate deep nourishment and vitality in pregnancy. She will also share a little bit about her experience in my small group business mentoring program. ~A little bit mo...re about Cindy~ I am mother to three boys and I have experienced three births. My first birth was in a UK hospital and that day was the last time I taught in a primary school, also beginning my odyssey, loving the endorphin fuelled feeling of birth. My second pregnancy took me half way across the world and back again to experience a completely intuitive birth with only my husband in the room. My third (and final) birth was three hours of working with my body, instinctual movement and breathing, fully supported again by my partner and independent midwife. Both of my home births were completely undisturbed and are my becoming and greatest gifts. I have training in Embodied Leadership, Postpartum Doula studies with the Newborn Mothers Collective and I hold a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am currently learning the art of Birth Doula with Melbourne’s highly regarded, Rhea Dempsey. I am also an experienced Certified Practitioner with Hypnobirthing Australia . I am super interested in feminine and masculine energy, identity, human relationship, learning and expanding beyond the limitations of current narrative and story to birth, live, parent and love with greater fulfillment and compassion.

21.01.2022 I shared this event last year, not knowing I would be participating this year. Much love to you all whose babies you hold in your heart and not in your arms

21.01.2022 PREGNANCY LOSS ‘Mummy your baby died’ my 3yo daughter said to me with a big smile on her face as I helped her out of the bath tonight. ‘But you will get another baby in your tummy.’ That was random. There’s been no talk of the baby who died in my tummy for months. ... It’s been on my mind a lot this week though. I would have been 38 weeks pregnant, and both my babies were born around 38 weeks. Today was an especially difficult day. I haven’t felt this down for a while and have a feeling today would have been the day my baby would have been born. I wouldn’t have had the anxiety many pregnant women are experiencing at the moment, as we were planning a beautiful home birth. My partner would have been with me for as long as he wanted after the birth. My kids would have met their sibling straight away. We would have enjoyed six weeks of cocooned bliss at home with meals brought to us before my partner had to go back to work (although he had to fight for five weeks of unpaid leave in addition to his one week of parental leave ‘that’s very new age of you’, his boss told him the decision had to be escalated to his boss’ boss. Yes, you read that right, and yes, it’s 2020.) I’ve had a big cry tonight, am getting all my feelings out, doing what I need to do, lighting a candle and holding this beautiful heart-shaped rose quartz crystal I was gifted by a lady at Seven Sisters Festival on the day I birthed this tiny baby back in March. I'll now have a cuddle on the couch with my partner as we continue the ‘to try or not to try again’ conversation. I’m actually doing really well overall and have so many incredibly supportive people in my life I can talk to if I need to, but wanted to open up this not very talked about conversation. What have others done to mark the ‘due time’ of their angel babies? See more

20.01.2022 Join me at 2pm today live on my Facebook page for a conversation with Sociologist and Motherhood Studies expert Dr Sophie Brock - The Good Enough Mother all about Mum guilt. We will be talking about where Mum guilt comes from, why we feel Mum guilt and what we can do to respond to feelings of guilt when they arise. I'd love you to join us!

20.01.2022 NEW OFFERING ~ Is small group business mentoring with women’s circle vibes your thing? ~ Today I facilitated a Mothers’ Circle to close the group support program ‘The Group Hug’ I have been running for the past five weeks for pregnant and new mamas. Some had come into the group straight from the pregnancy support group I was running beforehand so that has been nine glorious weeks with those mums (one of whom has had her beautiful baby, one of whom will be having hers a...ny day now!). It is honestly such a privilege to support women in this way and witness incredible transformation in some and for others just be that safe space they can come and share what’s in their hearts and on their minds, and not feel so alone on their motherhood journey, especially during this challenging and isolating time of being physically distanced from our support networks. We are looking forward to the time when we can arrange an in-person catch up to continue friendships formed during these five weeks in real life! I am having a little break from running these online support groups for now. In October I am starting something a little bit different an online small group mentoring program for mums running soul-led heart-driven businesses looking for a supportive place to connect with others running similar businesses and receive guidance, feedback and support while exploring beliefs that may be holding them back and learning a few helpful strategies along the way. More details on this coming soon the group is almost full already and I haven’t posted about it yet (until now!) I’m wanting to keep it small and intimate so let me know if you’d like more information in the meantime and if it feels like it might be a good fit for you, I might not need to post about it anymore! (This would be such a win/win as I’m trying not to be on social media as much at the moment!)

19.01.2022 IT’S FULL! Two weeks ago I mentioned in a post that I was running a small group business mentoring program and that more details were coming soon (I still needed to figure them out at that point) Well this group is now full!... Six inspiring women all who have amazing businesses (bar one who’s yet to start but is going to create something really special, I just know it!) are already supporting each other in the most beautiful way, and we haven’t officially started yet! I’m loving this group already (we had a bit of a ‘get to know each other’ call during the week and there’s a Facebook group set up) plus I had so many people express interest after that post I did two weeks ago with quite a few unable to commit right now who were keen for next time, so am already planning on running it again. At this stage I’m thinking the second round will be in January and will run for six weeks. Who am I to be running a business mentoring program, you may be asking! I’m a senior social worker and counsellor with 15 years experience including group facilitation and professional supervision of junior social workers. I have also invested a lot in my own personal and professional development including extensive business coaching and mentoring. I now have a successful business I started from scratch 18 months ago when I’d recently moved to a small country town where I knew no-one, and have moved towns again since then! I am passionate about creating community and supporting local businesses, especially other mums in business because I know how hard the juggle can be, but how worth it it is when you’ve got a fire inside you that can’t be ignored! I also get that there are other areas of your life that are also important to you and you don’t want to be totally consumed by your business either (trust me, I get it, I’ve been there). If this type of community sounds like something you’d like to be a part of, I would be really happy to have a chat with you about it, or can just put you on the waitlist for when I announce the early bird offer for the second round of this program. I’d love to hear from you! Katie

18.01.2022 Are you looking for support with any of the following? Birth trauma Fear or anxiety around birth... Postpartum planning Preparing for parenthood Adjustment to parenthood Change in identity since becoming a mother Transitioning from one to two (or more) children Baby & toddler sleep Mild to moderate perinatal depression & anxiety 'Mum guilt' & anger Pregnancy and infant loss Pregnancy after loss Challenging child behaviour Relationship difficulties And more... I am an Accredited Social Worker with 15 years of experience and member of the Australian Association of Social Workers. I have availability for face-to-face counselling sessions at @warragulwellnesscentre on Mondays from 9am-1pm from now until the 14th of December. Monday evening and Thursday morning appointments may also be possible depending on room availability. After the 14th of December my availability will be reduced and sessions will be arranged on a case-by-case basis due to school holidays. My fee is currently $130. A Medicare rebate of approximately $65 can be claimed for up to three counselling sessions at Warragul Wellness Centre for anyone who is currently pregnant or has been pregnant in the preceding 12 months. Please contact me for further information. For bookings, head to the Warragul Wellness Centre website or contact me for other availability. Home visits and online sessions are also available on Monday afternoons and Thursday mornings. Caitlyn Frecklington Photography.

18.01.2022 How beautiful is this For anyone worried about a ‘bigger’ age gap between their kids - watch this!

17.01.2022 This beautiful New Mama Pamper Package includes a three-hour postpartum home visit* that could include any of the following: - Birth debriefing - Emotional support - Warm & Nourishing meals ... - Breastfeeding support - Gentle sleep and settling advice - Postnatal mental health support - Holding baby while you nap/shower - Babywearing & cloth nappy advice - Shoulder rub with warm oil - Practical help around the house/caring for the baby PLUS two weeks of unlimited audio/text support after the visit. You'll also receive a pampering pack featuring a range of products from local small businesses including: - New Mama massage oil from Harriet Herbery - New Mama bath salts from Harriet Herbery - Lactation tea from Finch and Wren - Mama meditations from Yogamona * Visits offered within approximately ninety minutes from Warragul (roughly between Werribee and Sale, but contact me if you're unsure). Travel fee applies for distances over 40km from Warragul. The New Mama Pamper Package is $333. To purchase, click here: https://www.katieparker.com.au/gifts

16.01.2022 Last night I went live over on Katie Parker - Business Mentor for Mums about some things that are helping me juggle motherhood and business at the moment. Afterwards I realised most of it applies to mums who don’t have businesses too though! For example, having a family meeting once a week (we try and do it every Sunday night) with our diaries and the weekly planner that lives on the fridge. We map out:... - My partner’s work commitments - My work commitments - Stuff the kids have on - When he’s fitting in exercise/self-care - When I’m fitting in exercise/self-care - When we’re getting time as a couple - Our meal plan We also have regular budget meetings (thanks to Barefoot Investor for introducing us to Barefoot Date Nights!) which also include holiday planning. Not that there was much of that last year, but unless we consciously put dates in the diary to get away as a family, the months can just pass us by. This can just be a night or two away at the beach an hour away, but we do try and have regular time away together which always seems to help us recalibrate if things have gone off track in any way (for example if I’ve been working too much ). I’d love to know, what helps keep your family connected and happy?

16.01.2022 I was so excited to start seeing clients in my new room in the new premises of Warragul Wellness Centre this week! For bookings head straight to their website, where you can also find out what other amazing practitioners you can see during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Many ideas are brewing regarding what else I could hold in the lovely new space at Warragul Wellness Centre...support groups, parenting workshops, mothers’ circles... ... What would you like to see in Warragul?

16.01.2022 Today was a wonderful day I was FINALLY able to organise an in-person catch up with some of the mums who did Connected - the three month online parenting support program I ran as we went into the first lockdown earlier this year. One part of this program was virtual playgroup sessions, where the kids got to know each other over Zoom doing a different activity each week. Today the kids all got along amazingly, Zoom friendships turned into real life ones and it was just lovel...y having soul-nourishing conversations and full-bellied laughs with like-minded women on such a beautiful sunny afternoon at the park. My son was 'that kid' who initiated taking off his shoes and socks and jumping in the creek - the others all followed suit soon after Cue eight very tired, wet children! I just love bringing amazing women like these ones together in this way, and who knows where these children’s new friendships might lead? My heart is so full

16.01.2022 Join me as I chat with Cindy Lee Fenn about how Circle spaces support feminine embodiment practises and how this can be helpful for cultivating instinctive birth. Cindy will share how feminine embodiment practises support you to build a stronger connection to your baby and cultivate deep nourishment and vitality in pregnancy. She will also share a little bit about her experience in my small group business mentoring program. ~A little bit more about Cindy~... I am mother to three boys and I have experienced three births. My first birth was in a UK hospital and that day was the last time I taught in a primary school, also beginning my odyssey, loving the endorphin fuelled feeling of birth. My second pregnancy took me half way across the world and back again to experience a completely intuitive birth with only my husband in the room. My third (and final) birth was three hours of working with my body, instinctual movement and breathing, fully supported again by my partner and independent midwife. Both of my home births were completely undisturbed and are my becoming and greatest gifts. I have training in Embodied Leadership, Postpartum Doula studies with the Newborn Mothers Collective and I hold a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am currently learning the art of Birth Doula with Melbourne’s highly regarded, Rhea Dempsey. I am also an experienced Certified Practitioner with Hypnobirthing Australia . I am super interested in feminine and masculine energy, identity, human relationship, learning and expanding beyond the limitations of current narrative and story to birth, live, parent and love with greater fulfillment and compassion.

16.01.2022 If you would like a safe space to regularly check in, but you don't feel like you need long sessions each time, then this package could be a great option for you. You can use these online sessions for anything you like - support during pregnancy, with your new baby, any challenge you're having in motherhood, or perhaps you'd like some support setting up or growing your small business. You can use them weekly, fortnightly or monthly - whatever will best suit your needs! Usuall...y a 45 minute session is $100, however if you purchase a pack of five today, it is $430. I have some availability next week so we can start then if you like, otherwise you can book in your first session anytime in January. To purchase, click on the PayPal link below and I'll be in touch to arrange your first session :-) I am a social worker with 15 years experience, postnatal doula, parent mentor and Accredited Neuroprotective Developmental Care Practitioner. I can support you with a range of issues including perinatal depression and anxiety, infant sleep, adjustment to motherhood, challenging toddler/preschooler behaviour, guilt and anger issues, the transition from one to two (or more) kids, stress, overwhelm, managing the mental load and I can also support you to create a postpartum plan if you are currently pregnant.

15.01.2022 Building your motherhood village I am passionate about changing the way we support women during motherhood. I want the loneliness to end. ... I want the isolation to end. I want the not feeling good enough to end. I want us to be real, to show up in all our vulnerability, to ask for help. This will lead to deeper connections, more soul-nourishing relationships, the feeling of being held and nurtured, and doing the same for others. I want us to gather together in all of our perfect imperfection and support one another. To laugh together, to cry together, to heal together, to grow together. I just ran a workshop in @nourishingthemother membership group Soul Driven Motherhood on Building your Motherhood Village and am feeling inspired. I am going to start reaching out to others for babysitting swaps. I am going to bake cookies with the kids and take them to our neighbours. I am going to organise gatherings with people I don’t know that well as soon as we are allowed! (We moved to a new town not long before the first lockdown so haven’t had the chance to form new friendships with local mums this year). I am going to take meals to a few mums I know who have recently had babies. We don’t have to do it all alone. We’re not designed to. We are meant to be raising our children in villages, but this is not the reality for so many mothers. It’s time for that to change (thanks to covid this has been even trickier than normal but hopefully this is going to become easier soon). I want to be part of the change. Do you?

14.01.2022 If you'd like somewhere to take your child that is truly supportive of them and their unique personality, understands their emotional needs and sees and respects your child for who they really are, rather than trying to fit them into some pre-determined mould of what and how they 'should' be and behave, I could not recommend Jayne at Fiddlesticks Performing Arts more highly. What a blessing she is to the Warragul community

14.01.2022 Anna is running this free event for the next five days in preparation for her PREPARED parent prep course starting on October 13. There are some great speakers chatting about some really interesting topics - I invite you to check it out!

13.01.2022 Exactly a year ago yesterday I was meant to be starting my monthly Mothers’ Circle ‘Reverence for Matrescence’. Then you-know-what happened and there went that plan. I have not lost my passion for this idea: To gather like-minded mothers who are craving deeper connections with other mothers.... To have real, honest and vulnerable conversations about matrescence the process of becoming a mother and all that encompasses from an emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual perspective. Gathering mothers at all stages of the motherhood journey from the newborn period, returning to work or starting a business, the inner work a toddler’s behaviour can call one to do, the change in identity, transitioning to two or more children and the feeling of having to cut ourselves into two or more parts, the push/pull of wanting to be present with our children but also craving time alone, transitioning to the stage where our children are less dependent on us, and so the list goes on! So I am starting a Mothers’ Circle series with a group of mothers who: Resonate with a more responsive and gentle way of parenting. Are curious about how their childhood experiences, including how they were parented as children, influence their own parenting. Are willing to explore their own triggers, rather than labelling their children’s behaviour as ‘bad’. Believe there is ‘another way’ and would love to be in a supportive group of mothers who share their values and beliefs while they unpack their social conditioning and challenge the cultural narrative of what being a mother means. Are craving a more connected and respectful relationship with their children without sacrificing themselves in the process. Value themselves as women who mother, rather than have their whole identity wrapped up in their role as ‘mother’. This won’t be for everyone! But for those who feel called to join this Circle, it will be a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded mothers in a warm and welcoming space and feel that beautiful sense of belonging. This immersive experience will be school term based, and we’ll most likely be starting in term 3. I get goosebumps just thinking about it! Who feels called to join me?

13.01.2022 Today I'm sitting in deep gratitude for the last six months spent learning from Julie Tenner - The Pleasure Nutritionist and the other extraordinary women in her Embark program. Signing up I didn't really know what to expect (except that it was going to be awesome - everything Julie offers is!), but this course has given me so much more than I could have imagined: A safe space to share fears about showing up and being seen in my authenticity. It has helped me work thro...ugh the fear of not being liked if I share what I truly believe in my heart. It has given me the courage to start facilitating women's circles and a place to celebrate afterwards. It has helped me see that I have something to offer women that is unique and special, wanted and needed. It has expanded my capacity to truly hold space for other women. It has given me the opportunity to connect with the most incredible community of like-minded women and make life-long friendships. It has given me a place where I've felt I truly belonged, where I could show up in all my vulnerability and be nurtured and supported. It has really solidified for me how much I deeply love working with women and has encouraged me to take the next step of supporting women who work with women - I have now taken the plunge and am offering small group mentoring which I am so excited about! Thank you Julie Tenner - The Pleasure Nutritionist - your work truly is life-changing. I'm so sad it's all over!

13.01.2022 I sent an email to my mailing list tonight (this is a rare event and a cause for celebration)! Are you on it? They often end up in junk/spam folders so maybe have a check in there if you didn't get it!... I announced a couple of exciting new offerings coming up. In summary: - A new Pregnancy Support Group in Warragul. - Workshop series to support you to stay on track with the goals and intentions you set in January for 2021. - I'm also returning to providing in person counselling and parenting support at Warragul Wellness Centre after a break over the school holidays on Monday mornings from Feb 15. More details coming soon, but in the meantime jump on my mailing list if you're not already - you can sign up via my website www.katieparker.com.au or send me your email and I'll add you!

13.01.2022 ATTENTION ALL PREGNANT WOMEN The story of my first postpartum poop is an interesting one that I might share another day. For now, please tuck this away and bring it out again as soon as your baby is born. Or better still, print it out now and put it on the fridge. I promise you, you’ll thank me later! Thanks @aboutbirthonline for sharing this very helpful post from @easternosteo!... #Repost @aboutbirthonline with @make_repost Some lovely tips from our friends @easternosteo I know we don’t really like to talk about postpartum but there is some great info here. It certainly makes sense that this area might be tender after giving birth, the rectum has been pulled and stretched away from its usual position when giving birth vaginally. As unpleasant as this may sound, we do need for this to occur, as it helps make room for the little one to exit. For some that first poo after giving birth can be ouchy!!!! . Here are some top tips for pooping postnatally . This is a biggy.. please don’t delay the poop! When it's time to go, remember to use the squatty potty Take a small pillow with you, placing it on your lower belly and adding some pressure can help regulate intra abdominal pressure and assist with pooping Pat the area dry after toileting and showering Try relaxed diaphragmatic breathing Try to avoid medication containing codeine, as it will clog you up even more. Look after your gut MICROBIOME - these are the bugs that live in our gut We need both PRE & PRObiotics to restore & maintain our microbiome Eat nutrient rich, organic whole foods that rot and make up the colors of the rainbow. When eating, be mindful and chew your food Drink lots of water Take care of your perineal area - with ice and compression Sleep. When you can, get some sleep Move. This may seem like a hard task, but starting with small walks like checking the mail can be a great way to stimulate your bowels to move. . #aboutbirthonline #easternosteo #postnatal #onlinebirtheducation #onlinebirthclasses #newborn

12.01.2022 Together we can push back against the construction of Motherhood that keeps us divided by calling out the pressures of intensive mothering.

12.01.2022 Thank you Livvi Music for creating these awesome video testimonials! First up is the beautiful Stephanie Jade

12.01.2022 #birthtraumaawarenessweek Birth trauma is something I find difficult to discuss with first time pregnant women. I don't want them approaching birth in fear of what could go wrong, feeling terrified because of stories they've heard of traumatic births. But equally, I feel it's important to have an understanding of ways we can help prevent birth trauma, because the reality is, one in three women will experience their birth as traumatic and equipping women with the knowledge and... tools to help prevent it is surely better than pretending all will be fine when a third of the time it is not. I also don't want to pretend that having all the knowledge and tools in the world will prevent it either - there are some health professionals out there who simply should NOT be working in birth - but it may help so I feel this is worth sharing. I have done birth trauma training with Nisha from Feminine Instincts Perinatal & Trauma Services who is an expert in this area and I really appreciate this post she's written outlining ways that can help reduce the potential for trauma in birth and the early postpartum. I hope it helps someone out there. If you have experienced birth trauma and would like some support to work through it, I provide both in-person (in Warragul) and online counselling. I am an Accredited Social Worker and you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for in-person counselling. Please know that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of your experience, if you experienced your birth as traumatic, it was. Although it sadly doesn't surprise me anymore, I am continually horrified and outraged to hear of the way some women are treated during birth in our country. If you have been made to feel unsupported, powerless, scared, guilty, weak, abandoned, unheard, ashamed, judged, angry, violated, abused, belittled, unimportant or alone during your birth, please know this is NOT OK. I can highly recommend reading the book "How to Heal a Bad Birth" by Melissa Brujin and Debby Gould. You can also get more support and information on their website birthtalk.org and Facebook page Birthtalk.org. Australasian Birth Trauma Association is another amazing resource. Sending love to all those for whom birth was traumatic. You are not alone

12.01.2022 Dear new mums, I would love to share this very special offering with you from my very own postnatal yoga teacher Susanna from Create.Pray.Move (@mama.bare.yoga on IG). I have shared before that my mums and bubs yoga class with my second baby was the absolute highlight of my week. To get there, it meant asking my father-in-law to look after my 2yo for a morning a week. This felt really big at the time, asking for help (I’ve written a blog on it!) but it was so worth it.... My classes with Suze were half yoga, half therapy. If your bub was having an unsettled day, she would hold them so you could get at least a bit of yoga in. The classes were so much more than yoga. She’s a mum of two too and really got it. She connected this community of like-minded, struggling, lonely mums together and it was magic. Due to covid her business has had to change and she now has an online program that is such a bargain. I invite you to check it out and sign up if it’s something you might be interested in. She has the most beautiful energy and is a just an awesome human with a huge heart. Thank you beautiful Suze fur having such a profound impact on my own postpartum experience, you’ll always have a special place in my heart! #Repost @mama.bare.yoga with @make_repost To my beautiful community of mums, you have been sharing your thoughts with me on how I can SERVE you better, and I have listened! . I've been working hard behind the scenes to make the changes YOU have asked for and I think you’ll LOVE the new look of Mama Bare Postnatal Yoga! . On TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1st you can access the new release Mama Bare Postnatal yoga program for a ONE-OFF payment of $39.95, which gives you more VALUE and more TIME without the pressure of an ongoing subscription. You go at your own pace! . and ... for all the mama’s asking if this program is suitable for beginners - the answer is YES!! And it’s perfect for the seasoned yogi too!! . Your ONE-TIME investment includes; . Full online support from your yoga teacher. A fun variety of 16 postnatal classes of different lengths, focuses and styles (that’s over 8 hours of content!) Classes and meditations to enjoy WITH your baby and on your own. Lifetime access to our private online community of Mama Bare mums... think recipes, yoga tips, daily parenting inspiration and the chance to connect with each other! AND Access to any bonus vids and future additions to the program! . Head to my profile, click the link and sign up to the Mama Bare mailing list, there’s a special discount for all new subscribers on release day! (you’ll see it in your inbox on 1/9) . I'm here to answer any of your questions, so DM me gorgeous, I can't wait to connect and practice with you . Susanna xo

12.01.2022 Jumping off the hamster wheel For most of my life, but especially the last year or so, I have felt like I've been on a hamster wheel. Always running. Always busy. 'Katie, you're the busiest person I know!' has been spoken to me many times. Many times I have decided not to live like this anymore. I’ve been yearning for a slower paced life. But every time I have attempted to 'slow down', something else seems to crop up, so I say 'I'll slow down when X is over'. But on, and on...Continue reading

09.01.2022 Yesterday I shared about my own postnatal yoga teacher’s online offering for mums and bubs - this one’s for the pregnant mamas! The mums in my recent online programs have been treated to a blissful meditation/breath expansion/mythology weaving session by Her Island Gathering who is starting up her Mindful Pregnancy Seat again tomorrow morning. Sarah brings the most calming and nurturing energy to these sessions - you literally float away from then, they are just divine! Read ...more about her beautiful offering below and tag any pregnant mamas you know will love this #Repost @sarahkjury with @make_repost We begin again tomorrow, come along Pregnant Mama. Mindful Pregnancy Seat - Sunday. Enjoy this special morning wake up with your Baby each Sunday. Together explore meditation, breath expansion (Pranayama) and mythology weaving. Be guided to connect with your Baby, your growing body, befriend your breath and get familiar with your sound, your energy and this transformative mama time. Starts Sunday 20 September. 8am 8.30am Live via Zoom & recorded. Five Week Immersion $50 Casual $15 PLUS, your Immersion now includes Mindful Pregnancy Gathering. Sit in Circle together (via Zoom) one evening surrounding Full Moon. Date TBC and agreed between all Immersion Mamas. We will share space and explore the Transformation of Motherhood. When women gather - magic absolutely happens. Our third Immersion & we’ve delighted in Mamas meeting their Baby. Through shared experiences of the breath being an anchor during labour & Mama journey - women need & support women Tag your pregnant women, pm now to secure your seat x Image credit #studiospiritysol

09.01.2022 I’m currently providing pregnancy and postnatal counselling as well as parenting support sessions at Warragul Wellness Centre on Monday mornings. There is a whole lot more support available to you in pregnancy too - see post for details

08.01.2022 Blossom Ultrasound for Women are hosting the screening of this incredible documentary on Wednesday night (21/4) and there are still tickets available for anyone interested in attending! If you're unable to make it to this one, there are other screenings at: Morwell on Monday 26th of April at 11am... https://tickets.demand.film/event/10733 Frankston on Thursday 29th of April at 6:30pm https://tickets.demand.film/event/10656 Warragul on Monday 3rd of May at 6:30pm https://tickets.demand.film/event/10843 Looking forward to seeing anyone who can make it on Wednesday night in Morwell!

08.01.2022 Imagine this. You have all these ideas swirling around in your head but you’re not sure what to do with them. You then get an opportunity to join a space where you can talk about these ideas and bounce them around a bit.... Then a beautiful thing happens When you start to talk about your ideas, you get more excited about them, and the other people in the group feel this energy. They get excited too and give you support, encouragement and more ideas some you haven’t even considered yet. Then you put your new ideas into action because you’ve had the practical and emotional support to do so. And then when you start talking about this new offering on social media, you’ve got a whole circle of support around you, cheering you on. This circle of support is also there for you when you hit that point of self-doubt when it all seems like a bad idea. ‘What was I thinking, thinking I could pull this off?’ ‘Who am I to.?’ These women are there to hold you throughout this process, long enough for you to move through the doubt, until you get to the other side and remember what an amazing idea it is and how much the people need it in their lives. Then the people buy your idea and you get to birth it into the world. More cheering and celebrating from your circle of support. Sound like a place you want to hang out? Join a beautiful group of women in Nurtured, my small group mentoring program for mums in business. You will feel safe. You will feel held. You will be free to explore those crazy ideas you have, with no judgment. Let’s get those brilliant ideas out in the world to the people who need them. We start Monday For more info follow me over at Katie Parker - Business Mentor for Mums x

08.01.2022 I loved my chat with gorgeous Annie Tayleur & Deep Blue Birth about postpartum planning, village building, mothering the mother and pregnancy loss. Annie is a divine soul I met at Julie Tenner - The Pleasure Nutritionist's 12 month women's circle in 2019 who shares my passion for all things pregnancy, birth and properly supporting new mothers. She did the most amazing job of recording this podcast while juggling a baby on her hip - it was incredible to watch on the Zoom call! You can find the episode by searching 'Talks with the Feminine' on your podcast app!

07.01.2022 Pregnant women in Gippsland - this amazing program starts this weekend!

07.01.2022 As part of Perinatal Mental Health Week, I will be chatting with Perinatal Social Worker Amanda Stinton from Our Fourth Trimester about mother's intuition - the often stated yet rarely explored concept. Amanda will talk about: - Why mother's intuition can be a confusing and misleading concept. - The value of experimentation in developing it. - What support is key in developing it.... #pmhw2020 #perinatalmentalhealth We will also be announcing an exciting joint give-away to celebrate the launch of the book Amanda has just written and illustrated 'Mother-Baby Dyad'. A little bit about Amanda Stinton MSW.GradDiped.B.Soc.Sc: Amanda has worked for almost two decades contributing to improved mental and emotional wellness for individuals and communities in counselling, education and consulting roles. In 2017 shortly after the birth of her son Amanda founded her own private perinatal social work practice, work which has compelled her to write and illustrate this her first book. Amanda lives with her husband Mark, son Max and their overly affectionate cat named Sunny who has even made a cameo in the book.

06.01.2022 Pregnancy and New Mama Gathering An informal group catch-up for any soon-to-be mums or mums with babies. Tomorrow 19th of April from 1-2:30pm.... We’ll be meeting in the private room up the back of South Brew Café in Warragul. It’s totally free to come along - you just pay for whatever delicious food and drinks you like and I can hold your baby while you eat/drink or I can butter your toast/cut up your food for you if you need an extra hand while feeding/holding them! I know the power of women supporting women and would love you to come along and experience this for yourself. I am an experienced social worker, postpartum doula and group facilitator and would love to welcome you to this supportive and nourishing space! Please RSVP to me so I can confirm numbers with the cafe!

06.01.2022 If you are pregnant or have a new baby and are looking for: A nurturing space where you can connect with like-minded women and start building your village An opportunity to feel heard and supported Information to help you prepare for life after birth... I would love to invite you along to my free gathering! Monday April 19 1-2:30pm South Brew Cafe (the private room out the back) 3 Smith Street, Warragul FREE Please share or tag anyone you know who may be interested so I can get the word out that this support is available! Would love to see you there! Please RSVP to me so I can confirm numbers with the venue

06.01.2022 I've signed up to this lovely event Vanessa Kelly Yoga's running next week. 5 minutes for 5 days - I reckon I can do it! Who wants to join me?!

05.01.2022 Tune in to my amazing colleague and friend Amanda Stinton being interviewed on Amanda Donnet Spilt Milk Psychology's page for her 24 hour livestream 'Parenting is a 24 hour gig'! Amanda has pulled together the most incredible line up for this event!

05.01.2022 Hi, I’m Katie! I have more than 15 years experience as a social worker & counsellor with additional training in perinatal & infant mental health, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Neuroprotective Developmental Care including biological infant sleep, postpartum support and Motherhood Studies. I have lots of qualifications, knowledge and experience, sure.... But the other reasons you might want to work with me? I really listen. I genuinely care about the people I work with. I don’t impose my beliefs on others (although will provide evidence-based information if you are seeking it and am pretty quick to debunk myths about baby sleep when I hear them, particularly if they are contributing to a mother’s stress, overwhelm and self-doubt). I want to know about you: your story, your beliefs, your values & what’s important to you and your family. I want to know what’s working well, what you’re finding challenging & what you’d like to change. Then we work together towards our shared goals (which could be to make your life as easeful and enjoyable as possible with your baby, to develop a more connected relationship with your children, to make bedtimes easier, to reduce your feelings of guilt, anger, anxiety or overwhelm etc.). Sometimes this can take hard work on your behalf. For example, challenging previously held beliefs and assumptions, unpacking social conditioning or exploring the influences your childhood experiences and the way you were parented could be having on your own parenting. So while I will hold space for you and validate your feelings (and sometimes that is all you need and that’s totally ok!), to go deeper in our sessions together and to see meaningful change in your life, I will ask for a commitment from you to ‘do the work’. The ways of working with me 1:1 are about to change, but for now you can still book a one hour online session for $150 or 5 sessions for $650. If you are local to Warragul you can book in with me @warragulwellnesscentre on Monday mornings (Medicare rebate may be applicable). As much as I love going deep in my sessions with clients, I’m also just a normal person who lives for my comfy pants and puppy cuddles

04.01.2022 Who else is a little excited now that playgrounds have reopened?!

04.01.2022 I’m currently in a bit of a sluggy creative period. I’ve been trying to get the copy for my new website written and the words just haven’t been flowing. I’ve been thinking about the vision I have for my business and for the world I want my children to grow up in. ... All too often I observe adults treating children like they are less than human. I don’t just mean a mum having a bad day we can all snap and have our moments. I’m witnessing parents and other adults routinely speak to children in the most disrespectful ways, laugh at and humiliate them, shame them and punish them all seemingly for age-appropriate behaviour (and sometimes it seems just for existing). So while I was trying to put words to what I want to see in this world, this line came to me (there might have been another f word in there too). When is our society going to wake up and realise that our treatment of children when they are young has a major effect on the adults they become? And the other simple fact that children are, in fact, human beings worthy of respect and kindness too?

04.01.2022 Wondering what to buy your friend who's just had a baby? How about gifting something pampering for her? When a new baby arrives, the new mother is often forgotten. This is your opportunity to show your new mama friend that she is important and deserves to be cared for too. My New Mama Gift Pack includes the following locally sourced products:... Dahl Meal Kit from @thesourcetraralgon New Mama Massage Oil from Harriet Herbery New Mama Bath Soak from Harriet Herbery Lactation Tea from Finch and Wren Mama Meditations from Yogamona Handwritten Card from Changing Seasons Gifts My wish is for all new mums to feel supported and cared for in their postpartum. No more onesies!!! $69 plus postage. You can order via my website Thank you Caitlyn Frecklington Photography. for the beautiful photo!

04.01.2022 To connect with other pregnant women on the same journey in circle is something really special. I've recently completed a Women's Embodiment course with Cindy and know that she'll create a powerful and nurturing circle experience on Sunday

03.01.2022 I so love everything Jean from You Have To Just Start - Transition Coach for Moms is doing to support mothers going through the transition of their children leaving home. It's important mothers are supported at this time and is something that isn't spoken of much at all. Highly recommend following her work if this is relevant to you - she is holding an online circle in April you might be interested in attending

03.01.2022 "I just want someone to walk alongside me as I journey this" was something a new business mentoring client said to me this week during our free 1:1 Zoom call she got as part of signing up for Nurtured, my small group mentoring program for mums in business starting in Feb. It's important for me to share that I am not a guru, not an expert and not an experienced business coach. I'm a mum who has started and grown my own business over the last almost two years with two little ki...ds in tow. I have invested a lot in my own mentoring with a variety of mentors. They have all supported me in different ways and I know I wouldn't be where I am today without them. It's the same when it comes to my experience of parenting and motherhood. I have an incredibly close, connected and respectful relationship with my children but that is no accident. I have done a lot of 'inner work' over the last few years and have had multiple mentors along the way. Whether in motherhood or business, you don't need a team of self-proclaimed 'experts' telling you how it should be done. You benefit from people who are there to listen to you, hold you when things get tough, support and encourage you, as well as celebrate when things go great! Someone to walk alongside you on the journey. This is what I am offering in Nurtured. As part of my 12 Days of Christmas Specials, for the next 24 hours you will receive a bonus FREE 60 minute 1:1 session with me when you sign up for this business mentoring program. Payment plans available. Link in bio with more information about the program and to sign up. Message me with any questions!

03.01.2022 Listen to my brilliant client riff on expansion and contraction in motherhood and life. Ahhhhh I love this stuff

03.01.2022 I'm really looking forward to my chat with Amanda tomorrow about Mother's intuition - 3pm AEDT live on my page. She is a perinatal social work colleague whom I met online through some postpartum training and was fortunate enough to meet up with in person during our trip to Darwin last year. We now provide each other with social work peer supervision and she has also become a dear friend. I am so excited to be collaborating with Amanda on a give-away including my new mama gift pack and her incredible new book she has written and illustrated - but more details on that tomorrow!

02.01.2022 What a roller coaster of a day Fathers' Day has been. First up the kids and I made my partner breakfast in bed with ingredients from an amazing breakfast hamper supplied by Hogget Kitchen. The kids flooded the bedroom with balloons, handed over their handmade presents from kinder and childcare and it was all a lot of fun. We had a lazy morning, Facetimed the two grandpas (who knows when we'll see either of them again) and then Dj Nige. turned up blasting out my partner...'s three favourite songs from his Kombi! A family dance party in our driveway in the sun - more fun. Then we heard the news about the 'roadmap' out of restrictions. This was not fun, and almost enough to ruin Fathers' Day. I was in a foul mood for quite a while. I'm thinking of all the people who are already and will continue to be deeply affected by this. Here in regional Victoria, I personally am one of the 'lucky' ones. Everyone's situation is unique and I'm sure there are plenty of people in regional Victoria not feeling lucky at all. I totally get it. I have so many big feelings about the whole thing, so many unanswered questions. But then we went for a family bike ride in the beautiful sunshine and had pizza from 3 Brothers and an Oven for dinner. My partner declared it was the best Fathers' Day ever and I must admit, it was the best family day we have had for a long time. But now I'm sitting here feeling it all very heavily again. It's not so bad for me, but my heart is hurting for so many others. My beautiful clients are hurting. They're really struggling. They're in despair. They're finding it harder and harder to 'find the positives' in this situation the longer it goes on for. I understand. It really sucks. If you would like a listening ear, support to process all your emotions, help to put a self-care plan in place, or some support with managing your toddler's big feelings, your baby's crap sleep or juggling two kids or more with none of your usual support systems in place, please reach out. I offer online single sessions and my Held package - an hour Zoom call plus a month of ongoing support and mentoring via audio and text messaging. If you are local to Warragul, I am still providing in-person counselling sessions at Warragul Wellness Centre, which you can claim a Medicare rebate for if you are currently pregnant or have been in the preceding 12 months. Please give yourself permission to feel all the big feels. I'm thinking of running another anger release women's circle, last Sunday's was powerful. I would love to know if anyone is interested in that. Sending you all so much love tonight. Katie

01.01.2022 Late post I know, but we’ve just realised we have way too much dessert coming to my in-law’s Christmas lunch tomorrow. It now appears we don’t need this white chocolate and berry cheesecake we ordered from Tash Can Cook. We would love to brighten another family’s Christmas and donate this masterpiece. If you or someone you know would love to add this to your Christmas meal tomorrow please comment/tag people below.... I can deliver to Warragul and surrounds tomorrow morning x

01.01.2022 It's been a long time since I had a day off this little business of mine (yes, I know, I know, I am putting in firmer boundaries this year!) I've been sharing tips for transitions this last week or two on my Instagram account @katieparkerpostpartum, but hadn't realised the big transition I'm about to make too - to a new decade! So I'm taking the day off. 40 is significant to me as it is the age my mum never got to. She died at 39. It all feels quite big, especially with my ki...ds starting prep and kinder this week too. Plus I'm making some big decisions with my business at the moment, so don't be surprised if you find me curled up in a hole somewhere tomorrow, most likely having a nap. I'm so excited about kicking off my 12 week small group mentoring program for mums in business, Nurtured, on Monday. If you're interested in that there are still a couple of places available. Would love to hear from you! You can find out more over at Katie Parker - Business Mentor for Mums. Any final tips, for someone turning the big 4 0?!