Mindful Mamas

12/12/2025

Another major milestone. My big girl. Finished uni. Landed her dream job at a major Melbourne hospital in anaesthetics. And moving out of home tomorrow. Feeling reflective. She is blooming and I’m adjusting. The dichotomy of being so thrilled she is stepping into her independence and autonomy and the heartbreak that my hands on motherhood journey is complete for now. Reflective about all the beautiful memories created, the care given, the wings unfurling. My work here is complete in terms of active parenting and I’m pretty chuffed and immensely proud of who she is. Loving, caring, smart, courageous, determined, emotionally intelligent and hopefully ready for the big wide world.
Huge mama transition incoming - she is first leaning the nest and my youngest is next in the new year. The transition is real - but I’m so comforted by the fact that I’ve soaked every stage and age in mindfully with my girls. So the transition is just mine. Stay tuned !

19/10/2025

I’m currently navigating what I’m going to call the “final sleepover season” of motherhood. Adult children, on the countdown to flying the nest in 2026. It’s got me feeling sentimental and nostalgic. We are all feeling it… There’s some gentle mama joy at the fact that they agree to a sleepover in the city together and we deeply enjoy each other’s company. There’s the feeling of wanting to marinate in every last minute together - taking snapshots for the memory bank of calling out goodnight to each other, meals huddled around the table, debriefing about their days and their plans, listening to them giggle and sing in the shower. A deep knowing that the next chapter calls each of us into unknown territory- one their first big girl job after uni, one navigating a move interstate and this mama finding out where life leads without being physically required for the incredible role of motherhood…. They will step into independence and responsibility with all they have learned in the nest and I’ll have more space for life, reflections, love and some exciting work.

03/08/2025

I’ve been a little quiet here lately… because I’ve been working on something deeply aligned with my passion and clinical experience in mental health and parenting.

After almost 25 years of supporting families and children , I’m so excited to share with you — Parenting by DNA. This course brings together everything I’ve learned from working with children, parents, and the science behind how our biology shapes behaviour.

It’s a 4-week self-paced course that helps you understand and respond to your child’s emotional world using insight from both nature and nurture.

Pop over to to stay informed - we start our first round on 28th August and I’m thrilled to share this groundbreaking and innovative guide to parenting through the lens of your child’s biology.

For those of you interested in camps - yes !!! We have plans - thanks for your patience - the wait will be worth it. We are changing our camp format - to stay informed - make sure you are signed to our mailing list on the website.

10/05/2025

Becoming a mum taught me that parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. It’s about showing up, again and again, with love, curiosity, and grace (especially when you don’t feel like you’re getting it right).

So today, I honour the mums doing their best with what they have. The ones who feel invisible, exhausted, or unsure. You are seen. You are shaping the future with every hug, every boundary, every bedtime story.

And to my own children—thank you for being my greatest teachers. You remind me daily that motherhood is not a role to master, but a relationship to nurture. Grateful every day you chose me to be your mama.

To my own mum , grandmother and all the mums I’m surrounded by - your advice, love and wisdom has helped me be the mum I am today and I love you.

To all the mums I’ve witnessed in my work both in clinical work and camps - thank you for allowing me to walk with you.

Happy Mother’s Day

13/04/2025

Slow weekends with my family, no internet, dusty boots, climbing mountains together exploring, river hangs and camp cooking are the greatest medicine. Listening to my adult girls tent giggling and holding hands on walks, seeing my little brother beam with joy and spending time with my love have all fuelled my soul until next time we can gather. Oh and nature you have my heart always - always a deep reminder of how when we go to her - she takes your hand and invites you to slow down, sign often overcome with beauty and just be. Being is so enough ❤️

21/10/2024

So beautiful to read Mamma Knows South reflection about her weekend at camp with her master 12!

The Mama and Me camps, hosted by Mindful Mamas, are the perfect opportunity to just press pause on everything else and focus on your child, yourself and your connection. All of your meals are cooked for you - you don’t even had to do the washing up! There’s no washing to fold, places to drive to...

21/10/2024

20/10/2024

10/10/2024

The smiles say it all! These boys had an absolute blast at our last Mama & Son Camp, and mamas—let’s be honest—we did too! 😊

In less than TWO weeks, we’ll be back at it again, ready for more adventures, belly laughs, and moments that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Camp isn't just fun for the boys (though building stick boats is pretty cool). It’s a chance for us mamas to slow down, be fully present, and just be with our sons—no distractions, no to-do lists, just pure connection.

And let's face it, they might act all tough with their boats, but nothing beats the cuddles and quiet moments we get to sneak in too!

I’m counting down the days. Who’s ready to make some more memories with me?! 💫

It’s not too late to join in—tickets are still available! Visit my profile for the link.

Melissa 🪶

08/10/2024

Today, we take care of ourselves unapologetically, no matter how messy it gets.

Because let’s be real—mamahood isn’t always neat, tidy, or Instagram-perfect. Some days, it’s pure chaos. And in the middle of it all, we forget that we’re allowed to care for ourselves, too.

But today? Today is different. Today, we claim back the moments we need, the space we deserve—without hesitation, without guilt. It’s about giving ourselves permission to just be in a world that constantly asks us to give more. Maybe it’s sinking into a moment of silence before the kids wake up, taking that deep breath you’ve been holding for way too long. Maybe it’s standing firm in your boundaries when everyone seems to be pulling at you.

Claiming back these moments isn’t selfish—it’s survival. It’s recognizing that you deserve time to recharge, to breathe, to reconnect with you. It’s about understanding that when we carve out space for ourselves, we’re better for it. Better for our kids, better for our partners, and most importantly, better for us.

Self-care doesn’t need to be pretty, it just needs to happen. And today, we do it without apology.

Melissa 🪶

02/10/2024

Let’s be real, sometimes the stuff we need to talk about is the very stuff we avoid. The hard conversations. The things that weigh on us. Whether it’s your partner not pulling their weight or your child pushing boundaries —it’s tough. And even though we all want to have those open, heart-centered talks, sometimes we freeze.

Here’s something I’ve learned: when you feel like you can’t say it, write it.

Ever have a conversation you rehearse over and over in your head but can never seem to get right? That’s because sometimes the emotions are too tangled, and we don’t know where to start. When words feel too big or messy, write them down. You’ll be amazed at how putting your thoughts on paper turns confusion into clarity. It’s like unraveling a knot—one sentence at a time.

When you write, you’re not just dumping emotions—you’re giving yourself a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect. It’s easier to figure out what you actually want to say once it’s on the page. And trust me, this isn’t about writing perfectly; it’s about writing honestly. Once you see it there in front of you, you might realize what you thought was anger is actually sadness, or that what you really need is just to feel heard.

Once it’s out of your head and written down, you can start to bring it into a heart-centered conversation. Writing gives you the space to sort through the feelings and get to the truth of what you need to say. So when you finally sit down to talk—whether it’s with your partner, your child, or even a friend—you’re coming from a place of clarity, not chaos.

Let me tell you something personal—this whole practice of writing through tough emotions? It’s why I created Peacenotes, my journal designed for mamas who need a safe space to work through the big feelings. It’s a tool for finding your voice when the words feel stuck. A place where you can write your truth, reflect, and ultimately bring those heart-centered conversations into your family.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying too much to even begin the conversation, Peacenotes is for you. It’s not just a journal—it’s your space to breathe, reflect, and find the clarity you need to speak from the heart.

Melissa 🪶

26/09/2024

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows—parenting is hard. Even the most patient and gentle mums will face moments of frustration and confusion. But gentle parenting helps us build a strong connection with our children, so we can navigate those tough times together with more ease and understanding.

There are so many misconceptions about gentle parenting, one of the biggest being that it's too permissive. But gentle parenting isn’t about letting kids run wild or saying yes to everything. It’s about setting clear, loving boundaries, rooted in empathy and understanding.

When we explain the *why* behind our rules, children don’t just follow orders—they learn and grow. They start to understand how the world works, and why certain behaviors are important. Boundaries provide the structure that helps them feel secure, while empathy helps them feel seen and heard.

It’s not about being lenient; it’s about guiding them with both love and wisdom. This approach teaches emotional intelligence, strengthens connection, and builds trust. After all, parenting with both heart and boundaries ensures that respect flows both ways.