Just like myself as a first-time parent, a lot of families may not have the tools to successfully support their young ones with this essential exigency of sleep. As much as infants and toddlers need support with sleep, their parents do too. I believe education is important and with misleading information available, there needs to be somewhere families can access correct information about their children’s sleep that is based on science, experience and research which is empowering and encouraging for them. This is where I step in, I am that person that can offer all of this with a philosophy and strategies that feel right within the parent’s hearts, giving them relief through solutions that work.
I have been committed to 6 months of self-motivated, dedicated study. I have been mentored by a qualified, experienced sleep consultant right here in Aotearoa, and have amazing opportunities to discuss ideas with other students and experienced consultants. I have learnt so much throughout this time, becoming up to date on modern research and gaining insight into how different the needs are of each child, depending on their age/stage and own personal temperament or natural sleep cadence. It has been an amazing experience being able to volunteer my service to parents during my course and learning how to apply my knowledge and skills to support their young children with this essential human need.
Upon researching the need for this service in my area of Taranaki, I was blown away to discover that there are no certified sleep consultants throughout the entire region. Being the only sleep consultant in this area is an exciting challenge I am looking forward to embarking on. I can’t wait to get my business off the ground and get some support out there for families in need. I have been grateful with the amount of support I’ve received myself from family, friends and dedicated families who volunteered. They are all a real inspiration to make my dreams into a reality.
This is all a new experience for me, and I have had to learn how to balance work, study and my family life. I work full time as a key kaiako/teacher with infants at a local early childhood centre, mentor teachers in training as they work towards their degrees, get up early to fit study in before work, sacrifice a social life on my weekends to enhance my own learning and embrace my two young men, 16 and 20 years of age. They both bring me so much joy, challenges, love, humour and intrinsic motivation. I believe they need their parents just as much now as when they were younger people. All of this multi-tasking will be well worth it once I reach the light at the end of the tunnel and get out into the local community and begin helping children and their families.
I have envisioned myself being a sleep consultant for quite a few years now, and the time finally feels right, so with my determined drive, dedication and passion, I am taking the brave leap into working for myself. When I have my sights set on something, I put my whole self into it to achieve my goals. Being able to vastly improve families’ lives by providing my services is extremely rewarding. I absolutely love hearing their feedback about how supported they felt and how rested their little one has become. As I empower families, they too empower me.
Where to from here? My next goals are to establish my business into a full-time career and eventually employ other certified sleep consultants to service this large region of Taranaki. I am currently building an accessible website, my reputation and clients. I will be available for face-to-face meetings with families within Taranaki and will also be able to support families nationally over phone, e-mail and messaging.
I have a very nurturing, respectful, loving philosophy when it comes to infants, toddlers and their families. I am excited to bring all of this to the families of New Zealand and be a part of infants and toddlers being ‘nurtured to sleep’.
To find out more, join the Nurturing Sleep communities on Instagram and Facebook.
