Toni Pirini is a passionate advocate for wellbeing, dedicated to nurturing the health and happiness of individuals and families alike. As a mum of 8, sleep educator, teacher and certified life coach, her journey has been shaped by the rich tapestry of experiences-from the bustling energy of a large family to the diverse landscapes of New Zealand’s classrooms. With over 18 years of parenting experience and a deep commitment to personal growth, she’s evolved from solely focusing on parenting to embracing a broader mission: to create a sanctuary for OURORA-for all who dedicate their time to caring for others, whether as health professionals or parents. Through a blend of professional development workshops, personalised coaching sessions, and a wealth of resources, OURORA is your haven for holistic wellbeing. Toni’s approach isn’t about having all the answers-it’s about harnessing the power of shared experiences to inspire growth and transformation. Here she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind what she does, how she balances work and family life, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
To share why I became a parent coach, I need to take you back to where my journey into motherhood began. I had my first baby at 25 after trying for about a year. Though I was young by some standards, my husband and I had already been together for eight years, starting as high school sweethearts, and we knew we wanted to start a family.
It was during that time I learned I had PCOS and wasn’t ovulating, which led us to begin fertility treatments. Eventually, I gave birth to my first son via caesarean section because he was breech. I’d hoped for a natural delivery, but it wasn’t meant to be. I’ll never forget my midwife’s words: “You don’t get pregnant to have a good birth-you get pregnant to have a healthy baby”. Those words stayed with me.
Over the next 18 years, I gave birth to six more beautiful children. I had VBACs (vaginal birth after caesarean) and a wide variety of birthing experiences, including a hospital birth, three home water births, a birth in the back of the car at a hospital car park in Rarotonga, and one even on our bathroom floor!
These experiences taught me something profound: from the very beginning, parenting is a journey of constant learning.
When my sixth child was a year old, we welcomed Zeus, my older cousin’s son, into our family. He was two years old at the time and needed a safe home. Zeus has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and through him, I’ve grown as both a mother and a person, learning valuable lessons about patience, compassion, and understanding.
As life often surprises us, I naturally and unexpectedly ovulated shortly after Zeus joined our family, which led to my final pregnancy at 38. Suddenly, I had a newborn, a 2-year-old, a 3-year-old, a 4-year-old, a 6-year-old, an 8-year-old, a 10-year-old, and a 13-year-old! Our family now consists of four boys and four girls-equal parts chaos and joy.
These experiences, challenges, and lessons shaped my desire to become a parent coach. I want other parents to know they’re not alone, and that support is always available. Parenting is never “figured out” completely, but through shared knowledge and encouragement, we can thrive together.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I started by sharing gratitude posts on Instagram and Facebook. Over time, I began posting what I call “Recycled Information”. I chose this term because the word “advice” implies a position of authority, as if the giver knows better than the receiver. That’s not how I see it. I believe we’re all learning together and simply exchanging knowledge. Some of the information I shared wasn’t something I had personally experienced but found valuable, so I “recycled” it and passed it along.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
My biggest achievement so far has been creating my website, which provides a space to connect with and support more people. My next goal is to develop online courses, allowing me to help parents even when we can’t meet face-to-face. I understand how hectic life can be, and I’m committed to offering support in ways that fit into parents’ busy lives.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
This is always a challenge. My husband works a shift roster and often has weekend shifts, so my children are my priority. Like many working mums, I struggle with the contrast between work and parenting. In work, tasks can be completed, solutions found, and accomplishments recognised. Parenting, on the other hand, often feels endless – the tasks only grow, and appreciation can sometimes be non existent.
I try to channel these emotions into becoming a better parent coach, because I understand that every journey is complex and unique. If I can help make your day a little better, it makes mine better too. Supporting others brings me joy.
