Expert: Mindful Parenting Coach and Counsellor, Shirley Pastiroff of Renew Your Mind

01/26/21 • 78 min

Today’s guest is counsellor, mindfulness trainer and parent coach, Shirley Pastiroff.

I went into this interview with Shirley thinking that mindful parenting was about everything that I’m not as a mother, and I left realising that it’s also about everything that I am. I left knowing that not only are my feelings are valid but they’re healthy. That my triggers are valid but my child hasn’t caused them, the responsibility of managing them is mine and mine alone. And that I am everything I hope to be as a mother – just as I ask my guests in their final question. The fact that I care, that I’m growing as a parent, and trying to do better, proves that I am worthy of this gig, even on the days where I feel like I’m not.

Shirley is the author of the life-changing book, The Mindful Parent. It is available to purchase locally in NZ through www.renewyourmind.co.nz, and globally through Amazon, Book Depository and other online retailers.

If you struggle with the confronting nature of parenting and "doing it right", I hope you feel that this episode is as much of a permission slip for you as it was for me.
Resources mentioned:

Follow Shirley Pastiroff on Instagram.

Follow Skye Ross on Instagram.

Follow Motherness on Instagram.

Today’s guest is counsellor, mindfulness trainer and parent coach, Shirley Pastiroff.

If you struggle with the confronting nature of parenting and "doing it right", I hope you feel that this episode is as much of a permission slip for you as it was for me.
Resources mentioned:

Follow Shirley Pastiroff on Instagram.

Follow Skye Ross on Instagram.

Follow Motherness on Instagram.

Previous Episode

Kate Holland / fertility journey, IVF, international adoption, post-adoption depression

In this episode, I speak with mum-of-one, Kate Holland about her journey to becoming a mother to her daughter, Rylee. She and her husband, Jon had a fertility journey through IVF that spanned over eight years before they pursued adoption, first domestically and then internationally. The process of adoption took four years before they brought Rylee home from Thailand.
Today, we discuss the details of their story, including how they coped emotionally going through IVF, their first adoption of a boy from Russia falling through, and eventually being matched with Rylee. We chat through what it was like becoming parents overnight and how they bonded with their daughter. Kate also bravely opens up about her experience with post-adoption depression.
Mental health support services:

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa
depression.org.nz or 0800 111 757
Mental Health Foundation
Parent Help - 0800 568 856
Anxiety Phone Line - 0800 269 4389
PlunketLine - 0800 933 922

Follow Kate Holland on Instagram.
Follow Skye Ross on Instagram.

Follow Motherness on Instagram.

Next Episode

Lucy Ross / lockdown birth, husband with postnatal depression, maternal anxiety, reflux baby

Content warning: today’s episode discusses depression, anxiety, and suicide so if any of these topics are triggering for you, please take care while you’re listening. If you’re worried about your own mental health or that of someone you love, visit mentalhealth.org.nz or call 0800 LIFELIFE to seek support. It’s never too late to ask for help.

Today‘s episode is with mum of one, Lucy Ross who bravely shares she and her husband’s story where they were both affected by mental health challenges. Lucy's husband, Jono developed postnatal depression, severe anxiety and became suicidal within a number of weeks of their daughter being born in New Zealand’s first level 4 lockdown, and, as a result, Lucy developed anxiety herself and was under the care of maternal mental health. Today, she reflects on their journey. Thank you, Lucy for so bravely sharing your story.
Lucy and Jono have said they'd be happy to talk to other parents or couples who have experienced similar challenges. If you'd like to connect with Lucy, you can follow her on Instagram @lucyvross.
Mental health support services: