Aware Parenting Coach in Sussex & Online. Gentle Parenting Support for Big Emotions, Sleep & Behaviour
Go beyond gentle parenting to understanding your child and trusting yourself as a parent. Understand what your child’s behaviour is really communicating so you can respond with connection, clarity and trust.
If parenting feels harder than you expected, you are not alone.
I can help you when:
Your child’s behaviour feels overwhelming or they just won’t listen
You don’t want to use rewards or punishments, but don’t know what to do instead
You find yourself reacting in ways you don’t feel good about
You feel judged or unsupported by others
You are trying so hard and still feel unsure
And underneath all of that, there may be a quiet feeling of “I just want to feel more calm, confident, and connected.”
What if your child’s behaviour isn’t the problem?
In Aware Parenting, we understand that behaviour is communication. When children have big feelings, are not listening, or acting in ways that feel challenging, it is not because they are “bad” or trying to make things difficult.
It is often because:
They have an unmet need
They lack information
They are holding stress or emotions that need to be released
As we understand this, everything starts to shift and we can move away from control towards connection, understanding, and trust.
Sign up to my newsletter and receive a free guide.
“The investment in regular family meetings pays dividends that extend far beyond childhood. Children raised with democratic decision making tend to develop stronger self-esteem, better communication skills, and more confidence in problem-solving. They learn to consider multiple perspectives, negotiate respectfully, and take responsibility for their choices.” Rebecca Sheikh
Free Family Meeting Guide
This isn’t just about your child.
It is one thing to appreciate this in theory but another to stay present with it in real life. Because your child’s feelings don’t just exist in isolation.
They land in you. They can bring up overwhelm, frustration, doubt, and even your own past experiences.
This is why my work doesn’t just focus on children. I support you too.
So you can:
Feel more resourced in the moment
Understand what is happening in you
Respond in ways that feel aligned, not reactive
Through my work, I support parents to:
Understand behaviour as communication
Respond without rewards or punishments
Support big feelings with more confidence
Set limits without shame or control
Reconnect with their own inner trust
This is not about getting it perfect.
It is about having the right support to help you find your way.
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If your baby or child isn't sleeping and leaving them to cry feels wrong, there is another way. I support parents to understand the emotional and developmental reasons behind sleep difficulties, finding an approach that works for your family without sleep training or cry-it-out methods.
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Toddler tantrums and aggressive behaviour can leave you feeling helpless, embarrassed, or just utterly exhausted. I help parents understand what is really driving the behaviour so they can respond with warmth and confidence rather than dread the next meltdown.
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It's so disheartening when nothing seems to work and your child just won't cooperate. I help parents look beneath the surface of defiant or dismissive behaviour to find what's really going on: whether that's an unmet need, missing information, or stored stress so that cooperation becomes genuinely possible.
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When your child experiences the world more intensely than others, standard parenting advice can feel completely beside the point. I work with parents of ADHD, autistic, and highly sensitive children to understand their child's unique nervous system and find approaches rooted in connection rather than compliance.
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If you experience constant bickering and fighting and feeling that you're always referee then sibling rivalry and conflict is one of the most draining parts of family. l help parents understand what each child is communicating through the conflict and how to respond in ways that gradually build real sibling connection.
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If you find yourself reacting in ways that shock or surprise you please know you are not alone and you are not broken. As an Inner Child Journey Guide I offer a gentle, structured process to help you understand your triggers and begin to heal the childhood wounds you carry into your parenting. I have also developed an Inner Relationship Parenting Process and offer courses to support through this.
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So many parents feel overwhelmed, isolated, or unsupported but are too exhausted to even name it. I create space for you to feel genuinely heard, and to slowly rebuild a sense of trust in yourself as the parent your child needs.
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We don’t always don't know what parenting differently looks like in the messy reality of daily life, when we didn’t have role models who parented with connection. I offer clear, grounded support rooted in Aware Parenting that helps you move from good intentions to real, lasting change.
I help with:
Work with me
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Free Discovery Call
Discover how Flourishing Childhood can support you and your family through a free discovery call. (20 minutes)
This initial conversation is an opportunity to explore your specific challenges that you are experiencing or related to children's behaviour.
I would love to journey with you.
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1:1 Consultation
Begin your journey with me here where we explore your unique parenting challenges.
You will leave with a clearer perspective and actionable steps to enhance your parenting journey.
An hour online consultation
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Weekly Hop On
Let's walk the journey of parenting together. (30 min weekly hop on - Monthly Subscription) Parenting can often feel overwhelming, but regular check-ins can provide valuable support, guidance, and help you to connect with your and your child's needs. FREE access to my members area with a library of videos, play ideas and more.
ANNUAL PACKAGE - 2 months FREE
Upcoming events
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![Inner Child Journey: online workshop with Flourishing Childhood]()
Inner Child Journey Conversations (TBC)
INNER CHILD JOURNEYS – A 6-SESSION ONLINE TRAINING COURSE with Robin Grille
You may not know it, but your own life as a child is one of the strongest influences on how you parent (or care for children) today.
You can find out more about Robin here.
"I have found his course to be truely inspirational and thought provoking. I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to understand their own inner child journey and gain insight and compassion for themselves and others. It is a unique and very stimulating journey. Many thanks Robin!" Jackie, participant
JOIN WAITLIST FOR THE NEXT COURSE HERE.
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Transforming Families with Aware Parenting
This workshop delves deeply into children's natural ability to heal stress and trauma that they have been exposed to, from something as small as a visit to the dentist to more serious traumas such as severe accidents or medical trauma etc. Crying, raging and laugher can transform children’s behaviour.
It takes place over 2 day 26th and 27th September 9:00am-12:30pm.
'I highly recommend Rebecca's workshops. She is an incredibly gifted and teacher and her warm energy creates a peaceful and loving atmosphere during the workshop. It made me feel very safe and accepted. I also love Rebecca's examples from her own family life - very genuine and authentic. I feel so grateful for the opportunity to participate in this workshop. I've learned a lot! Karolina, mum to 2 children.
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Free Webinar for Overwhelmed Parents
Empowering You as a Parent: Moving from Overwhelm to Inner Trust. A free live webinar for parents of children with big feelings who want a more connected, confident way of responding
Friday 3rd July 2026
8:00–9:30pm (BST)
Live on Zoom
WHAT YOU’LL LEARNParenting overwhelm is real and it doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. So many parents come to this work feeling exhausted by their child's big emotions, unsure how to respond, and quietly wondering whether they're getting it right. Whether you're navigating toddler tantrums, sleep struggles, hitting, or just that constant low hum of not feeling confident enough, this free webinar offers something different from the usual advice. Rather than more strategies to manage or control behaviour, this is gentle parenting support that starts with understandingyour child, and yourself. Rooted in the Aware Parenting approach developed by Dr Aletha Solter, we'll explore what children's behaviour is really communicating, and why responding to the root rather than reacting to the surface and creates the kind of lasting change that actually feels good for everyone in the family.
Let’s walk the parenting journey together today.
FAQs
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Aware Parenting is a philosophy founded by Aletha Solter, PhD, that recognises children's need for attachment, emotional release, and freedom from punishments and rewards. It helps children heal from stress and trauma through connection, play, and allowing healthy emotional expression. Rather than using time-outs or rewards to control behaviour, we look at what's underneath and support children in releasing accumulated stress.
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Both! I offer online sessions throughout the UK via Zoom, as well as in-person sessions in Forest Row and the surrounding East Sussex area (East Grinstead, Crawley, Tunbridge Wells, etc.).
Book a free discovery call here.
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Absolutely. I support families with sleep challenges using attachment-focused, gentle approaches that honor your child's needs and your family's values. No sleep training, no cry-it-out methods. Just compassionate support to understand what's beneath the sleep struggles and practical strategies that feel right for your family.
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Yes! I specialise in supporting parents of neurodivergent children, including those with ADHD, autism, or who are highly sensitive. I help you understand your child's unique needs, navigate challenging behaviours with compassion, and find approaches that work for your family without punishment or coercion.
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In our sessions, you'll share what's challenging for you right now. I listen deeply, help you understand what might be underneath your child's behavior, and offer practical strategies rooted in Aware Parenting principles. We'll explore attachment play, emotional release, and how to meet your child's needs while also taking care of yourself. Sessions are compassionate, non-judgmental spaces where all your feelings are welcome.
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I offer several options to meet different needs:
Free 20-minute Discovery Call
1:1 Consultation (1 hour)
Weekly Hop On (30 min monthly subscription)
Annual packages with savings
[Book a free discovery call] to discuss which option would work best for you.
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Every family is different, but many parents notice shifts in their own understanding and responses right away. Changes in children's behavior often follow once they feel the shift in our approach and have space to release stored stress. Some families see improvements within weeks; for deeper patterns or trauma, healing unfolds over time. The key is consistency and compassion with the process.
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Absolutely. In fact, that's exactly where many parents start. Feeling overwhelmed is completely normal, and it doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong. In our first call, we'll gently explore what's hardest right now and find a starting point that feels manageable. You don't need to have it all figured out—that's what I'm here for.
Partnered with
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Eliza Parker
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Lara Ritson
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