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Thriving Families

Thriving Families- Pre & postnatal visits, for mum & bub. Baby & toddler sleep consultation. Children's toilet training & continence assessments for NDIS.

Parenting programs such as circle of security or bringing up great kids.

29/07/2025

Let’s Talk About Encopresis 💩

Encopresis is when a toilet-trained child involuntarily has a small amount of poo in their underwear. It’s not a diagnosis or disease, just a description of what’s happening.

Finding the cause can be tricky. Sometimes we need to do a process of ruling out what it isn’t before discovering what it is. This takes time, patience, and lots of gentle support from the whole family.

If left untreated, encopresis can impact a child or teen’s self-esteem. And, in my opinion, self-worth is harder to rebuild than fixing the leaky bottom. So we need to be pro-active and find help quickly, rather than hoping it will fix itself.

The good news? Help is available. A Continence Nurse Specialists (like me!) and Doctors can work together with families to get kids back on track. Helping them to feel proud of themselves, comfortable in their bodies, and ready to take on the world.

🌱 Progress is possible—with the right support and a whole lot of kindness.
If this sounds familiar in your home, reach out. You’re not alone 💛

16/06/2025

It’s incontinence week. We are shining a light on issues that 20% of kids live with every day.

Early intervention is absolutely the biggest key to better outcomes.

10/05/2025

The conference is finished - so much wee & poo talk!!
Off to Bruny Island today for some adventure (& good food), apparently a must see while in Tassie.

09/05/2025

Nothing to do with wee or poo - but look at the colour of this!!! Loving Tassie’s cold weather!

08/05/2025

I’m at the Australia Continence Foundation conference this week in beautiful Tassie…… & it’s really hard to see, because my photography skills need a lot of work, but I’ve woken up to SNOW on the mountains this morning.

Learning a lot of new research. Can’t wait to come back & share new insights with everyone.

09/03/2025

🚽 Kids' Constipation: What to Watch For & When to Get Help! 🚽

Constipation in kids can be confusing—it doesn’t always look the way you expect! The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) highlights these signs and symptoms to watch for:

⚠️ Possible Signs of Constipation:
🔸 Infrequent bowel movements OR several small stools a day
🔸 Foul-smelling wind and stools
🔸 Excessive flatulence
🔸 Irregular stool texture (large, hard stools or small pellet-like ones)
🔸 Withholding, straining, or avoiding the toilet
🔸 Soiling, overflow accidents, or "skid marks" in underwear
🔸 Tummy pain, bloating, or discomfort
🔸 Poor appetite and low energy
🔸 Mood changes—unhappiness, irritability, or general malaise

If constipation has been going on for a while, keeps coming back, or is making toilet difficult, your child may need specialist support.

👉 This is where Amanda from Thriving Families can help, If you need evidence-based help to get things moving again, I’m a Peadiatric nurse Continence Specialist based in Toowoomba. Book an appointment today on our website.

08/03/2025

🚽 Kids' Constipation: What to Watch For & When to Get Help! 🚽

Constipation in kids can be confusing—it doesn’t always look the way you expect! The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) highlights these signs and symptoms to watch for:

⚠️ Possible Signs of Constipation:
🔸 Infrequent bowel movements OR several small stools a day
🔸 Foul-smelling wind and stools
🔸 Excessive flatulence
🔸 Irregular stool texture (large, hard stools or small pellet-like ones)
🔸 Withholding, straining, or avoiding the toilet
🔸 Soiling, overflow accidents, or "skid marks" in underwear
🔸 Tummy pain, bloating, or discomfort
🔸 Poor appetite and low energy
🔸 Mood changes—unhappiness, irritability, or general malaise

If constipation has been going on for a while, keeps coming back, or is making toilet training difficult, your child may need specialist support.

👉 This is where I can help. I am a Peadiatric Nurse Continence Specialist. If you need evidence-based help to get things moving again, I’m here for you! Book an appointment today on the Thriving Families website

27/01/2025

🎒✨ Back to School Prep: transition are hard for everyone. Here are a few simple tips to help:
🎒Be Patient and Encouraging
Talk about something that you will do after school - for them to look forward to.
Celebrate small wins, like getting dressed on time or walking into the school gate.
Courage is hard - so praise each step that they take
Remind them they are strong, and you’ll always be there to support them.

Don't forget the book "invisible string" - its a beautiful book to read to kids nervous about leaving parents.

23/01/2025

🎒✨ Back to School Prep: As the school year approaches, it’s important to start preparing your little ones (and yourself) for a smooth transition. Here are a few simple tips to help:
🎒Focus on Positives
Help them remember what they enjoy about school, like friends, favorite subjects, or lunchtime.
Create a small "first-day plan" that includes something fun or comforting, like bringing a favorite lunch or a small toy from home.
🎒Teach Coping Tools
Practice simple calming techniques together, like deep breathing or visualization.
Teach them to identify and name their emotions to help manage anxiety.
Role-play scenarios, such as introducing themselves to a new teacher or solving a small problem.

20/01/2025

🎒✨ Back to School Prep: As the school year approaches, it’s important to start preparing your little ones (and yourself) for a smooth transition. Here are a few simple tips to help:
🎒Practice School Routines
Reintroduce school routines a week or two before school starts.
Practice waking up, getting ready, and leaving the house as if it were a school day.
Include calming activities in their routine, like mindfulness exercises or quiet reading.
🎒 Visit the School
If possible, visit the school before the first day.
Walk through their classroom, playground, or other familiar spaces to help them feel more comfortable.
If a visit isn’t possible, look at pictures of the school or talk about familiar people they’ll see there.

16/01/2025

🎒✨ Back to School Prep: It’s almost that time! As the school year approaches, it’s important to start preparing your little ones (and yourself) for a smooth transition.

Here are a few simple steps to ease back into the school routine:
✨ Re-establish Routines: Gradually shift bedtimes and wake-up times closer to school hours. Consistent routines can help kids feel rested and ready to learn.
✨ Practice Independence: Encourage little ones to pack their bags, buy uniforms, cover books .... It all about feeling prepared to decrease anxiety!
✨ Start Conversations Early
Talk about school in a positive, but a calm way.
Ask open-ended questions like, “What are you most excited about?” or “What’s something you’re nervous about?” Validate their feelings and reassure them that it’s okay to feel worried.
✨ Label Everything: School supplies, lunchboxes, and uniforms—this avoids confusion and makes life easier for everyone.

Let’s set our kids up for a year of confidence, fun, and learning! 🌈

How are you preparing your little ones for school? Share your tips below! 💬

12/01/2025

Whether your child is just slow to toilet training or dealing with continence challenges as a tween, I’m here to help!
✔️ Gentle supportive guidance
✔️ Evidence-based strategies
✔️ A focus on your child’s unique needs

You don't need a referral to see me.
Go to my website to find more information or book an appointment.

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Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:00
Thursday	08:00 - 16:00
Friday	08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+61402727472

Website

http://www.thrivingfamilies.net.au/

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Welcome to a non-judgemental, supportive parenting space. I know that parenting doesn't come with a handbook and there is an overwhelming amount of information on the internet. Parenting is hard at times! It’s a challenging journey that is often done in isolation. I recognise that families sometimes need support to navigate the tough times. Thriving families offers a holistic support service for parents that allows them to thrive not just survive!

I am a highly experienced Registered Nurse, Midwife, Child Health Nurse and Peadiatric Continence Nurse. I can offer you evidenced based information covering topic from newborn to school preparation, sleep, fussy eating, toilet training and other more complex toileting issues.

Everyone needs a bit of help at time, I am excited to join you on your parenting journey!