Early years
empowered parenting collective:
An Aware Parenting immersion to Navigate the Wonderful World of Early Childhood (Ages 1-7)
unlocking the secrets of early childhood
You've done the reading. You know you don't want to shout, threaten, or use sticker charts. But somehow you're still ending up in the same loops — the meltdowns, the power struggles, the bedtime that takes forever — and the advice you find online either feels too simplistic or leaves you more confused than before.
You've probably heard "your child isn't giving you a hard time, they're having a hard time." And it resonates with you, but knowing that and actually knowing what to do in the middle of another meltdown over a broken banana is a completely different thing.
Empowered Parenting bridges that gap. Here you will find an Aware Parenting-based framework that makes sense of your child's behaviour and the most helpful way to respond, so that it feels true to you, even when things get hard.
IMAGINE…
Imagine actually understanding what's going on when your child loses it over a broken banana, a sock that feels wrong, or the fact that you cut their toast the wrong way. Not just keeping it together, but genuinely getting why it's happening and knowing the most helpful way to respond.
Imagine…
Feeling equipped for the messy mornings, the bedtimes that stretch into an hour, the meltdowns in the supermarket and knowing when to use play and when to let the tears come and what to do for each one.
Having a whole framework — researched & science-backed — that gives you a real picture of your child developmentally and emotionally.
Knowing that tantrums, tears, and big feelings aren't problems to fix or avoid — really knowing that and understanding it. And learning from observation that when you stop trying to shut them down, something shifts in your whole family dynamic.
Understanding what loving limits actually are and when to use them to support your child’s natural healing mechanism - crying.
Using play — specifically Attachment Play - to help your child process the difficult experiences, build connection with you, and yes, cooperate more from a place of willingness.
Seeing how feelings show up in everything: why your child won't eat certain foods, why sleep is a struggle, why they can't play alone for five minutes — and knowing what to do with that information.
Building a relationship with your child rooted in trust and connection, where they know their feelings are safe with you — all of them, even the loud and inconvenient ones.
this course is for YOU IF…
You're entering the toddler phase and already sensing that "distract or ignore" isn't going to cut it as a long-term strategy
Your child is somewhere between 1 and 7 and you're ready to stop managing their behaviour and start actually understanding it — with connection and compassion rather than threats or consequences
You've tried the sticker charts, the countdowns, the bribes, the "if you don't stop right now…" — and either they don't work, or they work just enough to make you feel uneasy about using them
Bedtimes take forever, mealtimes are a battleground, and you're never quite sure whether to hold the limit or let it go — and you're exhausted from making it up as you go
You're ready to look at your own childhood too — not in a blame-your-parents way, but because you can see certain patterns showing up in how you respond to your child, and you'd like that to be different
You swing between being too authoritarian and too permissive, and neither feels right — you want an actual framework, not just another Instagram tip or script
You're not enjoying this phase as much as you expected, and you feel guilty saying that out loud — the relentlessness of it, the noise, the neediness — and you're wondering if and when it gets easier
You already resonate with Montessori, RIE, Pikler, or conscious parenting but feel like something's still missing — especially around emotions and crying
You're already familiar with Aware Parenting and want to go deeper, with proper support rather than just reading about it on your own
Hola!
I’m Maru:
Mexican, climber, parent to two young children. Advocate. Aware Parenting Mentor. Elimination Communication and potty support for parents navigating all things toileting. And someone who’s deeply interested in how we raise humans without oppression, whilst meeting everyone’s needs.
I had the “luck” of having a baby who didn’t sleep. After six months of gruelling sleep deprivation I discovered Aware Parenting and a third way with sleep - a way that wasn't "cry it out" and wasn't just endlessly bracing through the exhaustion either. It changed my perspective on babies and children so much that within 2 years I had qualified as an Aware Parenting Instructor with the aim of helping more parents understand children’s true nature.
I believe we are living through a critical moment for humanity. Having gained a deep understanding of child development and emotional wellbeing through a trauma lens, I firmly believe that changing the way we parent ourselves and our children is the only way we’ll change the course for our world.
I love supporting parents every step of the way and being there for the aha! moments, the tears, the rage and the joy. I don’t think parenting needs to feel like a constant test of whether you’re doing it right. I think it can feel more connected than that.I believe a more compassionate world is possible when we become comfortable and connected with ourselves and with others. I’ve seen, again and again, how that ripples outward into children, families, and the wider world.
what’s included in this immersion?
video modules
8+ hours of expert-led content – broken down into short, digestible videos across 4 core modules, so you can learn at your own pace.
lifetime access
I trust your timing. This is not school!
If life gets in the way the course will be here. If you need to revisit something weeks or months later, it will be here too.
The investment is for both co-parents and I highly recommend coming to the live calls together.
3-4 yearly live sessions
Dive deeper into each theme, learning and exploring together.
detailed handbook & resources
A comprehensive PDF that you can use along with the content or share with family members.
Your questions and needs will shape part of the course. I will share resources, links, books and more according to your needs every week.
30-min 1:1 consultation
You get to book a 1:1 session with me! You can use at any point once the course starts and up to mid-July. Whether you’re looking for listening time or practical support, this is your time with an Aware Parenting Instructor.
community
In the closed community (not Facebook) you can ask questions, find support & reassurance in between sessions.
week by week
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The first week is all about introductions and new beginnings. We’ll introduce ourselves. I’ll introduce how the course works and the key concepts behind Aware Parenting.
We’ll start de-conditioning and looking at what beliefs we hold about young children that may not be true.
We’ll get on the same page about what children are really like, so we can know what to expect of our relationship with them. -
What is mis-behaving?
Once we’re clear on the WHAT, we’ll look at the WHY.Fostering cooperation and low-demand parenting. How to gain cooperation from young children without resorting to threats, punishments nor rewards.
Understanding stress and trauma. Navigating the sources of stress and trauma for toddlers and how to reduce them. -
Understanding tears, tantrums and rage. The power of empathetic and compassionate responses to tantrums, meltdowns, and other intense emotions.
Loving limits. How to support your child's emotional well-being, create a safe space for expression, and reduce the frequency and intensity of emotional outbursts.
Reparenting invitation. -
Playful parenting, attachment play & Independent play.
Discover the healing properties of play, learn techniques for infusing joy and fun into parenting and fostering independent play.
Becoming a playful parent, inner child play. -
Food and screens. Effective approaches to sleep and screens that respect your child's individual needs, your family needs and our biological expectations.
Sleep, bedtimes and more.
Gain insights into the connection between emotional well-being and healthy sleep and eating habits.
FAQs
Who is the immersion course suitable for?
The course is designed for parents with children aged 1 to 5 years old. Whether you have a baby who is just starting to toddle or a slightly older child transitioning into the toddler phase, this workshop will provide valuable insights and guidance to support your parenting journey.
I can’t make all the live sessions…
That’s ok! Everything will be recorded so you can access it on your own time. You can also post any questions you have in the closed community hub and we’ll answer them during the live Q&A.
I want to join the course, but I really can’t afford it…
Email me and we’ll figure out a solution that works for both of us, whether that is an extended payment plan, a larger discount or a skills exchange. It’s my desire that all parents who really want to learn this approach have the opportunity to do so. Because I truly believe this is not *just* about parenting, this is about having the opportunity to change the course of the world.
I've tried different parenting approaches before, but nothing seems to work. How is this workshop different?
The Empowered Parenting immersion takes a holistic and empathetic approach to parenting. We go beyond specific strategies and scripts by helping you understand the underlying causes of your child's behaviour and emotions. Through this deep understanding, you'll learn how to respond with compassion, reduce tantrums, and build a stronger connection with your child. This workshop offers a transformative shift in your parenting approach, empowering you to create a more peaceful and joyful family life.
Can I take part in the immersion if I follow a specific parenting approach like Montessori, RIE, or Pikler?
Absolutely! The course welcomes parents from all parenting backgrounds, including those who follow Montessori, RIE, Pikler, or no specific approach. The workshop provides a foundation of understanding that complements and enhances your existing knowledge and beliefs. You'll gain valuable insights and tools that can be integrated into your own parenting style.
What is the duration and format of the Unlocking Toddlerhood immersion?
The live round of the immersion consists of four sessions, each lasting one and a half hours, plus an introductory 30-min session. There are weekly videos of around 60 minutes, which you can watch in your own time.
The workshop is conducted in a small group setting, allowing for personalised attention and opportunities to connect with other like-minded parents. The sessions are interactive and engaging, combining informative discussions, practical exercises, and Q&A sessions to ensure you leave with a deep understanding and practical tools to apply in your daily life.
The self-paced course includes everything except for the live Q&A sessions.
There is also a 30-minute 1:1 consultation with Maru which you will book separately.