_deniseheff

One thing I’m deeply proud of as a mother and something I’m very intentional about is how openly we talk about bodies in our house.

Periods.
Vulvas.
Wi***es.
Bodies.

From a very young age, I made a conscious decision no secrecy, no shame, no embarrassment.

My nearly-5-year-old knows her proper body parts.
She knows what a period is.
She knows that the va**na is inside and the v***a is on the outside.

(I didn’t learn that until my late 20s.) shoutout to Jenny keane!

She’ll casually say things like “Mam, do you have your period?” or say “Let’s watch a movie and rest mam cause you have your period” And it’s so natural for her. So innocent. So normal.

Like many women, I didn’t grow up like this. There was silence, shame, embarrassment, and discomfort around bodies and “private parts.” That silence followed many of us into adulthood.

This isn’t inappropriate.
This isn’t too much information.
This is body literacy.

When children know the correct names for their bodies,
they’re safer.

They’re more confident.
They carry less shame.

If this makes you uncomfortable, it’s worth asking why.

Children don’t sexualise bodies , adults do.

Teaching correct anatomy is not a trend. It’s protection & something I’m so proud of as a mam

If you’re a parent, this might spark a reflection.
If you’re not, it may bring you back to what you were or weren’t taught about your own body.

What did you learn or not learn about your body growing up?

What did you internalise about what you learned or didn’t learn?

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Softening into Womb Wisdom

a gentle womb-healing afternoon with cacao, somatic movement & practices and meditation.

This 90-minute space is an invitation to slow down, soften, and come home to your body. To listen to your womb.
To connect with the quiet wisdom that lives beneath the noise.

This space is for you if you’re craving

• deeper connection with your body
• softness and nervous system nourishment
• gentle movement and rest
• a safe space to feel and receive

Saturday 7th Feb
2:00–3:30pm
Fitness Hub
€33

If this post stirs something in you it’s time to trust the gentle yes in your body.

Booking link in bio if you want me to send it to u privately DM me WOMB 🤍

I am soooo looking forward to this one 🤍

I want to share some things I learned the hard way when my child’s anxiety peaked & not because I did it perfectly because I certainly didn’t . I hope it can help another parent feel a little less alone 🫶🏼

Some of the things I thought would help… that didn’t

Keeping her off school 🫠
Shouting 🥺
Rushing her 🥴

Each of these backfired in their own way and each taught me something important about how children’s nervous systems work.

What I learned is that ⬇️

🫶🏼Children need safety, not control
🫶🏼Connection and calm regulate more than correction ever can
🫶🏼Slowing down and holding space changes everything

Anxiety isn’t a behaviour problem. It’s a nervous system asking for safety.

There’s nothing wrong with your child.

Anxiety is how their needs are being expressed.

You’re not doing it wrong.

You’re learning what your child needs through trial & error

Remember your best right now is ENOUGH

Share with a parent who might need to hear it today.

🤍

If your Sunday evenings tend to come with a quiet sense of dread… you’re not alone
I’m holding a Restorative Cacao Circle on Sunday 25th , a calm, nourishing space to slow right down before the week starts.

Think warm cacao, being fully supported in restorative shapes, gentle breath, and no pressure to talk or “do” anything. Just rest. Just space. Just being held.

Sun 25th | 6–8pm
Escapada Studio, Dún Laoghaire

Link in bio ✨

Love to share the space with you

D xox

I didn’t expect that post to land the way it did. That version of me was surviving something heavy. If you’re in a season that feels like that, you’re not alone here.

Thank you for being here 🙏🏼

🤍