The Sleep Sense Show

Latest Episodes:

Episode 105 - How to Fight in Front of Your Kids Oct 12, 2018

Show notes

If you're raising kids with a partner, it's a pretty safe bet that there's going to be the occasional argument between the two of you, and sometimes, like it or not, they happen in front of the kids.

We tend to beat ourselves up when we argue in front of our kids, but the truth is they can learn some important lessons from seeing their parents argue, so long as it's done in a productive and respectful way.

In today's show, I've got some suggestions to help you maintain civility and regard for your partner when you argue, and keep you mindful of the example you're setting for your little ones when it happens in front of them.

Episode 104 - Get Your Kids to Eat Their Veggies Oct 05, 2018

Show notes

It's a very rare child who's willing to eat anything you put in front of them. Most kids crave sweets and white carbs, and occasionally protein in the form of chicken nuggets or fish sticks. Not exactly foods your pediatrician would call, "healthy."

Getting young children to eat their vegetables can result in some frustrating battles, but you can't just feed them their favorite foods all the time. So what's a parent to do?

In today's episode, I have some tips to help you ease the tensions around dinnertime, encourage your kids to try new foods, and a few suggestions for how to prepare nutritious options so your kids will actually enjoy them.

Episode 103 - Stretched Too Thin Sep 14, 2018

Show notes

Every mother knows that raising kids is a full time job. Not "full time" in the business sense of 9-5, Monday to Friday, but full time in the literal sense. You never clock out, you never get a vacation, and you never retire.

Which is a big part of the reason those of us who choose to pursue a career on top of being moms can often find ourselves feeling overwhelmed by feeling of guilt and inadequacy.

My guest on today's show, Jessica Turner, author of the bestselling book, The Fringe Hours and founder of the popular lifestyle blog, The Mom Creative, has a new book on the way. Stretched Too Thin is a compassionate, encouraging guide to help moms lose the guilt, ease their stress, and embrace their roles as working mothers.

You can find Jessica's blog on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, and per-order her new book here.

Episode 102 - The Importance of Bedtime Routines Sep 07, 2018

Show notes

As many of you will probably know if you've listened to my podcast before, my first child started off as a terrible sleeper.

And like any parent in my position, I did a ton of research to try and figure out what the problem was.

For some reason, no matter how many people I heard talking about the importance of bedtime routines, I always dismissed them as being inconsequential.

But I'm a firm believer now, and today I'll be discussing why bedtime routines are so important for getting your baby sleeping through the night, and what you can do to improve your little one's routine to ensure they're primed and ready for a long, restful snooze.

Episode 101 - How to be a Happier Parent Aug 31, 2018

Show notes

Audrey Hepburn once said, "The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it's all that matters."

That's great advice, but it's a little sparse on the "how-to" side. We would all love to be happy, but it's not always easy, especially when you're shouldering the responsibilities of a parent.

Which is why I'm so excited to be speaking with my guest on the show today. K.J. Dell'Antonia is the author of How to Be a Happier Parent. A practical, thoroughly researched guide to bringing more joy into our everyday lives, not by doing more (please, no) but by doing things differently.

This mother of four and former editor of The New York Times' Motherlode blog has some straightforward, effective advice for finding the joy in the otherwise chaotic experience of raising a family.

Her book, How to Be a Happier Parent, is available from Penguin Random House Publishing or wherever you find great books.

Episode 100 - Back to School Tips Aug 24, 2018

Show notes

As much as kids look forward to summer vacation, I have a feeling that parents look forward to school starting again even more. (Even though we may not be allowed to show it quite so openly.)

But back-to-school can bring along one substantial challenge for both parents and their kids. During those two months of vacation, we tend to get pretty lenient about bedtime, and when kids suddenly start working on a schedule again, their sleep can get thrown wildly off track.

In today's episode, I'll discuss why early bedtimes are so vital to your child's health and success during the school year, as well as some tips to help get them back on schedule before school starts, so they can face that first day well-rested and ready to learn.

Episode 099 - Separation Anxiety in Older Kids Aug 17, 2018

Show notes

As parents, the idea that our kids don't like to be apart from us is not just understandable, the feeling is full-on mutual. The bond between us and our children cannot be overstated.

As they get older, some kids naturally start to explore their emerging independence with enthusiasm. Others, not so much.

So when it comes time for the first day of pre-school, daycare, or even an afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa's house, many kids will resist with an intensity that can be downright heartbreaking for both them and their parents.

Today, I've got some tips to help you reassure your child that your leaving isn't permanent, ease their anxiety around new people, and help them approach unfamiliar situations with excitement and enthusiasm.

Episode 098 - How Do I Know if Baby's Hungry? Jul 20, 2018

Show notes

When your baby cries in the night, it usually means they want something in order to help them get back to sleep. Whether it's because they're too hot, too cold, have a wet diaper, or for some other reason can be difficult to tell.

For most parents, the first thing they try is a feed. Babies love to eat and it's the most common reason for newborns and infants to wake up in the night.

Of course, that's not always the solution, and feeding your baby to sleep every time they wake up can cause an association that will leave them unable to fall asleep unless they're offered a nighttime snack.

In today's episode, I'll help you spot the telltale signs of hunger and give you some tips for getting baby back to sleep on those occasions when they're just looking for comfort instead of food.

Episode 097 - Switching From a Crib to a Bed Jul 13, 2018

Show notes

Sooner or later, your toddler is going to outgrow their crib, and while the switch to a big-kid bed is an exciting milestone, it usually brings on some challenges.

Toddlers tend to test their boundaries when they experience the newfound freedom of a regular bed, and you can typically expect a few late-night visits, sleep regressions, and early morning wake ups while they're getting used to their new sleeping arrangements.

Today, I have some suggestions that will help you decide on the right time to make the switch, as well as some common mistakes parents make when we're preparing our little ones for the transition.

Episode 096 - When and How to Start Solid Foods Jun 29, 2018

Show notes

Starting your baby on solid foods is a fun and exciting milestone, and one you should definitely have your camera ready for! But like everything in parenting, there is a lot of uncertainty about when and how to get started.

In today's episode, I'll be talking a little bit about how to recognize when your baby is ready to start eating solid food, and a whole lot about how to go about it.

Having struggled with my own son's finicky eating habits, I've learned from experience (as well as a few expert nutritionists) about the relationship that babies and toddlers form with food.

So today I have some great tips to help you start them off on the right foot, encourage them to try new, healthy foods, and eliminate the battles over when and what they eat.

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