How Long 'Til Bedtime? | Sleep and Parenting Podcast

August is the month many families find they need to tighten up their sleep schedules to prepare for back to school. In this episode, Allison is providing back to school sleep tips for elementary school aged children. Time and again, studies have shown that children who receive an optimal amount of sleep have greater learning engagement and retention, improved emotional regulation and impulse contr...

August is the month many families find they need to tighten up their sleep schedules to prepare for back to school. In this episode, Allison is providing back to school sleep tips for preschoolers and toddlers starting daycare for the first time. The research is clear - children who receive an optimal amount of sleep have greater learning engagement and retention, improved emotional regulation and...

Parents often have concerns about the changing dynamics when you prepare to add a second child to their family. Their fears vary - from how they'll spread their love and attention across two children, to the logistics of getting through life with two little ones, to how this new addition will affect their career, marriage and relationship with their first child. Some parents also worry about being...

Going from one to two children is a transition point that parents often have angst about and find challenging. Our sleep coach Ellen Hayden recently welcomed her second baby. To provide a first-hand account of the ups and downs that happen during the months before and after welcoming a new baby, Allison had two candid conversations with Ellen. They spoke first before the new baby's arrival to disc...

After each guest interview we do for the podcast, Allison asks our guests some rapid-fire questions unrelated to their area of expertise. Today's episode is a compilation of all the great "bonus answers" they shared with us in the last six months. These six guests will share their favorite stress-relieving self care strategies, family game and book and podcast recommendations, charities and nonpro...

Buckle up listeners, this is a good one. This episode is packed with helpful information. Allison talks to Bev Sidders, a chemical engineer turned licensed master esthetician, about all things sunscreen…. plus a little bonus on bug spray as well.  Each question Allison asks Bev yields tons of great information. Here are some of the highlights: how to choose the right sunscreen for everyone in your...

As the United States prepares to celebrate July 4th with a long weekend of fireworks, Allison shares thoughts on protecting good sleep for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Click here to watch or listen on YouTube Want to hear more from Allison? Provide your email address here to receive Allison's weekly email about the podcast and other fun topics.  Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime? Please conside...

Allison definitely learned from personal experience that summer vacations with infants or young children can be difficult. These adventures definitely can feel more like trips than vacations because young children still need constant care and they have the ability to derail any plans very quickly. In this replay of our listeners' favorite episode, Allison will help you navigate the sleep aspect of...

School's out and summer reading is in! Are you looking for a good book for your child to dive into this summer? Does your young reader need a little inspiration to fall in love with reading? This episode is packed with book recommendations from Allison's two daughters, who just finished third and fifth grade. Allison provides descriptions of books her girls loved throughout elementary school, as w...

Stacey Olson, a Leadership and Positive Psychology Certified Coach, is returning to the podcast to discuss her new book, Your Balanced and Bold Life. Stacey helps leaders and professionals, many of them working parents, create more balance and less stress as they juggle being a parent, a high performer at work, taking care of themselves, and all the other aspects of their life. Allison and Stacey...

As a recap to the previous three episodes aimed at building awareness of maternal mental health, Allison is sharing what she thinks every expecting and new parent should know in the hopes of helping other new and expecting parents who may struggle or are struggling postpartum.   Given her own experience, the work she does with parents and the previous guests she's interviewed, Allison believed she...

This episode should be a required listen for every expecting and new parent. One in five women and one in ten dads will suffer from some form of mental health struggle during pregnancy or the first year postpartum. Today's episode provides valuable insights into the free and easily attainable resources available to new parents from Postpartum Support International.  We strive to build awareness of...

The month of May is dedicated to building awareness of maternal mental health. One in five women will suffer from postpartum anxiety or depression, and this is the number one complication of pregnancy and childbirth. In today's episode, Allison is joined by Dr. Stephanie Grice, a practicing pediatrician and a mom. Dr. Grice details the role a pediatrician can play in supporting moms dealing with p...

The month of May is dedicated to building awareness of maternal mental health. We devote episodes each year to this important topic, trying each year to approach the conversation from a slightly different perspective.  In today's episode, Allison is joined by Dr. Nicole Rankins, a board-certified, practicing OB/GYN and mom of two. Dr. Nicole candidly shares the training OB/GYNs receive around mate...

Today's episode is all about loveys, otherwise known as stuffed animals, blankies or comfort items that children sleep with. Allison is answering common questions she receives about loveys. Is it a good idea to introduce a lovey to your child? If so, when is a good time to introduce one? Can a child have too many loveys? What to do if your child doesn't show interest in their lovey? Plus, Allison...

We can all agree that it takes a tremendous amount of mental and physical energy to keep a house and family running smoothly. And often, one member of the household feels that they carry the heavy load of all these responsibilities. This role often falls to moms.  Allison and Lori Sugarman-Li discuss how you can set up a system where these responsibilities are shared among all members of the famil...

Do you have an early riser? Are you using a toddler clock or light system with your child? Have you wondered if it's a good idea to allow them to get up and play in their room with the lights on before their light turns green? You're in luck - Allison is covering this question today. If you have a child over the age of 2 years old and you currently use or plan to use a toddler clock or light syste...

Do you have a child who has mastered stalling and resisting bedtime? In this episode, Allison is suggesting a strategy for using natural consequences as a way to put an end to the pushback. She shares specific guidelines for implementing her approach, as well as detailed language to use with your child.    Click here to watch or listen on YouTube   Want to hear more from Allison?  Provide your ema...

Keeping bedroom doors closed while children and adults are sleeping is very important for fire safety. Please listen in as Allison explains the reasons why, and provides specific language you can use with your child when you implement the policy of sleeping with bedroom doors closed.  Allison encourages you to watch this video by the Fire Safety Research Institute Click here to watch or listen on...

If you are separated, divorced, parenting solo or contemplating any of these situations, we know you'll find support in this episode. But even if you parent in the same house with your children's other parent, much of this parenting advice will apply to you as well. Allison is joined by Alicia Robertson, a life coach, speaker and author, who supports women through the challenges of separation and...

Studies clearly show that getting the optimal amount of sleep improves a child's impulse control, emotional regulation, and learning retention. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children 3 to 5 years old get 10-13 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period and that children between 6 and 10 years old get 9 to 12 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. These are big ranges and it can be diffic...

The transition back to work after maternity leave can come with a wide array of emotions and challenges. Today, Allison is sharing the details of her own personal return to work after having her first baby. She's reflecting on the aspects she feels she handled well at the time, what she wishes she had done differently, and the stories she told herself as she adjusted to her new identity of working...

The transition back to work after maternity leave is often a stressful one for women – particularly first time moms. In this episode, Allison and Rebecca Olson, a certified professional life coach who supports moms as they become working mothers, discuss the guilt and loss of control that often accompany this life change. Rebecca shares guidance on recognizing the emotions at play during this tran...

Good news! The dreaded daylight saving spring time change is EASIER to navigate than the fall time change. Today, Allison is going to share how you can have your child adjusted to the new time in ONE DAY. And, she's going to answer the common question about whether you can use this time change to switch to a later bedtime and later morning wake time.  She'll share why she doesn't recommend the met...

Allison doesn't believe there is any one right way to tackle the complex job of parenting. But, she does have an overarching mantra that she uses in many aspects of parenting. Listen in to hear what advice she gives herself to remove much of the guilt and anxiety that she feels in her role as a parent.  Listen to this episode on YouTube Want to hear more from Allison?  Provide your email address h...