Parenthood Prep

Watching your best friends struggle to build a family while sitting on frozen eggs you're not planning to use creates a unique kind of tension.     After spending years in the parenting and family creation world, I've seen it all - surrogacy, adoption, egg donation, and everything in between. But when my friends Dave and Danny casually mentioned their complicated journey to have a biological child...

Nursing parents, I hear you: you're stuck between a rock and a hard place, right? You're told that your baby won't sleep through the night as long as you're breastfeeding. And if you want sleep, you'll have to give up the boob.   Here's the truth: I work with tons of nursing parents - over half of my sleep training clients are breastfeeding - and I never tell them to stop. Your baby can absolutely...

Hiring a nanny for the first time? Yeah, it can feel like a total whirlwind. There's the logistics: job descriptions, references, contracts, all that jazz. But there's also the emotional part of inviting a stranger into your home to care for your little ones. It's a lot to navigate, and most parents end up stuck somewhere between too low of expectations (can I really ask for someone with experienc...

Swaddling your newborn might feel like wrestling a tiny octopus into submission, especially when those little arms keep breaking free at 3AM. Many new parents abandon the practice entirely, convinced their baby "hates" being wrapped up, not realizing they're mistaking the process for the result.   Swaddling recreates the cozy containment babies experienced in the womb, helping them adjust to sleep...

Wake windows. If you're a parent, you've probably spent more time thinking about them than is healthy. You set alarms, obsess over exact minutes, and stress about whether you're doing it "right." But here's the deal: wake windows aren't the problem, it's how you're using them.   If you're feeling overwhelmed by the clock, this episode is for you. I'll teach you how to use wake windows as a flexibl...

Do you ever look at your toddler's plate and think, "Is this enough food?" Maybe they've had a string cheese stick and some air, and you're wondering if you're slowly raising a future picky eater. Don't panic—when concierge pediatrician Dr. Danis Copenhaver does a breakdown of what toddlers actually eat over a few days, the picture is usually much healthier than we think.   In part two of my conve...

Medicine is shifting away from the patient-centered care that once defined the doctor-patient relationship. After a decade of practicing pediatrics in various settings across New York City, Dr. Danis Copenhaver witnessed firsthand how the economics of healthcare consistently undermined quality care. From small mom-and-pop practices to venture capital-funded groups, the pressure to see more patient...

Ready for a real-life sleep training story? In this episode, I'm walking you through my recent experience with a 4-month-old baby who learned to sleep independently—and yes, it was just as messy and beautiful as it sounds.   This little one had been relying on the Snoo's rocking motion and swaddle to get to sleep, and while the parents were doing a great job putting him down awake, the Snoo was do...

What's the best parenting advice you've ever heard? You know, the tips that actually make life easier instead of more complicated? In this episode, I'm joined by the amazing Margaret Mason Tate for a rootin' tootin' roundup of the best parenting tips from the last year of Parenthood Prep —along with a few new gems that you haven't heard yet   From the "bird method" of baby soothing to not being Ry...

Did you grow up reading Judy Blume books? If you're like me, you've probably wondered what the heck a maxipad belt was and whether you could be like Margaret in Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. From talking openly about periods to dealing with life's awkward moments and teaching kids that it's okay to question the world around them, Judy Blume pushed boundaries like no one else in children's...

Expecting twins or multiples? Or just trying to wrap your head around how anyone manages two babies at once? You're in the right place.     In this episode, I'm sharing everything I've learned over the years—from babysitting twins as a kid to working with families juggling double trouble. If you're overwhelmed by the thought of twins, or just curious what it's really like, this episode is full of...

Nannies and daycare and au pairs—oh my! If the world of childcare feels overwhelming and confusing, you're not alone. Whether you're back at work, staying home but still want a break (fair), or just trying to figure out what kind of support fits your life, this episode breaks it all down.   In this episode, I walk you through every major type of childcare—from newborn care specialists to daycares...

You've heard of adolescence—but have you heard of matrescence ? It's the word for the massive, hormonal, emotional, physical, and identity transformation you go through from preconception to postpartum. And yeah, it's a big effing deal.   In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Ono Nseyo, OB/GYN and host of the Golden Hour podcast, to talk about why this transition is so wildly under-recognized and und...

Ever feel like you're doing all the things for your kids—and somehow everyone's still melting down anyway? In this week's episode, I'm making the case for lazy parenting (the good kind) and how doing less can actually make everyone—your kids and you—a whole lot happier.   I break down why simplifying your plans, lowering the pressure, and ditching the "Pinterest parent" expectations creates better...

Do you ever feel like if one more person touches you, whines at you, or makes a sound, you might just explode? Yeah, you're not broken—you're just dealing with sensory overload, and it is very real when you're raising tiny humans.   In this episode, I break down what sensory overload actually looks and feels like (spoiler: it's not just about noise), and how it sneaks up on parents who are constan...

Are you constantly saying "yes" when you really want to say "no"? If you're already nodding, this episode is definitely for you.   While I'm off on an epic adventure, fan favorite Margaret Mason Tate is stepping in to guest host—and she's taking on a topic that hits way too close to home for a lot of us: people pleasing, especially during pregnancy, birth, and those early, foggy postpartum days.  ...

Tried using a reward chart with your kid and it totally flopped?   Maybe you stuck stickers on a poster, hoped for the best, and still ended up with bedtime chaos or grocery store meltdowns. I've seen it happen, and in this episode, I'm breaking down why most reward systems fail—and exactly how to fix them so they actually work.   Whether you're trying to get your kid to fall asleep on their own,...

Feel like your entire day is just one long, exhausting attempt to get your baby to take a freaking nap? You're not alone—and you're definitely not doing it wrong.   This week on Parenthood Prep , I'm bringing you a super-practical, no-nonsense episode all about nap schedules that actually work , so you (and your baby) can finally get some rest.   Whether you've got a newborn who naps like it's the...

You know that feeling of finally getting your baby to fall asleep at bedtime... only to have them wake up multiple times during the night?   I know it's exhausting. And frustrating. And sometimes feels like it will never end.   But here's the thing - your baby CAN learn to sleep through the night. They just need the right tools and approach to figure it out.   In this week's episode, I'm breaking...

Got an older kid who thinks bedtime is optional? You're not alone. A lot of parents end up stuck in the routine of lying next to their kid until they finally drift off—or worse, dealing with a 3 AM visitor climbing into their bed.   Here's the good news: You CAN teach them to sleep on their own, and it doesn't have to come with a full-blown emotional meltdown (for them or you).   In this episode,...

Are you ready to take the plunge and sleep train your baby?   Sleep training can feel daunting, but with the right support and strategies, you can help your baby become an independent sleeper.     In this episode, I'm walking you through the bedtime process step by step, breaking down the sleep training method that actually works.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https...

So, you're having a baby—or maybe you're just morbidly curious about what actually happens when labor hits. Either way, let's talk about pain management.     In this week's episode, I'm joined by my sister, Kim Gordon, a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who specializes in labor and delivery anesthesia. In other words, she's the person you really want to know when contractions get real...

Feeling like a frazzled mess and want to parent with more peace (without becoming a full-time monk)?   In this week's episode, I'm joined by marriage and family therapist Ashby Lankford. She breaks down several practical strategies you can use in the heat of the moment to find more calm, compassion, and even humor when you're struggling with your kids.     If you're ready to feel a little less fru...

Feeling overwhelmed trying to juggle it all with a baby in tow?   In this episode, I share my top tips for getting things done, even when it feels impossible. From breaking tasks into bite-sized steps to letting others help (without micromanaging!), these strategies will help you feel accomplished.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/46

Have you or someone you know had a baby in the NICU? It's an experience no parent wants to go through, but there can be some unexpected positives that come out of it.   In this episode, I talk with my good friend and coach Margaret Mason Tate about her experience when her son Hamish spent time in the NICU as a newborn. We also discuss tips for managing the emotional trauma of the NICU, both in the...