Parenthood Prep

What does it actually look like to welcome a baby in a polyamorous or multi-adult family? Spoiler alert: it involves a lot more than everyone just being "extra help."

In this episode, Margaret Mason Tate fills in for Devon and sits down with Laura Boyle, author of Monogamy? In This Economy?, to talk about pregnancy, postpartum, parenting, finances, and family life outside the traditional two-parent script. Laura shares her own very unplanned journey through pregnancy, law school, paternity questions, and polyamorous family-building, which is exactly as casual and low-stress as it sounds.

She and Margaret also talk about what intentional planning can look like for families navigating consensual non-monogamy, postpartum support, dating while pregnant or postpartum, kids' relationships with additional adults, and why polyamorous parents are not actually sitting around giving their children a full report on their sex lives. If you're polyamorous, curious, skeptical, or just here for the logistical gymnastics of modern family life, this conversation offers a thoughtful, funny, and very real look at how families can build something that actually works.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/91

Want to join the fun and never miss an episode? Subscribe to Happy Family After on your favorite podcast app! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or visit https://HappyFamilyAfter.com to ask questions, share your thoughts, or even roast your baby (yes, really!).

Check out Laura's work here: https://readyforpolyamory.com/

Are you expecting a baby and staring at your beautifully curated nursery, wondering if any of it is actually going to matter once your new roommate gets here?

Between Pinterest-perfect nurseries and endless baby gear recommendations, it is very easy to feel like you need a fully decked-out magazine-worthy setup before your baby arrives. But the truth is, your newborn does not care about aesthetic wallpaper, designer storage bins, or whether their crib sheets perfectly match the curtains.

In this episode, I break down what actually matters when it comes to setting up your home for a new baby. From realistic bedroom arrangements and guest room hacks to safe sleep spaces, changing stations, blackout curtains, and practical setup tips for both singletons and twins, I'm giving you the no-nonsense guide to preparing your home in a way that supports both your baby and your sanity.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/90

Want to join the fun and never miss an episode? Subscribe to Happy Family After on your favorite podcast app! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or visit https://HappyFamilyAfter.com to ask questions, share your thoughts, or even roast your baby (yes, really!).

Do you ever think about which TV parents had the most influence on your own parenting journey?

Whether it was the idealized world of Rugrats or the chaos of The Simpsons, TV parents have shaped how we view raising kids whether we like it or not. So, what makes these on-screen moms and dads so compelling, and what can we learn from them?

In this first ever episode of Parenthood Prep After Dark, Margaret joins me to dive into the world of TV parents, from their impact on pop culture to the real lessons about parenting that these characters can teach us. Together, we dissect classic TV shows, our favorite characters, and how these portrayals of family life reflect (and sometimes distort) what it's really like to raise kids. Expect a blend of humor, nostalgia, and, of course, parenting wisdom, as we explore the not-so-perfect families on screen.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/89

Want to join the fun and never miss an episode? Subscribe to Happy Family After on your favorite podcast app! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or visit https://HappyFamilyAfter.com to ask questions, share your thoughts, or even roast your baby (yes, really!).

Let's face it, feeding your baby can sometimes feel like an endless series of decisions - nursing or pumping? Which is better for you? How do you know when to make the switch, or do you even need to? It's a lot to consider.

In this episode, I sit down with leading lactation expert and founder of One with the Pump, Tamari Jacob, to break it all down. She's here to help parents like you understand the ins and outs of pumping and nursing, and how to manage both without losing your sanity.

From nursing basics to the ins and outs of keeping your pumping routine running smoothly, we cover it all, so you can make the decision that's right for you and your baby. Join us this week as Tamari dives into the practical tips you need to navigate the sometimes rocky road of feeding your baby. She gives us the scoop on when and why you might want to switch between nursing and pumping, and how to make it work for your life. Whether you're struggling with supply issues, figuring out a pumping schedule, or just want to make your feeding journey a little easier, this episode is full of tips you won't want to miss.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/88

Want to join the fun and never miss an episode? Subscribe to Happy Family After on your favorite podcast app! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or visit https://HappyFamilyAfter.com to ask questions, share your thoughts, or even roast your baby (yes, really!).

Check out Tamari's work here: https://tamarijacob.com/

What if one tiny parenting shift could give you more breathing room, help your child become more independent, and make your life feel a whole lot less like an endless game of emotional whack-a-mole?

Let's be honest, a lot of you are answering before a question is even fully out of your child's mouth. You're solving, anticipating, fixing, translating, and then wondering why you're somehow the only adult in the room doing any of it.

In this episode, Margaret Mason Tate is back with a solo conversation about a deceptively simple concept she calls speak second. You'll hear why waiting a beat before responding can actually help your child build concentration, independence, and confidence, how speaking second helps redistribute parenting labor in a more balanced way, and why not every need needs to be treated like an emergency.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/87

Want to join the fun and never miss an episode? Subscribe to Happy Family After on your favorite podcast app! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or visit https://HappyFamilyAfter.com to ask questions, share your thoughts, or even roast your baby (yes, really!).

Need real-life support? Learn more about our in-home postpartum and newborn care services here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/in-home-care/

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

Motor skills development is one of those things parents are understandably curious about, but most people aren't actually taught much about it. You hear about tummy time, rolling, and crawling, but beyond that, it can feel really unclear what matters, what's normal, and when something is actually worth paying attention to.

In this episode, I'm talking with Dr. Allison Mell, founder of Tots on Target and a pediatric physical therapist with years of experience helping babies build strong motor foundations. We get into why these early milestones matter so much more than people realize, how movement supports everything from strength to body awareness to attention, and why the "wait and see" approach is not always as harmless as it sounds.

Join us today to hear what mini-milestones to watch for, what kinds of asymmetries or movement patterns can be red flags, and why it's so important to give babies both the opportunity to move and the support they need if something feels off. We also talk about the mixed messages parents get around baby development, and how everyday opportunities for movement can make a huge difference. If you've ever wondered whether your baby is on track, or if you just want to better understand how early motor skill development really works, this episode will give you a lot to think about.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/86

Want to join the fun and never miss an episode? Subscribe to Happy Family After on your favorite podcast app! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or visit https://HappyFamilyAfter.com to ask questions, share your thoughts, or even roast your baby (yes, really!).

Need real-life support? Learn more about our in-home postpartum and newborn care services here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/in-home-care/

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

Check out Dr. Allison Mell's work here: https://www.totsontarget.com/

Listener questions are my absolute favorite because they're usually the exact thing twenty other parents are quietly wondering. Margaret is in the host seat for this one, pulling questions straight from the DMs and keeping me on track while we dig in.

Today, I'm answering two big questions: when to start a baby schedule and what to do when your big kids are suddenly in your bed at 2 a.m causing middle-of-the-night mayhem.

Join us on this episode to learn when you can start bookend scheduling with a baby and why earlier is often better, how to think about daytime feeds versus nighttime stretches, and how bedtime routines help you wind down just as much as they help your baby. You'll also hear what "independent sleep" really means, and how to be calm and steady in the middle of the night without turning into a guilt spiral or a yelling mess.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/85

Want to join the fun and never miss an episode? Subscribe to Happy Family After on your favorite podcast app! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or visit https://HappyFamilyAfter.com to ask questions, share your thoughts, or even roast your baby (yes, really!).

Need real-life support? Learn more about our in-home postpartum and newborn care services here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/in-home-care/

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

You know those phrases everyone throws at you the minute you have a baby? Sleep when the baby sleeps. Never wake a sleeping baby. Keep them up so they'll sleep better tonight. Some of them sound wise. Some of them sound vaguely threatening. And some of them make you want to scream into a pillow at 3 a.m.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the most common pieces of baby advice and telling you which ones are actually helpful, which ones depend on the situation, and which ones need to retire immediately.

Join me this week as I get into parenting pearls of wisdom: when you should wake a sleeping baby (yes, sometimes you should), why keeping babies awake does not help them sleep better at night, why "drowsy but awake" is basically a unicorn, and what I actually mean when I say "sleep when the baby sleeps." If you've ever felt confused by conflicting advice, this episode will help you filter the noise and trust your instincts a little more.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/84

Want to join the fun and never miss an episode? Subscribe to Happy Family After on your favorite podcast app! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or visit https://HappyFamilyAfter.com to ask questions, share your thoughts, or even roast your baby (yes, really!).

Need real-life support? Learn more about our in-home postpartum and newborn care services here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/in-home-care/

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

If you're pregnant, someone has almost certainly asked you whether you plan to breastfeed (usually before you've even had time to process the fact that you're growing an entire human). And while breastfeeding can be a wonderful option for many families, it's not a no-brainer, a requirement, or a measure of your worth as a parent.

This episode is about choice, relief, and removing unnecessary pressure during an already intense season. Whether you breastfeed, formula-feed, combo-feed, pump, or decide early on that feeding from your body isn't for you, your baby can thrive - and so can you. The goal is a fed baby and a parent who is supported, stable, and not drowning in guilt.

Join me this week as I dive into why breastfeeding, chest-feeding, or body-feeding might not be the right choice for you, and why that's completely okay. There are very real, valid reasons someone might decide not to breastfeed, from mental health and medication needs to personality, pain, and simply not wanting to. I also unpack a few reasons people are often told they shouldn't breastfeed that actually aren't true, because the noise around feeding decisions can be overwhelming in both directions.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/83

Want to join the fun and never miss an episode? Subscribe to Happy Family After on your favorite podcast app! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or visit https://HappyFamilyAfter.com to ask questions, share your thoughts, or even roast your baby (yes, really!).

Need real-life support? Learn more about our in-home postpartum and newborn care services here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/in-home-care/

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

First-time parents tend to white-knuckle everything. The germs. The wobbling. The crying. The feeling that if you look away for two seconds, something catastrophic will happen. And I get it. When everything is brand new and you haven't spent much time around babies before, your nervous system is doing its absolute best to keep this tiny human alive.

In this episode, I share why I wish I could help every first-time parent treat their first baby like they're already on baby number four. After years of newborn care, 24/7 live-in work, and caring for twins, I've seen how dramatically parenting changes once you've built comfort and perspective. Not because you love your baby less, but because you finally understand what actually matters and what really doesn't.

Join me this week as I dive into germs, bumps, babysitters, screen time, feeding pressure, and why second-time parents seem so much more relaxed. You'll learn how to let go of perfectionism earlier, protect your own identity, and parent in a way that's calmer, more sustainable, and honestly more enjoyable.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/82

Want to join the fun and never miss an episode? Subscribe to Happy Family After on your favorite podcast app! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or visit https://HappyFamilyAfter.com to ask questions, share your thoughts, or even roast your baby (yes, really!).

Need real-life support? Learn more about our in-home postpartum and newborn care services here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/in-home-care/

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/