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 under-supported in our healthcare system—and in our culture as a whole. We’re diving into everything from postpartum mental health to snapback pressure, identity shifts, and why six-week checkups are nowhere near enough.

Whether you’re expecting, already parenting, or supporting someone who is, this episode is a must-listen for understanding the real changes that happen when you become a parent—and how we can all start normalizing them, talking about them, and demanding more support.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/57

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

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. Ono Nseyo and the Golden Hour podcast here: https://goldenhour.fm/

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 memories and better behaved kids. From skipping the fancy birthday parties to embracing walks to the corner store like it's a trip to Disneyland, lazy parenting isn’t about slacking—it's about letting kids enjoy the simple magic they’re wired to love.

We'll also talk about overstimulation (for you and them), the myth of “more is better,” and why constantly creating big moments often backfires. If you’ve ever needed permission to cancel plans, skip the $500 cupcakes, and just sit your butt on a bench while your kids run wild—you’ll love this one.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/56

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

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

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 constantly touched, tugged on, talked at, and surrounded by chaos. From the endless “Mommy mommy mommy!” loops to stepping on sticky Legos while Elmo shrieks in the background—your nervous system is not being dramatic. It’s just maxed out.

Join me this week as I give you my go-to strategies for identifying your sensory triggers and calming your system before you hit the point of snapping. We’re talking real solutions: noise-canceling headphones, toy rotation, dimming the damn lights, and even walking away for ten seconds to reset your brain. If you’ve ever yelled “I JUST NEED EVERYONE TO BE QUIET,” this one’s for you.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/55

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

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

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.

Margaret breaks down why putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own isn't just exhausting—it can actually shape your entire parenting experience (and not in a good way). This episode is all about helping you step fully into your power—and model healthy boundaries for your baby from day one because you deserve to be the main character in your own parenting story.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/54

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

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

Follow Margaret on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/margaretmasontate/ or on Threads here https://www.threads.net/@margaretmasontate

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, stop body-slamming their sibling, or just leave you alone long enough to pee in peace, I’m giving you my no-fluff formula for rewards that actually motivate.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/53

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

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

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 their full-time job or a toddler who acts like napping is a personal insult, I’ve got strategies for every stage. We’re talking real-life, doable tips to help you set up nap routines that don’t require Olympic-level juggling.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/52

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 down exactly how to handle those middle-of-the-night wake-ups during sleep training. 

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/51

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, I’m breaking down exactly how to get your kid to fall asleep without you glued to their side. It's all about boundaries, and just like Jerry Seinfeld once said about car rentals, "Anyone can set a boundary. The key is to hold the boundary." By the end, you’ll have the tools (and the confidence) to get your child snoozing like a pro. No more late-night negotiations, just actual, glorious sleep.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/50

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://happyfamilyafter.com/49

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.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/48