Parenting Shrink Wrapped

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Every new parent needs support—but what if we told you there's a whole profession dedicated to making birth and postpartum easier? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with Kimberly Marie Ferrol, pediatric sleep specialist, doula, and founder of Vela Haven, to talk about the vital role of doulas, sleep consultants, and postpartum care.

Kimberly shares why every family deserves a village, how doulas support parents beyond childbirth, and why sleep education is just as important as swaddles and pacifiers. She also dives into common misconceptions about doula work, the emotional challenges of new parenthood, and how postpartum support can make all the difference in preventing burnout, anxiety, and exhaustion.

If you’ve ever thought, I wish I had more help when my baby was born, or Why didn’t anyone prepare me for this?, this episode is for you.

About Kimberly

Kimberly Marie Ferrol is a Pediatric Sleep Specialist, Birth and Postpartum Doula, and the Founder of Vela Haven -Sleep Consulting & Maternal Services. She is also the author of My Pregnancy Haven, a pregnancy and postpartum interactive journal designed to support mothers through their journey. Passionate about education and family well-being, Kimberly founded the Academy of Pediatric Sleep Care to provide pediatric sleep training and resources for perinatal professionals. Through her work, she empowers families with the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to navigate pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood with ease.

Connect with Kimberly

Website: www.velahaven.com

Instagram: @velahaven

Contact: [email protected]

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Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

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Middle schoolers can test every parenting instinct, especially when their behavior at school doesn’t match the values you’ve worked so hard to teach them. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa respond to a listener’s concern about her 13-year-old son—who is smart, confident, and well-liked, but has been acting out and getting in trouble at school.

They dive into why middle schoolers struggle with impulse control, how brain development impacts decision-making, and why peer approval often overrides parental expectations. Sam and Melissa also discuss the "You Screwed Up" conversation framework, how to approach discipline with curiosity instead of shame, and why a single bad report doesn’t mean you’re raising a toxic kid.

If you’ve ever worried about your child's behavior or found yourself over-apologizing to teachers, this episode is for you.

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

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Divorce is never easy, but does it have to be a battle? In this episode, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Sam Straub sit down with family law attorney Val Anias to discuss how to navigate divorce in a way that minimizes conflict and prioritizes children’s well-being.

Val shares her expertise on co-parenting strategies, avoiding common legal pitfalls, and why putting kids first leads to better outcomes. She also introduces her collaborative divorce package, designed to help couples separate amicably—without spending a fortune on litigation.

If you're facing divorce or co-parenting challenges, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

About Val

Valerie E. Anias is owner and founder of A Team Family Law, LLC. Val brings compassion, understanding, and thoroughness to the table when taking on a case. She is passionate about assisting underrepresented individuals and advocates for her clients irrespective of their gender, race, sexual orientation, family status, etc. Whether the issue involves a child custody dispute, divorce, adoption, or creating your Estate Plan, Val’s approach provides her clients with top notch legal representation and ensures that her clients’ rights and voices are represented passionately and efficiently. 

Connect with Val

Website: www.ateamfamilylaw.com

IG: @ateamfamilylaw

Facebook: facebook.com/ateamfamilylaw

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/valerie-e-anias-esq-bb162a32/

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

When we think of play, we often think of children—but what if play is just as essential for adults? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Melissa and Sam sit down with TJ Matton, a psychotherapist and coach specializing in developmental trauma and play for adults. They explore how play is a biological necessity, not just a pastime, and how reintroducing play into our lives can improve mental health, flexibility, and even parenting.

TJ also breaks down different play styles, why some adults struggle with play, and how trauma and societal expectations often lead us to abandon it. Plus, practical tips on how even the busiest parents can reconnect with play for a more joyful, balanced life.

About TJ

TJ Matton is a social worker, psychotherapist, and coach that specializes in developmental and relational trauma and how to integrate play back into adulthood. Play is a biological need across the lifespan that is chronically neglected in adulthood. TJ is helping adults integrate play into their mindfulness work and reclaim play because cause joy is awesome, important, and needed.

Connect with TJ

Website: theplayfulrevolution.com

IG: @theplayfulrevolution

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, hosts Sam Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner sit down with therapist and yoga teacher Ruth Milsten, LCSW-C, RYT, to explore the challenges and strengths of being a highly sensitive parent. Ruth shares insights on recognizing high sensitivity, understanding nervous system regulation, and using somatic therapy to move beyond overwhelm. Whether you're navigating overstimulation, parenting with past trauma, or simply seeking deeper self-understanding, this episode offers practical tools and empowering takeaways. Tune in for expert guidance, personal reflections, and strategies to parent with more calm, connection, and self-compassion.

About Ruth

Ruth Milsten, LCSW-C, RYT, is a licensed clinical social worker, registered yoga teacher, and somatic therapist specializing in working with highly sensitive individuals, particularly women and mothers. With extensive training in trauma-informed therapy, Imago relationship counseling, and polyvagal theory, Ruth helps clients understand and regulate their nervous systems to move beyond self-criticism and overwhelm. She integrates somatic movement, yoga, and sound healing in her practice, offering a holistic approach to mental wellness. Ruth sees clients at Perilla Wellness in Arnold, Maryland, and teaches workshops on somatic healing and self-regulation.

Connect with Ruth

Website: https://www.reclaimwellnesstherapy.com/

IG: @reclaimwellnesstherapy

Other resources mentioned in the episode:

Free HSP quiz by Dr. Elaine Aaron

The Highly Sensitive Parent-Dr. Elaine Aaron

Perilla Wellness, where Ruth practices

Annapolis Crystals

Deb Dana's nervous system info

Imago Relationship Therapy

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

In a world filled with diet trends, wellness fads, and constant pressure around food and body image, how can we help our kids develop a healthy relationship with eating? In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with registered dietitian nutritionist Jacqueline Stern to discuss intuitive eating, health at every size, and how parents can foster a positive food environment at home. Jacqueline shares insights on how to neutralize food, avoid harmful messaging, and support kids in listening to their own bodies. Whether you're concerned about diet culture, picky eating, or body image issues, this episode is packed with expert advice to help your family navigate it all.

About Jacquelyn

Jacquelyn Stern is a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in helping adults and children find peace with food and their bodies. She has over 30 years of experience helping people improve their health from a non-diet, intuitive eating lens. Her clients like how relatable and authentic she is and how this comes through in the one on one work they do together. Whether she is working with children or adults, she helps each person meet their goals with easy to follow suggestions and lots of compassion and care.

Connect with Jacquelyn

Instagram and Facbook: @annapolisnutrition

Website: www.annapolisnutrition.com

How to Raise an Intuitive Eater

Information on Division of Responsibility with Feeding

You know when your kid screws up in some way, and you're sure of the lesson you want them to learn from it....but you’re not sure how to say it in a way they’ll actually hear?  

Download Sam's free video guide that walks you through a simple, step-by-step process for handling these tough conversations called the L.O.V.E.D. framework.

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

Moving can be exciting, but it’s also a major transition that impacts the whole family—especially kids. In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa share their personal experiences with recent moves—one planned, one unexpected—and dive into the emotional and logistical challenges families face during relocation. They discuss how children process big changes, common behavioral responses (like regression or resistance), and practical ways parents can support their kids before, during, and after a move. Whether your move is planned or sudden, this episode will help you create stability, manage stress, and guide your family through change with confidence.

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

In this special pre-Valentine's Day episode, Melissa and Sam dive into the world of teen relationships, first love, and heartbreak. From deciphering modern dating lingo like “talking” to fostering open communication about healthy connections, this conversation is packed with insights for navigating these formative experiences. Melissa and Sam share personal stories, practical advice, and tips for creating a safe space where your teen feels comfortable discussing their relationships. Join us as we explore how to guide teens toward meaningful, safe, and fulfilling connections—just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Samantha Straub, parenting coach and therapist, tackle one of the most challenging aspects of parenting—effective discipline. They explore the key differences between discipline and punishment, emphasizing how discipline is about teaching and growth, while punishment often falls short in helping kids learn from their mistakes.

Melissa and Sam share practical frameworks for setting boundaries, including the importance of safety, values, skill-building, and maintaining a strong parent-child relationship. They also discuss how to let natural consequences play out and why this approach fosters resilience and responsibility in children. Whether you’re dealing with toddlers or teens, this episode offers compassionate, realistic strategies for managing discipline in a way that helps your child grow and thrive.

Tune in for tips on reinforcing positive behavior and setting rules that work for the unique needs of your family!

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care. 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Dr. Melissa Wellner and Samantha Straub dive into an essential and often overwhelming topic for many parents: how to access mental health care for your child. Building on their previous discussion about anxiety, they explore the different layers of the mental health care system and explain the key differences between various professionals, including pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, counselors, social workers, and psychologists.

Melissa and Sam offer practical advice on how to navigate finding the right therapist or prescriber, discussing factors such as insurance networks, cost differences, and whether to consider in-person or telehealth options. They also share insights into the importance of finding the right "fit" with a mental health professional and why it’s crucial for effective treatment.

Whether you’re searching for the right help for your child or simply want to understand the mental health landscape better, this episode provides compassionate, real-world strategies for getting the care your family needs.

Questions or Topic Requests? Comment on one of our posts or email [email protected]

Follow along with us:

Sam's Instagram
Melissa's FaceBook

Work with Us:

Teen Savvy Coaching, Sam's coaching business for parents of teens and tweens.
Website
Facebook
Instagram

Download Sam's free e-book: Beyond Nagging: Empowering Parents to Transform Teen Homework Headaches  https://mailchi.mp/teensavvycoaching/beyondnagginghomeworkhelp

Annapolis Psychiatry, Dr. Melissa's private practice:

Website
Facebook

Contact: [email protected]

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Save your spot in the next FREE Teen Savvy Parenting Masterclass.

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care.