As new parents, you are trying to figure this whole parenting thing out, and as new grandparents, your parents are trying to figure the whole grandparenting thing out. And a lot has changed in the last several decades when it comes to parenting research, tools, and strategies. 

In this episode, I’m joined by parenting coach Sheena Hill to talk about responsive grandparenting and her new book The Grand Guide: Mindful Tools for Modern Grandparenting. We talk about the generational gap in parenting understanding and approaches, and how that gap can leave both parents and grandparents misunderstood and frustrated. Sheena shares her thoughts on how to help grandparents understand the why behind responsive parenting and have practical tools to use. 

We also talk about the importance of parents being able to articulate that why and the shifts in research, approach, and tools in conversation with their parents. With her book, Sheena Hopes to bring a framework for compassionate and non-judgmental approach to conversations about parenting. And I hope this conversation helps you see new ways to engage with your parents on responsive parenting so that everyone wins – more relational safety, more understanding, and more connection. 

Grab your copy of The Grand Guide: Mindful Tools for Modern Grandparenting.

Preorder here if before February 28: https://parentingworks.org/ggpreorder

After February 28, buy it from Sheena’s website or your favorite bookstore.

About Sheena 

Sheena Hill is a trauma-informed, neurobiologically-focused responsive parenting coach in private practice at Parenting Works. She works with families around the world, providing education and support for parents and professionals who seek to move beyond rewards and consequences to deepen their understanding of development and attachment while masterfully applying concrete skills in emotional intelligence, limit setting, and using play therapeutically. She lives in Baltimore with her spouse, 3 children, and a growing menagerie of pets (including 5 axolotls).

Connect with Sheena

Website: https://www.sheenahill.com/

IG: @parenting_works

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Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

There are lots of rules shared about what makes a nap a good nap. Most of them aren’t true, or aren’t true as absolutes. In this episode, I’m busting some nap myths and sharing some thoughts around what makes a good nap for your baby or toddler. 

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Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Breastfeeding is not the reason that other people can’t support your baby to sleep! And yet, it’s so often blamed for a parent preference around sleep. In this episode,  I’m talking you through why we see a feeding to sleep preference so often tied into a parent preference. There are  structural/family systems reasons as well as  regulation reasons, but also lots you can do to gently shift the pattern with intention. 

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Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Babies aren’t born regulating their circadian rhythm which means they don’t know their days from night in the early months. While time is a big piece of the puzzle, there are things you can do to help your baby’s emerging circadian rhythm and support better sleep. In this podcast episode I’m talking you through simple strategies to help your baby sort out their days from nights more quickly and set them up for a healthy circadian rhythm. 

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Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

We need to do better as perinatal professionals when it comes to sleep information. To parents who are my main listeners, this episode highlights the most common misinformation shared about sleep from professionals so that you are more able to spot outdated and unhelpful sleep myths. For professionals because I know some of you are listeners too, this is information you need to know. It’s not about taking sides but about what is actually developmentally normal and evidence-based. Let’s move past sleep training culture to a world where parents baseline information is based in biology. That’s the only way we can support informed decision making and what is best for both parents and babies. 

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Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Your baby wakes, signals they need you,  and you respond to settle them back to sleep. This is a pretty standard part of most parents nights. What most people don’t realize is there are lots of small decisions you make about that interaction that can impact how rested you feel in the morning. In this episode, I’m sharing some points for you to consider when responding to night wakes. I want you to think about these factors well ahead of bedtime, and see if there are any tweaks or adjustments you can make to your nighttime parenting routine that can help conserve your energy , consider safety, and support your sleep in small ways.

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Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

The other day I was reflecting on some of the struggles a few clients had shared with me, and how common their individual stories really were. As new parents, there’s so much pressure, guilt, and expectation that you should be doing it “right”. In this episode, I’m doing something a bit different and sharing the advice I wish every parent new as the mom of big kids. It’s not about what I chose to do or how I chose to do it. It’s about themes I see so many parents struggle with. I talk about leaning into nurture both in how you care for your baby but also self-nurture as an equal priority. I  also touch on different seasons of parenting, how and what information we consume, and the way we approach team work with partners/coparents. I hope this perspective as both a sleep coach and mom is helpful.  

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Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Bedtime can be a really hard time of day for many families. If bedtime has been long, stressful, and feels like a battle, then this episode is for you! There are many reasons bedtime can turn into a struggle. In this episode I’m walking you through some of the most common reasons I see for challenging bedtimes. Bedtime can be a peaceful and connected time with our babies and toddlers. The key is evaluating where things aren’t working and being willing to experiment with new ideas. 

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Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Happy new year 

It’s January, and you may be thinking about bringing some order to the chaos that the holidays brought to your sleep routines. I’m sharing a from the archives episode on getting back on track after the holidays. I want you to feel ready to reclaim your normal rhythms or look ahead to new routines, and I hope this episode helps.

In this episode, I’m sharing some ideas for where to start as you work back to your regular routines, or try to establish new rhythms. This is a good time to keep things simple and also check in to see if your little’s needs have changed in the midst of the holiday season. It’s also a good time to remember that consistency, time, and patience go a long way to reestablishing good rhythms and routines and the lack of consistency is one of the ways we get off track over the holidays (for a good reason of course). 

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Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

What helps you feel like you are taking care of yourself ? How well have you adapted those things to your life as the parent of a baby or toddler. In this episode, I’m talking about non-negotiables. The self-nurturing things you need to show up as the person, partner, friend, and parent you want to be. These are not fun, optional self-care activities, but rather small, important nurturing activities that keep you resilient  and cared for, especially when sleep, parenting, or life are particularly hard. I share some of my non-negotiables as examples, but these are very individual things.

Connect with Kim 

Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dc
Facebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/