No One Told Us

Today I’m speaking with Ben Lutz, the dad of The FUNemployed Family! In 2018, after more than a decade of rat racing and corporate ladder climbing, he and his wife realized they were firmly on the hamster wheel of life and feared that they would regret not spending more time with their young daughter! They quit their jobs, sold their house and most of their possessions and set off on a gap year around the world with their toddler. They were looking for a life (and career) reset, and boy did they find it! For the past 6 years Ben and his family have been on a digital nomad journey traveling full time to 35 countries while working remotely and “worldschooling” the kids along the way! This is what you’ll learn inside this fun and informative episode: Financial Planning for Long-Term Travel Choosing the Right Destinations for your Family Dispelling the Myth: Traveling with Young Children isn't Worth It Flying with Kids: Tips and Tricks for a Smooth Journey Embracing Slow Travel: The Benefits of Extended Stays in one Location Mitigating Over-Tourism Teaching Kids How to Embrace New Cultures and Experiences Childcare and Education for Traveling Families Finding the Perfect Travel Destination Embracing New Experiences with Kids in Tow The Rewards and Challenges of this Lifestyle How to Work as a "Digital Nomad" "Worldschooling" and How Kids can Get an Education While Traveling and So much more! Mentioned in this episode:Ben’s Global Destination Matrix: https://stan.store/TheWanderCoach/p/the-destination-matrix Follow Ben + Fam on… Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunemployedfamily Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefunemployedfamily  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFUNemployedfamily/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thefunemployedfamily  website: https://www.thefunemployedfamily.com/ Boundless Life websiteRachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Rachael speaks with Elissa Strauss, author of the book 'When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others.' They discuss the societal expectations placed on mothers, the cultural issues surrounding care, and the value of caregiving. Elissa also shares her personal experiences with motherhood and how it has changed her perspective on work and identity. More inside this episode: How motherhood is often framed as either a "fairytale" or a "nightmare" Individualism in the U.S. and why it hurts families The benefits of communal parenting and palliative care The identity shifts we go through after having a baby and impacts on work life How caregiving should be valued economically and philosophically Elissa has been writing about the politics and culture of parenting and caregiving for more than fifteen years. Her work appears in publications like the Atlantic, the New York Times, Glamour, ELLE, and elsewhere, and she was a former contributing writer at CNN.com and Slate, where her cultural criticism about motherhood appeared on DoubleX. Her book, "When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others," is out now from Gallery Books. She is also the mom of two kids, Augie and Levi, ages 11 and 7!Elissa’s Book: When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for OthersElissa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elissaavery/ Elissa’s Substack: https://substack.com/@elissastraussRachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we welcome Danielle Bayard Jackson, a certified friendship coach, to chat all about MOM FRIENDS- how to find them, how to keep them, and how to not let small stuff get in the way. We also chat about healthy conflict resolution and modeling strong friendships for our kids! Inside this episode: common challenges Moms specifically face when it comes to making new connections practical ways to find new friends and nurture fulfilling relationships with other women why some friendships fade or fall away after having kids how to create boundaries and express needs within female friendships what to do if a friend makes different parenting choices than you, and how to separate parenting differences from core values or character judgements how to model healthy friendships for our kids and much more! Danielle teaches women how to make and maintain better friendships through research-based methodology. Since studying the ins and outs of female friendships, her teachings include how to solve common female friendship conflicts, creating connections with depth and closeness, and the impact of friendship on our physical, mental, and emotional health. Danielle is also the author of Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships. This book aims to explain the mechanics of female friendship from an aerial view, as well as provide tangible strategies to equip women for the day-to-day business of being friends. As the spokesperson for Bumble For Friends and with work that has been featured in NBC News, The New York Times, and Psychology Today, Danielle's insights and frameworks have been trusted by manyDanielle’s instagram: @daniellebayardjacksonDanielle’s book: Fighting for our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships.Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Rachael welcomes Dr. Ben Miraglia to discuss the importance of early dental care for children, focusing on the connection between dental health, breathing, and overall development. He emphasizes the need for early intervention in pediatric dentistry, particularly between the ages of 3 and 11, to prevent long-term issues. Dr. Ben also introduces Toothpillow, a remote treatment option designed to improve children's oral health through guidance appliances, myofunctional therapy, and nasal hygiene.Inside this episode: Signs and symptoms for dental or airway issues in your child How mouth breathing can lead to various health issues Nutrition plays a significant role in dental and respiratory health Pacifiers, bottles, and purees impact on jaw development Understanding the connection between sleep and dental health Holistic approaches can enhance children's dental care How braces only address symptoms, not underlying issues. Thoughts on mouth taping How nasal hygiene is often overlooked but essential for health Treatment options by age Toothpillow Special Offer! Write: NO ONE TOLD US PODCAST in the "Who's the person we can thank for referring you?" field for a free Toothpillow consultation ($50 value) and $250 off treatment!Dr. Ben Miraglia graduated from SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 1993. He has over 30 years of general practice experience in Mt. Kisco, NY, including over 20 years orthodontic experience where his focus has been on early childhood jaw growth and development. Dr. Miraglia lectures nationally on early childhood malocclusion, its connection to sleep disordered breathing and early treatment options. Dr. Miraglia is the VP of GP Clinical Education at CandidPro. He is the Chief Clinical Officer at Airway Health Solutions. He is on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry. He is a founding member and Chief Clinical Officer at Toothpillow.Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We live in the age of "sharenting" where kids are content and there are seemingly no rules. This week, Rachael speaks with Fareedah Shaheed (aka CyberFareedah), an internet safety expert, about the importance of protecting our kids online.They discuss the risks of sharing too much information about children on social media and the potential consequences of oversharing. They also explore the age-appropriate use of technology and provide tips for keeping kids safe online. The conversation emphasizes the need for open communication, trust, and setting boundaries to ensure the safety of children in the digital world. Here's what you'll learn: The Risks of Oversharing on Social Media (even with private accounts!) Age-Appropriate Technology Use and Setting Boundaries The Types of Photos You Should NEVER Share When it Might be Appropriate for Kids to Have Their Own Devices Tips for Keeping Kids Safe Online Fareedah is a Forbes 30 Under 30 Internet Safety Expert whose passion is helping parents keep their children safe online. With a professional background in cybersecurity and threat intelligence, Fareedah uses her online platforms to teach parents the SAFE Method—a unique approach to teaching internet safety that emphasizes the need for creating safe spaces between parent and child as the cornerstone of protecting kids online.Fareedah (known online as CyberFareedah) has been featured in Cisco, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, NASDAQ, FOX 46, NBC4, Yahoo! and more.Fareedah’s Instagram: @cyberfareedah and Website: https://www.cyberfareedah.comFree Protect Kids Online Resource Library: https://sekuva.mykajabi.com/get-your-internet-safety-resource-libraryRachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Postpartum nutrition is SO important and yet as busy and tired moms, it's hard to prioritize. That's why this week Rachael brings on Allegra Gast, a functional registered dietitian and international board-certified lactation consultant, to talk all about realistic, easy tips for postpartum nutrition and breastfeeding. Inside this episode you'll learn: importance of nutrition for postpartum recovery and milk supply how new moms often experience fatigue, brain fog and rage/ low mood because of depleted nutrients and minerals tips for maintaining energy levels as a new mom (even when you're sleep deprived!) how to create easy balanced meals with adequate protein, quality carbohydrates, healthy fats, and minerals meal prep tips for busy parents how food can help balance blood sugar and energy levels how our nervous system is affected by improper nutrition benefits of hair mineral testing and much more! Allegra Gast is a functional registered dietitian and international board certified lactation consultant who is passionate about helping families navigate both their postpartum health and their breastfeeding journeys. Allegra offers virtual consults for families all around the world. She started her business, Aloha Nutrition, when she lived in Hawaii but currently resides in Texas with her military husband, and 4 kids including baby twins! Allegra’s instagram: @aloha.nutrition Aloha Nutrition Website: https://www.aloha-nutrition.com/  Hair tissue mineral testing: https://l.bttr.to/DYgUm Free mineral guide: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/y9a3e8 Postpartum nutrition course: https://education.aloha-nutrition.com/product/nourish-postpartum-nutrition-essentials/ ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we're speaking with with Elise Disher, M. Ed all about choosing the right daycare and how to transition your child in as seamlessly as possible. Childcare is such an important topic for parents and we know it can be fraught with worry! Here's what Rachael and Elise discuss inside the episode: Why building relationships and attachment with staff is crucial during the transition into daycare or preschool The benefits of a tailored and gradual approach to separation vs. "drop and go" How parents can advocate for more involvement in the early learning environment and create familiarity for their child Do children actually need daycare or preschool for socialization or social skills development in the first three years? Quality early learning environments- what should they be prioritizing and what should parents look for and ask about when touring? What parents should be focusing on during challenging behaviors and much more! Elise's work is all about promoting relationship-focused, attachment-based practices in early childhood settings. She consults with educators to help them implement these approaches and facilitate the Circle of Security program for both educators and families. She also supports families through key transitions into early childhood settings and provides guidance on navigating behavioral challenges. She is a mom to two little ones, aged 5 and 1, and brings over 18 years of experience working in the early childhood profession as an educator, teacher, director, and consultant. She holds a Master of Education and is a certified Circle of Security facilitator as well as a holistic sleep and wellbeing coach.Her goal is to help build strong, secure connections between children and the adults in their lives, offering the support needed to thrive through the many stages of early childhood.Find her here: Elise’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisedisher.ed/?hl=en Elise’s Courses: Supporting and advocating for a quality orientation support package  Masterclass - The brain behind behaviour- Understanding and responding to emotions and behaviours effectively  Circle of Security Parent Interest Form Website umeplay.com.au Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Rachael and guest Kay chat candidly about the postpartum experience. Kayleigh Medeiros, owner at Heritage Baby Designs and postpartum doula and lactation counselor, discusses her journey into the world of baby wearing and the importance of postpartum support. Rachael and Kay discuss: the history and newer "trends" of babywearing physical and emotional benefits of baby wearing, such as convenience, bonding, and increased milk production. tips for safe baby wearing, including the T.I.C.K.S. acronym: tight but not too tight, in view at all times, close enough to kiss, keep off the chest, and supported back. the importance of getting fresh air and movement for both the parent and the baby, even in cold weather climates. postpartum doula support and the role of a doula in helping new parents navigate the challenges of the postpartum period. the importance of community support for new parents. Kayleigh Madeiros is owner at Heritage Baby Designs, postpartum doula and lactation counsellor moving towards her IBCLC. In her day job she's a franchise business consultant in food retail. Kay is a mom to three little ones and has been on this journey of discovering how she believes we should be supporting new parents and babies.Mentioned in the episode:Shop Heritage Baby CarriersKay's Instagram Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode,, Rachael is joined by an expert to discuss one of her favorite topics- temperament and sleep. Macall Gordon is a sleep researcher and author, and today she and Rachael delve into the complexities of a little-known but hugely important factor when it comes to sleep, parenting, and more: Temperament. Specifically, Rachael and Macall discuss what Macall refers to as “Livewire” children- those who are more sensitive, more reactive, and in need of different supports particularly when it comes to sleep. Inside this game-changing episode: Macall shares her personal experiences with her 'livewire' child and discusses the importance of understanding different temperaments in your babies and children.  the signs of “high sensitivity”, the challenges of sleep for these children, and the limitations of traditional sleep training methods  the need for tailored approaches to parenting that consider a child's unique temperament and sensory processing needs. The realities of sleep training for babies and children, and what the research really says about it practical strategies for parents, including establishing consistent bedtime routines and recognizing the signs of overtiredness.  encouragement to exhausted parents, highlighting the non-intuitive nature of parenting and the need for self-compassion.  Macall has a B.S. in Human Biology from Stanford University and an M.A. in Applied Psychology from Antioch University, Seattle. She has conducted and presented research worldwide on sleep training advice, parenting, and the effect of temperament on sleep. She is also a certified Gentle Sleep Coach in private practice as well as with the women’s telehealth platform, Maven Clinic and has just published a book on sleep and temperament called "Why Won't You Sleep?! A Game-changing Approach for Exhausted Parents of Nonstop, Super Alert, Big Feeling Kids." She comes to this work because she had two of these children, and didn’t sleep for 18 years. Mentioned in this episode: Rachael's free sleep guides Rachael's next TEMPERAMENT + SLEEEP WORKSHOP is June 3! Sign up here http://www.littlelivewires.com  http://www.whywontyousleep.com Take the Temperament Quiz Macall’s new book on Amazon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Rachael welcomes Dr. Elisa Song, an integrative pediatrician, to discuss the importance of a holistic approach to children's health and the need for collaboration between parents and healthcare providers. Here is some of what Rachael and Dr. Song discuss in this episode: How a holistic approach to children's health, integrating conventional medicine with holistic practices, can provide the best of both worlds. Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of bifidobacteria in the gut microbiome, magnesium deficiency, and iron deficiency, can impact sleep and overall health in children. The optimal range for ferritin levels and the different sources of iron, including animal proteins and vegetarian options. How antibiotics can affect children and what parents can do to prepare for a round of antibiotics by ensuring their child's gut microbiome is as healthy as possible beforehand.  Tips for restoring the gut microbiome after antibiotics, such as focusing on a nutrient-dense diet and probiotics. The challenges in the current healthcare system and why we need change And so much more! Dr. Elisa Song, MD is a Stanford-, NYU-, UCSF-trained integrative pediatrician, pediatric functional medicine expert, and mom to 2 thriving children - and she is on a mission to revolutionize the future of children’s health. Dr. Song is the author of the national bestseller Healthy Kids, Happy Kids: An Integrative Pediatrician’s Guide to Whole Child Resilience. Dr. Song created Healthy Kids Happy Kids (www.healthykidshappykids.com) as an online holistic pediatric resource to help practitioners and parents bridge the gap between conventional and integrative pediatrics with an evidence-based, pediatrician-backed, mom-approved approach. In her integrative pediatric practice, she’s helped 1000s of kids get to the root causes of their health concerns and empowered parents to help their children thrive by integrating conventional pediatrics with functional medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils. Dr. Song is chair of A4M’s pediatric education and has lectured around the world at leading integrative and functional medicine conferences and premier parenting events. She has also been featured in hundreds of top podcasts, print and online media outlets.BOOK: https://www.healthykidshappykids.com/book/Website: https://healthykidshappykids.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/healthykids_happykids/ (@healthykids_happykids)FB: https://www.facebook.com/DrElisaSongMD/Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please seek immediate care from your physician if you have any concerns about your baby or child’s health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices