We've talked about sleep training babies, older kids, and even yourself. But what about the other beloved family member currently ruining your sleep? Yes, I'm talking about your pet.

In this episode, I'm taking a little detour into pet parenting and showing you how many of the same principles we use with babies can also apply to cats, dogs, foster kittens, and any other creature in your house who has decided that dawn is their personal customer service hour.

I share how to think through the actual problem, get ahead of your objections, set boundaries, and stay consistent long enough for your pet to realize that the breakfast buffet does not open before you do.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/94

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!).

Is bath time one more thing standing between you and bedtime, or could it actually become the best part of the day?

In this episode, I'm making the case for bath time as more than just another chore on the endless parent to-do list. Yes, your child gets clean. But bath time can also be fun, calming, and a magical little reset when everyone is cranky and the day has gone fully off the rails.

I'm walking you through the different stages of bathing babies and kids, from those first newborn baths when everyone is terrified of either freezing or boiling the baby, to the glorious toddler phase when they can splash around while you sit nearby and remember what it feels like to not chase someone across the house for five minutes.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/93

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 have a tough baby, or are you currently pregnant and low-key terrified you might end up with one of those babies who seems impossible to soothe?

After years of working with babies, I've learned that some babies really are harder than others. Sometimes there's something going on beneath the surface, sometimes it's temperament, and sometimes you can do everything "right" and still have a baby who is just having a very loud, very committed experience of being alive.

In this episode, I'm sharing what I've learned from caring for truly tough babies, what's worth paying attention to, and how to think about the moments when nothing seems to work. If you're in the thick of it, this episode will help you feel less alone, less blamed, and a little more equipped to get through the hard days without completely losing your marbles.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/92

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!).

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/