
Hosted by Rachael Shepard-Ohta · EN

Should parents play with their children? Or should children only play independently? Independent Play is such a polarizing topic! That’s why this week, Rachael and Lizzie Assa, founder of the Workspace for Children, talk all about the importance of play for children and how parents can foster the desire for a healthy balance between playing with children and encouraging independent play. Here’s what they discuss inside this helpful episode: the benefits of independent play, starting from birth! HOW to begin fostering independent play skills the latest debate on social media: Should we play with our kids or not!? practical strategies for parents to create a conducive environment for play independent play is not about specific toys or aesthetics, but about understanding and connecting with each child's unique personality and interests the fear and guilt that parents can feel when their children are playing independently how parents can reduce “I’m bored!” pushback and avoid burnout Tips for using independent play to have a “quiet time” once your child stops napping And so much more! Lizzie is the founder of The Workspace for Children, and has become a go-to strategist for parents seeking guidance in fostering independent play for their children. With a Master’s in early childhood education and a passion for simplicity and consistency in play, she offers practical solutions to avoid burnout and promote healthy development. Lizzie's insights have been featured on The Good Inside Podcast, Parent's Magazine, NY Times Parenting, Time, and The Wall Street Journal. She is set to release her forthcoming book, "But I'm Bored!": The Complete Guide to Independent Play for Kids Ages 1-8, which promises to revolutionize the way parents approach their children's playtime. Mentioned in this episode: Lizzie’s Audio Course and Companion Workbook: https://twfc.kartra.com/page/sales Lizzie’s Instagram: @theworkspaceforchildren Lizzie’s website: https://www.workspaceforchildren.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ ✨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 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. Mentioned in this episode: 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. ✨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

Episode 49: Creating a Business and a Brand from Home with Tori SprankelWhether you are a stay-at-home mom or a mom who works outside the home, all moms are working hard! This week Rachael and friend Tori Sprankel, a brand expert and business owner, chat all about building a business while taking care of young children at home. They discuss the challenges and gray areas of being a working mom or a stay-at-home mom, and how the lines are blurred for so many of us in a post-pandemic world.Here’s what they discuss inside this episode: Tori shares her personal journey of transitioning from a corporate job to becoming a stay-at-home mom in Hawaii to eventually starting her own business The importance of the people you surround yourself with while building your business Role reversal and who’s the breadwinner?! We discuss our stay at home dad husbands! The challenges and rewards of being a WFH mom Balancing motherhood, finding support, and overcoming mom guilt Creating a business (and a life!) that aligns with your values and goals & so much more! Meet Tori Sprankle! She’s an expert at personal brands for go-to girlies + her obsession is turning that pretty little pinterest board of yours into the brand you’ve always dreamed of. She loves working with women who need that boost of brand magic to back up their killer service suite that the world desperately needs. She specializes in lighting-fast turnaround to help her clients show-up efficiently, confidently and consistently where it matters most these days: online. As a mom to two girls, she believes in showing them that corporate America isn't the only place to make a living - and that having the freedom and courage to change lives through your own dreams is worth more than any traditional career path.Mentioned in this episode: Tori’s website: https://www.torisprankel.com/ Tori’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torisprankel/ Check out Tori’s work in action on Rachael’s Instagram, in her Substack Nap Trapped, and on this very podcast (Tori designed our cover art!) as well as the HSB website.If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️✨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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 16: Navigating Screen time for Your Kids with Ash Brandin of @thegamereducator We have all done it. We give our kids screen time, and then the guilt sets in. Maybe you even feel like you did something bad by allowing them to use screens. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Navigating screen time can be such a challenging part of parenting! This week, join Rachael and Ash Brandin, middle school teacher and educational content creator, as they chat about how to find a balance with screen time. They discuss some strategies for parents to foster a healthy relationship between children and screens plus some guilt-free screen time strategies. They also talk about a lot of the common worries parents have surrounding screen time plus chat about some other things we don’t notice that may be worth paying more attention to!Find out how parents can actually view screens as a tool they can use! Ash provides perspective on "screen equity" and the systemic support that would allow more parents to limit screen time (and why in its absence, families need to figure out what works for them). Learn how to support children who are dysregulated from gaming or screen time and how to Identify age-appropriate content and boundaries around screens, plus much more!Ash is a middle school teacher with over a decade of teaching experience. They believe video games can be part of kid’s lives without being the center of their lives, and screens should be used in a way that benefits whole families. They are an educational content creator, whose Instagram page, The Gamer Educator, is a wealth of information about all things technology and children, supporting and empowering parents since 2021. Ash’s website- The Gamer Educator Kids show & movie recsRachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Instagram (Show page) Tiktok (Rachael's tiktok account)Show WebsiteFor more on biologically normal infant sleep and a holistic approach to getting more sleep, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow on instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices