On today’s episode we dive into something that SO many of us agonize over once we become parents. We’re talking about optimal age gaps, how many kids is the “right” amount of kids to have, and everyyyything that goes into making those decisions. On this episode we cover: How many kids is the ideal number of kids to have? The ideal age gap: What the *actual research* says in terms of child developmental outcomes AND parental happiness How to deal when fertility struggles impacts your age gap/number of kids plans Two under two: Setting your kids up to be lifelong best friends or a recipe for TOTAL CHAOS? BUSTING the myths about only children Concrete questions to ask yourself to to figure out what is best for YOUR family The transcript of the episode can be found here! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings

Family Planning: The Best Age Gap and Optimal Number of Kids!

Back by popular demand, today’s episode answers YOUR burning parenting questions! From parenting to the personal, join us as we get REAL and dig in on the rollercoaster that is raising toddlers. On this episode we cover: Helpful hacks for taking your kids out in public—and not having it be a total disaster Is handing your kid an iPad at a restaurant really going to ruin them? Go-to dinner ideas for when you’re TOTALLY drained  Tips backed in neuroscience to help your kid regain confidence and make them feel safe after something scary happens Tools to teach your toddler NOW to set them up to handle hard moments throughout their whole life PLUS: Deena and her husband have started couples therapy—how is it going?!? The transcript of the episode can be found here! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Q&A Episode 4: SUPER EASY Toddler Dinners + Hacks for Taking Your Kids Out to Eat!

Today’s episode is a bestie catchup where Deena gives us the latest updates on her endometriosis journey. Join us as we catch up on how she’s doing after her endometriosis surgery and how she’s coming to terms with her *other* diagnoses. Highlights include: How her surgery failed from relieving her symptoms  Dispatches from a less-than-positive post-op appointment What exactly is adenomyosis—and why does it leave some women suffering all the way until menopause? Will this *triple whammy* diagnosis affect her fertility? The “bad” news that is actually bringing her a TON of hope Will the thought of MORE painful periods be enough to make Deena move up her plans to get pregnant again? The transcript of this episode can be found here! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Deena's Endometriosis Update: Navigating Pain and Planning Ahead

Today on the pod we welcome THE go to parenting expert in the research space: Emily Oster!!!! She’s a best-selling author, Brown Professor of Economics, data-driven pregnancy and parenting expert and is here to ease all of our minds about this whole parenting thing. On this episode, we chat with Emily on how to cut through the fear that comes with parenting, and help YOU make informed decisions based on *actual* data (rather than obsessing over what our mother in law or neighbor or that one viral instagram post that totally freaked you out). Tune in as Emily shares: The 3 things you need to provide for your kid to set them up for success Is Cocomelon *really* rotting your child’s brain? How much screen time is too much screen time?  Her GAME CHANGING tip when it comes to discipline The secret to making every parenting decision A MILLION TIMES EASIER (no, seriously) What the research says about “redshirting” kids with summer birthdays in terms of kindergarten readiness Find the episode transcript here! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Special Guest Emily Oster: How to Cut Through Parent Guilt and Get Down to What Actually Matters

Despite what our Instagram feeds are telling us, we actually DON’T need to suddenly become a whole new person the day the calendar hits January 1st. Sure, the new year is a great opportunity for reflection, self-awareness, and goal setting. And? It can also be a recipe for MORE guilt, stress, and pressure that we really DO NOT need in our lives! On today’s episode, we talk about why typical New Year’s resolutions are kiiiinda bullsh*t—and how to take steps toward self-improvement in a *sustainable* way instead.  On this episode, we’re going to:  Show you how to release the pressure and bust through all the bullsh*t we’re fed about self-improvement Teach you a quick, EASY 5 minute daily practice that’s rooted in science to make you instantly more intentional and happier! Tell you EXACTLY what to do in the moment when our toddler says a swear word Find the transcript for the episode here! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Resolutions are Bullsh*t: Getting Rid of the Guilt in 2024

On today’s episode, Deena tells all about her journey with endometriosis. Endometriosis affects 11% of women, so we have to ask ourselves, WHY is it SO effing hard to get a diagnosis and WHY aren’t more people talking about it?!? We go DEEP and cover it all, from the periods that left Deena doubled over in pain, to the doctors that brushed her off, to her recent surgery and recovery—and why it doesn’t just end there. If this episode helps one single woman to trust her intuition, remember she's not alone, and advocate for herself when it comes to her OWN body, it will be a story worth sharing. PLUS: A real time update from Deena on her endometriosis surgery and recovery How the recovery process has been SUPER healing for her marriage What exactly is endometriosis—and why is it SO freaking painful? Will this diagnosis affect Deena’s hopes to have another baby?! The symptoms that she was being told to ignore that ALL women should look out for A few concerning surprises that she was not totally expecting... Why she’s feeling a mix of SO relieved and super scared of the unknown The transcript of this episode can be found here! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Painful Periods, Dismissive Doctors & a Diagnosis: Deena’s Endometriosis Journey

By popular demand, we are back with another episode where we answer all of YOUR burning questions that you’ve sent in to us! On this episode we cover:  The No. 1 key to preventing potty pushback (and all other kinds of pushback, too!) How to STOP the pushback and negotiating from your tiny toddler How to teach “stranger danger” and keep our kids safe *without* making them scared of all new people Our number one hack for preventing tantrums A spicy round of “Eff, marry, kill” featuring some of our favorite Bravo-lebrities Alllll the hot tips and tricks for getting out the door for school with preschoolers and toddlers (and why Kristin chooses to ignore them!) The transcript of this episode can be found here To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your Burning Parenting Questions, ANSWERED: Q&A Episode 2

Today we welcome toddler dad, fellow BLF Bestie, and absolute LEGEND, Andy Cohen!!!! (IS THIS REAL LIFE?!) The King of Bravo himself joins Kristin, Deena, and Tyler as we chat all things Housewives, dad life, and how he juggles it all. This episode is sheer fun *and* will leave you feeling so empowered as a parent! PLUS: Learn how Andy blazed his own path in life and totally transformed reality TV as we know it today (Spoiler alert: It’s inspiring AF)  Find out how Andy balances a busy career and QT time with his kids  Andy gets vulnerable and shares about guilt and tough parenting moments  We reveal the No. 1 thing that all toddlers *and* Housewives really want Andy gives us the inside scoop on how Watch What Happens Live came to be We pay homage to Watch What Happens Live and play a spicy round of “Plead the Fifth”  The transcript of the episode can be found here! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andy Cohen on Parenting Housewives AND Toddlers + Which One is Harder ?

On today’s episode, Kristin and her husband Tyler get vulnerable and share their IVF journey. From their secondary infertility diagnosis to a devastating pregnancy loss to the IVF that led to their third baby, be prepared for a raw and emotional look at what SO many couples go through trying to conceive. If you’re going through this right now, or you’ve been through it before, we hope this episode is the warm hug that reminds you that you’re NOT ALONE and there is *absolutely nothing* shameful about infertility! PLUS: A detailed look at the IVF process from injections to egg retrieval to embryo transfer What to *avoid* saying to someone struggling with infertility How to support a friend or family member going through the IVF process Why secondary infertility doesn’t get proper airtime and deserves WAY more attention The No. 1 hardest thing about the IVF process for Kristin and Tyler Pineapple cores, McDonald’s French fries and more - rituals and old wives tales that Kristin picked up from the infertility community along the way To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An IVF Journey: Kristin’s Struggle with Secondary Infertility

By popular demand, we’re devoting a whole episode to answering YOUR burning questions. Join us as we answer your Q’s on: How to end parent preference struggles for good! Get your life back, girl! Why using rewards for potty training *doesn’t* work—and how to potty train quicker and easier  Our No. 1 tip to potty train your toddler in three days  How to handle YOUR OWN big feelings *while* parenting your kids and supporting them through THEIR big feelings (spoiler: this sh*t is hard) A real-time update from Deena on where her marriage stands today The ONE thing you want to *avoid* when your toddler is hitting The transcript of this episode can be found here! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your Burning Parenting Questions, ANSWERED!

For the first time ever, we’re sharing *exactly* how we turned sheer PASSION into a real, thriving business. If you have a big dream and you’re feeling stuck, this episode will leave you fired up and feeling empowered to turn that crazy dream into a thriving business! PLUS: A step-by-step playback of how we launched and grew our business into what it is today The power of dreaming big and how being wildly, authentically *YOU* leads to big success Why traditional business advice doesn’t apply when you’re shaking up the space Our top 3 tips for anyone who wants to pursue their own business dreams An honest take on the pros and cons of running a business with your best friend The transcript of this episode can be found here! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Besties in Business: How We Turned Sheer Passion into a Thriving Business (and You Can Too!)

We’re talking about why being shy isn’t a bad thing—in fact, “shyness,” aka listening to your inner voice that tells you to pause before blindly following the pact, can be a real SUPERPOWER as your kid gets older! Join us as we bust through the myth that only outgoing kids are the confident ones and share why shy kids are actually incredibly self-assured and self-aware. PLUS: Game-changing tips to help your child feel comfortable in new situations What to do EXACTLY in the moment when your kid is feeling nervous or scared How to build your kid’s confidence and foster resilience while preserving their inner voice 5 easy strategies you can start using TODAY to support “shy” kids and shift them into full-on thriving mode The *secrets* to raising secure, confident, self-assured children A surprise guest joins us mid-episode! Any guesses? The transcript of this episode can be found here! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shyness is a Superpower: The Secret to Raising Secure, Confident Kids

If you’re struggling with burnout, this episode will literally change your life. Child Therapist Deena Margolin and Parent Coach Kristin share their number one parenting tool: the 80/20 rule. This parenting strategy is so easy you can start it TODAY, and will instantly take the pressure off, leading to a happier, healthier you.  On this empowering episode, you'll learn how to: Transform your happiness levels, TODAY using the 80/20 rule Take 20% of your mental and physical load off your plate right away  Stop hitting your breaking point by proactively using the 80/20 rule *before* you burn out Set your kids up for a lifetime of success by watching you be a healthy, happy caregiver Change the way you and your family approaches/views motherhood Release the guilt and lower the pressure that comes with parenting The transcript of this episode can be found here! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pushing Past Perfection: The Parenting Tool That Will Save Your Life

Halloween is SO fun, and? Like with any fun, exciting thing in toddlerhood, it comes with TONS of meltdowns and tantrums. But don't worry, this episode gives you *everything* you'll need to make this Halloween the best EVER. Get game-changing hacks to handle tantrums - and even straight up prevent some! PLUS:  Get the inside scoop on our night on Watch What Happens Live hanging with Andy Cohen and The Real Housewives (Spoiler alert: It was the best day of Kristin's life)  Learn the ultimate costume hack so your kid *might* actually wear it for trick-or-treating! An answer to the dreaded candy question: How much candy should you let them eat on Halloween night?!  Get a step-by-step plan for when your toddler feels scared  Find out our #1 tip that will totally transform your Halloween night!  Download a full transcript of this episode here ﻿ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ghosts, Goblins, Meltdowns Oh My: Handling and Preventing Halloween Tantrums

Real talk? Modern parenting is a doozy. There’s never been more pressure to be perfect with social media readily at our fingertips - mixed with total isolation and no help. Where the f*ck is that village everyone talks about? Consider After Bedtime your village. Led by Kristin and Deena - founders of the largest online parenting community, Big Little Feelings - After Bedtime is the place you can go at the end of a long hard day to find your “enough”-ness. We’ll laugh, we’ll cry, we’ll maybe pee our pants a little as we unpack things we’re ALL experiencing but too ashamed to talk about: imperfect marriages, miscarriages, managing toddler mania, apologizing to our kids and everything in between. You’ll leave with actionable, realistic tips to make this whole parenting thing smoother - small changes, big impact. In an age where parents need more *real* connection than ever, let’s talk honestly about the hard - and remind ourselves we are not alone, we are not failing. In fact, we’re f*cking crushing it.

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After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings

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