Parenthood Prep – Details, episodes & analysis

If you’re listening to this episode now, it’s a little throwback, but the lessons still hit just as hard. I’m revisiting one of my favorite analogies from Parenthood Prep: how having a baby is a lot like going to Burning Man.

Yep, you read that right. At first, it sounds absurd, but hear me out. Both come with mountains of advice (some useful, some ridiculous), and both will leave you questioning why you even signed up… but also laughing, amazed, and totally in awe of the little victories along the way.

In this replay, I share the story of my first Burning Man experience and the unexpected parenting lessons it taught me. From navigating “porta-potties” and zero-hassle survival, to realizing that the real stress isn’t the messy parts but the unknowns, this episode is full of insights you can actually use when caring for a newborn. I talk about what you think is going to be hard, what actually is hard, and how to focus on what really matters when everything else feels chaotic.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/72

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/

Reflux. Just hearing the word makes parents brace for months of sleepless nights, endless feedings, and a life spent holding your baby upright. It feels like exhaustion is just part of the package. But here’s the thing: a lot of the conventional wisdom about reflux is actually making it harder for both you and your baby.

This week, I’m breaking down why reflux doesn’t have to derail your baby's sleep, and surprisingly, how better sleep can actually reduce reflux symptoms. And spoiler alert: that “reflux meltdown” might actually be a baby who’s overtired, not just uncomfortable.

Join me today as I show you why frequent night snacking creates a cycle of discomfort, how longer stretches of sleep help the digestive system rest, and why fussiness is often overtiredness, not just reflux.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/71

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/

Ready for a real-life sleep training story? In this episode, I’m walking you through my recent experience with a 4-month-old baby who learned to sleep independently—and yes, it was just as messy and beautiful as it sounds.

This little one had been relying on the Snoo’s rocking motion and swaddle to get to sleep, and while the parents were doing a great job putting him down awake, the Snoo was doing all the heavy lifting. In just four days, we took him from needing that motion and a pacifier to rolling over and sleeping through the night. 

If you’re trying to figure out how to find sleep training success without all the props, this episode is for you. You’ll hear the progress he made, and why it was all down to patience, consistency, and giving him the space to figure it out.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/62

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

What’s the best parenting advice you’ve ever heard? You know, the tips that actually make life easier instead of more complicated? In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Margaret Mason Tate for a rootin’ tootin’ roundup of the best parenting tips from the last year of Parenthood Prep—along with a few new gems that you haven’t heard yet

From the “bird method” of baby soothing to not being Ryan Gosling in the middle of the night (trust me, you’ll want to hear that one), we’re giving you practical advice that actually works. We’re also digging into why sometimes doing less is the best thing you can do as a parent and how to stay consistent even when you feel like you’re failing.

If you’ve missed some of our top tips over the past year (or just need a refresher), this episode is packed with actionable advice, some laughs, and a whole lot of parenting wisdom. So buckle up for a good time, because we’re about to make this parenting thing just a little bit easier.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/61

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

Follow Margaret on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/margaretmasontate/ or on Threads here https://www.threads.net/@margaretmasontate

Did you grow up reading Judy Blume books? If you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered what the heck a maxipad belt was and whether you could be like Margaret in Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. From talking openly about periods to dealing with life’s awkward moments and teaching kids that it’s okay to question the world around them, Judy Blume pushed boundaries like no one else in children’s literature.

This week, I’m chatting with lifestyle writer, author, and editor Rachelle Bergstein, whose book The Genius of Judy dives into Judy Blume’s cultural impact and how she helped shape our childhoods. We explore Judy's life, how her books continue to resonate with readers of all ages, and why her influence remains so strong.

Join us and settle in for a conversation that’ll make you want to revisit your bookshelf. We discuss how Blume's work initially flew under the radar before becoming a target of censorship in the 1980s, her brave stance against book banning, and her lasting influence on children's and young adult literature.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/60

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

Follow Rachelle Bergstein here https://www.instagram.com/rachellewb/

Expecting twins or multiples? Or just trying to wrap your head around how anyone manages two babies at once? You’re in the right place. 

In this episode, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned over the years—from babysitting twins as a kid to working with families juggling double trouble. If you’re overwhelmed by the thought of twins, or just curious what it’s really like, this episode is full of real talk, practical tips, and a little reassurance that it’s just two babies—and you can handle it.

Join me this week as I dive into the unique challenges and surprising blessings of raising twins, triplets, or more—including why routines start earlier, why you absolutely need help (professional or family), and how to survive those crazy newborn nights without losing your mind. I’ll even share my “magical octopus” technique for feeding and soothing two babies at once (trust me, it’s a thing).

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/59

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

Nannies and daycare and au pairs—oh my! If the world of childcare feels overwhelming and confusing, you’re not alone. Whether you’re back at work, staying home but still want a break (fair), or just trying to figure out what kind of support fits your life, this episode breaks it all down.

In this episode, I walk you through every major type of childcare—from newborn care specialists to daycares to au pairs—and explain what each option actually looks like in real life. I cover the pros and cons, the surprising costs, what to expect in each setting, and what kind of flexibility (or lack thereof) each option comes with.

Join me this week to hear some real talk about what to really look for in a caregiver, what it means to be a good employer, and why “you get what you pay for” is never more true than when it comes to trusting someone else with your baby. If you’ve ever Googled “nanny vs daycare” at 1AM, this one’s for you.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/58

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

You’ve heard of adolescence—but have you heard of matrescence? It’s the word for the massive, hormonal, emotional, physical, and identity transformation you go through from preconception to postpartum. And yeah, it’s a big effing deal.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Ono Nseyo, OB/GYN and host of the Golden Hour podcast, to talk about why this transition is so wildly under-recognized and under-supported in our healthcare system—and in our culture as a whole. We’re diving into everything from postpartum mental health to snapback pressure, identity shifts, and why six-week checkups are nowhere near enough.

Whether you’re expecting, already parenting, or supporting someone who is, this episode is a must-listen for understanding the real changes that happen when you become a parent—and how we can all start normalizing them, talking about them, and demanding more support.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/57

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

Check out Dr. Ono Nseyo and the Golden Hour podcast here: https://goldenhour.fm/

Ever feel like you’re doing all the things for your kids—and somehow everyone’s still melting down anyway? In this week’s episode, I’m making the case for lazy parenting (the good kind) and how doing less can actually make everyone—your kids and you—a whole lot happier.

I break down why simplifying your plans, lowering the pressure, and ditching the “Pinterest parent” expectations creates better memories and better behaved kids. From skipping the fancy birthday parties to embracing walks to the corner store like it's a trip to Disneyland, lazy parenting isn’t about slacking—it's about letting kids enjoy the simple magic they’re wired to love.

We'll also talk about overstimulation (for you and them), the myth of “more is better,” and why constantly creating big moments often backfires. If you’ve ever needed permission to cancel plans, skip the $500 cupcakes, and just sit your butt on a bench while your kids run wild—you’ll love this one.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/56

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/

Do you ever feel like if one more person touches you, whines at you, or makes a sound, you might just explode? Yeah, you’re not broken—you’re just dealing with sensory overload, and it is very real when you're raising tiny humans.

In this episode, I break down what sensory overload actually looks and feels like (spoiler: it’s not just about noise), and how it sneaks up on parents who are constantly touched, tugged on, talked at, and surrounded by chaos. From the endless “Mommy mommy mommy!” loops to stepping on sticky Legos while Elmo shrieks in the background—your nervous system is not being dramatic. It’s just maxed out.

Join me this week as I give you my go-to strategies for identifying your sensory triggers and calming your system before you hit the point of snapping. We’re talking real solutions: noise-canceling headphones, toy rotation, dimming the damn lights, and even walking away for ten seconds to reset your brain. If you’ve ever yelled “I JUST NEED EVERYONE TO BE QUIET,” this one’s for you.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/55

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!).

Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review to let me know what you think! And you can find instructions on how to do so here: https://happyfamilyafter.com/podcastlaunch

Send us a DM on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/happyfamilyafter/ or on my personal Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/delvadean/