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How Long 'Til Bedtime? | Sleep and Parenting PodcastAuthor: Allison Egidi Pediatric Sleep Coach
From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep trainingthis is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips. Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, How Long 'Til Bedtime? delivers real solutions for everything from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, desperately want your evenings back, or just need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, we've got you covered. Language: en Genres: Kids & Family, Parenting Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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255. When Your Child Only Wants Mom (or Dad) at Bedtime: What to Do
Episode 255
Tuesday, 1 September, 2026
Does your child insist that only Mom can do bedtime? And they refuse to let Dad put them to bed? Parent preference at bedtime is incredibly common, especially during the toddler and preschool years. But while it's normal, that doesn't mean you have to accept a situation where only one parent can handle bedtime every night. In this episode, Allison explains why children develop a strong preference for one parent at bedtime and, more importantly, exactly how to help your child become comfortable with both parents doing bedtime. Allison shares a simple approach that she has seen work repeatedly with families, and says that many children begin to adjust within about a week when parents consistently follow the plan. In this episode, you'll learn: Why a child may strongly prefer one parent at bedtime Why parent preference does not mean your child loves the other parent less Why solving this issue can benefit the entire family How to establish a simple alternating bedtime schedule Why the parent whose turn it is should handle the entire bedtime routine from start to finish Why having both parents participate in bedtime can sometimes make the struggle worse What to say when your child protests or has a meltdown Why the preferred parent should not rescue the other parent during a difficult bedtime How to respond calmly while allowing your child to have big feelings Why the first few bedtimes may be rough, and why consistency matters How keeping the bedtime routine consistent between parents can help What to do if the bedtime struggle seems to involve more than just parent preference Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Allison's Maine & Acadia trip update 02:36 – When your child only wants one parent at bedtime 03:20 – Why parent preference at bedtime is completely normal 04:45 – Why it's worth helping your child accept both parents 06:05 – The key strategy: Take turns doing bedtime 07:25 – Why one parent should do the entire bedtime routine 08:35 – How to introduce the new bedtime plan 09:30 – What to say when your child protests 10:25 – Let the big feelings happen and keep moving 11:05 – Why the other parent shouldn't "rescue" bedtime 12:30 – How to handle a major bedtime meltdown 14:00 – Expect a few bumpy nights 15:15 – How quickly children usually adjust 16:10 – Keep the bedtime routine consistent between parents 17:00 – The one-week plan for ending parent preference 18:05 – When to seek additional help with bedtime struggles 18:40 – Final thoughts on parent preference at bedtime If you're in the middle of the "ONLY MOM!" or "ONLY DAD!" bedtime trenches, this episode will give you a practical plan for getting out of them. And if you want a sleep coach to guide you as you make the change, schedule a free 15 minute Get Acquainted call with our team Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube Wondering if your child is getting enough sleep? Allison's free guides take the guesswork out of bedtime. Learn the optimal sleep ranges for every age so your little one can feel their best—day after day. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use. Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place. Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics. Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime? Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents. On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review." On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review. Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date! Connect with Allison: Instagram | Facebook | Website | YouTube
