After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings

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.

  1. 3d ago

    Your Hardest Parenting Questions, Answered ⭐

    Why does your child completely shut down anytime you bring up feelings? Should you actually ignore tantrums... or is that some of the worst parenting advice we've been given? And if your child is potty trained during the day but still having accidents at night... is something wrong? In this Q&A episode, we're answering the parenting questions we hear over and over again—the ones that leave even thoughtful, loving parents second-guessing themselves and wondering if they're getting it all wrong. We cover: - Nighttime potty training (and what's actually developmentally normal) - Whether you should ignore tantrums (spoiler: we have thoughts) - What to do when your child refuses to talk about their feelings - Why some kids completely shut down when emotions come up - Healthy ways to help kids express anger instead of stuffing it down - How to build emotional intelligence without making your child feel pressured or overwhelmed - The science behind why connection, not punishment, is what actually helps kids learn emotional regulation You'll walk away knowing exactly what actually helps kids build emotional regulation, why anger deserves a complete rebrand, and how the way many of us were raised is still shaping the way we parent today. And we can almost guarantee there's one idea in this episode that you'll think about during your child's very next meltdown, and it'll change how you respond. Plus: Kristin and Deena discover they are complete opposites when it comes to movie theaters, sleepovers, and basically existing as humans, Deena explains why she'd happily skip every girls' trip forever, and Kristin has a surprisingly emotional realization about anger that might just change the way you think about your own emotions, too. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. Hiya Health - Receive 50% off your first order of Hiya’s best selling children’s vitamin. Head to hiyahealth.com/BLF.  Quince - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to quince.com/BLF for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  ResortPass - Visit resortpass.com/BLF to get $20 off your first booking of $100 or more. Rythm Health - Rythm is offering our listeners 15% off your first month and free shipping at rythm.health/blf.  Zocdoc - Head to zocdoc.com/BLF to get started and check that appointment off your to-do list! Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  2. Jul 8

    Forget the Perfect Summer: Here's What We're Doing Instead

    If you're feeling like summer has somehow become another thing you have to nail” or do perfectly"... this episode is your reminder that you don't have to. Our feeds are full of magical summer moments, bucket lists, and family vacations that look effortless and picture perfect so it's easy to feel like we're not doing enough. In this hilarious episode, Kristin and Deena are playing “F*ck Yeah or F*ck No" to all of this summer's biggest trends—from hotel pool passes and reading romance novels to Labubus, camping chairs, creatine, pickleball, backyard movie nights, and everything in between. Along the way, they accidentally stumble into some surprisingly important conversations about motherhood, boundaries, partnership, body image, and why your kids don't actually need a Pinterest-perfect summer. In this episode, you'll hear: * The summer trends Kristin and Deena are fully embracing (and the ones they're absolutely not). * Why staying home might actually create better family memories than chasing the "perfect" vacation. * The simple mindset shift that takes the pressure off creating the "best summer ever." * Why saying no might be the healthiest trend of all this year. * What your kids will ACTUALLY remember from the summer, rather than what you think they will Whether you're planning a huge vacation, hanging out in your own backyard, or trying to make it to September with your sanity intact, this conversations is your reminder that your kids don’t need a perfect summer! So lower the pressure, laugh along with us, and tell us which summer trends you're saying "F*ck Yeah" to... and which ones you're leaving behind. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. Boll & Branch - Get 15% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at bollandbranch.com/BLF with code BLF.  First Day - Clinically absorbable. Family-safe. Actually effective. For a limited time only, our listeners are getting an insane deal. Use code BLF to get up to 57% Off at First Day dot com. That’s up to 57% Off and a Free Gift with code BLF at FirstDay.com. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them our show sent you. Magnetic Me - Get 15% off sitewide at magneticme.com. Nutrafol - Head to nutrafol.com and enter the promo code FEELINGS for $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping.  Osea - Get 10% off your order sitewide with code BLF at oseamalibu.com Our Place - Stop cooking with toxic cookware and upgrade to Our Place today! Visit fromourplace.com/BLF and use code BLF for 10% off sitewide.  Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  3. Jul 1

    Why You Always Fight With Your Partner on Vacation (And How to Stop)

    If every family vacation somehow ends with you and your partner bickering... snapping at each other... feeling guilty because your kids are watching... and wondering why you spent thousands of dollars to argue somewhere prettier...Stop. Listen to this episode before you pack your bags. Kristin is pulling back the curtain on the exact couples therapy tools that completely transformed the way they travel as a family. These simple conversations changed everything - from constant vacation bickering to actually feeling like teammates again. In this episode, you'll learn: The 5 questions every couple should answer before leaving for vacation that prevent fights before they even start.Why even the happiest couples end up fighting on family vacations (and what to do instead).How to stop resentment before it builds, so you don't spend the whole trip quietly keeping score.Exactly what to do when a vacation fight starts... so one bad moment doesn't ruin the entire vacation.The simple repair strategy that helps you reconnect faster, and models healthy relationships for your kids. If you've ever come home from vacation feeling like you need another vacation... if you've ever looked at your partner and thought, Can we please not do this again next year? This episode is for you. Send it to your partner before you leave. Your kids won't remember whether the vacation was perfect. They'll remember how it felt to be there. This episode will transform the memories you come home with. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. Cozy Earth - Head to cozyearth.com and use code BIGLITTLEFEELINGS for up to 20% off! Quince - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to quince.com/BLF for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  ResortPass - Visit resortpass.com/BLF to get $20 off your first booking of $100 or more. Unreal Snacks - Visit unrealsnacks.com/BLF to get $2 off a bag of Unreal. Terms and conditions apply. Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  4. Jun 24

    You’re Making This Sibling Mistake Every Day (And It’s Making the Fighting Worse)

    If your house sounds like a WWE match in a bounce house all summer long... this episode is for you. The arguing. The tattling. The screaming from the other room. The constant feeling that you've spent the last three hours breaking up fights and saying, "GUYS. PLEASE. JUST STOP." Most parents think sibling fighting means something is wrong. What if it's actually one of the most important relationships your child will ever have? In this episode, Kristin and Deena are giving you the exact roadmap for what to do when your kids won't stop fighting (hello summer) and the surprisingly common parenting mistake that can make sibling conflict even worse. You'll learn: When to step in... and when to stay out of itWhy playing detective ("Who started it?!") backfiresWhat to say in the moment when things are escalatingThe simple shift that helps kids actually solve problems togetherThe science-backed way to reduce sibling rivalry before it startsHow to teach the social skills your kids need for life, not just for summer By the end of this episode, you'll understand what's really happening beneath the sibling chaos, exactly how to respond, and how to raise kids who can disagree, repair, and stay connected—even when they're driving each other absolutely insane. This isn't just about the summer, it's about creating the groundwork for a lifelong healthy sibling dynamic and closeness. If you've ever hidden in the pantry eating snacks while your kids scream at each other in the next room... press play immediately. This episode might save your summer. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. Cozy Earth - Head to cozyearth.com and use code BIGLITTLEFEELINGS for up to 20% off! Quince - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to quince.com/BLF for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  ResortPass - Visit resortpass.com/BLF to get $20 off your first booking of $100 or more. Tumble - MachineWashableRugs, MadeBetter. For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off + free shipping at Tumbleliving.com/BLF Visit Myrtle Beach - You belong at The Beach – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Plan the best family vacation ever at VisitMyrtleBeach.com. Warby Parker - Buy one prescription pair and get 20% off any additional prescription pairs at WarbyParker.com/BLF. Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  5. Jun 17

    Dateline’s Andrea Canning Knows Why Women Are Obsessed With True Crime — And Her Answer Gave Me Chills

    If you’re a true crime girlie, stop what you’re doing and press play. Because this conversation with Dateline’s Andrea Canning is one of those episodes you’ll be thinking about long after it’s over. Andrea has spent more than a decade interviewing killers, sitting with grieving families, and uncovering what really happened behind the closed doors of seemingly “perfect” lives. In this episode, she reveals the relationship patterns she sees over and over again, the red flags she wishes more women would trust, why women are so fascinated by true crime in the first place, and the case that still haunts her to this day. But this isn’t just an episode about murder mysteries. It’s also about motherhood. Because Andrea is raising six kids while building a career most of us can only dream about. We talk honestly about mom guilt, ambition, traveling for work, freezer-pop-induced breakdowns, teenagers who want absolutely nothing to do with you, and the surprising freedom that comes with realizing you don’t have to do everything perfectly. This episode will make you laugh, give you chills, validate your experience as a working mom, and might just change the way you think about trusting your instincts. In this episode, you’ll hear: ● Why women are so obsessed with true crime (Andrea’s answer is fascinating) ● The relationship red flags that show up again and again in Dateline cases ● The heartbreaking case Andrea still can’t stop thinking about ● What interviewing victims’ families has taught her about humanity ● How she’s navigated motherhood while building an extraordinary career ● The permission every mom needs to hear about evolving, growing, and pursuing something that’s just for you If you’ve ever listened to Dateline while unloading the dishwasher… if you’ve ever wondered, How did nobody see this coming? … if you’ve ever struggled with the impossible balance of motherhood and ambition… you need this episode. Seriously. Don’t save this one for later. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. Magnetic Me - Get 15% off sitewide at magneticme.com. Nutrafol - Right now, when you buy any Nutrafol Men hair growth supplement subscription, you get two free gifts—a full-size 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner plus a hair serum, a $93 value—plus 20% off a subscription. Take advantage of this great deal at Nutrafol.com. Quince - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to quince.com/BLF for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  Unreal Snacks - Visit unrealsnacks.com/BLF to get $2 off a bag of Unreal. Terms and conditions apply. Wayfair - Head to wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  6. Jun 10

    The Anxiety Playbook Every Parent Needs: What Anxiety Really Is, Why Reassurance Backfires, and How Brave Kids Are Built.

    Your kid won't sleep alone, melts down before soccer, refuses to order their own food, panics over mistakes, clings to you at drop-off and explodes when things feel uncertain. And every instinct in your body says, "Make it better." "Fix it." "Protect them." "Help them feel safe." But what if that's exactly where anxiety wins?? In this episode, Deena unpacks one of the biggest parenting mindset shifts you'll ever make: The goal isn't to raise a kid who never feels anxious... It's to raise a kid who knows they can handle anxiety when it shows up.  You'll learn why anxiety isn't actually an emotion - it's your brain's safety alarm, why anxious kids often look "difficult" instead of scared, why reassurance can accidentally make anxiety stronger, and why avoidance is anxiety's favorite fuel. This episode is your anxiety playbook. Confidence isn't something kids build before they do hard things; it's what they build because they did them.  In this episode, you'll learn: - Why anxiety often shows up as perfectionism, aggression, clinginess, shutdowns, refusal or "bad behavior"  - The surprising parenting habit that keeps anxiety growing  - What to say instead of "you'll be fine."  - How to support your kid without rescuing them  - Why "supported struggle" changes the whole system  - The exact mindset that builds resilience, courage, and emotional flexibility for life  - How to stop anxiety from becoming your kid's identity  Most importantly, you'll walk away with a completely different understanding of what anxiety is, what's happening inside your kid's brain, and how to help them build the beliefs that re-wires it all: I can handle hard things, I can feel uncomfortable and still be ok, and I can trust myself.  Anxiety isn't a character flaw or personality trait; it's the brain going on high alert when it's actually safe. And once you learn how that alarm system works, you'll never see your child's behavior the same way again.  This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. Hiya Health - Receive 50% off your first order of Hiya’s best selling children’s vitamin. Head to hiyahealth.com/BLF.  Momentous - Head to livemomentous.com and use promo code BIGLITTLEFEELINGS for up to 35% off your first order. Osea - Get 10% off your order sitewide with code BLF at oseamalibu.com. Our Place - Stop cooking with toxic cookware and upgrade to Our Place today! Visit fromourplace.com/BLF and use code BLF for 10% off sitewide. Peloton - Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com Rythm Health - Rythm is offering our listeners 15% off your first month and free shipping at rythm.health/blf.  Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  7. Jun 3

    3 Things Your Strong-Willed Kid Needs to Hear

    If you’re raising a strong-willed kid, this episode could change the trajectory of their entire life. In this revisit of one of our favorite episodes, Kristin pulls back the curtain on what it was like to be that so-called “bad kid” herself - and shares the exact 3 messages every strong-willed child needs to hear on repeat. Strong-willed kids get mislabeled as “bad” all the time. They push back. They melt down big. They leave you wondering if you’re failing - or if they’ll ever fit into the world. But here’s the truth: they’re not broken. They’re brilliant. And how you parent them determines whether that brilliance gets buried in shame or unleashed as their superpower. When you start saying these words, everything changes: - Your child will begin to see themselves as worthy, not “bad.” - You’ll stop parenting from fear and start parenting from belief. - You’ll shift from daily power struggles to raising a child who knows they are loved, gifted, and celebrated exactly as they are. These aren’t just words. They’re lifelines. And they can change the way your child shows up in the world - and how you show up as their parent. If you’ve ever thought, I don’t know if I can keep doing this, this episode is for you https://biglittlefeelings.com/products/big-feelers?variant=46728248361216 " This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. Boll & Branch - Get 15% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at bollandbranch.com/BLF with code BLF. Ka’Chava - Go to kachava.com and use code BLF for 15% off your first order! Magnetic Me - Get 15% off sitewide at magneticme.com. Peloton - Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com Quince - Elevate your summer bedding. Go to quince.com/BLF for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  Visit Myrtle Beach - You belong at The Beach – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Plan the best family vacation ever at VisitMyrtleBeach.com. Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  8. May 27

    The Real Reason You’re Exhausted All the Time

    If you feel like you’re drowning, failing, and behind on everything in life right now, this episode is going to change everything for you. Women are carrying an impossible amount right now. The schedules. The school emails. The emotional labor. The meals. The invisible planning. The pressure to be fully present with your kids while somehow also functioning like a high-performing CEO with glowing skin and an organized pantry. And because you can’t keep up with all of it? You’ve started believing the problem is you. This episode will change that.  In this episode, you’ll finally understand: - What chronic mental load is actually doing to your brain and nervous system - Why so many women feel like they’re failing even when they’re doing an unbelievable amount - How perfectionism gets wired into girls from childhood - Why comparison hits women so hard psychologically - And the mindset shift that has the power to completely free you from the constant feeling that you are behind, drowning, exhausted, and failing at everything all the time Do not miss this episode. You're about to look at your life in a whole new way, and the load is about to get so much lighter. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. Nutrafol - Head to nutrafol.com and enter the promo code FEELINGS for $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping.  Peloton - Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com Quince - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to quince.com/BLF for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  Visit Myrtle Beach - You belong at The Beach – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Plan the best family vacation ever at VisitMyrtleBeach.com. Warby Parker - Buy one prescription pair and get 20% off any additional prescription pairs at WarbyParker.com/BLF. Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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About

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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