Ep. 31 Build your Circle: Support for Parents and Providers

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As a parent, you’ve probably experienced the deep exhaustion that comes with sleepless nights, struggling to establish routines, and managing the day-to-day demands of family life. But what if I told you that the secret to better sleep lies not only in routines, but also in the connections you build? In a recent conversation with Crissy Fishbane & Cindi Michaelson from HER Health Collective, I talked about how cultivating meaningful relationships within a community can be transformative.

Who Would You Call in an Emergency?

One key question that Crissy asked that inspired their community was: If you had to go to the hospital, who would you call for help? It’s not always about family, but having a circle of friends or neighbors who you trust deeply. For many parents, building these connections can provide the support needed to reduce stress and anxiety for more joyful living and of course lead to better sleep for both parents and children.

The Struggles of Parenting Without Support

Crissy and Cindi shared their personal stories of navigating loneliness despite being surrounded by people. This is a common experience for many parents—feeling isolated even while engaging in daily social interactions. It’s this lack of deep, authentic connections that often leaves us overwhelmed. But by finding and fostering these relationships, whether through a local community or an online support group, parents can share their experiences, seek advice, and feel less alone in their journey.

My Journey to Better Sleep

When I first became a parent, I believed I could handle everything on my own. But after countless sleepless nights and four years, I realized I needed help. As I began reaching out to friends and various professionals for support, I discovered there were so many resources I hadn’t even known existed.

This revelation inspired me to create the Trusted Professionals Directory—a place to connect parents with reliable experts. I like to say that I live a “learning lifestyle,” and throughout my personal journey of healing, it became crucial to understand who could help, what I needed, and how to get the right support. This shift has truly been life-changing.

Nurturing your identity as a parent

Who you are as a whole person and your identity matters. As Cindi beautifully put it, “Continue to explore yourself as a parent. It’s so easy to lose yourself in the care of others.” This hit home for me. Crissy shared how she segments her life into "Working Crissy, Mom Crissy, and Crissy time," which serves as a powerful reminder to stay grounded and nurture all parts of who we are.

The biggest takeaway from these amazing women at Her Health Collective is that who you are as a mom truly matters. Finding your circle of support is essential as you step into this new role and responsibility. And just as parenting evolves, so will this role. Let’s grow together!

By focusing on both emotional support and practical sleep strategies, I found a balance that worked for my family. Just as Cindy and Chrissy emphasize in their work, we don’t have to do this alone.

Building healthy routines and fostering personal growth are essential for creating a calm, supportive environment that nurtures the entire family. When families find the right support and build a circle of trusted friends, parents can lean into healthy habits that leave them feeling rested, calm, and confident. This allows them to lead their families with trust and security, promoting overall well-being for everyone in the home.

Key Loving Lessons Learned in this episode:

🟣 Think about your response to this powerful question: If you had to go to the hospital, who would you call for help, besides your family?

🟣 Building authentic connections is vital for both emotional and physical health and will lead to better sleep.

🟣 Asking for help or finding a supportive community can greatly reduce the feeling of isolation.

Resources mentioned to help you keep learning & growing:

⭐ Learn more about Crissy Fishbane & Cindi Michaelson with HER Health Collective

⭐ Follow HER Health Collective on Instagram

⭐ Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes