Why Parenting Support Matters: Insights from TAPS- Triangle Area Parenting Support

Let’s be real—parenting is incredible, but it can also feel completely overwhelming. There’s so much information out there, and sometimes it feels like you’re just supposed to figure it all out on your own. But the truth is, you don’t have to do it alone.

That’s why I sat down with Monica Richardson, Executive Director of Triangle Area Parenting Support (TAPS) serving the Raleigh/ Durham area, to talk about why parenting support is so essential. We dug into parents' challenges, early childhood experiences' impact, and how finding the right community can change everything.

If you’ve ever wished for a village to help you through this parenting journey, keep reading!

The Story Behind TAPS: Why Parenting Shouldn’t Be a Solo Journey

Monica’s passion for supporting parents started long before she founded TAPS. Back when she was a high school teacher, she started noticing something—so many of her students were struggling, and their challenges didn’t just start in high school.

She dug into the research and realized something huge: Kids do better when their parents feel supported and connected. That’s what led her to create TAPS—Triangle Area Parenting Support.

But here’s the thing—parental isolation isn’t just a challenge; it’s a public health crisis.

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Loneliness and Isolation describes how social disconnection is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Research shows that loneliness increases the risk of depression, anxiety, heart disease, and even early death—and new parents are one of the most at-risk groups.

This is exactly why TAPS exists—to bring parents together, build real connections, and ensure that no one has to navigate parenting alone.

How Early Parenting Challenges Affect a Child’s Future

I know this can be a tough conversation, but it’s an important one. As both an educator and a mom, I’ve come to realize just how much early experiences shape a child’s development. The stress parents feel doesn’t just affect them—it impacts their children, too.

Monica shared some eye-opening research about how parental stress and pressure can shape a child’s future. In fact, the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Parental Stress—Parents Under Pressure highlights that chronic stress during pregnancy and early childhood can increase the risk of emotional, behavioral, and health challenges for kids later in life.

The good news? 

When parents get the right support, they’re better equipped to manage stress, which leads to healthier, happier families.

Why Early Support Matters

• Prenatal stress & postpartum anxiety: If a mom experiences stress or anxiety during pregnancy, she’s more likely to experience postpartum anxiety or depression—and that stress can impact her baby’s development.
• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): Studies show that if a child experiences four or more ACEs (like neglect, high stress, or lack of parental support), they have a higher risk of mental health issues, hypertension, and other long-term health problems.
• Early interventions make a difference: Simply having support, education, or therapy during pregnancy and early parenting can completely change a child’s future.

It’s proof that the more support we give parents, the better outcomes we create for their children.

TAPS Programs: How They Help Parents Build Stronger Families

TAPS offers incredible programs to help parents at every stage—from pregnancy to toddlerhood.

Workshops & Community Events

• Prenatal yoga & baby-and-me yoga
• Car seat safety education
• DIY infant toys & play development
• Breastfeeding & infant feeding education

PEPS: A Game-Changer for New Parents

One of the most powerful programs at TAPS is PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support)—a small group program where new parents meet weekly.

Monica’s experience with PEPS: "I joined a PEPS group when my baby was three weeks old. 12 weeks later, I had a community of lifelong friends who supported me through every challenge."

• Parents meet weekly with a small group of parents who have babies the same age.
• It’s a safe space to share challenges, learn parenting strategies, and build real friendships.
• Many parents stay connected for years, offering support far beyond the newborn stage.

Infant Feeding Support Groups

• Breastfeeding support in both English & Spanish
• Guidance on lactation, feeding options, and newborn nutrition
• Parents can attend before and after birth for ongoing support

Real Success Stories: How One Mom Found the Help She Needed

One of the most powerful stories Monica shared was about a mom who was struggling with postpartum anxiety and exhaustion.

• She came to a PEPS meeting at her breaking point because her baby wouldn’t sleep.
• Another mom in the group shared a resource for a postpartum therapy clinic at UNC.
• Within a week, she got the help she needed, started sleeping better, and so did her baby!

Lesson learned: Having the right support at the right time can completely change a parent’s experience.

The Circle of Security: Building a Strong Parent-Child Bond

One of my favorite parenting tools we talked about in this conversation was the Circle of Security.

What is the Circle of Security?

• Kids naturally explore the world and then return to parents for emotional support.
• Parents are their secure base for exploration and their safe haven for comfort.
• Learning to read and respond to your child’s cues helps build a strong, secure bond.
• Remember this mantra when it comes to doing hard things with your child: 

 Image Source

The Very Good News about creating a Secure Attachment with your child

 "Did you know that you only need to be in sync with your child 20-30% of the time to create secure attachment? You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be present."

This program helps parents understand their child’s needs, manage tantrums with more confidence, and create a strong parent-child connection.

How You Can Support TAPS & Make a Difference

TAPS is changing lives—but they can’t do it alone. If you want to help support parents in your community, here’s how you can get involved:

✅ Volunteer – Help with events, workshops, or social media.
✅ Donate – Gently used baby gear is always needed.
✅ Lead a Group – Become a PEPS facilitator and support new parents.
✅ Spread the Word – Share this blog and connect parents to TAPS!

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone

If there’s one thing I hope every parent takes away from this conversation, it’s this:

"You’re not alone. There is always someone who understands your journey. Finding a supportive community can change everything."

Whether you’re a new parent looking for help or a seasoned parent wanting to give back, TAPS is here for you.

Key Loving Lessons Learned in This Episode:

🟣 Parenting is easier when you have a support system—you don’t have to do it alone.
🟣 Early experiences shape a child’s future, but support and education can change outcomes.
🟣 You only need to “get it right” 20-30% of the time to create a secure attachment.

Resources Mentioned to Help You Keep Learning & Growing:

⭐️ Learn more about Monica Richardson and her team at Triangle Area Parenting Support 

⭐️Join a TAPS Tour- TAPS Tour Registration link (Irene's Tour March 6) -  

 ⭐️ Join a parenting group:

• PEPS Interest Form - Wake County - Newborn PEPS-Wake — Triangle Area Parenting Support
• PEPS Interest Form - Durham County - Newborn PEPS - Durham — Triangle Area Parenting Support
• Circle of Security Interest Form - COSP — Triangle Area Parenting Support

Do you need sleep support in the fourth trimester with your newborn? 

As a certified baby & toddler sleep coach and postpartum doula in the Raleigh area, I provide a Newborn Sleep Support group to provide sleep guidance, practical strategies, and the reassurance you need to help maximize sleep for the family.  Set up a time to connect here and explore how the Sleep Shaping Success Group can support your family’s journey to better sleep.

Connect with me!     Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest

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Learn about Monica Richardson and other Trusted Professionals on the Referral Directory 

Podcast Episode Transcript: 

Disclaimer: Transcripts were generated automatically and may contain inaccuracies and errors.

Monica Richardson- TAPS interview with Irene Gouge Loving Lessons Learned Podcast 

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: [00:00:00] Hello, and welcome to the Loving Lessons Learned podcast. I am super excited to have Monica Richardson, who is a good friend and the executive director of Triangle Area Parenting Support. Her life and her work are based on some simple yet powerful ideas—that every parent deserves a supportive community.

Let's, let's just say, heck yes, we all need parent support! The mission at Triangle Area Parenting Support is to empower parents through information, connection, and support, which focuses their attention on the joys and challenges of each parent, caregiver, and their little ones. So, welcome, Monica! I'm so glad to have you here.

Monica Richardson: Thanks, Irene. It's fun to be here.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: And I am so excited to share! Like, I have known you since the beginning of this journey. I remember meeting you way back when at a Venn Raleigh event—it was at the Illuminate Conference—and you shared what you were doing, and I was like, this is amazing! So, I wonder if you could share with everyone who's listening kind of what inspired you to start TAPS.

TAPS is Triangle Area Parenting Support, and how has its mission evolved over time?

Monica Richardson: Yeah, so, you know, I think that's a great question. It really goes all the way back to my days as a high school social studies teacher, where I had students coming into class, and their parents weren't really engaged, and they were struggling with learning.

And when I started looking at their files, I noticed that the struggles didn't start in high school, right? Those struggles had kind of followed them throughout their school years. So then, I started doing research into—well, why? Why do kids show up not ready [00:02:00] to learn? And it goes all the way back to the very beginning of their journey—all the way back, even to conception—and how their parent was prepared for raising them, even before they were born.

So, through that research and learning more about infant brain development, parent support, secure attachment, and all those different things, we decided that this would be a great service to provide to Triangle parents. And so, we did.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: I love it. And, you know, I think a lot of what you're saying—as school teachers, I used to teach fifth and sixth grade, and we see these challenges, and you're like, I know this isn't something new.

So, I love that you recognize that. You mentioned conception. Can you talk a little bit more about what a parent might need to know and understand and how that might be impacting them in their parenting journey [00:03:00] now?

Monica Richardson: Science is really cool when you look at epigenetics and how the stress that a parent is experiencing before and during pregnancy is passed on to their child.

You know, if a mom is experiencing prenatal anxiety, for example, she's more likely to experience postpartum anxiety, and that mood disorder is considered a child's first adverse childhood event.

And we know—because of some really great research out of Kaiser Permanente—that when a child experiences more than four adverse events from a list of ten before they turn 18, they're more likely to have long-term negative health outcomes like hypertension, diabetes, mental health conditions, and that sort of thing.

So, it really does go all the way back to before a child is born.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yeah. And I think that sometimes parents may [00:04:00] not even realize that. You know, and I'm going to just share—I don’t know that I knew that.

Even as a school teacher, I kind of would shame myself for some years, thinking, how did you not know this as an educator? But I think that not enough people are talking about it.

In the circles that we're in, with parents and providers who are really trying to change the story and help bring that education and awareness, it makes a huge difference in changing outcomes for children.

Monica Richardson: Yeah, and I just read some new research this week—maybe it came out in the last couple of months—that providing prenatal therapy, like going to see a psychotherapist while you're pregnant if you're experiencing or are at risk of experiencing postpartum mood disorder, can prevent that postpartum depression or anxiety from setting in.

So, this is really cool new research—they can do therapy [00:05:00] prophylactically as a preventative measure, which I think is really neat.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yeah, no. And I think too, in my work as a postpartum doula, what's fascinating is that it's not just about the baby—it's about taking care of the mom, who’s helping take care of the baby.

Not to say that dad or others are not important caregivers in that circle of support for the family, but just recognizing that moms need that support from the beginning.

Monica Richardson: Yeah.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: So, I wonder if you can talk a little bit about the programs that you offer with TAPS. What does that look like if someone were to get connected?

Monica Richardson: Yeah, so we've done a lot of work listening to the community and finding out what people want.

To learn what people are missing—either from their OBGYN or their birth education class—what kinds of information people are lacking, and then trying to get that into their hands.

So, for a person who is [00:06:00] pregnant and is wondering, how can I get more support? We really encourage them to sign up for one of our workshops.

We do two to four different kinds of workshops every month, and they're usually offered in Spanish and in English. We've had workshops like prenatal yoga, baby-and-me yoga, car seat safety education, infant development and play, DIY toys at home—so all kinds of different, little educational workshops where you can learn more about getting ready for baby.

Then, after your child is born—or actually even before your child is born—you can start attending one of our infant feeding support groups. We have a breastfeeding support group in Spanish and in English, and you can come while you're pregnant and get education about how you can prepare, what kind of gear you need, what questions you should be asking in the hospital, and of your lactation consultant and pediatrician during [00:07:00] the first couple of weeks.

And then you can keep coming back after your child is born to get support for that breastfeeding journey that you're on, or to help set your goals and meet your goals.

Monica Richardson: And then, when your baby is a couple of weeks old, we want to try to get parents connected into a community of their peers through the PEPS program.

And that’s a cohort program, which I really love. This is one of my favorite programs ever on the planet. I did it with my first, who’s now 14, and I’m still friends with the moms that were in my group.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: And what does PEPS stand for, Monica?

Monica Richardson: It’s the Program for Early Parent Support. They started in 1983 in Seattle, Washington.

Part of my parenting journey is that I had my first baby in Seattle, where I had one friend in the whole state. And she had just—oh my gosh—she had just had her baby and said, Monica, I’m doing this program. You need to do this program. You don’t have any friends—sign up! Here’s my laptop.

And I was like, Okay, I don’t know what I’m doing, so of course I’m going to sign up for this program.

I showed up with my three-week-old baby, and there was a room of 10 other moms and our facilitators. We spent the next 12 weeks bonding over all kinds of things—feeding pain, relationship challenges, babies pooping all over us, sleep issues—but the fun stuff, too, like dressing our kids up for Halloween, sharing Christmas gifts and other holidays together.

And then, we left Seattle when my oldest was about five, and all of the members of our PEPS group showed up to wish us well at our goodbye party.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Oh, I love that.

Monica Richardson: So, those are the kinds of communities that we hope to build through every single newborn PEPS group that TAPS puts together here.

And you know, I was just talking with [00:09:00] a parent yesterday who did a group—her child is in second grade now, so they did a group really early on.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yeah.

Monica Richardson: And she said that they are still connected. They still have friends from that group that they call and rely on.

So that’s the kind of power of community support that we’re hoping to build through the PEPS program.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yeah, I think that sometimes as parents, we can get so busy and feel like we’re so alone in the trenches.

And I think that when we can connect with others who are in that season of life—but even sometimes outside of that season, to have some mentorship—there’s so much value and power to that, and it can help with so many outcomes.

I’m wondering, is anyone able to come to the infant feeding support groups and all these workshops? Or is there a process to check in? How does that work [00:10:00] to get involved with TAPS?

Monica Richardson: Yeah, so every event that we run, there’s an RSVP form. Anybody can attend any of the workshops—there are no limitations.

And then for the PEPS groups, we’re trying to arrange groups of families that have things in common with each other, like location and baby’s age. So when you sign up for that group, we’ll call you and talk about what your needs are, making sure that you’re connected to any resources you need.

For families who have limited resources, we’re going to make sure they’re connected to resources for diapers, clothing, and anything else they might need for their infant.

For families with more resources, their challenges tend to be a little bit different, but we’re still working on making sure they’re connected to whatever they may need.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: That’s awesome.

Monica Richardson: Yeah. And then, when their group starts, families that live in Raleigh are meeting with families that live in Raleigh. [00:11:00] Families that live in Durham are meeting with families that live in Durham.

So, based on where families live, that’s where we’re connecting them with each other.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: So, we’re here in the Raleigh-Durham area. Do you have virtual programs available for anyone who might be watching? Or any connections for them to get involved with any parenting resource groups?

Monica Richardson: We do have an interest form for virtual groups. And even some of the local groups will meet virtually if parents are not feeling comfortable getting out of the house with their infant yet.

So, there is a virtual option also.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Awesome. Well, I’m going to share those links down below in the show notes so that everyone can get connected and find that just-right spot and the right workshop to check out.

Monica, I’m wondering—what misconceptions do people have about families in need of support?

Monica Richardson: You know, I think that there is [00:12:00] this misconception that families can figure it out for themselves.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Hmm.

Monica Richardson: That you have all the information you need. That it’s easy to find. That you can Google it. Or, Oh, why don’t you just go find a group on Facebook?

But the truth is that it’s really hard to build a level of trust with a group of people that you’re willing to share all of your challenges with.

So many parents are going through challenges and just hiding them from their family, from their neighbors. They’re holding those challenges close to their chest, and that creates increased stress for them. And that increased stress is really bad for us.

There are so many trolls on the internet that a lot of families aren’t making the connections they want to make in a social media group.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yeah.

Monica Richardson: Yeah.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Sure. Were you going to add something else?

Monica Richardson: So, by [00:13:00] making the groups a cohort instead of a drop-in kind of session, parents know that they’re going to see the same people week after week.

It usually takes about four weeks of meetings before the stories people start sharing are different. They start sharing more candidly about their struggles and joys.

There’s laughter. Mutual support is given. Information is shared.

And that’s why it’s so important to us that the groups meet as a cohort and not just as a drop-in support session.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: I love that.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Is there any specific success story that might highlight the impact that Triangle Area Parenting Support has?

Monica Richardson: Oh, there are so many great stories.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Tell me a good one! Tell us a good one.

Monica Richardson: The very first group that I led—I was still figuring out what resources the Triangle had to offer.

We had one mom show up the first week, just totally distraught. Her baby was colicky. She couldn’t get the baby to sleep. She wasn’t sleeping herself. Even after the baby was asleep, she was still up ruminating.

And one of the other moms in the group said, Hey, did you know that we have one of the nation’s only inpatient mood disorder clinics at UNC?

And I didn’t know this yet—I mean, I do now.

She said, Here, I happen to have the card of a psychiatrist I know.

They had this conversation back and forth, and the mom who was struggling mentioned that she had done the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Survey with her OB. But her OB said she didn’t qualify, that she didn’t have postpartum depression.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Hmm.

Monica Richardson: So, she calls this psychiatrist—whose card she got from a member of the group—and that psychiatrist says, Well, sometimes OBs tell me that, but you probably have postpartum anxiety. Let’s get you in. Let’s have a longer conversation.

By the time she came back to the next group meeting, she had seen the psychiatrist. She was on medication. She was sleeping better.

That meant she had more of her skills available to problem-solve what was wrong with her child. And so, her child was sleeping better.

I mean, it was just night and day from one week to the next—because someone in the group had a piece of information and shared it.

It was just so powerful.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yeah. Oh, I love that.

And it’s that power of just getting connected with the right resource at the right time that can change so much.

I know for me, I didn’t know that all these amazing resources existed here in the Triangle. And I was like, How do we communicate this? How do we share all these great resources that are available to parents so they don’t have to feel alone in this journey?

I wonder—if a parent is watching this, how would you encourage them to find the right mom group?

Because I think it can be a little intimidating. And there are more mom groups popping up now, but how can they navigate that and take the next step?

Monica Richardson: Yeah, I think, you know, I would just tell them—don’t be afraid to show up and put yourself out there. Tell your story authentically.

I do think that there are so many caring people in this area, and—you know, trolls on the internet notwithstanding—when you show up in person and you’re sharing about the challenges you’re having with your baby, the whole room’s empathy just resonates.

So, I would say—don’t be afraid to just share what is going on with the group that you’ve decided to join.

And you’re right, there are so many great groups that have formed, even since I founded TAPS eight or nine years ago.

One of the other things you want to look at is how your schedule lines up with the playdates or meetings for the group you’re considering joining.

If you’re working, look for a group that has evening or weekend availability.

If you’re a stay-at-home parent, look for something that fits your schedule there.

If you’re a parent with preschool-age children, maybe you want to meet with moms while your child is at school.

So, schedule is really important.

Location is really important.

And I also think interest level matters.

Some people have had great success joining groups based on interests—maybe you love reading and want to join a book club, or you love plants and want to join a plant club. That shared interest can really foster connection.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yeah.

No, I love what you just shared—just getting together in person can make the biggest difference.

Because I do think of some of the Facebook groups and the conversations that happen in them, and sometimes they can go really toxic, you know?

And I think that when you’re online, you don’t always get that, but if you have a built-in community and then you’re meeting online, it can make a huge difference.

Because you’ve had that face-to-face time and you’ve connected while building your tribe—the people you’re going to be doing life with in this season with your little one.

Monica Richardson: Yeah, well, and there’s a rule of engagement there too.

If you’ve already gotten to know some people and then you happen to meet online, you know they’re not going to shame you for a decision you’ve made with your child, right?

There are so many right ways to parent, and I think that on the internet, people are really passionate about their personal favorite way to parent their child.

Whether it’s feeding, sleep, infant development, school—whatever it is, we all have ideas we’re passionate about.

But the truth is, every single child is different.

And every parent is the expert on their own child.

Every parent is motivated to do the best they can for their child.

And when you put your question out to the internet, you’re going to get all these answers that conflict with each other—because all the different ways of parenting are so, so different.

But if you have a trusted community to walk that path with, you can go to them and say, Hey, I tried this, and it didn’t work. Does anyone have any other ideas?

And they know you already.

And you can trust them to give you an idea that fits with your values.

That allows you to authentically explore different ways of parenting with your community.

And that’s why I think it’s so important to start that community so early in life.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: I love it.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: I love it. One of the things you guys talk about in TAPS that I really love—I did some training with Circle of Security. I wonder if you could talk a little bit about that and share what it is with parents, because I think it’s an important concept to understand.

Monica Richardson: Yeah, so Circle of Security Parenting is the program that we offer for parents of toddlers.

You start with the workshops in breastfeeding and your newborn group, and then your baby gets older than about six months, and they’re starting to move around.

That’s when we start looking at what their secure attachment with you as a parent looks like.

Circle of Security is an evidence-based model for understanding how secure attachment is built between the caregiver and the child.

The idea is that the child is always on the circle. They are always going out to explore the world and then coming back in to get their emotional cup filled.

The parent’s role is to be:

• A secure base that the child launches out from to explore, and
• A safe haven for the child to come back to when they need comfort and support.

This is a really natural thing that happens. You can literally see it on the playground.

If you ever go to a playground, you’ll see toddlers running out to try something, then looking back—Mom! Mom! Watch me! Watch me!

That’s a watch over me moment.

And when the parent says, I’m watching, I’m watching, that fills that child’s cup, giving them the courage to keep trying new things.

This is how we build self-esteem in our children, how we build their confidence.

[00:22:00] When you start early with this kind of responsiveness—even with your infants—when you notice when they need stimulation or when they need a break, that in-sync-ness builds their security.

They develop confidence in themselves to manage their emotions—both on their own and with someone else—as they grow.

And I think this is really the goal that all parents have for their teenagers and adult children—that they’ll be able to manage emotions and be successful in life.

And it starts really early. That’s one of the reasons why I love this program.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: No, I love Circle of Security!

I think I didn’t understand it for a season of my life.

I remember feeling like, I just need a break. I don’t want you to call out to me all the time.

And then I realized—oh, I’m not taking care of myself as I’m taking care of my child.

That was probably the reason I was struggling with communication.

And I think that happens more commonly than not for parents.

We get overwhelmed, we feel stressed in so many ways.

So, I assume you equip parents with tools to help them get back on track?

Monica Richardson: Yeah, I think the first thing is just to see the circle—because it’s kind of hidden in plain sight.

Once you can recognize that your child’s behavior is actually communicating a need, that changes everything.

Circle of Security has this really cool mantra:

"Always be bigger, stronger, wiser, and kind. Whenever possible, follow your child's needs. Whenever necessary, take charge."

And I just think this really sets parents up for success.

Especially when we think about challenges—like tantrums—when you’ve got to get to a doctor’s appointment and your child is melting down.

You can know, in that moment, that it’s okay to take charge.

And if there’s a rupture in the relationship, you can take the steps needed to repair it.

[00:24:00] You were talking about needing self-care time for yourself—absolutely right.

If you’re not managing your own emotions, how can you have the capacity to manage a toddler’s emotions?

So, the Circle of Security program teaches parents to balance love and structure—to show up for their children with no-nonsense tenderness, caring and loving, while also setting good boundaries and firm limits.

That way, you can get where you need to go without shutting down your child’s emotions.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yes!

I love that. And I love that Circle of Security talks about being the good enough parent.

Because none of us need to be the perfect parent—and I think, at one point, I was striving for that perfection.

But learning to let go of that—it just wasn’t serving me or my loved ones.

Monica Richardson: Did you know that you only have to be in sync with your child 30% of the time for them to develop secure attachment?

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yes!

I actually just heard it was 20%!

Monica Richardson: Oh!

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: I was like, it’s even better!

Because a lot of times, we’re striving, thinking, Oh, I need to be getting it right 50% of the time.

But actually, if you’re doing 50%—you’ve overdone it!

Monica Richardson: Right? Great job—A+!

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: So, well, thank you, Monica. That’s super helpful.

I’m wondering—if someone in the community wants to support TAPS, how can they get involved?

Is it through volunteering, donations, or advocacy? What does that look like?

Monica Richardson: There are so many ways to get involved!

We have a link on our website where folks can sign up to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Right now, we have volunteers helping with:

• Writing blogs and working on the newsletter
• Social media and sharing programs
• Event volunteering—helping with community baby showers
• Facilitating PEPS groups (which is a big need!)
• Leading workshops in their areas of expertise

There are probably a few more listed on our website, but those are the main ones I can think of right now.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Love it!

I also wanted to highlight that I’m happy to be a drop-off spot for donations in Holly Springs, Apex, or Fuquay-Varina.

And people can also drop off items at Blush Coworking.

I love that you accept gently used baby items, too! Because parents are always wondering, What do I do with all this baby stuff?

And I know TAPS would be grateful to take that off their hands.

Monica Richardson: Absolutely!

Monica Richardson: Yeah! Because the programs we offer support both families with lots of resources and families with fewer resources, there’s always a family in need of that bassinet you’re done with, that diaper changing table, the baby carrier, or the sleep sacks.

All of these items are expensive, and if a family can get a nice one that’s gently used, it can be such a big help. That way, they can divert their financial resources to other needs as they prepare for their baby.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yeah, I love that.

Thank you, Monica, for all the work you’re doing with Triangle Area Parenting Support. It is truly amazing!

It’s been awesome to see how much the organization has grown, and I love the heart and effort you pour into it.

We could probably talk all day, but I want to dive into the five loving lessons that you’ve learned.

So, what is your favorite parenting product or service?

Monica Richardson: Right now—probably because my kids are a little older—my very favorite thing is the Circle of Security Parenting program.

I’ve used it with my children to help them understand their relationships with each other.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Oh!

Monica Richardson: And it has actually prevented conflict between them, which is super powerful.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: That’s interesting!

I probably should be doing that. I try to explain it to my teenagers when they’re around younger kids—like, Do you see how they’re just checking in with you?

But maybe really diving into the diagram would be super helpful.

I’ll post that in the blog for anyone listening to this podcast. You’ll be able to see the images and click on links to learn more about Circle of Security.

Okay, next question—what is your best self-care tip? What do you like to do to take care of yourself?

Monica Richardson: So, this comes from a therapist I had a few years ago, and she said:

"I don’t care what the weather is like. You need to get outside and move for 30 minutes every day."

So, being outside and getting some kind of movement—if you can run, run. If you like to walk, walk.

But doing that outside for 30 minutes every day.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yeah. And maybe just sit if that’s all you can do!

Monica Richardson: Wiggle your toes! That’s movement!

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: There you go—I love it.

Okay, what is something you never thought you would do or say as a parent?

Monica Richardson: I never thought I would say to my kids, "Because I said so."

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Oh no!

I’m assuming you heard that one growing up?

Monica Richardson: Oh, yes. And I’ve said it to my kids.

And usually, it’s because I just don’t have time to explain all of the reasons why this is the right move in the moment.

But yeah, I hate that I’ve said, "Because I said so," to my kids.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Me too.

What is the one thing you want parents to take away from our conversation today?

Monica Richardson: I think just the idea that you are not alone.

There is always someone else out there who has a similar experience.

And being vulnerable, sharing your story, and being willing to connect with a community—that is going to change your parenting journey.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yeah, I love that.

You brought that up earlier—the power of sharing your story.

Because your story might be exactly what another parent needs to hear.

And finally, what is the one thing you’ve learned in your entrepreneurial journey? Because I know running a nonprofit is a big undertaking.

Monica Richardson: Yeah!

I’ve grown this organization from just me to now having a team of people who work with me.

So, the biggest thing I’ve learned is the power of a team.

Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to run a nonprofit organization.

And right now, I have such an incredible team. The board that leads and guides our strategy and direction as an organization is so supportive.

You just can’t do it without a team.

Irene Gouge - Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: That’s amazing.

Well, thank you, Monica! I so appreciate having you here, and I can’t wait to see all the amazing things TAPS continues to do right here in our community.

Until next time—bye!