Podcasts > We Can Do Hard Things > Introducing After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings

Introducing After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings

By Glennon Doyle & Audacy

In "We Can Do Hard Things," hosts Amanda Doyle, Kristin Gallant, and Deena Margolin explore the highs and lows of parenting in the digital age, tackling the often unspoken challenges that come with guiding little ones through life. The show serves as a virtual village for parents who are seeking both empathy and community in their day-to-day child-rearing adventures. Episode by episode, the trio addresses the immense pressures that come with modern parenting—the push towards perfection, the isolation, and the lack of support systems once readily available in communal societies.

The podcast dives into delicate subjects like imperfect marriages, miscarriage, and emotional challenges with toddlers, always offering compassionate and realistic advice for improving the parenting journey. Listeners are invited to feel part of a larger community, as this digital space offers parents a platform for reflective discussions and accessible strategies. With guest insights from celebrities and experts, "We Can Do Hard Things" provides an array of perspectives, solidifying itself as a parenting guide for the contemporary era — all while reinforcing the importance of respect and understanding within the family unit.

Introducing After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings

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Introducing After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings

1-Page Summary

After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings Podcast

"After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings" podcast serves as a haven for modern parents by providing a space that empathizes with their unique challenges and offers a supportive community, much like a village, for listeners navigating the complicated journey of parenting.

Modern Parenting Challenges

The discussions on the podcast highlight the immense pressure parents face to be the perfect caretakers, setting unrealistic expectations that can lead to overwhelming experiences. They touch on the sense of isolation, which is prominent in today's parenting landscape, compared to earlier times when rearing children was a community effort. Moreover, there's an acknowledgment of the absent support systems which once existed in more communal societies, leaving parents to often deal with challenges without adequate support.

After Bedtime as a Parenting "Village"

Acting as a digital village, "After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings" offers a community vibe to parents who are particularly dealing with imperfect marriages, recognizing that flaws are natural and providing insights into navigating parenting within them. The show gives a compassionate platform to discuss the rarely talked about experiences of miscarriages. It provides strategies and understanding for managing toddler's emotionally charged behaviors and educates on the importance and impact of apologizing to kids, emphasizing respect in the parent-child relationship. Beyond emotional support, the podcast provides realistic, actionable advice to improve the parenting experience.

Furthermore, the podcast enriches its conversations by involving expert opinions and sharing anecdotes from celebrity parents such as Andy Cohen and Emily Oster, thereby giving a broad spectrum of perspectives and solutions to support all kinds of parents in their roles.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The concept of "After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings" podcast as a digital village means that the podcast aims to create a supportive online community for parents, akin to the traditional village support system. It provides a space for parents to connect, share experiences, and seek advice, mirroring the communal aspect of parenting found in close-knit communities. The podcast fosters a sense of belonging and understanding among parents facing similar challenges, offering a virtual village where they can find empathy, guidance, and solidarity. By acting as a digital village, the podcast aims to fill the gap left by the diminishing community support in modern parenting, providing a platform for shared experiences and collective wisdom.
  • In the context of parenting, discussing imperfect marriages involves acknowledging that not all marriages are flawless and that challenges within the marital relationship can impact the parenting dynamic. This discussion often focuses on how parents navigate disagreements, conflicts, or differences in parenting styles while still prioritizing the well-being of their children. It emphasizes the importance of open communication, mutual respect, and finding ways to work together as a team despite marital imperfections. Addressing imperfect marriages in parenting conversations aims to provide support and guidance for parents facing relationship struggles while raising children.
  • Miscarriages are pregnancy losses before 20 weeks gestation. They are emotionally challenging experiences for individuals and couples, often leading to feelings of grief, guilt, and isolation. Discussing miscarriages openly in the parenting context helps normalize the conversation, providing support and understanding to those who have gone through this loss. By acknowledging and addressing the impact of miscarriages, the podcast aims to create a more inclusive and empathetic space for parents dealing with such experiences.
  • Strategies for managing a toddler's emotionally charged behaviors involve techniques like acknowledging their feelings, setting clear boundaries, and providing consistent routines. It's important to stay calm and model appropriate behavior, offer choices when possible, and use positive reinforcement to encourage desired actions. Understanding developmental stages and triggers can help in responding effectively to tantrums and emotional outbursts. Consistency, patience, and empathy play key roles in guiding toddlers through their emotions and teaching them healthy ways to express themselves.
  • Apologizing to kids in the parent-child relationship is crucial as it teaches children about accountability, empathy, and respect. It helps children understand that mistakes happen and that it's important to take responsibility for one's actions. Apologizing also strengthens the bond between parent and child by fostering open communication and trust. It sets a positive example for children on how to handle conflicts and resolve issues peacefully.

Counterarguments

  • While the podcast aims to act as a digital village, it may not fully replicate the tangible benefits of in-person support networks and community involvement.
  • The pressure to be perfect caretakers might be exacerbated by the very discussions that aim to alleviate it, as parents could feel inadequate when comparing their experiences to those shared on the podcast.
  • The sense of isolation in modern parenting could be a result of broader societal changes rather than the absence of communal parenting, and some may argue that digital communities cannot replace local, physical support systems.
  • The podcast's advice and strategies, while helpful, may not be universally applicable due to cultural, socioeconomic, and individual differences among families.
  • The inclusion of celebrity anecdotes might not always resonate with everyday parents, who may find celebrities' experiences to be less relatable due to their different lifestyles and resources.
  • The focus on apologizing to kids and emphasizing respect in the parent-child relationship, while important, could be seen as one aspect of a much larger conversation about discipline and communication that requires a more nuanced approach.
  • The actionable advice provided by the podcast might not always take into account the latest research or diverse expert opinions, potentially leading to a narrow range of solutions.
  • The podcast's discussions on miscarriages, while supportive, might not address the full spectrum of emotions or experiences that parents go through, and some listeners might feel that their personal experiences are not fully represented.
  • Expert opinions involved in the podcast conversations may not always reflect the most current or comprehensive views in the fields of child psychology, parenting, or education, and listeners should be encouraged to seek multiple sources of information.

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Introducing After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings

After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings Podcast

"After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings" is a podcast that addresses the multitude of challenges faced by modern parents and serves as a virtual parenting "village" to support listeners through the highs and lows of raising children.

Modern Parenting Challenges

Pressure to be "perfect"

The conversations on the podcast acknowledge the intense pressure that parents of today face to be perfect. It delves into the unrealistic expectations and standards that can make parenting an overwhelming journey.

Isolation

Isolation is a major challenge highlighted in the podcast. The transcript reflects the total seclusion that many parents experience, starkly contrasting with the past when extended families and neighbors often pitched in with child-rearing.

Lack of village/support

Traditional communities and villages played a crucial role in providing support for parents, but the podcast notes that this supportive network is largely absent in modern parenting. This lack of support network can make the parenting journey even harder.

After Bedtime as a Parenting "Village"

The podcast positions itself as a source of community for parents grappling with a host of challenges, acting as a village of its own in the digital space.

For parents experiencing:

The show specifically addresses topics pertinent to parents who are navigating:

Imperfect marriages

Acknowledging that no marriage is flawless, the podcast tackles the complexities of parenting within the context of imperfect marriages.

Miscarriages

The pain of experiencing a miscarriage and the silent struggle that accompanies it is also a topic of deep and compassionate discussion on the show.

Toddler struggles

Toddlers can be a whirlwind of emotions and activity. The podcast faces the ...

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After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings Podcast

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • A virtual parenting "village" is a concept that describes an online community or platform where parents can connect, share experiences, and support each other in raising their children. It serves as a digital counterpart to the traditional idea of a physical village or community that provides assistance and guidance to parents. This virtual village can offer a sense of belonging, advice, and camaraderie to parents who may feel isolated or lacking support in their parenting journey. It aims to create a space where parents can seek help, exchange ideas, and feel part of a larger community despite physical distance.
  • Big Little Feelings is a parenting approach that focuses on understanding and addressing the emotions and behaviors of young children, particularly toddlers. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and validating children's feelings while providing guidance and support in navigating their emotional world. The term suggests that even though children's feelings may seem small or insignificant, they hold significant importance in their development and overall well-being. Big Little Feelings aims to help parents connect with their children on an emotional level and foster a supportive and empathetic relationship.
  • Modern parents face challenges such as the pressure to be perfect, which stems from unrealistic expectations and standards. They also experience isolation due to the lack of traditional support networks like extended families and neighbors. Additionally, navigat ...

Counterarguments

  • While the podcast may offer a sense of community, it cannot fully replace the tangible support provided by physical presence in a traditional village or community setting.
  • The focus on expert and celebrity parent guests might inadvertently contribute to the pressure to be perfect by setting standards that may not be attainable or relatable for all listeners.
  • Addressing challenges such as imperfect marriages and miscarriages is important, but the podcast format may not be sufficient for individuals who require professional counseling or therapy.
  • The podcast's tips and advice, while actionable, may not be universally applicable due to the diversity of family structures, cultures, and individual circumstances.
  • The emphasis on apologizing to children is valuable, but it's important to balance this with guidance on setting appropriate boundaries and discipline.
  • The podcast's digi ...

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