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Starting 4/4/25! Get Expert Parenting Strategies at the Parenting 101 Summit
Parenting can feel like a rollercoaster—one moment, everything is smooth, and the next, you’re dealing with bedtime battles, tantrums, and power struggles. Sound familiar?
That’s why I’m so excited to be part of the Parenting 101 Summit: Your Guide to a Joyful Parenting Journey, where you’ll get expert advice from top parenting specialists (including me!) to help you navigate these challenges with confidence.
This FREE online event, hosted by Elisabeth Stitt of Joyful Parenting Coaching, is designed to empower you with real, actionable parenting solutions.
And the best part? You can access it all from the comfort of your home!
🎤 My Featured Session: Mastering Sleep for Peaceful Nights
Let’s talk about sleep deprivation—because no one thrives when they’re running on fumes. In my session, I’ll uncover:
✔️ The biggest culprits behind sleepless nights
✔️ Gentle, effective strategies to get your child sleeping peacefully
✔️ How to foster independent sleep habits that last
Sleep impacts everything—your child’s mood, behavior, development, and, of course, your sanity. I’ll show you how to create a restful routine that benefits the entire family.
🌟 What You’ll Learn at the Summit
Beyond sleep, you’ll gain incredible insights on:
✅ Emotional Regulation: Helping kids manage big feelings
✅ Setting Limits with Love: Encouraging cooperation without power struggles
✅ Chores & Confidence: Teaching kids life skills from an early age
✅ Welcoming a New Baby: Making sibling transitions smoother
✅ Nervous System Science in Parenting: A new approach to staying calm and connected
…and so much more!
📅 How the Summit Works:
🗓 April 4th – Kickoff with a live Pre-Summit Q&A at 10:00 AM
🎤 April 7th-11th – Daily expert interviews (available for 24 hours)
🎁 Upgrade to VIP for Lifetime Access + Exclusive Bonuses
🎟 Why You Need the VIP Package
While the free ticket gives you access to each session for 24 hours, the VIP Proactive Parents Package lets you watch on your own schedule and unlocks exclusive perks, including:
✨ Lifetime access to all expert sessions
✨ MP3 downloads & transcripts
✨ Exclusive VIP gifts from experts
✨ Monthly group coaching with Elisabeth Stitt
✨ Deep-dive Positive Parenting workshop
💰 For a limited time, you can get it for just $47 (regularly $197!).
🎁 Plus, VIP members will also receive my exclusive sleep coaching resource to help your child sleep through the night—because rested kids = happy families!
⏳ Don’t Wait—Register Now!
If you’ve ever wished for a go-to parenting roadmap, this is it. Learn from trusted experts, get practical tools you can use right away, and feel supported on your parenting journey.
I can’t wait to share my best sleep strategies with you at the summit! See you there.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TODAY TO PARTNER, PROMOTE AND SUPPORT A WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS?
I am a proud Committee Member of WO3, a grassroots movement dedicated to supporting women-owned businesses through partnership, promotion, and support.
Here are some other ways. I am living the mission of WO3!
TODAY March 29, 2025: Ways to Get Active with the Movement
All month long, I have encouraged my audience to actively participate in WO3 Day by supporting women-owned businesses in meaningful and actionable ways: I have done ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES in the month of March…What Can you do TODAY!!???
✅ Engage on social media – Like, comment, share, and amplify the voices of women entrepreneurs online.
🌟 Leave positive reviews – Boost visibility and credibility by writing reviews for your favorite women-owned businesses.
🎙️ Be a guest on or share women-led podcasts – Use your voice to elevate other women or share episodes from female-hosted podcasts to widen their reach.
🛍️ Shop women-owned brands – Make intentional purchases from businesses founded and led by women.
🤝 Mentor or donate – Invest in women’s success by offering mentorship, making donations, or supporting funding campaigns.
Spotlighting Women Entrepreneurs.
For the last 3 years, I have identified 16 incredible “doers” and I've used my Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching platform to interview and feature inspiring female leaders, sharing their stories and amplifying their voices because they are making significant impacts in their fields.
I have a whole Youtube Playlist of all the interviews I have done so you can be inspired.
Finding organizations that Empower the Next Generation:
I love to highlight the significance of supporting organizations that empower young girls, emphasizing that fostering confidence, resilience, and leadership skills from an early age is crucial.
I featured various organizations dedicated to uplifting and mentoring girls, such as Girls Inc., Girls Who Code, and Black Girls Code. This initiative aligns with WO3's mission to promote and support women-owned businesses and organizations that contribute to the success of families and communities.
Each of these simple actions contributes to a larger impact—promoting gender equality and empowering female entrepreneurs to thrive.
Let’s show up, stand tall, and support HER success!
Are you at Risk for Burnout??...Must-Watch Interview with Lisa Duerre: Happy W03 Day!
Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a serious issue affecting professionals across industries.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is defined as a "syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed." But what exactly leads to burnout, and how can we address it before it takes a toll on our well-being and productivity?
Cost of burnout for companies is $4,000- $21,000 lost per person
Recently on WO3, we hosted a powerful Instagram Live interview diving deep into the reality of burnout:
what it looks like
why it happens
how to prevent it
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by workplace stress or simply want to gain insights into combating burnout, this is a must-watch conversation!
In our Interview, we SHOUT OUT to some other Female Owned Businesses that they admire and you will definitely want to check out!
Authors: Jackie Stavros (Author), Cheri Torres (Author)
Conversations Worth Having Book: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement
Catherine Seo, PhD. Lipedema Project
https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherineseophd/
Sonu Ratra, Women Back to Work
https://www.linkedin.com/company/wbw-women-back-to-work/
Donna Ashworth
Learn more about Lisa Duerre
Lisa Duerre is a visionary leader and renowned expert in leadership development, workplace culture transformation, and burnout prevention. With over two decades of executive experience in Silicon Valley, she champions inclusivity, belonging, and wellbeing in every facet of her work at RLD Group. As CEO & Co-Founder, Lisa guides tech companies to sustainable success through tailored consulting, impactful coaching, and inspirational speaking engagements. Her mission is clear: empower leaders to create workplaces that work for all.
Lisa's unique perspective as a lipedema advocate propels her to the forefront of conversations surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Featured by leading media outlets and as host of Ctrl+Alt+Delete with Lisa Duerre™, a top technical leadership podcast, she shares invaluable insights on modern leadership. Lisa's vision, empathy, and authenticity drive positive change, promoting wellbeing and unlocking limitless possibilities.
Whether delivering keynotes, coaching executives, or facilitating workshops, Lisa brings expertise to empower organizations. Her mission is to foster environments where individuals thrive authentically. With a focus on vision, empathy, and authenticity, Lisa Duerre is reshaping the future of leadership, one empowered organization at a time.
RLD Group RLD Group helps tech leaders, teams, and organizations drive results by strengthening leadership, team performance, and workplace cultur RLD Group FIRM Leadership Lab Waitlist
CTRL+ALT+DELETE with Lisa Duerre™: Conversations Worth Having Episode (YouTube Link) and on all podcast platforms
Conversations Worth Having Book: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement
Women Back to Work: The nation’s leading workforce re-entry program for technical talent Website https://rldgroupllc.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lisa.duerre
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lisa.duerre/
GET INVOLVED: Embracing the spirit of unity and empowerment, joining the movement to champion women-owned businesses this March is as effortless as following three simple steps. Here's how you can become a part of this vibrant celebration:
Sign up for March Reminders:
Begin your journey by registering to receive enchanting, cost-free ideas that make it easy to support, promote, and partner with small, women-owned businesses.
This initiative builds momentum towards the climax of WO3 Day. You can sign up here.
Spread the Enthusiasm:
Ignite a wave of support by encouraging your friends and family to participate.
Engage with us on social media platforms for a dose of inspiration and use hashtags like #isupporther, #wo3connect, and #wo3day to amplify your impact. Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn at WO3Connect.
Plan Your Support:
Devise a plan to back women-owned businesses throughout March with simple, yet meaningful actions.
From writing a touching review to finding creative ways to support your favorite female entrepreneurs, every effort counts.
Join us in making WO3 a jubilant celebration of women's achievements. Together, we can shine a light on the remarkable contributions of women in business. Let's connect, support, and celebrate. 🚀 #wo3connect #isupporther
Are you struggling with your child's sleep? Could you use some support?
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM sleep strategy session. Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
Alternative Methods to Cry It Out
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe in Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
🎉 Parenting 101 Summit – Your Go-To Event for Expert Parenting Advice!
Parenting is one of the most rewarding journeys, but let’s be real—it comes with challenges that can leave even the most patient parents feeling overwhelmed. That’s why I’m so excited to invite you to the Parenting 101 Summit: Your Guide to a Joyful Parenting Journey!
This FREE online event, hosted by Elisabeth Stitt of Joyful Parenting Coaching, brings together top experts (including me!) to share proven strategies that make parenting easier, more peaceful, and more enjoyable.
🌟 What You’ll Gain from This Summit
From sleep struggles to setting boundaries, toddler tantrums to sibling rivalry, this summit covers the real-life issues parents face every day. Each session is packed with practical tools you can start using immediately.
I’ll be sharing my expertise on gentle sleep solutions—because let’s face it, sleep deprivation isn’t a badge of honor. Your child CAN sleep better, and so can you!
🗓 Key Summit Details
📅 April 4th: Kickoff with a Live Pre-Summit Q&A
📅 April 7th-11th: Daily expert interviews (available for 24 hours!)
🎁 Upgrade to VIP for Lifetime Access + Exclusive Bonuses
👉 Grab Your Free Spot Here
🎤 My Featured Talk: Helping Your Child Sleep Through the Night
If bedtime battles, constant night waking, or early morning struggles are part of your daily routine, I’ve got you covered! In my session, you’ll learn:
✔️ The top reasons your child struggles with sleep
✔️ Simple, gentle strategies to create better sleep habits
✔️ How to support your child’s self-regulation for long-term sleep success
Sleep is the foundation of healthy development, and I can’t wait to equip you with easy-to-implement techniques to get your little one sleeping soundly.
🎯 Other Must-Watch Topics
✅ Mind-Body Parenting: Using nervous system science to improve your approach
✅ Setting Limits with Love: Encouraging cooperation without power struggles
✅ Chores & Confidence: Helping preschoolers build life skills
✅ Welcoming a New Baby: Supporting sibling relationships from the start
And so much more!
🎟 Why You Should Grab the VIP Package
With the free pass, each session is available for only 24 hours, but with the VIP Proactive Parents Package, you’ll get:
✨ Lifetime access to every interview
✨ MP3 downloads & transcripts
✨ Exclusive VIP gifts from experts
✨ Monthly group coaching with Elisabeth Stitt
✨ A deep-dive Positive Parenting workshop
For a limited time, you can get it for just $47 (normally $197!).
🎁 Plus, as a VIP, you’ll also receive my exclusive sleep coaching resource to help your child sleep better—so you can reclaim your rest and sanity!
⏳ Don’t Wait – Register Now!
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but this summit is the next best thing. Whether you're struggling with sleep, behavior, routines, or emotional regulation, you’ll find real solutions from trusted experts.
I can’t wait to see you there and help you on your parenting journey! 💙
WO3 - I Support Her: Elisabeth Stitt of Joyful Parenting Coaching
Empowering Parents with Skills & Confidence: A Conversation with Elisabeth Stitt
As a proud supporter of WO3 and its mission to uplift women-owned businesses, I’m thrilled to highlight an incredible entrepreneur making a meaningful impact in the parenting world—Elisabeth Stitt, founder of Joyful Parenting Coaching. Through her work, Elisabeth equips parents with the tools they need to create a harmonious home, build strong connections with their children, and embrace the joys of parenting with confidence.
The Journey from Teaching to Transformative Parenting Coaching
Elisabeth’s path to becoming a parenting coach began in the classroom. As a middle school teacher for 25 years, she witnessed firsthand how parenting styles and children’s experiences evolved over time. She saw a shift from free-spirited childhood dreams to intense pressure and structured career paths starting as early as middle school. This change made her wonder—what was happening in homes that led to such a shift in children’s mindsets?
After spending years counseling parents informally as a school outreach teacher, Elisabeth recognized a pattern—parents were overwhelmed, anxious, and disconnected from their natural parenting intuition. She knew she could make a bigger impact by stepping outside the classroom and supporting families directly. That’s when Joyful Parenting Coaching was born.
Parenting as a Learnable Skill
Elisabeth believes that parenting is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and improved upon. Through her coaching, workshops, and resources, she empowers parents to:
Trust their instincts while also gaining practical, research-backed strategies.
Create connection-first parenting approaches that lead to cooperative, resilient children.
Reduce stress and anxiety by learning how to set realistic expectations and implement structured routines.
Her work is rooted in the belief that with the right guidance, parents can move from frustration and self-doubt to joy and confidence in raising their children.
The Parenting 101 Summit: Building Strong Foundations for Families
Elisabeth’s latest initiative, The Parenting 101 Summit, is designed to help parents of young children (ages 0-5) lay the groundwork for a successful parenting journey. The summit, featuring 16 expert speakers (including me!), is a free, multi-day event covering essential topics such as:
Day 1: Eating, sleeping, and toileting basics
Day 2: Emotional connection and regulation
Day 3: Play, learning, and developmental growth
Day 4: Parental mental health, including balancing the mental load and getting on the same page as a parenting team
Day 5: Replay day and VIP access for those who want ongoing access to all expert insights
If you’re a parent of a young child and want practical, compassionate advice on how to navigate these foundational years, this summit is a must-watch! You can register at joyfulparentingcoaching.com/parenting-101-summit.
Watch the Full Interview
Elisabeth and I had a deep and inspiring conversation about modern parenting challenges, the pressures parents face today, and how we can reclaim the joy of raising children. If you want expert insights and practical takeaways, be sure to watch the full interview!
Paying It Forward: Women Supporting Women
As part of WO3’s mission to partner, promote, and support women-owned businesses, Elisabeth gives a heartfelt shout-out to two incredible female entrepreneurs:
Rachel Sklar of Sklar Parenting: Rachel specializes in supporting moms of strong-willed boys who struggle with emotional explosiveness and aggression. Through her coaching and community, she helps mothers navigate these challenges with compassion and clarity.
Website: www.sklarparenting.com
Facebook: Moms of Strong-Willed Boys
Instagram: @momsofstrongwilledboys
Tracy Root of The Gather Community: Tracy is a life and business coach who fosters a vibrant online community for entrepreneurs. Through her “Be Bold, Be Brilliant” mantra, she helps women step into their power with confidence.
Website: www.thegather.community
Join the WO3 Movement
WO3 is all about supporting women-led businesses, and Elisabeth is a shining example of the impact that women entrepreneurs can have on their communities. On WO3 Day (March 29), consider how you can partner, promote, or support another woman-owned business. Whether it’s through a social media shout-out, a referral, or simply engaging with their content, every small action makes a big difference!
Let’s continue to uplift and celebrate women in business.
What’s one woman-owned business you want to support this month? Drop a comment and let’s keep the momentum going!
Are you struggling with your child’s sleep? Could you use some support?
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM sleep strategy session. Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
🎉Join Me at the Free Parenting 101 Summit
🎉 Exciting News! 🎉
I’m beyond thrilled to share an incredible event designed just for parents of young children!
The Parenting 101 Summit: Your Guide to a Joyful Parenting Journey is happening soon, and I can’t wait for you to be part of it.
This FREE online event, hosted by Elisabeth Stitt, founder of Joyful Parenting Coaching, is packed with expert insights to help you navigate the early years with confidence. Go ahead and register here
Whether you’re dealing with sleep struggles, potty training, or setting limits, this summit has got you covered!
Why You Don’t Want to Miss This Summit
Starting April 4th, top parenting experts will be sharing actionable strategies to help make parenting easier and more joyful. Each day, you’ll have access to expert-led interviews covering essential parenting topics for children ages 0-5.
I’m honored to be one of the featured speakers, and I’ll be talking about something every parent can relate to:
5 Things That Kept Your Child Awake Last Night (And How to Avoid Them!)
If bedtime feels like a battle, or if your child is waking up frequently, you’re not alone! In my session, I’ll break down common reasons children struggle with sleep and provide simple, gentle solutions to help your little one (and YOU) get the rest you need.
You’ll also hear from other incredible experts on topics like:
✅ Toilet training before age 2
✅ Transitioning babies to solids
✅ Social-emotional learning, setting limits, and managing the mental load
How It Works
✔️ The summit takes place April 7th-11th, with a Pre-Summit Q&A on April 4th at 10:00 AM.
✔️ Each day, you’ll get 24-hour access to four expert presentations.
✔️ Want unlimited access and exclusive bonuses? The VIP package is available for just $27 (the lowest price it will be!).
👉 Claim your FREE spot today! https://joyfulparentingcoaching.com/parenting-101-summit-clark
Parenting Can Be Challenging – But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone!
We all know that raising young children comes with ups and downs. That’s why I’m so excited to be part of this event—it’s a chance for parents to feel supported, gain valuable knowledge, and find real, practical solutions.
Let’s make parenting a little less stressful and a lot more joyful. I hope to see you there!
Sign up now and take the first step toward easier, happier parenting!
Empowering the Next Generation: Celebrating Women's History Month
Because I work with parents of young children, I believe that empowering women begins with supporting girls—helping them build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills from an early age.
One of the best ways to do this is by getting our daughters involved in organizations that uplift, mentor, and encourage them to pursue their dreams. Whether through leadership development, STEM education, sports, or advocacy, these organizations are shaping the next generation of fearless female leaders.
March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the incredible achievements of women past and present. As a proud Board Member of WO3 Connect, a grassroots movement to partner, promote and support women-owned businesses, I will be interviewing some AMAZING female entrepreneurs who contribute to the success of families. I would appreciate you getting involved in W03 Day on March 29, 2025. It's easy and it's FUN!
To celebrate Women’s History Month, I want to highlight some amazing girl empowerment organizations that provide incredible opportunities for girls to grow, learn, and lead.
Leadership & Mentorship
Girls Inc. – Inspires girls to be strong, smart, and bold through mentorship, education, and leadership programs.
Girls on the Run – Combines running with life skills to build confidence and resilience in young girls.
Girl Scouts of the USA – Encourages leadership, community service, and skill-building through badge-earning activities.
She’s the First – Supports girls' education and leadership opportunities worldwide.
Step Up – Provides mentorship and career readiness programs for girls in underserved communities.
STEM & Education
Girls Who Code – Works to close the gender gap in technology by teaching girls coding and computer science skills.
Black Girls Code – Empowers young Black girls to enter STEM fields through coding workshops and mentorship.
Techbridge Girls – Supports underserved girls in STEM by providing educational resources and role models.
Kode With Klossy – Offers free coding camps for girls interested in technology and computer science.
Sports & Confidence Building
Play Like a Girl – Encourages girls to stay active in sports while building leadership and STEM skills.
Fast and Female – Inspires girls to participate in sports and embrace an active lifestyle.
Girls Leadership – Provides programs to help girls develop confidence, resilience, and communication skills.
Advocacy & Social Change
Malala Fund – Advocates for girls’ education and empowers young activists worldwide.
Hardy Girls Healthy Women – Encourages girls to challenge stereotypes and become leaders for social change.
Girl Up – A global movement that empowers girls to fight for gender equality.
Strong Women Strong Girls – A mentorship organization connecting girls with college women and professional role models.
Entrepreneurship & Career Readiness
The Female Lead – Offers educational resources and showcases female role models in different careers.
Girls With Impact – A business academy for teen girls to develop entrepreneurial skills and launch ventures.
Pretty Brown Girl – Focuses on empowering girls of color through self-love, leadership, and education.
Smart Girl HQ – Provides hands-on STEM and career exploration programs for young girls.
Why This Matters
As parents, caregivers, and community members, we have the power to encourage our girls to dream big, take risks, and believe in themselves. Organizations like these give them the support they need to grow into confident, capable young women who will change the world.
This Women’s History Month, let’s celebrate not just the women who paved the way before us but also the girls who will shape the future. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, education, or entrepreneurship, these organizations are empowering girls to reach their full potential.
Let’s uplift and invest in the next generation of strong women—our daughters, nieces, and the young girls in our communities. Who knows? The next history-maker might be growing up right in your home.
Are you involved in a girl empowerment organization or know a young girl who would love to join one? Share this list and spread the word!
GET INVOLVED WITH WO3: Embracing the spirit of unity and empowerment, joining the movement to champion women-owned businesses this March is as effortless as following three simple steps. Here's how you can become a part of this vibrant celebration:
Sign up for March Reminders:
Begin your journey by registering to receive enchanting, cost-free ideas that make it easy to support, promote, and partner with small, women-owned businesses.
This initiative builds momentum towards the climax of WO3 Day. You can sign up here.
Spread the Enthusiasm:
Ignite a wave of support by encouraging your friends and family to participate.
Engage with us on social media platforms for a dose of inspiration and use hashtags like #isupporther, #wo3connect, and #wo3day to amplify your impact. Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn at WO3Connect.
Plan Your Support:
Devise a plan to back women-owned businesses throughout March with simple, yet meaningful actions.
From writing a touching review to finding creative ways to support your favorite female entrepreneurs, every effort counts.
Join us in making WO3 a jubilant celebration of women's achievements. Together, we can shine a light on the remarkable contributions of women in business. Let's connect, support, and celebrate. 🚀 #wo3connect #isupporther
WO3- I Support Her-Macall Gordon of Little Livewires
In honor of WO3 2025, I am delighted to partner, promote, and support Macall Gordon of Little Livewires!
Why Won't You Sleep? A Conversation with Macall Gordon
As a sleep coach and board member of WO3, I love celebrating and supporting female entrepreneurs who are making a real impact. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Macall Gordon, co-author of Why Won’t You Sleep?, to discuss her research, expertise, and groundbreaking approach to understanding pediatric sleep struggles.
Macall, a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach with a Master’s in Applied Psychology, has spent years researching sleep, temperament, and parenting. But beyond her academic expertise, she brings a deeply personal perspective—raising two highly sensitive, alert children who didn’t sleep well for 18 years! Her experience has fueled her mission to shift the conversation about sleep from a rigid behavioral model to a more holistic, systems-based approach that acknowledges temperament, biological factors, and family dynamics.
The Problem with Traditional Sleep Training
Macall challenges the conventional behaviorist approach to sleep training, which often ignores a child’s temperament and development. She explains how traditional sleep advice is written for the “easy” babies—the ones who respond quickly to structured sleep programs. But what about the 10-20% of babies who struggle intensely? When sleep training fails, parents are left feeling like they’re doing something wrong.
Macall emphasizes that parents need more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, she advocates for understanding biological sleep disruptors—like low ferritin levels (linked to pediatric restless leg syndrome), sensory sensitivities, and even neurodivergence—all of which can impact a child’s ability to sleep well.
Giving Parents the Information They Need
In our conversation, Macall shared valuable insights, including:
Why some babies are wired to sleep while others aren’t.
The importance of recognizing physiological barriers to sleep, like reflux, oral ties, and ferritin deficiencies.
How traditional sleep books often set unrealistic expectations, creating unnecessary stress for parents.
Why parents should trust their instincts rather than feeling pressured by rigid sleep training rules.
Watch the Full Interview
If you’re a parent struggling with a child who “just won’t sleep,” this interview is a must-watch. Macall provides reassurance, research-backed insights, and real-world strategies to help families find solutions that work for them.
WO3 is all about uplifting female entrepreneurs like Macall who are making a difference in their industries. On WO3 Day, let’s remember to support women-owned businesses—whether by leaving a positive review, making a purchase, or simply spreading the word. Small actions make a big impact!
Have you experienced sleep struggles with your child? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
In our Interview, we SHOUT OUT to some other Female Owned Businesses that Macall admires and you will definitely want to check it out!
Robyn Gobbel - Author of “Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors”
Website: RobynGobbel.com -
Instagram: @robyn.gobbel
Podcast: https://robyngobbel.com/podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/robyngobbelmsw
Urban Earth Nursery in Seattle - The most amazing little boutique nursery
Website: urbanearthnursery.com
Insta: @urbanearthnursery (Seattle)
Learn more about Macall Gordon of Little Livewires:
Macall has a master’s degree in Applied Psychology from Antioch University, Seattle where she was a Senior Lecturer in the graduate Counseling Psychology program. She also has a B.S. in Human Biology from Stanford University.
She has conducted and presented research on temperament, sleep, and parenting advice at conferences around the world including the World Association for Infant Mental Health, the International Congress for Infant Studies, and the Society for Research in Child Development.
She is a certified Gentle Sleep Coach in private practice as well as a Featured Provider with the women’s telehealth platform, Maven Clinic. She has been featured on a variety of podcasts and recently on Parents.com. She just published a book, co-authored with Kim West, MSW (Benbella Books) called “Why Won’t You SLEEP?! A Gamechanging Approach for Exhausted Parents of Nonstop, Super Alert, Big Feeling Kids.”
She comes to this work because she had two sensitive, alert, intense children, and she didn’t sleep for 18 years.
Website: littlelivewires.com
Facebook @littlelivewires
Instagram @littlelivewires
GET INVOLVED: Embracing the spirit of unity and empowerment, joining the movement to champion women-owned businesses this March is as effortless as following three simple steps. Here's how you can become a part of this vibrant celebration:
Sign up for March Reminders:
Begin your journey by registering to receive enchanting, cost-free ideas that make it easy to support, promote, and partner with small, women-owned businesses.
This initiative builds momentum towards the climax of WO3 Day. You can sign up here.
Spread the Enthusiasm:
Ignite a wave of support by encouraging your friends and family to participate.
Engage with us on social media platforms for a dose of inspiration and use hashtags like #isupporther, #wo3connect, and #wo3day to amplify your impact. Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn at WO3Connect.
Plan Your Support:
Devise a plan to back women-owned businesses throughout March with simple, yet meaningful actions.
From writing a touching review to finding creative ways to support your favorite female entrepreneurs, every effort counts.
Join us in making WO3 a jubilant celebration of women's achievements. Together, we can shine a light on the remarkable contributions of women in business. Let's connect, support, and celebrate. 🚀 #wo3connect #isupporther
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Foreign. Hello, I'm Joanna Clark of Blissful baby sleep Coaching and also a board member of W3, which is a grassroots movement to help partner, promote and support small female owned businesses. And I am delighted to be interviewing today. McCall Gordon, author of this book, why won't you sleep? Yay call. Thank you for being here. I'm gonna tell everybody about you. Can I do that before we get started?
Okay, so you guys ready? So McCall holds a master's in applied psychology from Antioch University in Seattle and a B.S. in human biology from Stanford. A certified gentle sleep coach, she has co authored why won't you sleep? And has presented research literally globally on sleep, temperament and parenting. She is also a featured provider at Maven Clinic, a women's telehealth platform. And the reason why McCall started this whole journey of becoming a thought leader in the space is because she comes to this work because she had not one, but two highly sensitive, highly alert, highly intense children that literally did not sleep for 18 years.
So McCall knows her topics well, both intellectually and from a research perspective, from an everyday mom perspective. So thank you so much for being here, McCall. Thank you so much. Thank you. Yes, yes. I don't come to this because I nailed sleep. That is for darn sure. Yes, yes, exactly. Which is usually so really, you guys, McCall is truly a thought leader in this space. She has been researching and researching and everybody I know in the sleep coaching community, because I've been this community sleep coaching industry for 13 years now, and everyone knows who McCall is and everyone wants to know McCall is thinking and researching.
And so McCall, why don't you tell us what you. What is like top of mind for you now after being in this industry for such a long time? Yeah, well, it's funny because it started when my daughter was born in 1994, honestly, where I was reading parenting magazines back then because the Internet was like barely a thing, so it was magazines and books and I was. It just.
The stuff on sleep just didn't make sense, honestly. Because, you know, they were talking about the importance of brain development and at the same time saying, but you should let your child cry. You know, be responsive, but let your kid cry in the middle of the night. And it just didn't make sense. And it still doesn't. Really, Honestly. So for me, I really think we need to change the whole perspective on sleep, which still is within a behaviorist paradigm.
So John Watson, back in the 1920s, you know this idea that, that all sleep behavior is shaped by, by behavior and what gets reinforced and what doesn't? And within that paradigm, the only thing that's important is behavior. Literally nothing else matters. And what is the outcome of that? If we're only looking at sleep through this behavioral lens, what is the outcome of that? For families, that means nothing else matters.
Right. The baby's biology, the baby's temperament, the baby's developmental status, what parents want, what parents bring to the table. Parents, cultural preferences. Literally nothing else matters, only behavior. What the baby does and how the parent responds. So all of the big sleep strategies, or I would say the main one. Right. Ferber and all those. Well, I shouldn't say all those other ones. Ferber is. And Wise Blood. Yeah.
Well, yeah, it's all the same, right, that. That the baby cries. And if you don't want the baby to wake up and cry, you just don't reward that behavior. And then the baby's behavior is extinguished. They call that extinction. It's behavior modification. It doesn't matter why the baby's crying. It doesn't matter how old the baby is or how much they cry. The fact is that if you respond, you're rewarding the behavior.
So therefore, if you. If it doesn't work, the only one that's at fault is the parent. And that. Right. It puts all the pressure on the parent, and if it fails, it's all the parent's fault. Right. Nothing else is important. Right. That's just incredibly unfair, and it's incredibly inaccurate because we all know there's a lot more that goes into slack sleep. Right? So I want to pinpoint that.
So what I hear you saying is that if we're only looking at sleep through this kind of behavioralist lens, the outcome is, is that it puts all the pressure on the parents. It puts all the shame on the parents if they don't succeed, and it raises their anxiety. And it also creates this box that they go into where they feel like they're either winning or they're losing. And there's no other reasons that they can look to or understand why they might not be successful.
And that is why you want to change the dialogue. So tell me about where you want to go. How would you rather have us look? What lens would you rather have us look? Forward. Yes, exactly. Well, let me. Let me step one, take one teeny little baby step back and then forward to exactly answer that really good question. What happens is like all the books, sleep books will say, yeah, it's really simple.
The steps are really simple. You put the baby in the crib, you leave the room and really, you guys, it's not really that hard. In like three to four nights, the baby, yeah, there'll be some crying, but in three nights it'll be over. Well, for some parents, that absolutely works. And if that's, you know, that's what happens. And yay for them. Right. Like, I can't really argue with that.
But the parents that I work with of these more intense kids, that is absolutely not what's happening. And then this paradigm doesn't tell them what to do. So these are. The kiddos are crying for hours and the books do not say what to hap. What. What to do. Right. And so these parents are completely out in the cold. Right. So what I'd rather have us do is really look at the full picture and start saying, well, maybe there are ages where we should take a more nuanced approach.
Let's look at, well, if your baby's struggling this much or at this age, or are there alternatives? Or maybe you can make different choices, or maybe you can wait or maybe you can decide what's a problem. Maybe it can be, okay, enough. You. Let's, let's. Maybe you can just work on this piece or not. Or maybe you can have the baby in your room if everyone's sleeping. Okay, that's what I don't hear.
I mean, I'm sure you run into this all the time. I had a call today with somebody whose baby was sleeping like a dream and they still thought that sleep was bad. That's a huge problem, I think, in our country, when every single parent thinks their baby's sleep is not living up to some crazy standard. Exactly. Right. Problem. Right, exactly. So we've kind of got this behavioralist standpoint which makes babies become like, almost like robots.
Like, baby must go to sleep at this time, wake up at this time, you know, etc, and it. And, and if the parent can't twist it to get it to look that way through a certain sleep training methodology, then they have failed. And the way. And what you're hoping in terms of being a thought leader and helping people, like, shape a new. A new conversation, which is, let's look at it from a systems perspective so that we can look at the entire family system and where the baby is developmentally so that we can better manage and say, okay, what are your.
What are the parents? Values, goals, cultural preferences? What are, what is the nursing plan? What is the, the, you know, the goals? What, you know, what, what are the requirements for the parents in terms of caregiving and tag teaming and all of that? And looking at this holistically, so that you're looking at from a system point of view. Yeah, well. And I'm sorry. Go ahead. Yeah. So if you could just kind of like talk about that a little bit more about the system point of view.
Because I think that's from our perspective as coaches. I think what I often tell parents is, listen, you have a long time to be a parent. You, you really can take your time. Because I think parents also get the message that they have to hurry up and get this baby on a schedule or they have to hurry up and get that baby sleeping in the crib right away or else really bad things will happen.
And, and I put the blame squarely on books for doing this. The books I've done a lot of kind of like analysis in a way of the tone of sleep books. Oh. And they really scare the pants off off of parents by saying, you better get that baby sleeping or the baby's going to have a weight problem. And ADHD if you, conduct disorder if you don't. Parents are just like quivering, they're so worried.
Yes. And most of the time when you tell parents, hey, you do not have to listen to that. It's really not true. It's not based in research. I literally see the worry like rising off of their shoulders. That's right. I think we're really doing a disservice to parents and not telling them. You really have time. The baby needs time to develop. You do not have that much control over a newborn sleep.
You really don't. And you can take your time, you can experiment, keep your expectations low, and you tell them how a baby develops over the first several months of life. And boy, oh boy, it makes a huge difference. So I think we've got to like dial the stress down for parents and let them know that they really have time to learn about themselves, to learn about their baby.
The rush to get these kiddos sleeping in ways that are just not biologically normal. I don't understand. I mean. Exactly. So, so that leads us to kind of your book. Right. Which is the question that parents are always saying, why won't my child sleep? And so what, what brought about the book and what's tell us about what's inside the book. That's going to be really helpful. So that.
So the thing I get a lot when I, when I talk to parents of even newborns is, well, my sister's baby or I have this friend who's 3 month old is sleeping like 12 hours already and mine can't Even lay down in the bassinet. What is, you know, she did this thing and I want to do that, or I tried it and my kid is just not working.
And I'm always like, well, it's not because of what your friend did. That baby is wired to do that and has done since birth. Your baby is not wired to do that. And so we start talking about temperament, and some kids are just wired to sleep, and some kids absolutely are not. Right. I always say that the line, the dividing line between kids who sleep well and those who don't is temperament.
So I wrote this book because the research, really, all of the research and virtually every single sleep book out there is written for mellow kids. Kids will get on board with just about anything you do with not that much drama, right? And the other kids, about 10 to 20%, will not get on board without a ton of drama. These are the kids who are crying for hours when parents try to do Ferber.
And these are the kids who have much bigger sleep problems, and parents are suffering a lot more, and literally no one is talking to them. So that's absolutely why I wrote the book, because these parents all feel like they're the only ones with a kid like this. I hear it every single day. Parents are like, I think I'm the only one, because I don't know anybody else with a child like mine.
Right? They're suffering really in isolation as well. Yes, they are absolutely suffering isolation. I think what you said was really potent, which is that there is this fine line between, you know, easy and hard. And what you said is the line is the temperament of the baby. That is kind of what takes this to this and that 10 to 20% or the babies are on the hard side.
But one thing I want to say about if you are listening to this and you're thinking, oh, no, I think I'm on the hard side, I want you to still know that all mostly problems are solvable with the right approach and with taking into consideration all of these other elements that we're going to about to talk about. That is in this kind of systems arena that she's trying to communicate that we don't just look at behavior, we look at temperament, we look at feeding, we look at low ferritin.
I mean, we're going to go into this. And so I want those of you that are listening to this thinking you're doomed. I please know you're not. This is why we're having this conversation. Her point is, is that there's never been a book written specifically for people who fall into the 20%. All the books have been written for the 80%. And so we are talking to those of you that are the 20% of that are constantly saying why won't my baby sleep?
And comparing and sparing with all the 80% of your friends that it's no problem. So thank you for writing this book because I think the way you language that, that the temperament is the, is the beginning of the, of the division point. So in fact, let's talk about all these other things. If we're looking at sleep through this systems part, let's go through that. Let's talk about all the other ways that we need to be evaluating a child before we go in there and start trying to like do sleep better.
Yeah, well, there's a chapter in there about like, you know, I, I kind of use a, you know, I should say we because I co authored this with Kim west, but I use sort of a, a, a trek analogy where you kind of have to get ready to, to go because this is a harder, a harder trip than with an easy kiddo. You know, I'm like an easy kiddo.
You pack a couple of snacks and you're out the door. And this one is like get the map, figure out the road, pack the car, service the, you know, like it's a big deal. So your first one of the big steps is you have to figure out if your child is ready. And that means making sure there's no big physiological things in the way because number one, it, it takes less to throw these kids, kids off because they're just more sensitive and it's like a little like Princess and the Pea.
Like it, it just takes less to be something that really stops progress. So we do look at silent reflux, feeding issues, oral ties, obstructed breathing. Right. Apnea, restless leg syndrome, any of eczema, any of those things. Low ferritin. Ferritin is restless legs. Right. So any of those things that could cause enough physiolog discomfort that's going to completely destroy a kid's ability to work on their sleep skills. Right.
Could you actually explain lo ferritin? Because a lot of people don't know what that is. Yeah, some, some children have enormous sleep struggles. Like this is not just like a little trouble with sleep. These are huge problems at bedtime and, or a big awake period in the middle of the night. And like I said, these are not small problems. These are big, long time to fall asleep with a lot of restlessness.
If they're babies, lots of crying, do not want to be lying down on the mattress. If they're older kids, they want to be standing, kicking off their legs, they want to be picked up, they want to be jumping. They're awake in the middle of the night where nothing seems to work. Some kids will sleepwalk, they'll cry in their sleep like weird problems and, and often like nothing really has worked.
Like nothing. And it's often not explained by anything else. This can be caused by low levels of ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is the iron storage factor in the blood. It's not iron, but it's related to iron. We don't know why. I have seen a lot of it partly because I get really hard sleep problems in my practice. And I don't know if it's a bigger problem now or if we're just seeing it, but it causes essentially pediatric restless leg syndrome.
And it often looks like shenanigans at bedtime. It looks like a kid who doesn't want to lay down or a kid who wants to jump on their bed. But it's because it causes this like jumpy, nervous, scared. Kids will say, I feel scared. I just had an 8 year old who wants to climb in bed with her parents or wants to be with her brother because she feels scared.
But it was like restless leg syndrome. So see, there can be problems that look behavioral but aren't physiological. Yeah, that are physiological. Exactly. And another piece that we forgot to mention was the neurodivergence. You have a really interesting statistic about that. Divergence can cause sleep challenges. Yeah. So neurodivergence. A lot of kids with adhd, autism spectrum and other other types of neurodivergence often, number one, have very low sensory thresholds or sensory processing sensitivities, which absolutely affects sleep 1,000%.
Also, kids with autism spectrum and sometimes ADHD have deficiencies in melatonin. So they just have problems with a bedtime, with a setting their bedtime like circadian clock. And also that we know that 50% of kids with ADHD and autism spectrum have restless leg syndrome. So it's worth sometimes getting them tested. So those are also in addition to the diagnoses that they have, they may also have organic sleep problems.
So it's sometimes worth getting them into a pediatric sleep clinic to get to either get a blood test or get them, you know, seen. Right. And for the blood, just you can do behavioral strategies all you want with those kids and you're going to be hitting a brick wall. Yeah, you'll be hitting a brick wall. So just to clarify, because often people think low ferritin. They think, oh, I'll just go get my child's iron tested.
And then the. If they're anemic. That's not what we're talking about. So low ferritin is the iron storage, how your body actually stores iron before it actually goes to the usage. Right. Anything from 50 or below is considered deficient. And most pediatricians don't know this at all. And so if you go to ask for a ferritin lab, they'll probably go, what? And they'll probably try to test your child for iron, trying to test them for anemia.
But you have to be very care deliberate and saying, I want ferritin. And if it's 50 or below, then you will want to talk to your doctor about supplementation so that we can raise the levels. And as the levels raise, then a lot of times the sleep disturbances and some of this crazy behavior starts to diminish, which then opens up the doorway to being able to do some behavioral modification.
But it doesn't. The behavioral modification does not work prior to the levels getting 50 or above. Yeah. And I often actually recommend people, if you get the ferritin test to actually, if you have the ability and resources to actually go to a sleep doctor, because you can't. You actually need. Often need prescription, prescription supplementation to get a multivitamin. Yeah. I have actually seen sleep problems. I say they go poof.
I, I've, I've actually seen you don't. Many people don't even need to do behavioral sleep stuff. Right. Which is amazing. Yeah, I've seen some nightmarish problems. Yeah. Go away. So McCall. So I'm sure that everyone's like thinking about this and going, oh, my God, I need the book. Like, maybe my, maybe my child is in this, like, divided road. They're in the 20%. So can you tell everybody how they can find you, how they can find the book and any other places you.
You are, Maybe some recent podcasts you've been on and things like that so that they can learn more? Sure. Website is Little Livewires because I call these kids Live Wires because they just have more juice running through their little systems. Littlelivewires.com will tell you there's also why won't you sleep dot com. So that's. Oh, okay. Yeah. It's a major booksellers, you know those and some good independent booksellers.
It's available on Kindle and Bookshop, also has an ebook. I'm in the process of recording the audiobook now so that. Okay, great. At some point soon. Great. You can also if you are looking for support in terms of like other parents. Yes. So admin two large Facebook groups. One is called Fussy Baby site on Facebook and the that's for little ones up to three and the other one is called Spirited Child.
Okay. For kiddos three to seven. Okay. And we will have all of this in the notes so you guys can easily find these. Okay. So in honor of W3 we always like to pay it forward and honor and shout out to some other women authors or women owned businesses. And McCall has two people that she'd like to do a quick shout out for. I do my. My recent favorite topical author is Robin Goble.
R O B Y N Goble. That'll be in the notes. I guess she write she has written a fantastic book called Raising kids with Big baffling Behaviors. She's got a great podcast and lots of information on her website. These are actionable items for kids who have a lot of those crazy meltdowns. So lots of these kinds of kids. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant material. Okay. Seattle is where I don't live there now, but my house is still there and I love it.
But a great, oh great female owned queer owned nursery in Seattle called Urban Earth. It's a tiny little boutique, lovely nursery. So I definitely want to shout them out because they are amazing and it's Urban Earth. Is that what it is? Earth in Seattle? So boutique nursery. We love that because that means when you go there they'll probably help you. And we love that. It's like a little jewel right in the middle of Seattle.
It's okay. I love it. Okay, and then last question from a call is what are you gonna do on W3 Day? Which is this year it's Saturday, August 29th and the goal on WO3 Day is what or what can you do to partner, promote or support a female owned business? And remember everyone, this does not require money. It doesn't require a lot of time. Think of it as small business Saturday.
Long ago when people were like oh, small business Saturday. Let me go and do, let me go shop at a small business on Saturday. This is the same concept except it's for small women owned businesses. What can I do to partner promoter support a female owned business. And so McCall has two ideas that she is going to share with us on what she's do on w3day. Just had one but I have a good one.
Well, you really gave me a forcing function because I forget to leave positive reviews. I think I always get, you know, fired up to leave those. Not always, but when I do those negative ones. But I forget to leave reviews for books that I love or businesses that I love. So I am absolutely going to make a list of all the ones that I know about and I'm going to go leave those lovely, positive, uplifting reviews.
A thousand. Okay, I'm not even gonna wait till August. Don't even wait, you guys. Don't even wait. But it's just such a lovely sentiment. Again, the purpose of W3 day everybody is just to really stop and recognize how many incredible women you know are running small businesses but making a huge impact. And that for you to echo what they're doing out in the world, shouting them out, writing a review, referring a friend, writing them a thank you note, buying something for them if they're product based service and really making a deliberate decision to be partnering, promoting and supporting them.
Because this is the way small businesses grow. And so this is our grassroots effort. And I want to say thank you McCall for being here. I'm so happy to shout you out in the month of March of 2025 for all the incredible work that you are doing. Everybody buy the book and and we will get all these resources for you so you can find McCall if you need her for further support.
Thank you, Joanna.
Join the Movement: Celebrate WO3 & Support Women-Owned Businesses This Month
Join the WO3 Movement:
Support Women-Owned Businesses This Month
March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women throughout history and today. One powerful way to celebrate? Supporting women-owned and women-led businesses.
The mission of WO3 Day lies in the power of women supporting women. That’s why we’re celebrating WO3 Day on March 29, 2025—a dedicated day to partner, promote and support women in business.
I am proud to serve on the WO3 Executive Committee to further this mission.
Here are five things you can do today (or anytime this month!) to show your support.
6 Ways to Support Women-Owned Businesses Today
💜 1. Engage & Amplify on Social Media
A simple like, comment, or share can increase visibility for a woman-owned business. Follow them on Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn, and help their message reach more people.
💜 2. Leave a Review & Refer Others
Word-of-mouth is gold for small businesses! Take a moment to leave a positive review on Google, Yelp, or Facebook, or personally recommend a woman-owned business to a friend.
💜 3. Shop Women-Owned
Before making your next purchase—whether it’s coffee, skincare, or home decor—look for a women-owned brand.
💜 4. Support Women Creators & Leaders
Buy books by women authors, attend events hosted by women entrepreneurs, subscribe to women-led podcasts, or donate to nonprofits that empower women and girls.
💜 5. Invest in Women’s Success
If you have the means, consider donating to or mentoring women in business. Whether it’s a Kickstarter campaign, a scholarship fund, or a mentorship opportunity, investing in women leads to stronger communities and economies.
💜 6. Sign up for the newsletter and follow WO3 on social media. This initiative builds momentum towards the climax of WO3 Day. You can sign up here.
Stay Tuned for More Daily Tips!
This month, I’m sharing daily ideas on how to support women entrepreneurs, women-led businesses, and empower girls in your community. Follow along and join the movement with #WO3Connect. Every action counts—so let’s make March a month of impact!
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