Does bedtime feel less like a cozy ritual and more like crossing a battlefield filled with tears, anxiety, and wakeful shadows? Are you a grandparent tirelessly nurturing grandchildren scarred by trauma, craving not just peace at the end of the day, but real tools to foster resilience? Perhaps you recognize yourself in those moments—the digital quick fixes, the fear of changing routines, the exhaustion weighing down your resolve—wondering if a solid night’s rest is too much to ask.
I’m Laura Brazan, a grandmother who’s wrestled with these very struggles: YouTube lullabies that created more chaos than calm, the nightly tug-of-war between compassion and consistency, and the lonely search for the right solution. In wrestling with my grandchildren’s insomnia and night terrors, I’ve discovered that fostering healing sleep isn’t about magic techniques or avoiding tantrums—it’s about gently, consistently re-teaching their brains what safety feels like in the dark.
On 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren,' we bring you genuine stories and expert guidance from voices like sleep coach Allison Egidi, who understand the tangled intersection of trauma, anxiety, screens, and the elusive promise of rest. We uncover why routines matter for kids who have seen disruption, how “boring” rituals lead to stability, and why a child’s resistance after sunset may be a nervous system crying out—not a battle of wills.
For more information in this episode, sleep coaching and Allison, please visit her website.
You’ll find actionable insights paired with the empathy every kinship caregiver deserves. From decoding triggers in children’s dreams to setting limits on screens and redefining what self-care means, we’re here to honor your journey—and to remind you that leadership looks like love, patience, and sometimes hitting “reset” on family habits.
You’re not alone. Together, we can transform nighttime from a battleground into a place of comfort, one bedtime at a time.
Send us Fan Mail
Are you tired of competing with screens? Reknowned psychologist Dr. Dale Atkins has just released a spectacular new children's book called "Dear Deer", inspired by a real wild-life rescue. Grab your copy today on her website Amazon, Barnes & Noble or your favorite book store and bring a little more wild wonder into your family's storytime.
Jill Bryant has spent years researching the deep complexities of counseling and the lived reality of kinship care as a professor and a grandparent raising a grandchild. Her work, focusing on the complete subjective well-being of kinship caregivers. Taking this 10-minute survey gives our advocates the timely, real-world data they need to fight for the funding and structural support your family deserves right now.
Kinship care—stepping up to raise your grandchildren—can often feel like an incredibly lonely journey. When custody happens unexpectedly, it’s easy to feel like you are the only one navigating the trauma, the system, and the sheer exhaustion.
But you aren't alone. And that is exactly why your story matters. Your unique experience holds the power to change the system for the next family. Share your story with us at laurabrazan@grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org
Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.
We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.
Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grg
Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden
Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!
CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook
New Zealand