Case Study: How to End Middle-of-the-Night Wake-Ups

Case Study: How to End Middle-of-the-Night Wake-Ups

Author: Michelle Kenney, M. Ed March 18, 2025 Duration: 19:15

Sleep deprivation is real, and when your child won’t sleep without you, it can feel overwhelming. If you're exhausted from middle-of-the-night wake-ups, desperate for just a few hours of uninterrupted rest, and wondering if you’ll ever get your evenings back, today’s episode is for you.


In this heartfelt coaching session, I talk with Polina, a loving mother navigating the difficult challenge of nighttime separation. We explore why young children struggle with independent sleep, how connection impacts bedtime battles, and why setting limits with empathy is the key to long-term success.


If you’ve ever taken your child’s sleep struggles personally or wondered if you’re "doing it wrong," I promise you’re not alone. Together, we discuss a practical plan to help Polina’s daughter feel safe and secure at night while also giving Polina the rest she desperately needs.


You don’t have to choose between connection and sleep. Listen in to discover how to meet your child’s emotional needs while also honoring your own.


In This Episode

  • Why kids resist sleeping alone
  • How to handle nighttime wake-ups with empathy
  • Setting loving limits without creating fear
  • Why tantrums can actually improve sleep
  • The role of connection in bedtime success
  • How to create a supportive nighttime routine


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You know the principles of gentle parenting and value attachment, but the day-to-day reality of raising kids can leave those ideals feeling just out of reach. If you’re exhausted by cycles of yelling, shame, and frustration, and you’re searching for a practical, grounded alternative that still provides clear boundaries, you’ve found a thoughtful space to explore. Peace and Parenting: How to Parent without Punishments is hosted by Michelle Kenney, M. Ed, who brings her perspective as a former teacher, counselor, certified parenting coach, and a mom of two teenagers. She also openly shares her own journey as a recovering yeller, making her guidance deeply empathetic and real. In this podcast, Michelle moves beyond theory to discuss the actual application of peaceful parenting. Conversations focus on dismantling the urge to punish and replacing it with connection-based strategies that actually work during tough moments. You’ll hear honest discussions about setting limits with respect, navigating emotional outbursts (both yours and your child’s), and fostering a home environment rooted in cooperation rather than control. Each episode aims to provide actionable insights that help you build a calmer, more respectful family dynamic, one conversation at a time. It’s a resource for anyone ready to parent in a way that feels better, honors the relationship, and genuinely moves away from punitive measures.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Peace and Parenting: How to Parent without Punishments
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