"Bedtime isn't just a routine in the second cradle; it’s often a battlefield where abandonment anxiety and night terrors meet the biological alarm."

In this episode, host Laura Brazan is joined by sleep expert Allison Egidi to audit the nighttime environment of kinship homes. For many "Invisible CEOs," the tablet has become a nighttime babysitter—a quick fix that often turns into a survival-mode nightmare. We dive into why trauma-impacted children struggle when the lights go out, how to re-imprint their brains with safety, and why "boring" is actually your most powerful leadership tool.

In this episode, we dive into:
The YouTube Audit: Why digital worlds make it impossible for a child’s brain to "find the exit" at bedtime.
The Circadian Rhythm of Trauma: Understanding why defiance often spikes at 8:00 PM and how to catch the "Sleep Wave" before the second wind of defiance kicks in.
Night Terrors vs. Over-tiredness: Allison explains how an earlier bedtime can actually "cure" nightmares by resetting the nervous system.
The Red Light Hack: A simple environmental shift that provided an immediate win for Laura’s grandchildren.
Co-Sleeping & Boundaries: Navigating the "taboo" of children wanting to sleep in the grandparents' room and how to communicate change without causing a crisis.

Key Quote from Allison Egidi:
"Sleep is the foundation we build everything else on. It helps with emotional regulation, impulse control, and processing trauma. But there is no one-size-fits-all approach; you have to figure out your child's specific sleep puzzle."
The "Invisible CEO" Takeaway:

Are you missing the "Sleep Wave" because you’re trying to finish one more chore? This week, Laura challenges you to try the Boring Experiment. Turn off the high-stimulation screens, dim the lights, and prioritize a regulated grandchild over a clean kitchen. Your sanity (and theirs) depends on it.
We are 2.7 million strong. Still nurturing, and still here.
Episode Resources:
Allison Egidi’s Sleep Coaching: Sleep and Wellness Coach
Allison’s Podcast: Parenting Smarter, Not Harder
The "Boring" Tool: SplashLearn (As mentioned by Laura as a low-stimulation bridge to sleep).
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#KinshipCare #GrandparentsRaisingGrandchildren #SleepTraining #TraumaInformedParenting #InvisibleCEO #AllisonEgidi #ChildhoodTrauma #ExecutiveFunctioning