Why Parents of Neurodivergent Kids Struggle to Get Enough Sleep (& How to Fix it!)

About this episode

This episode discusses the unique sleep challenges faced by parents of neurodivergent children and offers strategies to improve nighttime routines.

You know you need more sleep. So why can't you just... go to bed? If you're a mom of a neurodivergent child, you know that some days, the exhaustion is next-level. But sleep deprivation isn't always just about kids keeping us awake. Often, we're the ones staying up late scrolling, working, numbing out, or hanging onto the only quiet time we've had all day. The longer it continues, the foggier your thinking gets, the shorter your fuse becomes, and the harder emotional regulation feels for both you and your child. In this episode, Emily sits down with habits expert Monica Packer, podcast host of About Progress, to discuss why sleep is especially challenging for moms of neurodivergent kids, what "revenge bedtime procrastination" really is (and why it makes sense), and how to create a nighttime routine you'll actually enjoy without a one-size-fits-all approach. Key Takeaways: Bad habits are helpers in disguise, so understanding why you're delaying sleep is the first step to actually changing it Your nighttime routine needs to meet a real need, not just check a wellness box Your daytime cup affects your nighttime habits, and filling it during the day is part of the solution…

People in this episode

Hosts: Emily Hamblin, Ashley Schultz

Guest: Monica Packer

Topics covered

• sleep deprivation
• neurodivergent kids
• nighttime routine
• emotional regulation
• parenting challenges

Keywords

• sleep
• neurodivergent
• parenting
• habits
• emotional regulation
• nighttime routine
• revenge bedtime procrastination

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: About Progress, Emotional Regulation for Neurodivergent Kids, Instagram

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