We recently connected with Shani Avidar and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shani, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Finding my purpose has been a deeply personal and transformative journey. My first child arrived in 2019, my second in 2021, and my third in 2022. Not only did I want my kids to sleep well, but I also needed it for myself because I was pregnant for nearly three years straight and had to manage multiple sleep schedules.
From an early age, I knew I wanted to be a CPA and have a career in the financial industry. I pursued this passion diligently, achieving my career goals by working at big-4 accounting firms and in compliance departments of large financial institutions. Despite my professional success, I often thought about what it would be like to coach and mentor others, as helping people had always been a passion of mine. However, I was unsure about what type of coaching I wanted to pursue.
Everything changed with the arrival of my first child. Balancing work and family became increasingly challenging, especially as we navigated sleep deprivation. Like many parents, my husband and I struggled with our infant’s sleep, feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and uncertain about how to help our baby. Determined to find solutions, I did what I knew best and started researching infant sleep. I gained invaluable tools to support my children’s sleep.
In this journey, I discovered the Baby-Led Sleep Approach, which resonated deeply with my parenting style. This holistic and responsive method not only transformed my children’s sleep patterns but also strengthened my connection with them and boosted my confidence as a mom. By the time our third child arrived in 2022, I had mastered my skills and considered myself a sleep pro.
This personal journey, combined with my specialized training in infant and toddler sleep and the completion of the Wholechild Company Breastfeeding Program, equipped me to better support expecting moms and other sleep-deprived parents.
The profound impact that improved sleep had on our family inspired me to shift my professional focus. Witnessing firsthand the difference it made in our lives, I felt compelled to help other families experience the same transformation. Thus, I transitioned from the financial sector to dedicate my career to sleep coaching and education, assisting parents in teaching their children to become better sleepers.
My purpose now lies in empowering parents with the knowledge and tools they need to foster healthy sleep habits in their children. Through my work, I strive to alleviate the stress and exhaustion that come with sleep challenges, ultimately enhancing the well-being of entire families. Sleep coaching is more than just a job for me; it is my full-time calling and passion. Thanks to my children, I found my new purpose in life. They are my best testimonial.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an Infant and Toddler Sleep Coach, lactation consultant, and a mom to three little ones. My work focuses on helping parents navigate the often-challenging topic of infant and toddler sleep. I offer personalized sleep plans and schedule adjustments tailored to each family’s unique needs and parenting style. My goal is to empower parents with the knowledge and tools they need to foster healthy sleep habits in their children, ultimately enhancing the well-being of entire families.
What excites me most about my work is witnessing the transformation that occurs when parents gain confidence in their ability to help their children sleep better. Sleep is foundational to health and well-being, and improving sleep can have a profound impact on a family’s daily life. The most special part of my work is seeing exhausted parents regain their energy and joy, and watching their children thrive as a result of better sleep.
My brand, My Little Dreamer, stands out because it is built on empathy, expertise, and real-life experience. As a full-time working mom of three, I understand the struggles parents face, and I provide support that is both practical and compassionate. I combine evidence-based methods with a holistic approach, ensuring that my guidance is both effective and respectful of each family’s values and routines.
I am excited to announce that I am expanding my one-on-one coaching services to include a membership option for parents who need unlimited support for all sleep-related questions. This membership will provide ongoing assistance for challenges related to sleep milestones, travel, relocation, and more. By offering this membership, I aim to provide continuous expert sleep support that is accessible and convenient for families, ensuring that they have the guidance they need whenever sleep challenges arise.
Additionally, I have collaborated with Well Me Right, an online platform and community that makes it easy to connect with wellness experts and have launched a series of workshops and webinars focused on various aspects of infant and toddler sleep, including newborn sleep basics, managing sleep regressions, and transitioning to a sleep schedule. These sessions are designed to provide parents with in-depth knowledge and practical strategies they can implement immediately.
The parenting journey can be overwhelming and stressful, and I understand the challenges parents face. Whether you’re expecting a baby and want to learn about infant sleep to implement good sleep habits from day one or you’re already navigating the exhausting realities of sleep deprivation, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can work towards improving the sleep and well-being of your entire family.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, the three qualities that stand out as most impactful:
• Empathy: Understanding the struggles and challenges of parents firsthand has been crucial in my journey. Being able to empathize with their experiences allows me to provide support that is not only practical but also compassionate. My advice for those early in their journey is to actively listen to the experiences of others, seek to understand different perspectives, and approach each situation with empathy and compassion.
• Expertise: Acquiring specialized knowledge and expertise in infant and toddler sleep has been instrumental in my ability to support families effectively. Continuous learning, staying updated on the latest research and evidence-based practices, and seeking out mentorship from experienced professionals have been invaluable. My advice for those starting their journey is to invest in ongoing education, attend workshops, courses, and seminars, and seek mentorship from seasoned professionals in their field.
• Resilience: Building resilience to navigate the inevitable challenges and setbacks along the way has been essential. There will be obstacles and moments of self-doubt, but resilience allows us to persevere and continue moving forward. My advice for those early in their journey is to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, cultivate a positive mindset, and surround themselves with a supportive network of peers and mentors who can provide encouragement and guidance.
Overall, developing empathy, expertise, and resilience has been foundational in my journey, and I believe these qualities are essential for anyone embarking on a similar path. By prioritizing continuous learning, empathy, and resilience, individuals can navigate their journey with confidence and make a meaningful impact in their chosen field.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, I’m always open to collaboration and partnerships! I’m particularly interested in working with individuals or organizations who share a passion for health and wellness as well as supporting families through the journey of parenthood. Whether it’s mommy & me group hosts, parenting educators, wellness experts, or brands aligned with family well-being, I believe in the power of collaboration to create meaningful impact. If you’re reading this and think we could collaborate to make a positive difference in the lives of parents and children, I’d love to hear from you!
I also leverage my background in the financial industry to provide speaking engagements in various organizations, addressing the topic of infant and toddler sleep. Recognizing that many employees are parents themselves, I highlight how lack of sleep can significantly impact their performance at work. By offering support and knowledge in this area, employers can effectively enhance the well-being and productivity of their workforce. Through these engagements, I aim to bridge the gap between the challenges of parenthood and the workplace, ultimately creating a more supportive and understanding environment for working parents. If you’re interested in scheduling a speaking engagement for your organization, please feel free to reach out to me.
You can connect with me through my website, social media channels, or via email.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mylittledreamer.coach/ ; https://www.wellmeright.com/en/shania
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylittledreamer_coach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091457290681&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shani-avidar-74a40734/
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