72 - Why Won't You Sleep: A Plan for Exhausted Parents of Nonstop Kids

Parenting Decoded

Parenting Decoded welcomes McCall Gordon to tackle one of parenting’s toughest questions: Why won’t my kid sleep? Her book is aimed at parents of "livewires" — kids who are more alert, intense, and emotionally reactive than average, making traditional sleep advice ineffective.

McCall explains that temperament plays a huge role in sleep struggles — some kids just have a harder time winding down. These children are perceptive, persistent, and often lack typical “sleepy cues” like yawning. Instead, they need more support and a customized sleep strategy.

She encourages parents to stop blaming themselves. These kids aren’t “bad” sleepers — they’re wired differently. The solution? A gradual, step-by-step approach to bedtime routines, not the cold-turkey methods like “cry it out,” which often backfire for sensitive kids.

McCall’s key advice:

• Understand your child’s temperament
• Taper off bedtime habits gradually
• Use consistent patterns at bedtime and during night wakings
• Think of it like teaching a child to ride a bike — slowly let go while supporting them

She also emphasizes ruling out medical issues for frequent night wakings, especially in infants or kids who snore.

The bottom line: You’re not crazy, and it’s not your fault — you just need a different roadmap.

Link to the book on Amazon: Why Won't You Sleep?

Link to the Audible book: Why Won't You Sleep?

Email me at [email protected] or go to my website at www.parentingdecoded.com.
Have a blessed rest of your day!

Chapters

1. Introduction to Parenting Decoded (00:00:00)

2. Understanding Live Wire Children (00:01:37)

3. What Makes Sleep Difficult for Intense Kids (00:05:34)

4. Breaking Unhelpful Sleep Patterns (00:09:14)

5. Medical vs. Behavioral Sleep Issues (00:12:49)

6. Practical Tips for Better Sleep (00:18:51)

7. Final Thoughts and Resources (00:26:57)