Today we’d like to introduce you to Cory Greenberg.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cory. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was a clinical social worker in my life before kids–I was really passionate about working with families who had entered the CPS system. We made the decision that I would stay home with our kids when they were little, and I embraced the stay-at-home mom role for the next six years. I truly missed being “out there” in the working world, though, and using my background/skills to help other families. After my youngest started preschool, I found myself with a bit of time to myself, and a new motivation to strike a balance. I was one of those moms who read every parenting book under the sun, and one of the areas of parenting I felt like I’d finally NAILED after three kids, was great sleep.
At a breakfast with some moms from preschool, I found myself giving advice about their struggles with sleep. I stayed in touch with a couple of them after that day and found that I was able to truly help them. It just clicked–being a Baby/Child Sleep Consultant would give me the flexibility to still do the “mom thing” while allowing me to dive back into my passion for helping families. I completed a training program that gave me the evidence-based, holistic understanding of all aspects of child sleep. With zero experience in the business world, I just leaned into the discomfort of building a website, initial marketing, and creating a structure for how I would work with parents. Two years later, I’ve worked with over 100 families! Helping a family get the rest they need to thrive has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Starting a business was completely out of my wheelhouse. I spent many hours poring over how-to videos on website development, bugging my husband with options for names, logos, and pricing structure. The marketing/advertising STILL makes me cringe, but I’ve been incredibly lucky that word of mouth has been all I’ve needed on that front. I don’t think I will ever understand SEO, but I’ve made peace with that!
The other area of struggle has been maintaining boundaries with clients, both around my time and emotionally. I get very invested in positive outcomes for the families I work with and tend to want to give as much of myself as is needed. Balancing my clients’ needs with those of my own family feels like walking a tightrope. However, my kids often ask how “Mommy’s babies” are doing, and they proudly tell their friends that I help other kids sleep at night. The work/life balance is a work in progress–for all of us, I suspect!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Parents contact me when they’re having problems with their children’s sleep — I work with expecting moms all the way through 5 years old. There are volumes of books written on the topic, complete with how-to plans for solving sleep issues, and thousands of blogs, websites, and online programs. Parents come to me overwhelmed with often conflicting advice, wanting help sifting through the noise to find the right solution for their family. The problem with the books and blogs is they’re written as one-size-fits-all and do not take into account the unique dynamics of each family unit.
Furthermore, so many moms tell me in our initial chat that whatever sleep problem their child is having is their fault. The guilt about “not doing it right” hits me in the gut every time, because as moms we are ALL doing the very best we can, and when no one is getting sleep, we do what we can to survive. I meet with parents for 1.5-2hrs, preferably in their home if they’re local, so we can thoroughly investigate the problem, and devise a solution they feel comfortable with. So many factors contribute to sleep issues, so it’s my job to uncover and address them all. Then I write for them an easy-to-follow plan and stay in touch daily for three weeks while they implement the plan.
I think what makes me unique is my background and understanding of family dynamics, combined with my own experience being a mom. I can empathize with and build an alliance with my clients, which allows them to comfortably make big changes. I am so proud of the families I have helped–there is literally nothing that makes me fly higher than seeing the texts and emails after their child has slept through the night for the first time in their lives. Our work together often has positive ripple effects in every aspect of their parenting, allowing them to have stronger emotional connections, more energy, and set boundaries more effectively. It feels like a gift to have a hand in that process.
What were you like growing up?
I was a typical type-A oldest child: bossy, confident, athletic, and outgoing. I loved being around people all the time and knew I’d have a career in working with others. I developed an interest in the adoption field after a college internship and found social work as the path I knew felt right. After getting my masters’ degree, I went to work for Child Protective Services and wanted to save the world, one kid at a time. It was the perfect job for a recent grad with no other life responsibilities, because it was so emotionally taxing while teaching me so much about the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sleepforallconsulting.com
- Email: cory@sleepforallconsulting.com
Image Credit:
Brandy Stoesz Photography
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