The Art of Sturdy Coaching with Ali Manning
Tue Feb 03 2026
This week on the Becoming a Sleep Consultant podcast, we are talking about something that does not get discussed nearly enough in our field, and that is the emotional side of coaching families through sleep.
Supporting parents through sleep challenges is not just about wake windows and schedules. It is about holding space for big feelings, uncertainty, exhaustion, and sometimes even grief and anxiety. And as sleep consultants, we have to learn how to stay steady in the middle of all of that.
I am joined by CPSM grad Ali Manning, a pediatric sleep consultant who specializes in gradual and parent present approaches for families who feel nervous about sleep training. Ali shares how her own journey into sleep consulting shaped the way she supports parents today, and how her coaching style has evolved over the past three years in business.
In this episode, we dive into the concept of “sturdy coaching.” We talk about what it really means to hold space for parents’ emotions without absorbing them, how to avoid jumping in to fix every feeling, and why our confidence and calm presence can make all the difference for the families we serve.
Ali also opens up about the learning curve she experienced early on, the moments that pushed her to grow, and the mindset shifts that helped her stop taking client struggles personally. If you have ever felt emotionally drained by your work with families or questioned whether you are doing enough, this conversation will feel both validating and grounding.
Whether you are brand new to sleep consulting or years into your business, this episode is a powerful reminder that being a great coach is not about eliminating discomfort. It is about learning how to remain confident and sturdy while guiding families through it.
Links:
Website: https://www.snugglesandslumber.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ali.manning.sleep.coach/
If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Sleep Consultant, please join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultant
CPSM website: https://thecpsm.com/
Book a free discovery call to learn how you can become a Certified Sleep Consultant here: https://jaynehavens.as.me/CPSM-Inquiry
More
This week on the Becoming a Sleep Consultant podcast, we are talking about something that does not get discussed nearly enough in our field, and that is the emotional side of coaching families through sleep. Supporting parents through sleep challenges is not just about wake windows and schedules. It is about holding space for big feelings, uncertainty, exhaustion, and sometimes even grief and anxiety. And as sleep consultants, we have to learn how to stay steady in the middle of all of that. I am joined by CPSM grad Ali Manning, a pediatric sleep consultant who specializes in gradual and parent present approaches for families who feel nervous about sleep training. Ali shares how her own journey into sleep consulting shaped the way she supports parents today, and how her coaching style has evolved over the past three years in business. In this episode, we dive into the concept of “sturdy coaching.” We talk about what it really means to hold space for parents’ emotions without absorbing them, how to avoid jumping in to fix every feeling, and why our confidence and calm presence can make all the difference for the families we serve. Ali also opens up about the learning curve she experienced early on, the moments that pushed her to grow, and the mindset shifts that helped her stop taking client struggles personally. If you have ever felt emotionally drained by your work with families or questioned whether you are doing enough, this conversation will feel both validating and grounding. Whether you are brand new to sleep consulting or years into your business, this episode is a powerful reminder that being a great coach is not about eliminating discomfort. It is about learning how to remain confident and sturdy while guiding families through it. Links: Website: https://www.snugglesandslumber.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ali.manning.sleep.coach/ If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Sleep Consultant, please join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomeasleepconsultant CPSM website: https://thecpsm.com/ Book a free discovery call to learn how you can become a Certified Sleep Consultant here: https://jaynehavens.as.me/CPSM-Inquiry