Why I became a Sleep Consultant

Starting Serein Sleep Co. marks the beginning of a completely new chapter for me, but in many ways it feels like a continuation of the work I have always loved.

For more than 20 years, I worked as a primary school teacher. Supporting children was never simply about helping them learn to read, write or understand numbers. It was also about noticing when they were worried, overwhelmed, tired or finding something difficult—and working alongside their families to find a way forward.

Over the years, I saw just how much sleep could affect a child’s day.

A child who was not sleeping well might struggle to concentrate, regulate their emotions, manage transitions or cope with the demands of school. They might appear unsettled, anxious or unusually tired. Behind that child was often an exhausted parent trying their very best while managing broken nights, difficult bedtimes and the demands of everyday family life.

These experiences stayed with me.

Beginning a New Chapter

When the time came for me to step away from teaching, I knew I still wanted to work with children and families. Supporting them had been such an important part of my life that I could not imagine leaving it behind completely.

I wanted to find something that would allow me to use the experience I had gained throughout my teaching career, while working with families in a more individual and flexible way.

Training to become a baby and child sleep consultant felt like a natural choice.

It brought together many of the things I already understood and valued: child development, behaviour, routines, emotional wellbeing, communication and the importance of listening carefully to families.

It also gave me the opportunity to learn much more about sleep and the many different factors that can affect it.

Understanding the Family Behind the Sleep Difficulty

One of the most important things I have learned is that sleep difficulties rarely exist in isolation.

When a child is struggling to settle, waking frequently or resisting bedtime, the effects can be felt throughout the whole family. Parents may feel exhausted, worried, overwhelmed or unsure about what to try next.

They may also have received a great deal of conflicting advice.

Families are often told what their child ‘should’ be doing, without enough consideration of the child’s temperament, development, sensory needs, family circumstances or the parents’ own preferences.

I wanted to offer something different.

I wanted families to feel listened to rather than judged. I wanted to help them understand what might be contributing to their child’s sleep and to give them practical suggestions that feel achievable in their own home.

Why a Gentle and Individual Approach Matters to Me

Throughout my teaching career, I learned that no two children respond in exactly the same way.

A strategy that works well for one child may be completely unsuitable for another. Children have different personalities, needs, experiences and ways of communicating.

I believe sleep support should recognise this too.

My aim is not to impose one particular method on every family. It is to work alongside parents, understand what matters to them and create an approach that suits their child.

For some families, this may involve making small changes to routines or timings. For others, it may mean gradually changing how a child settles while continuing to offer reassurance and connection.

Progress does not always happen in a perfectly straight line, and families should not be made to feel that they have failed when something takes time.

Supporting Autistic and Anxious Children

My teaching experience also gave me a strong interest in supporting children who are autistic, anxious or have additional needs.

For these children, bedtime may involve much more than simply feeling tired.

Sensory sensitivities, worries, communication differences, changes in routine and difficulty moving from one activity to another can all affect sleep.

A conventional sleep strategy may not take these needs into account.

I wanted Serein Sleep Co. to be a place where families could find thoughtful, adaptable support that considers the whole child—not just the sleep difficulty.

Visual routines, gradual change, sensory considerations and predictable communication can all help make bedtime feel safer and more manageable.

Creating Serein Sleep Co.

The word ‘serein’ describes the fine, gentle rain that can fall from a clear evening sky.

I chose the name because it reflects the feeling I want Serein Sleep Co. to offer: calm, gentle and reassuring support during a time that may currently feel difficult.

Starting a new business has been exciting, challenging and, at times, a little daunting. There has been a great deal to learn, from completing my training to building my website and developing my services.

However, underneath all of that is a very simple purpose.

I want to help families feel less alone.

I want parents to understand that asking for support does not mean they have done something wrong. Sometimes an outside perspective, a clear plan and someone to guide and encourage you can make a real difference.

Looking Ahead

As I begin this new chapter, I feel fortunate that I can continue doing what has always mattered most to me: supporting children and families.

Serein Sleep Co. brings together my experience in education, my understanding of individual children and my specialist sleep-consultant training.

I am looking forward to meeting families, listening to their stories and helping them work towards calmer bedtimes and more settled sleep in a way that feels right for them.

If your family is experiencing bedtime difficulties, frequent waking, early rising or unsettled sleep, you are welcome to explore my services or contact me for an initial conversation.

There is no judgement and no expectation that everything needs to change at once—just calm, individual support for your family.