Rising Stars: Meet Whitney Parnell-Williams of Akron, OH

Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Parnell-Williams

Hi Whitney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After having my son, Wesley, in January 2022, I experienced postpartum depression and anxiety. Also, due to having a baby who fought sleep like it was an Olympic sport, I was sleep-deprived, as most new parents are.

Bedtime was really a struggle for me. I felt pressure to get him to sleep so that I could sleep and I found myself getting extremely frustrated and stressed because I was just so tired. After researching a number of strategies and methods to help him sleep independently, I discovered supported sleep and it really resonated with me. I realized I could lean in to my son’s need for comfort at bedtime rather than trying to get him to sleep on his own. I chose to use those moments to bond with him, focusing on our connection, and not thinking about how quickly I could get him down so I could leave. This also led to a better understanding of co-regulation and how focusing on calming myself would transmit that calmness to him and help him go to sleep.

I found that one of the number one ways to bond, connect, and co-regulate is singing to your baby, and I wrote a lullaby for him I would sing each night called It’s Okay to Be Sleepy. I have always wanted to write a book, and after encouragement from my husband, I wrote my book based on that lullaby.

The book includes a QR code that links to the lullaby on my website so it can be played for sleepy babies everywhere.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My road has had some bumps along the way, but they are smoothed out by an amazing support system and reminding myself that there is a lesson in everything, even mistakes and setbacks. I credit my husband with always helping me remain positive even when unpleasant things happen like issues with printing or low sales at events. I think the biggest struggle is continuing to remind myself this is a marathon, not a sprint and that my journey is uniquely my own.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
This is only my first book, but after the warm reception it has received, I plan to write more. I want to write books that communicate what parents want for their children. What they want them to feel, what they want them to hear, what they want them to know. That is what inspired my first book, and that is what I want to continue to do.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I have had the honor and pleasure of performing some readings of my book with a local artist, Chris Casalinuovo, and I am really excited about a new recording of the lullaby that he will be releasing in the near future! Follow Chris and me and stay tuned for updates!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://booksbywpw.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/booksbywpw/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095186288581