230. Sleep Starts With a Bed: Addressing Furniture Poverty for Families with Lauren Evans
What does sleep look like for a child who doesn't have a bed? In honor of National Sleep Awareness Week, Allison is spotlighting a foundational—but often overlooked—piece of healthy sleep: having a bed. In this episode, she's joined by Lauren Evans, mom of two and Executive Director of Beds for Kids, an organization serving more than 1,000 families each year by providing beds and essential furniture to children and parents in need. Lauren shares how becoming a parent shaped her passion for this work, the moment she first realized furniture poverty existed, and how Beds for Kids grew from a small garage operation into a large-scale nonprofit serving families across the Charlotte area. Together, Allison and Lauren explore why sleep is so deeply connected to stability, safety, and emotional well-being and how the absence of something as basic as a bed can ripple into every part of a child's life. The conversation highlights the impact of sleep deprivation on children facing housing instability or trauma, as well as the toll it takes on parents who are already juggling immense stress. Lauren explains how providing beds, cribs, and furniture helps families establish routines, improve sleep, and begin to feel truly settled in their homes. Allison and Lauren also dive into the innovative and sustainable model Beds for Kids uses to source furniture, including partnerships with colleges, universities, and retailers that keep tens of thousands of items out of landfills each year. You'll hear how volunteers power the mission, how families (including children) can get involved, and exactly what different donation amounts make possible. During Sleep Awareness Week and beyond, it's worth remembering that for many families, better sleep starts with access to something most of us take for granted - a bed. Visit Beds for Kids to learn more about this important work or to support their mission Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube Give your child the gift of better sleep. Allison's free, age-specific guides show you exactly how many hours of rest kids need to grow, learn, and thrive—no matter their age. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use. Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place. Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics. Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime? Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents. On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review." On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review. Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date! Connect with Allison: Instagram | Facebook | Website | YouTube
