In this episode of The Secrets of Supermom Show, I’m joined by two fabulous therapists and moms—Risa Williams and Erica Curtis—who co-authored the beautifully illustrated children’s book Max and the Imaginary Tree.
Whether your evenings are a chaotic blur of bedtime resistance or you’re just looking for a more peaceful end to the day, this episode is your cozy invitation to slow down and reconnect.
We talk about the inspiration behind Max and the Imaginary Tree, how you can use it as part of your child’s calming bedtime routine, and why less is more when it comes to helping kids regulate their emotions.
And spoiler alert: these calming techniques? They help moms too.
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Rather read? Check out the show notes and episode content right here!
Show Notes: How to Help Your Kids (and Yourself) Calm Down at Night
Hey, hey friend! Welcome to Episode #253 of The Secrets of Supermom Show!
Meet the Guests: Risa Williams & Erica Curtis
🧘♀️ Risa Williams is a licensed therapist, author of multiple books on calming strategies and ADHD tools, and mom of two. She’s been a guest here before and was also a beloved speaker at our Supermom Summit.
🎨 Erica Curtis is a licensed therapist and board-certified art therapist, mom of three, and author. She brings deep wisdom around non-verbal therapy tools, creative expression, and how to regulate emotions through the body and imagination.
Together, they co-created Max and the Imaginary Tree, a bedtime book for anxious children that introduces simple, visual breathing techniques through storytelling and charming illustrations.
Inside the Book: Max and the Imaginary Tree
This isn’t just another bedtime book.
It’s a powerful emotional regulation tool disguised as a story.
Inspired by Risa’s real-life bedtime struggles with her son Max, the book follows a boy with an imaginary tree inside of him—home to three animals:
- 🐿️ The Squirrel (the body)
- 🦉 The Owl (the thinking brain)
- 🐒 The Monkey (the imagination)
These characters often argue at bedtime—sound familiar? The story gently teaches kids (and parents!) how to breathe in a way that helps the whole “tree” settle down.
The visual metaphor of blowing leaves with each breath is a game-changer—especially for kiddos who resist the typical “just take a deep breath” advice.
Why This Book Helps Kids (and You) Calm Down
This episode is packed with real talk and strategies for:
✅ Helping kids who struggle to fall asleep
✅ Using visual and sensory cues to teach breathwork
✅ Starting nighttime rituals that kids crave
✅ Avoiding overwhelm by doing less, not more
✅ Modeling emotional regulation—even when we’re still learning ourselves
✅ Understanding the power of co-regulation in families
If bedtime feels more like a battleground than a bonding time, this book and episode are for you.
Simple Tips from the Show
✨ One small step to take today (from Erica):
Take a deep exhale. Really—try it now. Make it audible. Add a sigh or hum to amplify the calming response. Repeat 3x and feel your body soften.
📝 One more step (from Risa):
Start a nightly “Small Mom Moments” journal. Write down 3–5 small parenting wins, no matter how tiny. A smile. A laugh. A moment of connection. You’re doing more than you think.
Where to Get the Book
📖 You can grab Max and the Imaginary Tree at:
Meet Risa & Erica in Person!
🎉 In the Bay Area?
Join Risa on September 14 at Google Visitor Center in Mountain View for a Calming Down Tools for Kids and Grownups workshop!
Includes:
- Art activities
- Story time with Max and the Imaginary Tree
- Calming breath practice
- Grown-up session on Risa’s popular productivity tools
📚 In Southern California?
Catch Risa & Erica at Barnes & Noble Fullerton on September 27 at 1 PM for:
- Live story time
- Art activities
- Book signing and meet & greet
Final Thoughts
Even if you don’t live near the events, Max and the Imaginary Tree belongs on every family’s bookshelf—especially if you’ve got a child who:
- Resists bedtime
- Has big emotions at night
- Struggles to slow down after busy days
- Needs a visual tool to learn calming strategies
It’s a beautiful gift for your child—and a gentle invitation for you, mama, to slow down too.
About Our Guests: Risa Williams and Erica Curtis
Risa Williams is a book author, psychotherapist, mom, psychology professor, and time management consultant. She’s the author of five self-help books including: Get Stuff Done Without the Stress, The Procrastination Playbook, The Ultimate Anxiety Toolkit, The Ultimate Self-Esteem Toolkit, and The Ultimate Time Management Toolkit. She’s also the host of The Motivation Mindset Podcast, which features organizational tools. She’s been featured in Forbes Magazine, Business Insider, Wired Magazine and Wondermind. Visit risawilliams.com or follow @risawilliamstherapy.
Erica Curtis is an award-winning author, speaker, licensed therapist, and board-certified art therapist who specializes in creative approaches to wellbeing. She has served as a contributing expert in over 100 media outlets, has collaborated with industry giants like the Getty Center, L’Oréal, and Netflix on arts-based mental health programs, and is core faculty for the Arts & Healing Initiative. Erica maintains a psychotherapy practice in Southern California and is a mom of three. Erica’s books include: “Working with Anger Creatively,” “Art Therapy Activities for Kids,” and “The Innovative Parent.” Learn more at therapywitherica.com or IG @ericakcurtis.
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About the Host: Lori Oberbroeckling
Lori Whitney Oberbroeckling is a mom of four, corporate leader, podcaster, productivity expert, and author of the book Secrets of Supermom: How Extraordinary Moms Succeed at Work and Home & How You Can Too!
She is passionate about helping parents who want fulfilling careers–or side hustles or passion projects–while also wanting to feel present and connected to their families.
