When your newborn goes to the NICU, nothing feels “normal.” In this honest conversation, author and creative director Emily Rosen shares the 16-day NICU journey with her son Max, the grief of leaving the hospital without your baby, and the small lifelines that help you keep going. We talk day-to-day NICU rhythms, supporting partners, what friends can actually do, and why Emily wrote Waiting for Max—a children’s book that helps siblings (and grown-ups) understand NICU life with hope, not fear. If you’re in it now or love someone who is, this one’s for you.Preorder: Waiting for Max Connect with Emily: Instagram @EmilyRosenCreative TikTok @Emily.Rosen.CreativeGuest: Emily Rosen — author of Waiting for Max, creative director, mom of two.Topics we cover:The moment plans change: premature labor, fast decisions, and naming laterWhat a “normal” NICU day looks like (feeds, skin-to-skin, rounds, notes)The partner dance: care, tears, pancakes, and trying to sleepWhat to say (and not say) to NICU parentsTiny practical love: Venmo, freezable food, pump-part helpSelf-compassion after birth trauma + letting go of “should”How Waiting for Max helps siblings process scary environmentsHope for the mom in the uncomfortable hospital chairBook launch details + why representation of NICU stories mattersTimestamps00:39 Intro + Chelsea’s NICU story02:19 Meet Emily + family03:49 Max’s birth + 16 days in NICU (SVT, feeding/growing)06:39 Why write Waiting for Max + who it’s for10:27 What those early hours really felt like14:09 A “typical” NICU day: feeds, hand-washing, rounds16:29 Partnering through stress, pancakes, and naps19:38 How friends can help (specifics that matter)21:32 Therapy, self-blame, and compassion23:39 Deciding to write the book26:46 The lobby moment + grief of not going home together31:38 A message to the mom in the chair33:33 Sunshine, short walks, tiny resets34:30 Where to find the book + who it helps39:15 Max today: DJ, dance parties, tender big brother40:34 What’s next: a “Waiting for…” series (surrogacy story)Schedule a connection call with Chelsea: Calendly.com/chelseaskaggs/connection-call

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