214 episodes
Securely Attached Dr. Sarah Bren
-
- Kids & Family
Securely Attached is your go-to parenting podcast, supporting moms and dads from pregnancy all the way through their child's adolescence and every stage in between.
Join us every Tuesday as clinical psychologist and mom of two Dr. Sarah Bren shares her expertise and interviews top experts in the field, simplifying complicated concepts and pulling back the curtain on the brain science and psychology that drives and shapes the parent-child relationship.
And now, every Thursday, Dr. Sarah Bren is joined by Dr. Emily Upshur and Dr. Rebecca Hershberg for a special segment, Beyond The Sessions. We’re answering YOUR parenting questions from the perspective of clinical psychologists highly trained in developmental science and real-life moms who get that parenting is messy, and sometimes we have to laugh, cry, and throw out the “rules.”
From toddler tantrums, to effective discipline strategies, to leaning into the principles of respectful parenting, and to managing your own mental wellness as a parent—this podcast is your ultimate resource for judgment-free, research-backed information you know you can trust.
About Sarah Bren, PhD
Dr. Sarah Bren is a licensed clinical psychologist and mom of two who helps parents understand the building blocks of child development and how secure relationships form and thrive. Her work is focused on helping parents find their inner confidence so they can respond to any parenting problem that comes along and raise kids who are healthy, resilient, and kind.
-
212. Movement and motherhood: Expert advice on staying active throughout pregnancy and well into parenthood with Dr. Megan Roche
We're talking about pregnancy, fitness, and mental health!
Joining me is Dr. Megan Roche. Megan received her medical degree from Stanford University, is the co-founder of the running coaching group Some Work All Play, and is currently pregnant with her second child.
In this episode, we explore:
Navigating Confusing Guidelines: We tackle the often confusing and sometimes scary guidelines around pregnancy and exercise. Megan demystifies the do's and don'ts and emphasizes the importance of balancing science with your own intuition to help you make the best decisions for your health.
Mental Health and Exercise: Understand the profound connection between mental health and physical activity during pregnancy and throughout parenthood.
Practical Movement Strategies: Realistic and relatable tips for incorporating movement into your busy life, especially for parents who often find themselves at the bottom of their own priority list.
Community and Support Systems: Discover the value of having a supportive community, whether through social media, local groups, or friends and family, to help maintain motivation and accountability.
Join us for this inspiring and informative episode that blends scientific research with deeply personal stories, all aimed at empowering you to stay active, healthy, and happy during pregnancy and well into parenthood!
LEARN MORE ABOUT MEGAN:
Megan Roche
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOME WORK ALL PLAY:
https://swaprunning.com/
LISTEN TO MEGAN'S PODCAST, SOME WORK ALL PLAY:
https://swaprunning.com/podcast
DOWNLOAD MY FREE POSTPARTUM MENTAL HEALTH CHECKLIST:
➡️ Interactive workbook to create your personalized mental health checklist
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL RELATED EPISODES:
🎧 Preparing your mind and body for pregnancy, birth and postpartum with Brooke Cates
🎧 Bridging ancient wisdom and modern science with yoga therapist Nicole Katz
🎧 Addressing the crushing weight of parenthood: How to lighten the load in pregnancy and parenthood with Dr. Christine Sterling -
211. BTS: Why June sucks! (for parents and kids)
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
2:10 - In June there is often an influx of "end of the school year" activities, performances, and events added on top of our already packed schedules.
5:32 - School is winding down, we're starting to feel energized by the thought of summer, but we're also still confined to the school-year schedule.
7:30 - Practical strategies to make the end of the year more streamlined and manageable with your partner in parenting.
9:21 - How to set yourself and your kids up for success and communicate with your kids' school and teachers.
11:30 - Leaning into your community for things like carpooling, logistical support, and strategically figuring out how as a group you can take some tasks off your plate.
12:36 - Evaluating and being flexible with your child's evening and sleep routine.
19:19 - Be open to reevaluating and revising the plan when things aren't going as smoothly as you might want.
RESOURCES WE REFERENCE IN THE EPISODE:
🥱 In the episode I talked about giving my kids Hiya Kids Bedtime Essential vitamins. This isn't a sponsored product, I just really love this company. Check them out if you're interested, but make sure to always consult your child's pediatrician before you give them any supplements or medications.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GETTING ORGANIZED:
🎧 Listen to my podcast about how to implement systems and schedules with Chelsi Jo
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about dividing responsibilities with your partner with Lauren A. Tetenbaum
✨We want to hear from you! Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions! ✨ -
210. Independent sleeping: Practical solutions for getting your child to stay in their own bed with Eileen Henry
In this episode, sleep specialist Eileen Henry and I discuss a common challenge: how to get your child to make it all the way through the night in their own bed.
Eileen helps us unravel this complex issue by addressing:
Assessing the Situation: When to let it be and when to make a change.
Understanding Motivations: Identifying whether the desire to reclaim your bed is for personal space, relationship reasons, or concerns about your child's development.
Balancing Needs: The importance of ensuring everyone gets quality sleep and how this impacts overall family wellbeing.
Setting and Holding Boundaries: Strategies to help your child transition to their own bed while maintaining emotional security.
Attunement and Emotional Health: Teaching kids to recognize and respond to negative emotions in a healthy way.
Practical Tips and Tools: Using physical boundaries like gates, incorporating dress rehearsals for bedtime, and the power of storytelling and play in easing transitions.
Whether you're struggling with co-sleeping, managing separation anxiety, or just seeking better sleep for your family, this episode is packed with practical advice and compassionate support!
LEARN MORE ABOUT EILEEN HENRY:
https://compassionatesleepsolutions.com/
BOOK A CONSULTATION WITH EILEEN HENRY:
https://compassionatesleepsolutions.com/free-consultation-process/
DOWNLOAD MY FREE TODDLER SLEEP GUIDE:
7 ways to help create a more peaceful and effective nighttime routine
LISTEN TO MORE EPISODES WITH EILEEN HENRY:
Navigating sleep with a baby
The basics of toddler sleep
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL EPISODES WE REFERENCED:
RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) from birth with Deborah Carlisle Solomon
Evolving the principles of RIE to grow into respectful parenting with Janet Lansbury
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) with Eli Lebowitz
-
209. BTS: How can I get my toddler to share and play nicely with other kids?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
1:50 - It's very developmentally typical for toddlers to have trouble with sharing and also there are things you can do to encourage and build this skill.
7:25 - At 2.5 years-old, kids will likely need an adult to narrate and also facilitate the sharing so they learn how it's done.
11:40 - Kids can become territorial at this age, so it can be helpful to have playdates at neutral places, like a park or a playground.
13:40 - When you see your child start to get territorial, try to see this as an indicator that they need to take a break rather than a cue to teach them the importance of sharing - that can be done later, when they are more regulated and in control.
16:47 - To build the skill of sharing, it's helpful to break this down into smaller tasks like tolerating frustration, setting healthy boundaries, and perspective taking.
19:30 - We also want to be mindful not to encourage our kids to share without any limitations or we risk them feeling compelled to become more of a people pleaser.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN PARENT YOUR DAUGHTER SO SHE DOESN’T BECOME A PEOPLE PLEASER?
Listen to the podcast episode we reference in this conversation
✨We want to hear from you! Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions! ✨ -
208. Using Internal Family Systems to emotionally support mothers with the creators of The Mothercentric Approach
When a child is born, so too is a mother.
In this episode, we'll explore this metamorphosis and how the abrupt shift into motherhood can shatter our former identity into many different parts (and why that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing).
Joining me is Rebecca Geshuri and Jessica Sorci, the brilliant creators behind The Mothercentric Approach, which blends Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with maternal mental health.
Rebecca and Jessica will help listeners understand IFS and how "parts work" can be vital for mothers. By acknowledging and accepting these different parts, mothers can begin to heal and integrate them, forming a more cohesive and balanced sense of self. This integration can shift how we feel about ourselves and how we show up as parents, leading to a more compassionate and effective approach to motherhood.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MOTHERCENTRIC APPROACH - FOR MOMS:
https://www.mothercentric.com/for-moms
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MOTHERCENTRIC APPROACH - FOR PRACTITIONERS:
https://www.mothercentric.com/for-practitioners -
207. BTS: How can I help my child maintain their friendships over the summer?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
2:27 - Reframe your goal from being about maintaining the specific friendships to be about maintaining the social skills your child has acquired over the school year instead.
4:13 - Using summer as your child's opportunity to get to try something new and allow them to explore different parts of themselves.
6:26 - If a child has struggled in the past, the friendships they have may feel precious and fragile now, and that can make kids and parents alike feel anxious that this might go away.
10:12 - It's helpful not to measure your child's social success based on their age and encourage them to have friends who are a year or two younger, if that they are lacking some social skills.
14:43 - Tangible tips you can implement to support your child's social skills and encourage their building and maintaining deep friendships.
19:10 - Having a plan-b with a singular person activity can be helpful for your child to have in their back pocket to play with if they struggle to join into a social group.
✨We want to hear from you! Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions! ✨