Securely Attached

Dr. Sarah Bren
Securely Attached

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.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    265. BTS: My husband and I had a big fight in front of our kids, how do we make sure this doesn’t negatively impact them?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...   - Breaking down the different strategies you’d use with kids whether this is a single one-off big fight, or if conflict is more prevalent in your home.   - What a conversation with your child might sound like and how to adapt it to be most authentic to you.   - Specific things to do in order to lessen the negative impact of parental conflict on your kids.   - How to help your child make sense of what happened in a narrative that allows them to understand they are safe and the fight wasn’t their fault.   - A developmentally appropriate way to share with your child that sometimes the people we love the most are the ones that we get into the biggest arguments with.   - How to reassure and repair with a baby ore very young child who is still too little to understand your words.     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about creating a thriving partnership with Dr. Suzanne Burger   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about understanding parental dysregulation with Dr. Amber Thornton   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about resolving conflicts with Dr. Rick Hanson     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!

    20 min
  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    264. The hidden dangers of EdTech: How technology in schools impacts learning, child development, and mental health with Andy Liddell

    Discover the impacts of EdTech in schools and how parents can advocate for their children’s education with technology attorney Andy Liddell   - What EdTech is and how technology like iPads and Chromebooks are being integrated into classrooms.   - The hidden dangers of screens on the learning experience, what is at risk when hands-on learning is replaced by more passive educational experiences, and how to optimize information retention, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.   - The role of big tech in surveillance capitalism, persuasive design, and selling children’s data.   - How much control do schools have over blocking and restricting content on school-issued devices? (Spoiler: Most technology comes with no restrictions in place.)   - How tech in classrooms is displacing social interactions, interfering with relationship development, overstimulating vulnerable children, and putting stress on an already fragile system.   - What parents can do to teach media literacy, advocate for their child’s privacy, and push for more thoughtful use of technology in schools   If you’re concerned or just curious about the influence of technology on your child’s learning and development, this conversation is packed with strategies and insights to help you navigate these challenges with confidence and purpose.     LEARN MORE ABOUT ANDY & EDTECH LAW CENTER: https://edtech.law/   REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: Read the research on EdTech conducted by Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd Social Media Victims Law Center Wait Until 8th  Fairplay Everyschool Social Studies Documentary    CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Regulation, reward systems, and rest: Rewiring the way our kids interact with screens with Alé Duarte   🎧 The battle over screen time: Helping our children form a healthy relationship to technology with Emily Cherkin/   🎧 Have phones displaced our ability to play and have fun? How to be intentional with your tech use with Catherine Price

    1 hr
  3. DEC 12

    263. BTS: How do I respond to my daughter’s “mean girl” behaviors? Is she a bully?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...     - Bullying is often an expression of pain, so leading with compassion for your child is often your best entry point.   - How to readjust your goal, rather than just trying to shut down your child's behaviors, for a higher likelihood of getting through to them.   - Examples of real-life scenarios that middle school girls may be experiencing and how to navigate them.   - The most common reasons middle schoolers act this way, so you can help you identify what the root cause may be to help you get to the heart of the matter.   - Conversation starters you can use to prevent your child from getting defensive and shutting down.   - At some point, this moves beyond exploring your child’s feelings and these behaviors simply need to stop - when and how to transition to this point.     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about peer rejection in toddlerhood   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about peer rejection in early adolescence   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about helping your child learn to foster secure friendships with Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to talk to your teen with Elizabeth Bennett     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!

    29 min
  4. DEC 10

    262. Unifying mothers in a post-election America: Advocating for Women’s Rights through bipartisan reform with Erin Erenberg

    Motherhood comes with immense challenges, but when mothers come together, they can spark transformative change. In this inspiring episode, Erin Erenberg, founder of Totum Women and co-founder of the Chamber of Mothers, shares her journey becoming a powerful advocate for maternal rights.   In this episode, we explore:   - Erin's personal and professional journey that inspired her to empower and support mothers.   - The Chamber of Mothers mission: Uniting mothers as advocates to create a better America.   - How this bipartisan group is working to include "point of view diversity" and bridge mothers across all sides of the aisle.   - How the Chamber of Mothers plans to work with the upcoming administration to continue fighting for the rights of all mothers in America.   - What is galvanizing the people who are still motivated, and how to fight any feelings of dread people may be experiencing.   - Strategies for accessing accurate information and taking care of ourselves in an overwhelming time of political divide.   Learn how to join a movement that’s not only advocating for mothers but creating a brighter future for the next generation!       LEARN MORE ABOUT ERIN ERENBERG: https://www.totumwomen.com/blogs/news/more-on-our-founder   LEARN MORE ABOUT CHAMBER OF MOTHERS: https://chamberofmothers.com/   JOIN A LOCAL CHAMBER: https://chamberofmothers.com/local-chapters/    FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Chamber of Mothers: @chamberofmothers Dr. Sarah Bren: @drsarahbren   ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: Moms Demand Action - https://momsdemandaction.org/ Vote Mama - https://www.votemama.org/  National Women’s Law Center - https://nwlc.org/   CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Motherhood as advocacy: A conversation about paid family leave, abortion access and gun reform with Raena Boston   🎧 Turning parenthood into a career asset for working moms and dads with The Fifth Trimester’s Lauren Smith Brody   🎧 The pressures of motherhood in our society: And how we can come together to feel less alone with Alexis Barad-Cutler

    56 min
  5. DEC 5

    261. BTS: Can my kid also get dysregulated from positive emotions, like excitement?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...   - Dysregulation isn't just a result of negative emotions, kids can also become dysregulated from positive emotions too.   - Embracing your child’s excitement before you help them start to down-regulate can be a more successful (and fun) strategy.   - Specific strategies for transitioning your child from those big, exciting moments into calming down in a way that is targeted to their development and nervous system.   - The key questions to ask yourself to help you determine exactly how to pick and choose your parenting battles when it comes to family gatherings.   - The difference between structured and unstructured playtime - and the pros and cons of each.   - Our mom-tips for an activity that is helpful and containing for kids who have “buzzy energy” in these situations.   - How to “pre-regulate” your child before they become dysregulated.     REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 🎧 How do I stop my child from picking up his friend’s bad behaviors?   🎧 Why are birthday parties so hard for my kid?     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the psychology of dyregulation with Cara Goodwin   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about coregulation with Dana Rosenbloom   🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how Polyvagal Theory teaches us to calm our nervous system with Seth Porges     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!

    22 min
  6. DEC 3

    260. Neurodiverse brains and sleep: How to modify traditional sleep strategies with Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown

    Joining me today is Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown to share the science behind why sleep is so essential, how to adapt sleep strategies for those with neurodiverse brains, and practical tips for tackling common sleep challenges.   In this episode, we explore:   - The science of why sleep is so important and foundational for children (spoiler: it’s tied to growth, brain development, immune system regulation, emotion management, and more!)   - The inadvertent mistake many parents make (that even Dr. Funke made with her own son) when they don’t properly understand the different phases of childhood sleep.   - What the research reveals about the sleep architecture and the quality of sleep for kids with neurodiverse brains. (And why it’s not just about quantity.)   - Behavioral cues and environmental strategies you can use to shift your child’s circadian rhythm.   - Why “catching up on sleep” during the weekend actually works against your child.   - Breaking down the R.I.S.E. U.P. Protocol to help both kids and parents wake up easier and stop feeling the urge to hit snooze one more time.    - The association of ADHD with mouth breathing during sleep and whether or not you should consider physical therapy for mouth breathers.   - When you may want to consider getting a sleep evaluation for your child and what you can expect from a sleep test.   Don’t miss this deep dive into the science of sleep, actionable tips for better rest, and strategies to help your whole family thrive!       LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. FUNKE: https://www.therestfulsleepplace.com/   READ DR. FUNKE'S BOOK: 📚 Beyond Tired: A Sleep Physician’s Guide to Solving Your Child’s Sleep Problems for Good   WATCH DR. FUNKE'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS: 💻 RestfulSleepMD   FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: 📱@restfulsleepmd and @drsarahbren   ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: The sunrise clock Dr. Sarah uses to make waking up easier for her   CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 How to make mindfulness more “user-friendly” for parents with ADHD with Dr. Lidia Zylowska   🎧 ADHD and attachment security: How to connect with and support your neurodiverse child with Dr. Norrine Russell   🎧 Parenting with the “Whole-Brain”: How to work with the brain rather than fight against with Dr. Dan Siegel

    52 min
  7. NOV 28

    259. BTS: How do I know if I'm giving in too much and becoming permissive?

    Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...   - A quick breakdown of Baumrind’s 4 parenting styles: Authoritative, Authoritarian, Permissive, and Neglectful. If you want to learn more, check out episode 39 where we dive deeper into parenting styles.   - How to use “high love and high limits” as your compass for helping you know how to raise healthy kids.   - Why the pattern so many parents find themselves in is: authoritative ➡️ permissive ➡️ authoritarian (and how to break this cycle!)    - Knowing the difference between being permissive and making a conscious and intentional choice not to pick this battle.   - The subtle shift in how you frame an intentional pivot to your child so your actions are still authoritative when you are “giving in.”   - How to change your mind without teaching your child that they can get you to cave and that your limits are unreliable.    - When your child refuses to take a bath, brush their teeth, wants more water after bedtime, and asks for candy before breakfast - how to be authoritative in all of these situations.     ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:   🎧 What can I do when all the "rules" for setting limits don't work for my sensitive kid?   🎧 How to move out of power struggles and into cooperation with Jen Lumanlan   🎧 How to use the principles of attachment science to make parenting easier     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!

    29 min
  8. NOV 26

    258. Are vaccines safe? Common questions answered by pediatrician Dr. Caity Gilman

    Pediatrician Dr. Caity Gilman is here to shed light on the facts surrounding vaccines and address common concerns and questions she hears most often from parents in her practice, like:   - Does the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine cause autism? (Spoiler: No, vaccines do not cause autism.)   - Do I need to vaccinate my child based on my pediatrician’s suggested schedule?   - What are the risks of stopping administering vaccines to children?   - If vaccines are so good, why don’t we have them for more things, like the common cold?   - Is it really necessary to get a flu shot every year?   - Are people given the actual disease when they get a vaccine? If so, then why not just get the illness itself and let my immune system learn to fight it?   - Should you give your baby Tylenol before a vaccine so the shot hurts less?   If you’ve ever had questions or felt unsure about vaccines, this episode is packed with helpful, expert-driven insights. Dr. Gilman’s thoughtful, research-backed approach is sure to leave you feeling more informed and empowered!     SHOW NOTES: (link)   ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: American Academy of Pediatrics: Immunizations American Academy of Pediatrics :Examine the Evidence CDC: Vaccines for Children   CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 How mold, Lyme, pesticides, and other toxins may be impacting your child's physical and mental health with Dr. Pejman Katiraei   🎧 How to ease your childs anxiety for doctors visits with pediatrician Dr. Rachel Geronemus

    44 min
5
out of 5
90 Ratings

About

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.

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