203 episodes
Securely Attached Dr. Sarah Bren
-
- Kids & Family
-
-
5.0 • 76 Ratings
-
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.
-
201. BTS: Is it better for my kids if I send them to daycare, have a nanny, or become a stay-at-home mom?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about...
2:04 - There are many dilemmas parents often face that can be seen inside of this listener's question:
Weighing the pros and cons of whether staying at home or going to work is the best for you, you child and your unique situation.
If you do choose to use childcare, what type is most ideal for your child.
And finally, addressing the struggles surrounding your child's separation anxiety.
3:58 - There is no right or wrong answer to any of these questions.
7:05 - This decision shouldn't only be about your child. It's also important to ask yourself: What is best for me?
7:58 - This decision doesn't have to be permanent - if it's feeling overwhelming, you can reframe this to be what is right for me and my family right now.
12:30 - Weighing between sending your child to daycare, bringing in a nanny, or staying home with your children.
15:06 - Even if you are a stay-at-home parent you can add in opportunities for your child to learn to trust other caregivers and to experience separations.
✨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! ✨ -
200. Healing our inner child in order to combat insecure attachment patterns with Jennifer Nurick
Our past experiences shape our present behaviors and patterns, but by working toward healing our inner child, we can make meaningful shifts!
Jennifer Nurick joins me to discuss a profound way to approach healing by integrating many treatment approaches, including attachment theory, Internal Family Systems, EMDR, somatic psychotherapy, and more.
In this episode, we explore practical strategies for healing past traumas and nurturing inner and outer secure attachments through "parts work." Plus, Jennifer shares poignant examples of how this work translates into real-life interactions, especially in the realm of parenting, where attunement and repair are crucial for overall mental health and well-being.
LEARN MORE ABOUT JENNIFER:
https://www.psychotherapycentral.health/
READ JENNIFER'S BOOK:
Heal Your Anxious Attachment: Release Past Trauma, Cultivate Secure Relationships, and Nurture a Deeper Sense of Self
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT ATTACHMENT SCIENCE?
Click HERE to download my free guide, The Four Pillars of Fostering Secure Attachment, helping you parent with a focus on attunement and trust. -
199. BTS: What are strategies for co-parenting with a narcissist?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
2:25 - Awareness and acceptance of the situation is your first step.
3:30 - Whether or not your ex is a narcissist, if you don't feel your co-parent is able to properly support your child emotionally, these strategies we offer will apply for all of those situations, too.
5:54 - Finding the delicate balance between not projecting your own feelings or "bad-mouthing" your co-parent to your child, while also not white-washing your child's feelings or gaslighting them either.
8:01 - How to use reflective functioning to help empower your child to cope when they are resistant to wanting to spend time with their other parent.
13:50 - Intentionally adding in elements for fun and delight in your own interactions with your child to help create security in your relationship.
✨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! ✨ -
198. Youth sports and body image: Fostering positive body image and self-esteem in young athletes with Zoë Bisbing
Navigating the complex terrain of youth sports while promoting positive body image and mental wellness!
Joining me is Zoë Bisbing, a psychotherapist specializing in body image and eating disorders and the creator of Body-Positive Home.
In this episode, we emphasize the importance of creating secure attachments from the start, laying a foundation of resilience that can withstand diet-culture and societal pressures. We delve into the challenges faced by children in aesthetic sports, discussing the delicate balance between encouraging our children's passion and weighing the potential risks to their physical and mental well-being.
Tune in as we explore the intersection of resilience, body positivity, and parenting, and discover practical ways to cultivate a nurturing environment where all bodies are valued and celebrated! -
197. BTS: When should you start being concerned about your kid's tantrums?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
1:48 - A tantrum is a behavioral expression of emotions that feel to big to express in a productive manner.
2:25 - Tantrums typically tend to start around one-year-old and petter out by about 7.
6:37 - Try to compare your child to their own emotion regulation development and not compare them to another child.
9:37 - It's helpful to track the intensity, duration, and frequency of your child's tantrums - because our memories of these high stress times can often be flawed and being able to look at a log is very helpful.
Click here to download my FREE OBSERVATION TRACKER to help you log these behaviors over the course of a week and work to change it over the course of 3 weeks.
14:10 - The red flags you should be on the lookout for that might mean there is something abnormal with your child's tantrums.
WANT TO TAKE THIS TOPIC EVEN FURTHER? CHECK OUT THESE BOOKS, PRODUCTS, AND RESOURCES:
HELPFUL BOOKS:
The Tantrum Survival Guide: Tune In to Your Toddler's Mind (and Your Own) to Calm the Craziness and Make Family Fun Again by Rebecca Schrag Hershberg, PhD
Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids by Mona Delahooke, PhD
Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges by Mona Delahooke, PhD
ON-DEMAND COURSE FOR COMBATTING TANTRUMS:
Learn exactly how to reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of your child's tantrums in my self-paced course, The Science of Tantrums.
✨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! ✨ -
196. Cooking Up Inclusivity: Nurturing open mindedness in kids through food with Priya Krishna
Discover how you can use food to teach your children about acceptance, tolerance, and the beauty of cultural diversity!
Joining me is Priya Krishna. Priya is a food reporter and video host for the New York Times and the bestselling author of multiple cookbooks including her new kid's cookbook, Priya's Kitchen Adventures.
From redefining what constitutes a "kid recipe" to navigating picky eating habits, in this episode, Priya shares practical tips for making food playful, fun, and educational. Her mouthwatering recipes will offer you an easy entry point to teach your kids to embrace diversity and expand their palate, one delicious bite at a time.
Customer Reviews
So helpful!
Every episode has offered scientific and real life insight as well as actionable steps on each topic discussed. Thanks for avoiding the ads as well. It’s much easier to stay focused when ads aren’t coming on.
Thoughtful and actionable
Appreciated the recent episode with Morin and the comment about how to share your thinking with your kid at the grocery store when you decline the donations. It's so easy to go into autopilot mode when going through the day, but it's important to take time to be present with your kid. It's incredible how much we're teaching them, both good and bad. Thank you.
Shared Insights and Wisdom
Sarah’s wisdom is palpable as is her wonderful capacity to invite thoughtful guests who are specialists in their field. While her style is easy and conversational, her knowledge and wisdom go deep. This is such a worthwhile podcast for new parents!