Securely Attached

Parenting in an age of ever changing technology—battling over screen time use, deciding when to allow your child to have a smart phone, and understanding how much screen time is too much—can be confusing for parents of children of all ages.

Joining me today to help parents learn to cut through the confusion and successfully navigate parenting in the digital age is The Screentime Consultant, Emily Cherkin.

If you want to understand why screens are so addictive, how to help our children establish healthy relationships with technology, and techniques for transitioning them off of their devices without a meltdown (most of the time) then this is an episode you won't want to miss!

Want to get more from Dr. Sarah Bren?

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A few weeks ago I recorded an amazing episode on sex and intimacy after baby with The WTF Trimester creator, Chelsea Skaggs. And it seemed to hit a nerve, because I received tons of feedback from that episode! For some of you, learning how to communicate your needs to your partner in a way they would be able to hear you was just what you needed. But I also got some DMs from moms who are facing a different problem when it comes to sex in early parenthood…

Whether after the birth of a child, or a few years down the road, parents can sometimes feel themselves pulled in so many directions that at the end of the day, they find it difficult to have anything left to give. This can be especially true for postpartum mamas.

So this week's episode is filled with actionable strategies and mindset shifts that you can make if you are feeling touched out, overstimulated or anxious about intimacy. These can help you to feel connected to yourself so you are open to having a vulnerable and deep connection with your partner. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

Want to get more from Dr. Sarah Bren?

✨ Follow Dr. Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/

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✨ And check out her website for more free parenting resources: https://drsarahbren.com/resources

There is no shortage of doctor visits and wellness checks during your child's first few years. And that can cause some apprehension and anxiety for both parents and children.

I am so excited to welcome my family's own pediatrician, Dr. Rachel Geronemus, onto the podcast to fill us all in on what pediatricians want parents to know! This conversation is chalk full of helpful tips, like what you can expect at your child's next doctor's appointment, developmentally appropriate expectations to set, and strategies you can implement weeks and days ahead of their next visit to make for a more calm and enjoyable experience for you both.

Want to get more from Dr. Sarah Bren?

✨ Follow Dr. Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/

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✨ And check out her website for more free parenting resources: https://drsarahbren.com/resources

For many couples, the birth of a child can bring with it a shift in their intimate relationship. Having a child triggers such a sudden and massive transition to our identity, our body and sometimes even our sex drive, so it makes perfect sense that new parents can often find themselves on different pages when it comes to intimacy and sex.

And that is just one of the reasons I am so excited to talk about ways couples can rebuild connection and intimacy in their relationship with life coach and the creator of the WTF Trimester, Chelsea Skaggs.

It's not about where you've been, but about acknowledging where you are now and where you'd like to go. Chelsea will share some powerful suggestions and step-by-step guidance for working to get back your spark, combating some of the most common sources of postpartum sex anxiety, and working on your inner growth to help you feel more confident and assured in your own skin.

Want to get more from Dr. Sarah Bren?

✨ Follow Dr. Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/

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✨ And check out her website for more free parenting resources: https://drsarahbren.com/resources

Executive functioning skills are the systems, structures and routines we establish in our daily life that make us successful. Do you always put the mail on the end table when you walk in the door? That's a perfect example of this.

These skills are housed within the prefrontal cortex and that part of the brain isn't fully developed until we are in our 20s! So all children, whether they are neurotypical or struggle with an executive functioning skills deficit like ADHD, can benefit from exercising this "muscle."

This week I am talking with the cofounder of our group practice, Upshur Bren Psychology Group, Dr. Emily Upshur along with our executive functioning coach, Donna Jarecki, to offer parents easy and fun suggestions they can use all summer long that will build upon this skillset. We'll also discuss the brain science of executive functioning and how what might seem like behavioral issues may actually be a sign of an executive function deficit, plus when it's time to consider bringing in additional support.

Want to explore if executive functioning coaching may be a good fit for you or your child? Check out upshurbren.com to learn more.

Want to get more from Dr. Sarah Bren?

✨ Follow Dr. Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/

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✨ And check out her website for more free parenting resources: https://drsarahbren.com/resources

Raising children today in a world saturated with guns, active shooter drills at school and mass shootings on the news can leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure.

I wanted to talk directly to you about the psychology and developmental aspect of aggression and the impact of both toy and real guns on our children and society at large. This isn't about me telling you what is right or wrong, good or bad, what you should or shouldn't do with your own child, but simply about arming you with some fundamental information so you can make informed and conscious decisions for yourself.

Many of my patients in the past few weeks have been expressing feelings of helplessness and hopelessness in the wake of the horrific incident in Uvalde, Texas. If you or your child are struggling with these feelings too, stay tuned to the end of the episode when I'll suggest some actionable strategies you can use to work toward shifting those feelings to ones of empowerment.

Want to get more from Dr. Sarah Bren?

✨ Follow Dr. Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/

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✨ And check out her website for more free parenting resources: https://drsarahbren.com/resources

As our children grow into the people they will be, so too do we grow into the parents we become. Alexis Barad-Cutler, the founder of Not Safe For Mom Group, found herself in that very situation when her youngest child, Gavi, expressed the need to be the "real Gavi" at 3-years-old.

In this episode Alexis shares her raw and powerful story of leaning in and learning how to support her gender nonconforming child in a way that makes them feel seen, accepted and loved. Whether you are finding yourself questioning how best to support your child through any type of adversity or you're just curious to learn more about the topic of gender identity and how it can present in children, this is an episode centered on the universally relatable truth of one parent's love.

Want to get more from Dr. Sarah Bren?

✨ Follow Dr. Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/

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✨ And check out her website for more free parenting resources: https://drsarahbren.com/resources

If you're listening to this podcast, you're probably already at least somewhat versed in the styles of positive, gentle, respectful or responsive parenting. But whatever you call it, there are many societal misconceptions about what these styles are. Here to help me bust some myths and dig into the research and brain science behind why we're shifting past behaviorism is Sarah R. Moore. From intergenerational transmission of parenting styles, redefining our goals, and the importance of strengthening mental and emotional health in our children, you won't want to miss this deep dive into WHY these new parenting styles are effective.

And go ahead and share this episode with anyone in your life who isn't quite on board with positive parenting or feels it's too permissive. This is a safe space free of shame and judgment - we're all just doing the best we can!

Want to get more from Dr. Sarah Bren?

✨ Follow Dr. Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/

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✨ And check out her website for more free parenting resources: https://drsarahbren.com/resources

Establishing and holding boundaries can be challenging, especially when those limits need to be set within family units.

Dr. Emily Upshur, my partner from our group practice Upshur Bren Psychology Group in Westchester, NY is back to help one mom who writes in looking for help establishing boundaries with her in-laws. We'll talk about strategies for engaging grandparents while also maintaining appropriate boundaries, the difference between internal and external boundaries and how you can integrate both into your life, and concrete steps for addressing excessive gift giving, unaligned parenting values, opposing political views and more.

Want to get more from Dr. Sarah Bren?

✨ Follow Dr. Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/

✨ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter: https://drsarahbren.com/join-newsletter

✨ And check out her website for more free parenting resources: https://drsarahbren.com/resources

Finding a therapist who you trust and who can offer you proper support can be a complicated process for many people. One of the reasons for this is the confusing and sometimes even misleading terms used in the field of mental health.

Joining me today is research psychologist and medical staff member at the Austen Riggs Center, Dr. Katie C. Lewis. We'll discuss the differences and similarities between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy, how to determine which treatment modality is right for your unique family, and arm you with the knowledge you need for finding a therapist that will best support your goals and honor your parenting values, whether your seeking treatment for yourself or your child.

Want to get more from Dr. Sarah Bren?

✨ Follow Dr. Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/

✨ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter: https://drsarahbren.com/join-newsletter

✨ And check out her website for more free parenting resources: https://drsarahbren.com/resources