Securely Attached

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...

• What to do when your toddler refuses the potty and fights diaper changes, leaving you stuck in a frustrating in-between stage.
• Why diaper changes and potty training resistance is often less about the potty and more about control and autonomy.
• Common ways power struggles often show up during diaper changes and potty training.
• Simple and practical strategies to give your child more agency without losing necessary boundaries to reduce tension and make diaper changes feel less like a battle.
• Creative strategies to build positive associations with the bathroom.
• What it looks like to go slower with potty training, and why that can be more effective.

This episode will help you approach diaper changes and potty training with less pressure, more clarity, and practical strategies to reduce the daily struggles while supporting your child's growing independence.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and coaching to give parents the tools to feel more grounded and confident as they navigate parenthood and learn how to most effectively support their child. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode with a deep dive into potty training

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how pediatric pelvic health can impact potty training, bed wetting and constipation with Quiara Smith

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do if your toddler is otherwise potty trained, but still won't poop on the potty

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to handle potty regressions in older children

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!

Catherine Price returns to the podcast to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing parents today: how to help kids build a healthier relationship with screens. Drawing from her new book, The Amazing Generation (co-authored with Jonathan Haidt), this conversation explores how to move from power struggles and fear-based messaging to approaches that build insight, agency, and real buy-in from kids themselves.

Together, we explore:

• Why simply telling kids to "get off screens" often backfires.
• What kids are actually getting from screens (and what they're missing).
• How to explain to kids that tech companies are designed to capture attention in a way that makes them feel empowered.
• Why "real world" experiences are critical for development and how screens can crowd them out.
• Practical ways to support connection and independence without defaulting to smartphones.
• How to have conversations about screens that don't lead to shutdown or conflict.
• Simple shifts that can help your child become more aware, reflective, and intentional with technology.
• Why building a full, engaging life offline naturally reduces screen time.

This conversation is about more than just screen time. It's about helping kids develop the awareness, confidence, and agency to make choices that align with the kind of life they actually want to live, and how we, as parents, can support that process.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

🔗 Catherine Price

📚 The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World

🔗 Free Guide: The Family Guide to Screen/Life Balance: Your 7-Day Plan for Fewer Fights and More Fun

📚 How to Break Up with Your Phone, Revised Edition: The 30-Day Digital Detox Plan

📚 The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again

📱 IG: @catherinepriceofficial

🎧 242. Have phones displaced our ability to play and have fun? How to be intentional with your tech use with Catherine Price

LEARN MORE ABOUT ME:

🔗 Dr. Sarah Bren

🔗 Upshur Bren Psychology Group

📱IG: @drsarahbren

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

👉 Whether it's screen time battles, feeling stuck in constant pushback, or trying to help your child make healthier choices without power struggles, these patterns can be hard to shift on your own. Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers in-person and virtual therapy and parent coaching to help you build insight, strengthen connection, and create meaningful, lasting change. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services or schedule a free 30-minute consultation to find the right support for your family.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about why screens and ultra-processed foods keep kids wanting more (but never satisfied) with Michaeleen Doucleff

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about teaching kids healthy tech habits free of guilt or power struggles with Ash Brandin

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about why kids remember more when they write by hand with Dr. Audrey van der Meer

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the hidden dangers of EdTech with Andy Liddell

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about how to support a child who is struggling to communicate with their peers.

Together we explore:

• The difference between scaffolding and helicopter parenting, and how to find the right balance.
• How your goals for a playdate can shape how much you step in.
• The role of context, including the child your kid is playing with and how familiar they are with each other.
• What scaffolding can actually look like in the moment, beyond just helping with words.
• How narrating and "sportscasting" interactions can support both kids without taking over.
• How to tune into your child's cues to determine whether something is truly a problem.
• The trap of overthinking and how to recognize when things might actually be going just fine.

This episode will help you feel more confident in knowing when to step in, when to step back, and how to support your child's social and communication skills in a way that builds both competence and connection.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and coaching to give parents the tools to feel more grounded and confident as they navigate parenthood and learn how to most effectively support their child. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about helping a child who struggles with perfectionism

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do if your child is reading below their grade level, but resistant to going to tutoring

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about fostering secure attachments in peer relationships

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!

Nurse and founder of My Lice Advice, Theresa, joins me to talk about one of the most common (and surprisingly emotional) parenting challenges: lice. While lice is something most families will encounter at some point, it often brings a wave of panic, shame, and overwhelm. But as Theresa explains, it doesn't have to.

Together, we explore:

• Why lice has become so stigmatized and what's actually driving the shame parents feel.
• The biggest myths about lice (including cleanliness and how it spreads).
• What lice actually is and how it's passed from child to child.
• How to talk to your child about lice in a way that is calm, clear, and shame-free.
• What you do not need to clean (and how to avoid unnecessary overwhelm).
• The most effective ways to treat lice based on current research.
• What to look for to know a treatment has actually worked.
• Simple prevention strategies that can reduce the likelihood of future cases.
• How to stay regulated and approach lice as something manageable, not catastrophic.

This conversation is about more than just lice. It's about how we respond to the unexpected moments in parenting, how we manage our own anxiety, and how we model calm, capable problem-solving for our kids.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

🔗 My Lice Advice

💻 My Life Advice on YouTube

LEARN MORE ABOUT ME:

🔗 Dr. Sarah Bren

🔗 Check out my group practice, Upshur Bren Psychology Group, offering therapy and coaching for individuals, children, parents, and families

📱IG: @drsarahbren

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

🔗 Nit Free Terminator Lice Comb

👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and coaching to give parents the tools to feel more grounded and confident as they navigate parenthood and learn how to most effectively support their child. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to ease your child's anxiety for doctors visits with pediatrician Dr. Rachel Geronemus

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about social anxiety in parenthood with Justine Carino

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about what to do when your child goes from calm to meltdown in what feels like seconds, especially during everyday moments like turning off the TV, leaving the park, or cleaning up.

Together we explore:

• Why going from "0 to 60" is actually more common than you think, especially for sensitive kids.
• How setting and holding limits can still be the right thing to do, even when it leads to a meltdown.
• The mindset shift that can help you feel less frustrated when big reactions happen.
• The role of transitions and why they can feel so much harder for kids than they do for adults.
• Practical ways to anticipate and soften tough moments before they escalate.
• How things like hunger, fatigue, and overwhelm can make reactions bigger and faster.
• Simple strategies like giving warnings, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and joining your child in the process.
• Why slowing down and pausing can sometimes be more effective than escalating your response.

This episode will help you better understand why your child's reactions can feel so sudden and intense, and how to respond in a way that keeps you grounded, holds your boundaries, and supports your child through those big feelings.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

📚The Tantrum Survival Guide: Tune In to Your Toddler's Mind (and Your Own) to Calm the Craziness and Make Family Fun Again

👉Click HERE for my workshop, Be the Calm in Your Child's Storm: How to Keep Your Cool When Your Child Loses Theirs, to get the exact therapeutic interventions I use with my patients that can change the way your brain and body interprets your child's dysregulation to help you stay cool in the heat of the moment.

💥 Tired of constant battles with your child? Watch my ✨FREE✨ workshop, Overcoming Power Struggles, where I'll teach you the exact strategies I use in my clinical practice to help parents break free from the cycle of yelling, threats, and negotiations—and instead foster cooperation, connection, and calm. Just visitdrsarahbren.com/powerstruggles to get instant access to this workshop.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about using Collaborative Problem Solving to navigate power struggles, tantrums, and challenging behaviors with Dr. Stuart Ablon

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about helping "Big Reactors" learn to regulate and manage their intense emotions with Claire Lerner

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!

Katherine Miller, author of The Emotionally Savvy Divorce and collaborative law professional, joins me to talk about what it actually means to navigate divorce in a way that reduces conflict, supports your well-being, and protects your children.

Together, we explore:

• The difference between reacting and responding, and how this shift can change the outcome of conflict.
• Why most divorce conflict is not actually about what you're fighting about, but what's underneath it.
• The concept of the "conflict trap" and why the same arguments repeat over and over.
• Simple strategies to pause in heated moments.
• How to communicate more effectively with a co-parent, even when they are not being collaborative.
• What collaborative divorce is and how it helps families reduce conflict and make more thoughtful decisions.
• Why "winning" in divorce often backfires, especially when children are involved.
• How to shift the dynamic with a high-conflict partner without escalating the situation.

This conversation is not just about divorce. It's about learning how to use your emotions as information, stay grounded under pressure, and respond in ways that align with your long-term goals.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

🔗 Miller Law Group

📚 The Emotionally Savvy Divorce: Smart Negotiations for a Clean Break

📱 IG: @millerlaw_ny FB: Miller Law Group NY

LEARN MORE ABOUT ME:

🔗 https://drsarahbren.com/

📱 IG: @drsarahbren

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

👉 Navigating separation or divorce? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers specialized support at every stage of the process, including therapy and coaching, parenting and co-parenting support, family therapy, and weekly divorce groups for women and children. Whether you're in the middle of a split or adjusting to a new family structure, our team is here to help you and your children feel steady and supported. Visit upshurbren.com to learn more or schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the right support for your family.

🔗 International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about busting divorce myths and breaking down the true effect it has on children Michelle Dempsey-Multack

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the legal considerations parents need to know with matrimonial attorney Lisa Zeiderman

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about navigating high-conflict divorce while prioritizing your own needs and attachment relationships with Karen McMahon

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about whether "nesting" during a divorce is better for your kids

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...

• Why many parents worry that using the word "autism" might make their child feel different or labeled, and how to think about that fear.
• What research and clinical experience suggest about telling your child sooner rather than later.
• How giving a diagnosis a name can actually feel empowering and help your child make sense of their experiences.
• What it looks like to take a neuroaffirming, strengths-based approach when talking about autism.
• How to explain autism to a young child in developmentally appropriate, non-pathologizing language.Why this doesn't have to be one big, serious conversation and how to follow your child's lead over time.
• The value of being the one who defines what autism means for your child, before the world does.
• Simple ways to normalize and support your child through representation, stories, and everyday conversations.

This episode will help you understand how to talk about neurodiversity in a way that feels simple, affirming, and age-appropriate, so your child can better understand their brain, their strengths, and the ways they experience the world.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

🔗 Every child deserves to feel safe, understood, and supported, and every parent deserves a place to turn. At Upshur Bren Psychology Group, we offer a full continuum of autism services: diagnostic testing, individual therapy, and parent support groups for families raising children and young adults on the spectrum. Visit upshurbren.com or schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to learn more about support options for you and your child.

📚 Different Thinkers: Autism by Katia Fredriksen PhD and Yael Rothman PhD

📚 Wonderfully Wired Brains: An Introduction to the World of Neurodiversity

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to help autistic kids build joy, confidence, and connection with Dr. Peter Vermeulen

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about treating autism with a strength based approach with Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about whether a neuropsych Evaluation is right for your child with Dr. Yael Rothman & Dr. Katia Fredriksen

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to modify traditional sleep strategies for neurodiverse brains with Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown

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!

I'm joined by doula, childbirth educator, and founder of Baby To Go, Sarah Ludwig, to talk about what it actually means to prepare for birth and why so many parents feel overwhelmed, anxious, or like they have to "get it right."

Together, we explore:

• What a doula actually does and how they support families during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
• Why pregnancy can increase anxiety, and how to work with it instead of against it.
• The difference between what you can control and what you can't during birth.
• How to think about birth plans as flexible "preferences" rather than fixed outcomes.
• Why trying to control every detail can sometimes make anxiety worse.
• How to build confidence in your ability to cope, even when things don't go as planned.
• The role of postpartum planning and why it's often overlooked.
• How to recognize when anxiety is within a normal range and when it might need more support.

Instead of focusing on creating the perfect plan, this conversation is about building your ability to cope with uncertainty and feel more confident in the process.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

🔗https://www.baby-to-go.com/

🔗Hudson Valley Birth Network

📱IG: @baby_to_go FB: Baby To Go

LEARN MORE ABOUT ME:

🔗 https://drsarahbren.com/

📱@drsarahbren

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

👉 Click HERE to sign up for my FREE workshop, Confident Parenting from the Start, to get tools and strategies that you can put into practice right away to challenge self-doubt, put an end to your panic-Googling, and finally find the ease and enjoyment in early parenthood!

👉 Click HERE to download my free interactive workbook, My Mental Health Postpartum Checklist, that will help you create a personalized mental health support system for yourself allowing you to feel more confident and relaxed, knowing you have a plan for whatever your unique postpartum experience may be.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to create a plan with your OB/GYN that supports resilience and reduces anxiety during and after pregnancy with Dr. Shieva Ghofrany

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about processing birth trauma with Dr. Sterling

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to read your child's cues, build routines, and trust your instincts with pediatrician Dr. Golly

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...

• Why the expectation that toddlers should already know how to regulate themselves is a common parenting myth.
• What's actually happening in a child's brain and body when their emotional "gas tank" is empty.
• Why your child's big reaction to a limit doesn't mean you've done something wrong.
• The difference between holding a boundary and trying to solve your child's feelings.
• What to do when your child's behavior is physically aggressive, like hitting or hair pulling.
• Why your own triggers matter and how understanding them can help you respond differently.
• The foundational factors (like sleep, fresh air, movement, and connection) that often drive behavior more than discipline strategies.

If you've ever felt powerless, guilty, or overwhelmed in the face of your child's big emotions, this episode will help you zoom out, reset unrealistic expectations, and approach these moments with more clarity and compassion—for both your child and yourself.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and coaching to give parents the tools to feel more grounded and confident as they navigate parenthood and learn how to most effectively support their child. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the psychology behind dysregulation with founder of Parenting Translator Cara Goodwin

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do when your child is hitting

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to identify and manage your triggers with Dr. Amber Thornton

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about using the attachment relationship to help your toddler fall asleep, with Eileen Henry

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!

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are everywhere right now. But behind the headlines and social media debates are real people navigating complicated questions about body image, health, and how to talk about these changes with their families.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel Goldman joins me to unpack the psychology behind GLP-1 medications, the concept of "food noise," and how parents can thoughtfully talk to their children about changes in their own bodies.

Together we explore:

• Why obesity is now understood as a chronic, multifactorial disease rather than a simple issue of willpower.
• What "food noise" is and why GLP-1 medications can dramatically quiet the constant mental chatter around food.
• The biggest misconceptions about GLP-1 medications and why they're not simply "weight loss drugs."
• Why significant body changes can bring up complicated identity and emotional shifts.
• How parents can talk to kids about weight loss or body changes without reinforcing shame or diet culture.
• The difference between body positivity and body neutrality and why neutrality may be more realistic and helpful for many families.
• Small language shifts that help children focus on what their bodies do, rather than how they look.
• Why it's never too late for parents to shift the way they talk about bodies and health.

This conversation will help you understand the science and psychology behind GLP-1 medications and give you practical tools and language to navigate your own health journey and talk about it with your kids in thoughtful, supportive ways.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

🔗 Dr. Rachel

📚 When Life Happens: The Mindset Shift You Need to Manage Stress, Build Confidence, and Break Free

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

📱@drrachelnyc

📱@drsarahbren

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and parenting coaching to help you feel more grounded and confident as you support your child's emotional development and navigate challenges like body image, big emotions, anxiety, and family dynamics. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about navigating their effects on body image from early childhood to teen years with Dr. Miriam Steele

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about empowering girls to navigate media, body image, and societal pressures with Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about youth sports and body image with Zoë Bisbing