305. Q&A: My 3-year-old is ok with sharing, but refuses to take turns - what can I do?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about... What is the difference between sharing and taking turns from a developmental standpoint? When the validation of your child’s feelings doesn’t seem to work well–what to do instead. Why there actually is a form of grief as a part of the taking turns experience and a mindset shift you can use to feel compassion for that feeling (even if it feels completely ridiculous to you from an adult perspective!) Territoriality versus play challenges - unpacking the different skillsets needed for different types of turn-taking experiences. Games you can play to practice the skills required for taking turns. A reminder to parents that while this can feel high stakes, that intensity may inadvertently add to the dysregulation your child feels and cause them to dig their heels in more. REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES: 👉🏻 Want more games specifically designed for fostering emotion regulation? Go to drsarahbren.com/games to get my free guide packed with games you can play with kids of all ages! ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about getting kids to start sharing 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about getting your toddler to do things they don't want to do 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about parenting a sensitve, "spicy" or highly emotional child 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!
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304. Stress, screens, shifting hormones, and early puberty: Why parenting 6-12 year olds is more important now than ever with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler
In this episode, psychologist and author of The Crucial Years Dr. Sheryl Ziegler joins me to shine a light on the unique needs and challenges of raising 6-12 year olds - a period often overlooked in parenting conversations, despite being a period of massive emotional, social, and biological development. Together we explore: Why puberty is starting younger than ever, what’s driving this trend, and how stress and environment play a critical role. How to tell when your child’s “teenage” behaviors (like slamming doors or talking back) are developmentally normal versus when they may be signaling something more. How to foster self-esteem and emotional regulation using Erik Erikson’s psychosocial stages as a framework. What “industriousness” versus “inferiority” means for kids—and why understanding this distinction matters so much for healthy development. How parenting styles are being shaped by the internet, social norms, and cultural messaging—and how to stay grounded in what your individual child needs. Why the pandemic had a unique impact on kids in this age range and how that continues to show up in surprising ways. Actionable strategies for parents of middle-year kids, including emotional attunement, helping them name and understand nuanced feelings, and how to have brave conversations about tough topics. With humor, warmth, and deep clinical insight, Dr. Ziegler offers a compassionate reminder that while the middle years may fly under the radar, they are foundational—and your presence during this time matters more than you think. LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST: 👉🏻 https://drsherylziegler.com/ 📚 The Crucial Years: The Essential Guide to Mental Health and Modern Puberty in Middle Childhood (Ages 6-12) 📚 Mommy Burnout: How to Reclaim Your Life and Raise Healthier Children in the Process 🎧 Dr. Sheryl's PodCouch FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: 📱 @drsherylziegler 📱 @drsarahbren ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 👉🏻 May 2021 : Declaration of a National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health 👉🏻 Erik Erikson's Stages of Development 👉🏻 The Step-Father Effect CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 263. BTS: How do I respond to my daughter’s “mean girl” behaviors? Is she a bully? 🎧 How to handle peer rejection in early adolescence with Dr. Emily Upshur 🎧 238. Temperament, personality, and parenting: What you do (and don’t) have control over as a parent with Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar
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303. Q&A: My 8-year-old is suddenly refusing to go to school, how should I handle this?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... Not all school refusal looks the same. Learn how to recognize the different types and when it’s time to seek extra support. Understanding the science of anxiety and how these feelings can actually create physical symptoms like tummy aches or headaches. Strategies for getting to the root cause of what may be causing your child’s school refusal so you can address the actual source of the problem. What is "contagion anxiety” and how can this spread through classrooms and schools? When and how to have reflective conversations with your child that will help you form a clearer understanding of what is bothering them - with sample questions you can use to get you started. How to build your child’s distress tolerance and resiliency at a manageable rate, so they are able to cross this hurdle without fully shutting down. A quick primer on SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) and how this is a helpful approach for navigating your child’s anxiety. REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES: 📚 Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD: A Scientifically Proven Program for Parents by Eli R. Lebowitz, PhD 👉🏻 Click here to lean more about support options at Upshur Bren Psychology Group and to schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to learn more about the available resources for your unique needs. ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about school refusal and anxiety with Dr. Erica Miller 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about challenging perfectionism and academic pressures 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)Dr. Eli Lebowitz 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!
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302. Is a Neuropsych Evaluation right for your child? Breaking down the process with Dr. Yael Rothman & Dr. Katia Fredriksen
What if understanding how your child thinks and learns could completely change the way you support them—and help them thrive in the process? Dr. Yael Rothman and Dr. Katia Fredriksen of Neuropsych Moms are joining me this week to demystify neuropsychological evaluations and empower parents with the tools to better understand and advocate for their children. The surprising ways neuropsych testing can help unlock your child’s potential (hint: it’s not just about diagnoses). Why leaning into your child’s strengths matters—and how to do that without tipping into toxic positivity. The conversation around diagnosis that so many parents fear—and why not talking about it might actually be more harmful. The 3 questions to ask yourself to help you determine if you should get your child a neuropsych evaluation and what you can expect from the process once you've made the decision to move forward. Is there an ideal age for children to receive a neuropsych evaluation? The importance of connecting all your child's doctors and mental health providers and why so many parents don't know this is an option. Clearing up some of the most common myths and fears surrounding a diagnosis like ADHD and autism. Before you have a conversation with your child about their diagnosis, what parents should do first. Whether you're wondering if a neuropsych evaluation is right for your child or you're looking for guidance after a diagnosis, tune in now to feel more confident and informed. LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUESTS: https://www.neuropsychmoms.com/ https://stixrud.com/staff/katia-fredriksen/ https://www.rothmanpediatricneuropsychology.com/ READ THEIR BOOKS: 📚 Different Thinkers: ADHD 📚 Different Thinkers: Autism FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: 📱 @neuropsychmoms 📱 @drsarahbren ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: 👉🏻 Private Insurers Must Now Cover Dyslexia Testing in New York 👉🏻 The Brain Building Books 👉🏻 If you're interested in exploring whether your child could benefit from a Neuropsychological Evaluation, CLICK HERE to learn about what we offer at Upshur Bren Psychology Group or SCHEDULE A FREE CALL to learn more about the available resources for your unique needs. CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Treating autism with a strength based approach with Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel 🎧 How to modify traditional sleep strategies for kids with neurodiverse brains with Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown 🎧 ADHD and attachment security with Dr. Norrine Russell
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301. Q&A: How can I help my child handle losing without meltdowns or tears?
Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about... Simple, effective emotion regulation strategies that actually work for 6-year-olds when disappointment over losing takes over—and how to use them in a way that feels supportive, not controlling. When to step in and what to say—a breakdown of the best parenting approaches before, during, and after a game to help your child manage big feelings in the moment (and build skills for the future). The secret to teaching good sportsmanship outside of game time—why some of the most powerful lessons happen when no one’s keeping score. How the exact same words you say to your child can be either validating and invading - and what makes the difference so you can avoid the latter. How to keep things fun while still building resilience—because not every moment needs to be a teaching moment (and knowing when to step back is just as important). Unpacking the root drive of competitiveness in children so you know how to best channel this toward healthy and socially acceptable behaviors. ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE: 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how positive emotions can dysregulate kids too 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about understanding our child's sensory sensitivities with Alyssa Blask Campbell 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about temperament, personality, and parenting with Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about raising emotionally intelligent sons with Ruth Whippman 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!
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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