{"podcast":{"title":"Securely Attached","slug":"securely-attached-4474030","podcast_index_feed_id":4474030,"rss_url":"https://securelyattached.libsyn.com/rss","website_url":"https://drsarahbren.com/securely-attached-podcast","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/4/0/e/9/40e91292d34d26f7e55e3c100dce7605/Design_1_Final.png","author":"Dr. Sarah Bren","episode_count":423,"summary":"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…","last_synced_at":"2026-06-18T18:19:44.542224+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/securely-attached-4474030"},"episode":{"title":"Q&A: How do I help my toddler cope with an absent parent?","slug":"q-a-how-do-i-help-my-toddler-cope-with-an-absent-parent","published_at":"2026-05-14T13:43:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/securely-attached-4474030/q-a-how-do-i-help-my-toddler-cope-with-an-absent-parent","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/securely-attached-4474030","url":"https://drsarahbren.com/411-qa-how-do-i-help-my-toddler-cope-with-an-absent-parent","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/clean/secure/securelyattached/411_BTS_NoDad_v2.mp3?dest-id=2868554","summary":"Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... What the research actually says about attachment and why one strong, secure relationship is enough for healthy development. Why your child asking for the other parent may actually be a sign of a secure attachment, not a problem. How toddler development (around age 2) shapes their awareness of family structure and separation. How to talk about an absent parent in a way that is simple, neutral, and developmentally appropriate. The importance of naming and validating your child's feelings, like sadness, curiosity, or confusion. How your own emotional responses can influence how often your child brings this topic up. Why these questions often show up at bedtime and how to respond while still holding bedtime boundaries. This episode will help you feel more grounded and reassured in your role as a parent, and more confident in how to support your child through big feelings, hard questions, and family differences in a way that strengthens your connection. REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES: 👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers in-person and virtual 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 fostering secure attachment 🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to support children experiencing abandonment or separation from a parent WE WANT TO HEAR FRO…","meta_description":"Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg, Dr. Emily Upshur, and I talk about... What the research…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1271,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/securely-attached-4474030/episodes/q-a-how-do-i-help-my-toddler-cope-with-an-absent-parent/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/securely-attached-4474030/q-a-how-do-i-help-my-toddler-cope-with-an-absent-parent.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}