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

- Whether lying is a normal part of child development or a sign of a deeper issue.

- What kids are actually trying to solve when they lie and how understanding that can change the way we respond as parents.

- How lying can function as a stress response, similar to fight, flight, or freeze, especially for kids with still-developing executive functioning skills.

- Why pushing for confessions, lectures, or punishments often backfires, leading to more power struggles and less honesty — and what to say in the moment instead.

- How to teach honesty over time without making your child feel unsafe bringing you the big stuff later on.

If your child has started lying and you find yourself wondering whether this is "normal," whether you should be worried, or how to handle it without condoning the behavior, this episode will help you respond with more calm, clarity, and confidence.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

🗞️ Fight, Flight, Freeze… or Fib?

ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about whether encouraging imagination will lead to lying in the future

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about getting your child to cooperate without using threats

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about why parenting 6-12 year olds is more important now than ever with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler

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!

Independent play expert Lizzie Assa is back on Securely Attached to talk about how play is one of the most powerful ways children can build confidence, creativity, frustration tolerance, and resilience (while parents get a little breathing room back too.)

Together we explore:

- What independent play actually looks like for kids of all ages and what is realistic at each stage.

- Why independent play does not just happen, and how parents can teach it without guilt or power struggles.

- How to create simple "play pockets" in your home that make independent play more likely.

- Signs your child may have too many toys and why toy overload can shut play down.

- Specific phrases, routines, and timing cues that make independent play more successful.

- How to decode what your child's play reveals about their emotional experience and where they might need extra support.

- How independent play might look different for only children versus those playing with siblings.

This episode is designed to leave you with specific ideas you can put into practice immediately, from how to set up play to what to say when you step back, so independent play becomes something that actually works in your day-to-day life.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

🔗 The Workspace for Children

🔗 Substack - The Workplace for Children

📚 But I'm Bored!: Discover the Power of Independent Play to Raise Confident, Resilient Kids

🎧 Listen to Lizzie's first interview on the Securely Attached podcast

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

📱@theworkspaceforchildren

📱@drsarahbren

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

👉 Want 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!

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the best toys to encourage independent play

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about whether fun is the antidote to burnout with Mike Rucker

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode answering if there is a wrong way to encourage independent play

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

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

- Why some children are more sensitive to teasing, how temperament plays a role, and why those kids are often more likely to be targeted by peers.

- How all three hosts, as therapists and parents of sensitive boys, handle teasing and social stress with their own children, including what has helped and what we had to learn the hard way.

- What kids mean when they talk about "rage baiting," how this behavior shows up in friendships, and why it is especially dysregulating for sensitive children.

- Whether a "toughen up" approach ever helps sensitive kids, and what Dr. Sarah learned when her husband's advice to their son worked better than her own.

- How children can learn coping skills for teasing, including when to walk away, when it might be okay to engage, and how to tell the difference.

If your child takes teasing to heart and you worry about how to help without minimizing their feelings, this episode will help you support your sensitive child with more confidence, clarity, 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 "Big Reactors" learn to regulate and manage their intense emotions with Claire Lerner

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about raising sensitive, "spicy," or highly emotional children

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about navigating peer rejection in early adolescence

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!