Q&A: Am I wrong...or did my doctor give bad parenting advice?

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

• What to make of advice that tells you not to comfort your child when they're distressed.

• Why a frightened toddler at the doctor's office is communicating something very different than "bad behavior."

• The common misunderstanding about reinforcement that leaves many parents second-guessing themselves.

• Whether responding to your child's fears actually makes them more dependent or "too attached."

• How to know when it's okay to trust your instincts, even when they conflict with advice from an authority figure.

• What attachment research actually says about soothing, separation, and healthy independence.

• Why one difficult interaction doesn't have to become something you worry about "damaging" your child.

If you've ever left a doctor's appointment feeling unsettled by advice that didn't sit right, or found yourself wondering whether comforting your child is helping or hurting, this episode will give you the confidence to better understand what's happening beneath your child's behavior and trust your instincts as a parent.

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.

🎧 Is it better for my kids if I send them to daycare, have a nanny, or become a stay-at-home mom?

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode with the basics of attachment theory

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode with a deep dive into strengthening your child's attachment as they grow: What children need from us at every stage of development

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how secure attachment influences children's ability to make sense of their experiences and cope in the face of adversity with Dr. Alan Sroufe

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!