Dr. Stuart Ablon, director of Think:Kids, joins Dr. Sarah Bren of the Securely Attached podcast to discuss Collaborative Problem Solving. On the Securely Attached podcast, Dr. Bren translates the science of attachment and emotion regulation into practical, doable, and simple strategies parents can implement to make parenting feel easier and more enjoyable.
In this episode they explore:
- Why kids’ struggles are more about lagging skills than lack of motivation.
- The importance of empathy, co-regulation, and relationship-building in reducing conflict.
- The 3 “Plans” parents can choose from when kids aren’t meeting expectations—and how to use them effectively.
- How Collaborative Problem Solving offers a structured yet compassionate alternative to “tough love” or “gentle parenting.”
- Practical ways to use this approach proactively and in the heat of the moment.
- How practicing this method not only improves behavior, but also fosters resilience, flexibility, and stronger parent–child bonds.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or clinician, this conversation offers practical tools and a fresh perspective to help you support kids with understanding, structure, and collaboration.
