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Is it okay to have different rules for different kids in a blended family? In this Beyond the Sessions Q and A, Dr. Sarah Bren and Dr. Emily Upshur explain why different ages and co parenting plans matter, how to talk about fairness with step siblings, and how transparency can strengthen trust at home.

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389. Q&A: Is it okay to have different rules for different kids in a blended family?

Two children sitting back to back on a couch, showing sibling conflict and fairness tension.

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388. AI, algorithms, and social media: How to protect your child from digital harm and advocate for change with Imran Ahmed

Two preteen boys sitting outdoors on a bench, both absorbed in their smartphones, illustrating screen time and social media use in children.

Social media algorithms are designed to keep kids hooked, and the harms are not accidental. In this episode, Imran Ahmed, founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, explains how platforms amplify harmful content, what parents can realistically do at home, and why your relationship with your child is the most powerful protective factor you have.

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387. Q&A: My child was left out by her friends. Now what?

Two preteen girls whispering to each other outdoors, illustrating the secrecy and social complexity of middle school friendships.

What do you say when your child comes home hurt after being left out by her friends? In this Q&A, Dr. Sarah Bren and Dr. Rebecca Hershberg explain how to support a child through social pain without taking over, what social currency means at this age, and why being a safe haven matters more than fixing it.

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386. PANS and PANDAS explained: Why some children develop sudden OCD, anxiety, or tics after illness with Dr. Nancy O’Hara

Distressed parent sitting on bed with hands on head, reflecting the overwhelm of navigating a child's sudden behavioral changes.

Could a strep infection or virus be behind your child’s sudden OCD, anxiety, or tics? In this episode, pediatrician and PANS/PANDAS expert Dr. Nancy O’Hara explains why these neuropsychiatric symptoms often appear overnight, why they’re frequently missed, and what parents and clinicians can do to help.

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