From Overwhelmed to Attuned: What to Do with Your Baby & How to Stay Present with Vered Benhorin, MT-BC, LCAT

Vered is a music therapist, psychotherapist, founder of Baby in Tune, and mom of three. Through Baby in Tune, she's helped thousands of parents connect to their baby and feel more confident in their parenting. Vered's music, which gives words to the joyful and complex experience of parenting, has received the Parents' Choice Gold Award and has over 16K monthly listeners. She's trained over fifty practitioners worldwide and has lectured at seminal conferences such as Zero to Three. Her new book, What Do I Do With My Baby All Day?! helps parents find meaningful moments of connection with their baby (Countryman Press/W.W. Norton).  Music, psychology, and motherhood intertwine in simple activities that instill calm, inspire playfulness, and encourage communication between baby and parent.In this conversation, Vered and Alyssa explore the complexities of parenting, discussing the challenges of finding balance between personal identity and motherhood. Vered shares her journey from a music therapist to a parenting expert, emphasizing the need for connection and understanding in the parent-child relationship. She discusses the significance of attachment and exploration in parenting, emphasizing the importance of being present and engaged with children. The discussion also delves into understanding triggers and the importance of authenticity in expressing emotions to children, ultimately aiming to create a nurturing environment that promotes healthy emotional development.Key takeaways:There's a difference between what parenting is and what we wish it to be.Being present with our children is a constant journey.Parenting is about finding moments of connection amidst chaos.The journey of motherhood is about accepting all phases of life. Children are natural explorers and learn through play.Parents should create a safe environment for exploration.Authenticity in emotions teaches children about feelings.Bubble moments are important for creating joyful memories.Parenting is a continuous journey of learning and growth.Soundbites:00:00 Navigating Life Changes and Family Dynamics05:57 The Evolution of Parenting Styles11:47 Finding Presence in Parenting18:03 The Journey of Motherhood and Identity24:09 Creating Secure Attachments with Children29:20 The Importance of Attachment and Exploration36:05 The Explorer State: Engaging with Your Child's Curiosity38:45 Self-Care for Parents: The Foundation of Secure Attachment46:28 Understanding Triggers: The Inner Child Work in Parenting55:14 Authenticity in Parenting: Balancing Emotions and ConnectionEpisode Resources:Vered's music can be found on Spotify/Amazon/iTunes/YouTube. Her classes can be found at www.babyintune.com. Parents can find daily parenting tips on Instagram and TikTok @babyintune.What Do I Do with My Baby All Day?!: Simple Ways to Have the Best First Year Together