Jennifer Weberman, Psy.D.

07/24/2026

Can we normalize something?

Sometimes the hardest part of a meltdown isn’t the meltdown.

It’s what happens five minutes later.

Your child wants a hug.

You want everyone to stop touching you.
Both of those things can be true at the same time.

It’s because your nervous systems are recovering on different timelines.

That idea changed the way I think about repair after conflict, and I hope it offers you a little compassion, too.

I wrote more about this in my newest blog (linked in my bio), but I'd love to hear from you first...

When your child reaches for connection after a hard moment, what does your nervous system need?

💜 A hug?
💜 Silence?
💜 Five minutes alone?
💜 Coffee? 😄

03/21/2025

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

I’m launching a monthly newsletter at the end of April, and I’d love to include you!

The newsletter will be a space for: 🧠 Sharing valuable mental health information (parenting, perinatal mental health, and more)
📬 Practice updates
📎 Free downloadable infographics & tools (they'll be pretty, too!)
🎉 Announcements about new online courses and resources

If you’d like to receive it, just drop your email in the comments or message me directly and I’ll add you to the list.

Thank you so much for your support — I can’t wait to share what I’ve been working on!

09/23/2024

Can't tell you how many times I got my kiddo to brush their teeth because I shouted "There's a toilet in your mouth! How many times do I have to tell you not to eat toilets?! Let's get that our of there!" 😂❤️

Great stuff from The Ocuplaytional The Occuplaytional Therapist. Highly recommend following!

03/28/2024

We definitely had some straight talk on this episode of We Need to Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling! Check out the episode wherever you listen to podcasts or on her YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU43lydnYl0

These parents who say their kids came out of the womb with whatever character traits they wish they didn’t have - that is almost always bu****it.

The parent is minimizing the role they play in shaping that child’s environment.
Because we know that environment plays a MUCH larger role in shaping children than any genetic predisposition.

What a genetic predisposition does is it creates a child who is sometimes not an easy fit for the parent. And that is a mandate for the parent to stretch — not to pathologize the child.

You think I’m giving it to you straight right now?
Wait till you hear from on this week’s episode of where we discuss all the ways kids learn

🔗 Link in bio 🔗

03/28/2024

I've been so excited to share this. The fabulous Dr. Darcy Sterling invited me to guest on her new podcast, "We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling". She is a relationship expert (having hosted E! Network's Famously Single and worked as a social worker in NYC for decades) and wanted to look at how our parenting style teaches future relationship skills.

And let me tell you, when we get together, we make magic happen! Our conversation flowed from attachment to fighting in front of the kids to our childhood wounds to airport meltdowns! We laughed, we learned and we challenged each other's views (at 50 minutes we discuss different views on hugs) and heads up...we curse a bit!

You can listen wherever you enjoy podcasts:
We Need to Talk with Dr. Darcy Sterling - Episode 19: The Parenting Episode You Wish Your Parents Had Heard

Or you can watch on YouTube:

We all learn relationship skills in our formative years during childhood — for better or worse. As adults, it’s up to us to assess which of those skills serv...

09/18/2023

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09/08/2023

Empower your child's routines with Picture Schedules! ⏰ From mornings to after school, and even bedtime, these visual guides reduce anxiety and boost confidence. Watch the video to see various ways you can create your own.

And remember, the more you involve your child in the making of the picture schedule, the more invested they will be! Check out my head on the race car and on the popsicle stick! Your kid will get a kick out of seeing themselves in the creation 🙂

07/31/2023

What is your fantasy of family dinner time? Sitting together, sharing a homemade meal and having lovely conversations? I think I saw that on Leave it to Beaver growing up. But I don't know of a family IRL that actually lives that.

In my house, it used to be like this:
"Stop tipping your chair."
"Come back to the table."
"Don't use your sleeve as a napkin."
"But you liked that yesterday??"

No wonder we all had indigestion 😂

If you, like me, needed to let go of that fantasy, please do so! It doesn't serve anyone.
Maybe you have a child that needs movement.
Maybe you have a child that wants the same "safe food" every night.
Maybe different kids need to eat at different times.
Maybe you need to introduce some playfulness.

The more flexibility and creativity you bring, the more you can focus on what's really important:
-Food actually going in their bodies
-Creating positive relationships with mealtime
-Fostering connection

What does meal time look like in your home? Where can you bring flexibility and creativity? Share in the comments!

07/28/2023

Here are six fantastic breathing techniques for kids that can help them relax and unwind. 🌿💫

Technique 1: Feather Breathing
Technique 2: Hot Chocolate Breathing
Technique 3: Glitter Jar Breathing
Technique 4: Star Breathing
Technique 5: Bumble Bee Breathing
Technique 6: Breathing Stick

Any of these exercises can be modified for disabilities. If your child cannot use one of their senses, simply enhance a different sense. If your child cannot sit, they can lay down. If your child cannot hold the object, you can hold it for them.

🌟 Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

07/26/2023

Apologizing to your teenager is crucial for a healthy parent-child bond. It shows humility, vulnerability, and accountability. By acknowledging our mistakes, we model appropriate behavior and teach them that adults can admit imperfections. Apologies validate their emotions and foster connection.

Remember, you're not alone! Follow for more helpful parenting advice. 🌟