Hannahs Family Center
by SUSAN GRIFFIN, LMFT AND DENNIS WONG, PHD No matter what, we must listen to our children – actively and closely. Positive parenting requires the willingness to consistently listen to your children. And that’s not easy sometimes. First, our little ones speak a different language from us. They speak in metaphors, symbols, and animalese. […]
by SUSAN GRIFFIN, LMFT AND DENNIS WONG, PHD Encouragement is an important element of positive and effective parenting. Deliver Encouragement Frequently is so obvious, yet difficult to do in the midst of our busy daily lives. We know our children need support from us. And we want to provide both emotional and physical nurturing […]
Children can imagine incredible possibilities long before they can handle reality. Whether it is a 2-year-old contemplating a huge flight of concrete stairs with the thought of climbing them all alone, or a 12-year-old contemplating the same steps with the thought of jumping down them on a bicycle, the impulse for challenge, growth, and independence […]
For the sake of our children, it is actually better for parents to take action and talk less. Act first and talk later. Parents spend far too much time explaining and reasoning with kids, rather than taking action. Try “get off the top of the refrigerator NOW” instead of “how many times have I told […]
By SUSAN GRIFFIN PART I: Co-Parenting Is for Every Parent What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “Co-Parenting”? The first word that comes to mind for all too many is “divorce.” In the United States, the word Co-Parenting is thought of as a parenting situation in which […]
By SUSAN GRIFFIN Dads Resource and Support Group has been meeting every Wednesday from 5:30pm to 7pm since May 2013. We have a combination of dads who have been in the group for 1 year or longer, for several months, for a few months, and new participants. The group is co-facilitated by two masters level clinicians […]
by SUSAN GRIFFIN, LMFT AND DENNIS WONG, PHD Parental separation or divorce can be devastating to a child’s sense of security about him or herself and the world. Fears abound. “Is it my fault?” “Is there something I can do to make them stay together?” “If they can quit loving each other, will they quit […]
Hannah’s House provides services to diverse families. One type of family we serve involves parents who are going through Family Court and are deeply affected by the breakup of their family. They are often confused and stressed when they receive court orders for supervised visitation or safe exchanges. These court orders are not easily understood […]
By SUSAN GRIFFIN What is the best way to help children make a healthy transition from living in one home to living in two homes? Simple: Keep the routine. When parents separate, it is important for children to stay in a daily routine with as few changes as possible so children have the energy for […]
By SUSAN GRIFFIN Some researchers on divorce and family breakup in high conflict families have looked at the question many parents ask. Is it better for the children if the parents separate? Or is it better for the children if the parents stay together? The answer? Conflict and negativity harm children. Hostility and parental warmth […]