Parenting

Miven supports parents to navigate whatever their particular family difficulties are. She believes that our least evolved selves come out in family relationships. She can work with new parents on what’s triggered by choices in  baby sleep training, or setting limits with a seemingly unreachable teenager. Miven’s parenting influences include Susan Stiffelman, Magda Gerber, Janet Lansbury, and Wendy Mogel.

Miven can help in a number of difficult areas that families frequently face:

DIVORCE AND SEPARATION
During a separation, divorce, or other major partnership change, kids need help to honestly express their pent-up feelings of sadness, confusion, and loneliness. Parents equally need guidance to be able to receive and understand their children’s experience. Having a warm, neutral person to help create a set of emotional tools or agreements can function like a safety net for the entire family.

CONFLICTING DIAGNOSES
Sometimes Miven is called on to be a sounding board and advisor for parents who are feeling lost amid too many experts in a complex situation. In these cases, she offers her knowledge of child development, parenting resources, schools, and network of other professionals. She can be engaged by parents or other practitioners.

FACILITATING DIALOGUE
Miven is a trained mediator and can facilitate calm dialogue among people in conflict or families undergoing life changes. This ranges from helping parents disclose information to children about terminal illness, suicide, or other traumatic subjects, to happy news about second weddings and new siblings. Miven can guide and manage a conversation that feels too hard or controversial to have alone.