Field Guide to Families

Studies show the act of writing hones our reflective abilities, stretches our imagination, increases emotional resilience, and alleviates stress. Creative writing is a pursuit.

Trauma

Mending Family Trauma

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on March 12, 2024

As the daughter of a war sergeant, Ellis is a veteran of a war fought at home. In her memoir, she describes a year-long conversation that brings healing to a painful joint history.

As the daughter of a war sergeant, Ellis is a veteran of a war fought at home. In her memoir, she describes a year-long conversation that brings healing to a painful joint history.

Empathy

What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on October 12, 2023

What we expect in moments of suffering is compassion and kindness. You may feel more comfortable giving advice or offering your perspective, but empathy is about others.

What we expect in moments of suffering is compassion and kindness. You may feel more comfortable giving advice or offering your perspective, but empathy is about others.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence in Children

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on October 3, 2023

Generations of children have been taught to shake things off and carry on. They’re building grit and resilience, but also a tacit understanding not to express "big feelings."

Generations of children have been taught to shake things off and carry on. They’re building grit and resilience, but also a tacit understanding not to express "big feelings."

Divorce

Bird Nesting After Divorce

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on April 17, 2023

Unlike the traditional two-home divorce, bird nesting is a child-focused approach to co-parenting, where the children live in the family home after the parents have divorced.

Unlike the traditional two-home divorce, bird nesting is a child-focused approach to co-parenting, where the children live in the family home after the parents have divorced.

Grief

Living With Loss

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on April 12, 2023

Most people think of grief as something that happens after a loved one’s death. But grieving can occur before and during the process of saying goodbye.

Most people think of grief as something that happens after a loved one’s death. But grieving can occur before and during the process of saying goodbye.

Genetics

Coming Clean: How to Talk to Your Children About Your Darkest Secrets

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on November 8, 2022

What if I could tell you your children already know that you’re keeping their painful origin stories from them? It turns out your children may have more than an inkling.

What if I could tell you your children already know that you’re keeping their painful origin stories from them? It turns out your children may have more than an inkling.

Fantasies

Your Brain on Fiction

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on July 8, 2022

Novels with mental health themes provide readers with a unique opportunity to get inside the experience of certain disorders and challenges.

Novels with mental health themes provide readers with a unique opportunity to get inside the experience of certain disorders and challenges.

Education

Learning From a Story About Profound Motherhood

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on January 27, 2022

After a chance encounter with a woman who was visiting her incarcerated son, novelist Jacquelyn Mitchard found the seed for her next novel.

After a chance encounter with a woman who was visiting her incarcerated son, novelist Jacquelyn Mitchard found the seed for her next novel.

Law and Crime

Writing Through the Lens of Motherhood

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on January 26, 2022

Jacquelyn Mitchard is beloved for books that get to the heart of the human condition. Her latest thrusts ordinary people into extraordinary circumstances.

Jacquelyn Mitchard is beloved for books that get to the heart of the human condition. Her latest thrusts ordinary people into extraordinary circumstances.

Addiction

Reading to Help Navigate Addiction

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on December 15, 2021

Exploring our fears or insecurities requires energy and insight. In order to reflect deeply, we need to feel safe to do so. Novels allow readers to do all of this work at a remove.

Exploring our fears or insecurities requires energy and insight. In order to reflect deeply, we need to feel safe to do so. Novels allow readers to do all of this work at a remove.

Career

How the Work of Poe Inspires Us To Use Our Struggles To Strive

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on September 7, 2021

Of all the writers anywhere, Edgar Allen Poe might be the least likely person you'd turn to for advice. Still, though Poe failed again and again, he also persevered.

Of all the writers anywhere, Edgar Allen Poe might be the least likely person you'd turn to for advice. Still, though Poe failed again and again, he also persevered.

Synchronicity

Making Meaning From Loss: Signs and Synchronicities

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on April 23, 2021

An uplifting memoir considers the hope of soulful connections that transcend the boundary between life and death.

An uplifting memoir considers the hope of soulful connections that transcend the boundary between life and death.

Grief

Making Meaning From Loss

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on April 22, 2021

After losing her adult child, one mother searches to find answers to life’s eternal questions: Now what am I for? Why are we here?

After losing her adult child, one mother searches to find answers to life’s eternal questions: Now what am I for? Why are we here?

Resilience

Poets & Resilience

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on February 11, 2021

Poets are uniquely qualified to teach us about resilience. The very act of reflection—making space to sit with difficult emotions—strengthens our ability to recover effectively...

Poets are uniquely qualified to teach us about resilience. The very act of reflection—making space to sit with difficult emotions—strengthens our ability to recover effectively...

Spirituality

Psychological Heroes

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on October 6, 2020

A therapist creates moving portraits of five of her most memorable patients: men and women she considers psychological heroes.

A therapist creates moving portraits of five of her most memorable patients: men and women she considers psychological heroes.

Psychology

Personal Narratives Chart a Path Toward Healing

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on September 18, 2020

A conversation with author Caroline Leavitt.

A conversation with author Caroline Leavitt.

Education

Reopening Schools During a Pandemic

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on July 17, 2020

Some politicians have managed to turn the reopening of schools during the coronavirus pandemic into a partisan issue. But what’s really at stake for children, teachers, and parents?

Some politicians have managed to turn the reopening of schools during the coronavirus pandemic into a partisan issue. But what’s really at stake for children, teachers, and parents?

Stress

Parenting in Uncertain Times

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on March 23, 2020

When stress goes up, relationships may falter. Still, there are ways you can face our new reality while also strengthening your family relationships.

When stress goes up, relationships may falter. Still, there are ways you can face our new reality while also strengthening your family relationships.

Parenting

Family Communication Styles

Lynne Reeves Griffin R.N., M.Ed. on July 1, 2019

It helps to know your communication style and that of your partner(s). While most parents agree parenting together is important, many say that blending styles is the challenge.

It helps to know your communication style and that of your partner(s). While most parents agree parenting together is important, many say that blending styles is the challenge.