Professionals
Mollie has been a devoted teacher and counselor for many years to the Seattle community. I am thrilled that she has shared the Breakthrough Parenting curriculum with so many people in the Seattle area. Kudos to her and her hard work.
Dr. Jayne Major, author of Breakthrough Parenting
I participated in the WHOA! class as someone who works in the community as an individual and family therapist. I must say, I was very surprised with the curriculum and how responsive the instructor was to working with the diverse personalities and parenting perspectives. I was challenged as an individual in ways that deepened my understanding of myself and my core beliefs around care giving and human behavior. I highly recommend these courses and workshops especially as tensions increase in homes in response to economic stress.
LAC, Family therapist
“Mollie has developed an outstanding parenting program, WHOA (Why Hold to Angry?) Her program provides achievable goals for each family member, insight into the family structure, and is filled with compassion for the unit. Mollie has an engaging interpersonal communication and group presentation style, making her a natural-born facilitator and life coach.”
Anne Leigh, Technical Writer, OMFI, 2012
“Mollie has been an invaluable resource in working with troubled parents. She collaborates well, is clear and concise in relaying information, and has had excellent outcomes with a difficult population”
Marsha Hedrick, owner, Marsha Hedrick PhD, 2012
Mollie’s educational background, teaching style and determined demeanor — combined with an excellent curriculum — enable her to teach parents how to literally come back from the brink. She’ll give you the tools to make positive in-roads in a variety of difficult family situations, resulting in stronger, healthier parents AND children. Whether you need just a little extra parenting advice, or you need to completely restructure your way of parenting due to issues with CPS, the court system, divorce, etc., Break Through Parent Institute [now Break Through Learning Center] is the place to help.
Therapist, Associated Behavioral Health (ABH), Seattle, WA, 2012
Students
“I took both courses of WHOA and Parenting Dignity. Throughout the 6 months, the instructor, Dr. Hughes was very helpful about what I could do to parent my son better, understood our unique needs, and kindly shared her knowledge and useful information with me. I am so grateful that I could take both courses from home, worked on the assignments at my convenience, and received enough support.
I was introduced to the courses by the court order, so they were mandatory for me. I wish these courses were accessible to more parents and others (soon-to-be parents, college students, etc.) so that more parents and children could have happier and mutually respectful relationships and the societies would be more democratic and peaceful”
Participant 2020-21
“Dr. Hughes was absolutely fantastic. She is fair, engaging, pushes you to grow and learn in a comfortable and safe environment. I learned a lot about myself and the philosophies behind democratic parenting. She is a wonderful coach who acknowledges your strengths and helps you improve on your weaknesses with an open and creative mind. I highly recommend the course for all current and future parents!!”
Participant 2021
“Over all I had a great experience with the course and the videos. Dr. Mollie is very strict and determined to make sure I understand the course and know how to apply the parenting techniques. I wish I had taken this course and learn the values that are needed for proper parenting before my marriage was over.”
Participant both classes 2020
I took Mollie’s Why Hang Onto Anger (WHOA) and Parenting Dignity: a Breakthrough Parenting Approach classes for a total of six months. During this time I learned many useful facts and techniques that have come in very handy when dealing with children. This class uses alternative ways and science to teach the students. Mollie pointed out useful ways to look at children differently which made it easier to understand how they work which in turn makes it easier to learn better ways to interact with them. I learned so many useful tactics that I will use on a daily basis for the rest of my life. I am very grateful for what I’ve learned.
Vanessa, 2014
“I entered [WHOA] class with a preconceived idea that once my story was heard, all would fall at my feet praising me for working up to three part-time jobs along with my full time job a year. My teacher would see I was obviously not the problem! In two weeks I began to question my behavior, I started questioning my being gone so much, seeing how that disconnect hurt all [my kids]. The curriculum spoke of concepts that had not been presented to me that way. I was interested, so I read on. I [felt I] had a voice in the class, ‘checking in’ was fantastic for I could express myself, listen to others and offer support. If you are reading my words and are on the fence, go! Take a chance, look at a picture from a different perspective. Open the door to your mind, your heart as well and see what happens. If you can’t do that, at least leave the door unlocked for your children’s sake.”
Jack, 2014
“I learned things here that I will carry with me for the rest of my life!”
R. Black, 2013
I have driven by this place for YEARS-and luckily had a recent family scuffle that made me question where this anger toward my child came from. There are a MILLION books on the subject but, real people and real face time on real issues about how to be a better parent of a volatile child? SIGN ME UP! I should have been here years ago. What a hidden gem! Mollie Hughes has an academic background but she has fostered tons of kids and KNOWS her stuff. In a world all about the needs of kids, she gives some attention to the needs of parents! Phew! She puts us in the driver’s seat to practice real techniques. She makes us question our own histories and childhoods and how we may or may not apply this to our own parenting. You’ll explore, How to apologize and How to parent with dignity? Answer questions like ” Why do I let my child or husband parent me?” What’s refreshing is, she teaches from the heart. She makes you question what it is about family life that is so hard? Does it scare you to raise your voice-why? Her approach is practical face time with other families and some soul searching opportunities to mend the way you were parented and pick up where maybe mom or dad left off? What are your core beliefs? Why don’t they translate to your parenting or interactions with your husband? Mollie will help you answer these and more. If not a better parent, you will be better person!
Patricia, 2012
“Mollie is a very innovative teacher she teaches parenting skills from the perspective of the child and helps the parent learn how to understand the dynamic of the relationship between developmental phases of children and also incorporates the physiology of the brain and how the physical works with the environmental and use very effective strategies to help parents learn how to help their children reach their full potential. My personal favorite was scripted role play; it helped me prepare for the real situations that come up and how to handle them in a better way for my child and myself. I would highly recommend this class for any parent it has something to offer any parent of any parent style
E. Cole, 2012
“The Next Evolution In Human Rights”
Student 2011
“Great for All Invested In Parent-Child Education”
Student 2009
I came to Mollie in Aug. 08 dealing with a lot of conflicting issues within myself, my family, and even my social upbringing. Her course has not only opened my eyes to the importance of raising a healthy and responsible child, it has shown me a better more dignified way of dealing with society as a whole. It has taught me the importance of tolerance and discipline rather than judgment and punishment. But most of all I now have a greater understanding of accountability and universal responsibility. It is in my opinion “the next evolution in human rights”, and is a very necessary course for anyone who is or is going to be a parent and/or counselor. I would also greatly recommend this program to any family courts judge or social services agency.
S. Hannabach, 2008
I would recommend these classes to parents or individuals who plan on becoming parents. I became involved with the classes back in ’07 and still enjoy dropping in from time to time. Mollie’s methods of teaching and class interaction create a positive learning enviroment. You learn as much about yourself as you do your children. Your children are your world, give them the best parent you can by joining the class.
T. Shattuck, 2007