Most parents want the same thing: a home where children listen, pitch in, and cooperate without every request turning into a battle. But cooperation can feel surprisingly elusive. You ask your child to put on shoes, come to the table, start homework, or clean up toys, and instead of moving things along, you get ignoring, […]
As the school year gets into full swing, our children are busy with homework, tests, and assignments. Some children seem to know exactly how to prepare for a test, while others spend hours studying and still struggle to remember what they’ve learned. One thing we sometimes forget is that studying is a skill. Children aren’t […]
The beginning of the school year is always exciting. There are new teachers, fresh notebooks, and the promise of a new start. But once the excitement wears off and everyone settles into their routines, the realities of school begin to set in. There is homework to complete, tests to study for, and sometimes subjects that […]
The Jewish holidays are right around the corner. Between cooking, cleaning, hosting, and building the sukkah, it’s easy to get swept up in the preparations—and forget that we want our kids looking forward to the holidays too, not just surviving them alongside us. Here are five ways we can make that happen: 1. Don’t Complain […]
1. Name It: It helps to identify transitions out loud, using the word “transition” to describe to our children what’s happening during this time. “After being on vacation for so long for Sukkot, it can be tough to get back into the swing of things. This is a transition time. It feels kind of funny […]
As Jews, we take education seriously—we always have. Every day, in Shema, we reiterate the importance of Jewish education: “Veshinantam L’baneicha.” Nowadays, though, we seem to have taken it to a new level. Every parent seems to be on edge when it comes to their child’s academic performance. We worry when our kids aren’t succeeding […]
Young children are naturally curious. They want to know why the moon follows the car, how birds know where to fly, why some things float and others sink, and what would happen if they mixed every color of paint together. Sometimes their questions delight us, and sometimes the constant stream of “why?” can be exhausting. […]
Knowing how to pray is probably one of the most essential tools a Jew needs to live a meaningful life. It is through prayer that we connect with G-d. It is an anchor in times of trouble. It gives solace, and it is a healthy outlet for our anger at the injustices of life. Prayer […]
Use this time of reflection to think about the values you want to guide your home.
During the Three Weeks and the Nine Days, we spend time thinking about ahavat chinam—loving others without judgment. We often think about extending that love to friends, neighbors, and people in our community. But perhaps the hardest place to practice ahavat chinam is at home—with our spouses, our children, and even with Jews whose lives look different from […]