Dedication, Transformation, & Cleansing
12/09/2015 02:00:00 AM
The miracle of the human capacity to refocus, to begin anew, to reconsecrate our deeds to a path of mindful compassion is a cause for wonder, and for real celebration, and we can see that same remarkable burst of insight and vision in this week's Torah reading as well.
We read Parashat Miketz during the celebration of Hanukkah, the commemoration of the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem almost two thousand years ago. In...Read more...
No Rescue Policy for Parents to Encourage Resilience in Children
12/02/2015 02:00:00 AM
“In an effort to promote independence and responsibility, the school encourages a policy based on the premise that choices have natural consequences " both positive and negative. Students often learn best when they learn from their mistakes. If a student forgets an item at home or fails to complete an assignment, for example, parents are asked not to bring items to school. If a parent does bring an item for the student, it will be the...Read more...
7 Scientifically Proven Benefits Of Gratitude That Will Motivate You To Give Thanks Year-Round
11/19/2015 02:00:00 AM
It's that time of year where many people begin thinking about everything they have to be thankful for. Although it's nice to count your blessings on Thanksgiving, being thankful throughout the year could have tremendous benefits on your quality of life.
In fact, gratitude may be one of the most overlooked tools that we all have access to every day. Cultivating gratitude doesn't cost any money and it certainly doesn't take much time,...Read more...
How to Support and Nurture Your Child's Passions
11/12/2015 02:00:00 AM
It's hard to pinpoint exactly when parenting became so difficult and intensely competitive. Parents work exceedingly hard to point their children in one direction or another to help them excel. In doing so, we have taken much of the fun out of being a parent and lost sight of what might make our children truly joyful.
One of the most significant elements of childhood that often gets crushed in the pursuit...Read more...
How To Nurture A Growth Mindset
10/29/2015 02:00:00 AM
According to psychologist Carol Dweck, adults and kids who possess a growth mindset “believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work,” while those people who favor a fixed mindset “believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits.” Having a growth mindset seems to be connected closely with the traits of persistence, resilience and effort " habits we...Read more...
Kids Who ‘Talk Back' Become More Successful Adults
10/28/2015 02:00:00 AM
“Kids talking back” is a perennial complaint in parenthood.
When your kid starts talking back or mouthing off, it pushes your buttons! Staying calm feels incredibly hard, even though you know " in theory " that a calm response is best for everyone involved (as well as your blood pressure).
But what if " (and just go with me here for a moment) " when your kids push back, it is actually great for their...Read more...
Parental Roles: How to Set Healthy Boundaries with Your Child
10/22/2015 02:00:00 AM
People talk a lot about the need for “boundaries,” but what does this word really mean? As a parent, you can think of a boundary as the line you draw around yourself to define where you end and where your child begins. This isn't always easy. And let's face it, kids push the boundaries every day, all the time. They are wired to test us and see how far they can go; it's in their nature. As parents, we sometimes cross boundaries ourselves...Read more...
Play Has Become A Drag for Kids and the Results Aren't Good
10/15/2015 02:00:00 AM
I had a conversation recently with author and radio host Armin Brott about how kids are growing up these days in a climate which diminishes their motivation to do things that should, in principle, be fun, and in the long run serve them well. Case in point: Brott cites data from the National Alliance for Youth Sports suggesting that over 70% of kids have dropped out of sports by age 13, primarily because it's...Read more...
7 Problems I'm Not Going To Solve For My Kids
10/08/2015 02:00:00 AM
Parenting is a weird tension between following your instincts and squashing them. When my son trips and falls, or squabbles with a friend, or is in some way struggling, my first impulse is to solve that problem, immediately: snatch him off the ground and dust off his pants, talk out the argument with the pal, rebuild the tower that collapsed. But as much as the endless discussion of helicopter parents bothers me, I have to frequently remind...Read more...
30 Questions to Ask Your Kid Instead of “How Was Your Day?”
09/30/2015 02:00:00 AM
When I picked my son up from his first day of 4th grade, my usual (enthusiastically delivered) question of “how was your day?” was met with his usual (indifferently delivered) “fine.”
Come on! It's the first day, for crying out loud! Give me something to work with, would you, kid?
The second day, my same question was answered, “well, no one was a jerk.”
That's good…I guess.
I suppose...Read more...
Wed, April 30 2025
2 Iyyar 5785
