True story: The dad took his 7-year-old son to a funky donut shop he had heard about, a shop which took cash only. No credit cards, no Apple Pay. “But Dad, how can we pay for this?” the worried boy asked, fearing he wouldn’t get his donuts. The dad took out his wallet and found a couple of bills. The rest of the story is not important for now. What it does illustrate is today’s kids’ dwindling knowledge of real money. A different parent shared with me that her 6-year-old not only couldn’t … [Read more...] about Kids Don’t Understand Money. Part 1
Parenting
Post Covid Parenting Reboot
All of us who lived through the Covid shut downs will not forget that period in our lives. At first we were kind of grateful for the forced time at home with our families. It was close and cozy and not so bad after all. And then, the world stopped. Weeks morphed into months and months and more months. We all began to see and feel what our children were missing. The losses they experienced were experiencing were real. As the world reopened, slowly our children’s lives have resumed. The … [Read more...] about Post Covid Parenting Reboot
What DO I Say about the War in Israel
“My child just asked me,” a mother wrote, “ ‘Why do people hate the Jews?’ ” Another parent wrote, “I can explain the cause of the war; I can retell history. I cannot explain these atrocities against the Jewish state of Israel. Help me.” A third came this morning. “Thank you for your blog about the War in Israel. It wasn’t enough.” I spent the day today thinking, researching, pondering, digging for answers, talking to colleagues. I even called Rabbi Steve Leder. Rabbis are teachers, … [Read more...] about What DO I Say about the War in Israel
Talking to Your Children About the War in Israel
I absolutely hate that I have to write this blog. There is a war in Israel, and this is the reality of the world in which we must raise our children. But my job is to help and support parents and children. And so I write...again. Wasn’t it only yesterday that I wrote about talking to your children about the War in Ukraine? Having to explain an act of terror or violence or trauma to a child of any age is just plain daunting. As much as we try to shelter them, our children get exposed … [Read more...] about Talking to Your Children About the War in Israel
Back to School for Toddlers to Teens
Going back to school or starting a new school...or just starting school the first time for our littlest ones...is a mixed bag for kids and for their parents. The process and the thoughts about it are seasoned with excitement as well as creeping anxiety. What's a parent to do? For First Timers to Pre School... ...The start can be more emotion filled for the parent than for the child. After all, the child doesn't really know what to expect. The most challenging part is, of course, the … [Read more...] about Back to School for Toddlers to Teens
Do You Love Your Child Enough?
Seems like a ridiculous question, I know. But since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, it feels fitting. One of the lessons our children will learn as they mature is that are lots of different kinds of love… the love for chocolate; the love for your favorite song; the love for your most comfy jeans; the love that grown up partners feel for one another; the love you have for your best pal; …And the deep, enduring love that a parent feels for her … [Read more...] about Do You Love Your Child Enough?