Timeless Wisdom, Practical Guidance

“Dad, can I have extra computer time?” If you’ve spent much time around kids, you probably know what’s happening. The child didn’t ask Mom because they intuitively know which parent is more likely to give the desired answer. This familiar dynamic may seem trivial, but it can become a painful source of conflict in marriage. Each parent comes to parenting with their own opinions, shaped by their upbringing, temperament, and life experiences. When those differences aren’t worked

Dear Rebecca, I keep getting calls from my six-year-old child’s camp counselor about misbehavior in camp. I’m not there during the day and can’t intervene. What am I supposed to do? Dear Mom on Call, Ouch. Phone calls complaining about our child’s behavior hurt. You are wisely not reacting emotionally or personally. Instead, you’re simply asking what you can do to help the situation. Good for you! You are correct that since you aren’t there during the day, there isn’t much y

The Three Weeks begin with the Seventeenth of Tammuz, a day that reminds us of one of the Jewish people's greatest failures, the Golden Calf. Yet the Talmud teaches that this very failure became the gateway to teshuvah for every generation. Discover how this timeless message offers hope for our own spiritual growth and teaches us how to help our children believe they can always change and grow.

Should I homeschool? Is this the right school? Am I making the best choice for my child? If parenting decisions leave you second-guessing yourself, the story of Yehoshua and the Spies offers a powerful framework for finding clarity, confidence, and trust in both yourself and God.

I love my children and I love spending time with them. I give them attention, play with them, and connect with them. But it is never enough. My kids cling to me all the time and only want to do things with me. I feel overwhelmed and like I need some space for myself.

Dear Rebecca, My ten year old daughter is so negative. She complains about what she doesn’t have that others do and isn’t happy with the good things she has. Her negativity is draining and leaves her, and those of us who have to listen to her, often unhappy. What can I do to help her stop complaining and start seeing the good in her life?

We’re all searching for the parenting elixir, the magic formula that will transform chaotic mornings and exhausting evenings into calm, connection, and clarity: the secret recipe that changes cranky, argumentative children into cheerful and cooperative youth. All of that can be found in the holiday of Shavuot, which begins Thursday evening, the 3338th anniversary of the most critical event in world history: the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. The Jewish nation arrived at Mt

Few things grate on a busy mom’s ears as much as the inevitable whine “Mom, I’m bored!”. But before you jump to respond with suggestions and activities, consider the blessings of boredom. An entertained child is amused by sights and sounds outside of himself. The problem with external amusement is that when the entertainment ends, boredom returns. The answer to boredom isn’t entertainment, but rather to develop an internal spring of creative energy that leads a child to never

Every family is wholly unique, no less than Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, standing alone, entrusted with their own path, their own decisions, and their own sacred work.

Exactly one week ago, we celebrated the wedding of our second son in a joyous and beautiful ceremony in Israel. Since then, we’ve been hosted each night for sheva brachot , festive meals in honor of the bride and groom, lovingly arranged by family and friends. On the way home from the final sheva brachot last night (an unexpected bonus of our return flights being cancelled due to the New York snowstorm was that we were able to participate in all seven celebrations), I realize

How are parents similar to the Maccabees? Let me take you back over two thousand years to uncover a parenting truth within the story of Chanukah. Many people are familiar with the basic storyline. After the Syrian-Greek king attempted to suppress Jewish faith and religious observance, the Maccabees rose up and battled the Greek army until they reclaimed the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple). They removed the idols the enemy had erected and cleaned, repaired, and restored the Templ

This week, Jews around the world celebrate the holiday of Sukkot , the Feast of Tabernacles . For seven days, we eat, relax, and spend...