Man Serving Hashem … The Center Of Creation
The brothers of Yosef referred to him as the "The Dreamer" (Beraishis 37:19). And, while the brothers seemed to have used the title in a disparaging manner, Yosef's life was, in fact, inextricably tied to dreams.
Listen. Can You Hear That?
Even though Leah is a good conversationalist and smiles constantly, she radiates tension. Her shoulders and eyebrows are noticeably raised, her voice is shrill and her body is stiff. Being around Leah makes many people feel uncomfortable.
Parenting From The Inside Out
Sometimes, it’s hard not to view parenting as a chore. But, if you approach parenting as a burden, you will ultimately stumble because it is impossible to happily carry a burden for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, for a lifetime.
Hey, The Brakes Don’t Work!
Imagine a child on a bicycle speeding downhill. The world is whizzing by. The road takes a sudden curve. The wind whips his face and his eyes blur with tears. Suddenly, he spots a ditch up ahead. He tries to brake − but the brakes don't work! As the bike's momentum increases, it is all he can do to keep from flying off. Obstacles in his path cry out for his attention. Everything seems out of control. What chance does he have to avert the tractor-trailer heading right toward him?
ADHD Tips
What doctors and teachers call hyperactivity can also be called exuberance.
Women In The Workforce
While boys’ toys often involve principles inherent in math and science, girls’ toys focus on imagination and creativity.
BT Parents/FFB Kids (Part I)
Dear Rabbi Horowitz:
What is your advice for ba'alei teshuvah (BT) parents raising frum-from-birth (FFB) children in terms of ensuring that the children are well-integrated, healthy and normal frum Jews? It is sometimes easy for us, as BT parents, to be very strict because of insecurities from our own upbringing and lack of family minhagim. It would be helpful if you offered a few pointers, to be explored with rebbe'im and suited for our family needs.
Thank you.
Is It Bullying?
The boys were all in the schoolyard during recess. A few were playing handball, some chasing each other for tag, and one or two involved in reading a book. Binny was one of the boys playing tag and he accidentally stepped on Chaim’s toe.
Courtroom Drama
There was a time when I thought we would never reach this stage. However, I can now say that we are "courtroom-drama free" – at least in regards to our blended family. The scars remain, the experiences no doubt have changed us, but the constant upheavals no longer control our daily lives.
How To Combat Classroom Bullying
Two months into the school year, Shonnie's enthusiasm for school inexplicably took a nose dive. Her morning routines seemed to take her forever. The 7 year-old reacted to her mother's exasperation by turning sulky and tearful. With increasing frequency she missed the bus and needed to be driven to school.
Social Thinking: Communication And Interaction
The ability to think socially is required prior to the production of social skills.
Break Out Of Your Rut: Think Like A Teen
Siegel explains that there are four ways that the brain is developing during adolescence that provide the groundwork for healthy ways of living.
Selective (Or Elective) Mutism
It makes sense that your daughter’s teachers would not have picked up on this in preschool because children are not often forced to speak in the learning process.
The It Factor
If you have just moved or are entering a new community, the section on representing yourself as an individual can shed light on social interactions.
Making Our Children Feel Loved
Do you love your children? Of course, who doesn’t? Maybe I should rephrase the question: Do your children feel that you love them?
All Alone … Again: Tisha B’Av 5767
"Eichah yashvah vadad - Alas; she sits in solitude" (Eicha 1:1). The haunting words of Megilas Eichah resonate in our hearts and minds as we prepare to sit on the ground this coming Tisha B'Av and commemorate the destruction of the second Beis Hamikdash 1,939 years ago.
Social Thinking: Learning To Adapt To Those Around Us
Unfortunately, for some children, social learning does not happen naturally, especially those with Asperger’s or other disorders on the autism spectrum.
Navigating Social Seas: Equipping Kids With Essential Social Skills
Children and teens often face significant challenges that make school life difficult. Whether it’s the anxiety of meeting new people, the fear of rejection, or the complexities that come with learning differences like ADHD, these struggles can hinder their ability to form meaningful relationships.
Outside The Box
I daven that all of our children should have a true relationship with Hashem.
First, Second, Third: Is It In Your Genes?
Because birth order can affect most children in similar fashion, there are things you can do to help your children overcome weaknesses that birth order has thrown their way.
A Resounding YES For The Dream Team
Electrifying, inspirational, and uplifting are some of the words used to describe the unique concert that took place on Sunday evening, October 26, in the Rose Theater of The Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Stress Relief: From the Pandemic to the Everyday
We need to remind ourselves constantly why we are taking the precautions we are taking. Remembering the reason gives us the strength to move forward.
The Whole-Brain Child: An Effective Approach To Parenting
I have often been talking about parenting the “explosive child” or a child who struggles with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). In that context, I often mention Dr. Ross Greene’s groundbreaking work on using “Plan B.” However, recently, another approach has been gaining popularity. It is from Daniel J. Siegel, MD and is often used to promote “the whole-brain child.”
The Gift That Keeps On Giving: Involving Young Children in Hands-on Chesed Activities
One of the goals we all share as parents and educators is to instill an appreciation for the mitzvah of tzedakah (charity giving) in our children.
I have found that one of the most effective methods of achieving this is to present young children with hands-on opportunities to participate in charity projects that are child-centered and age appropriate. There are those who take the attitude, especially as far as school-based programs for boys are concerned, that these are a distraction from limudim.
Beating The Worry Bug
As children grow, the things that they scare them change, but most children regardless of their age, have rational fears that can be addressed. Just think about yourself – there are things that you still fear even though you are an adult. Of course, there is a difference between rational and irrational fears. So, what fears should you expect from diverse age groups?
Above And Beyond The Court System
After my recent article about the difficult trials divorcing couples face within the court system (Family Issues 1-13-2012), especially when there are children involved, I received a heartfelt e-mail from a grandfather in tremendous pain over the demise of his son’s marriage and the subsequent custody battle over his beloved grandchild.
Academic & Social Skills Insights #16
It’s very possible that you are disorganized because you simply have never tried to be organized. However, there is also the possibility that you are disorganized because you are missing executive function skills.
Pre-Marriage Education: The S.H.A.L.O.M. Workshop
This column usually focuses on the issue of teens at risk and finding ways families can become closer to their children. This week, I turn my attention to one of the most important stages before parenthood: the critical period when couples are engaged.
Girls and Boys: Coping with Stress
Emotional intelligence therefore grounds children as people who can interact positively with others and continue to develop even as the playing field gets more difficult and challenging. This extends to shidduchim as well.
The Cup is Half Full…
It is more than a year since I have seen Chaim K. The last time was when he was hospitalized here at Shaare Zedek’s Pain Clinic with intractable pain. I had kept in touch with him and his doctor, and had recently noticed that he changed his picture on Facebook. When I asked him if he wanted to meet, he answered in the affirmative, and today he “rolled” in smiling.