Parenting
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The Gift Our Children Give Us
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We think that we shape our children, but parenting also shapes us along the way. We put so much thought into the people our children are becoming. Are they learning responsibility, self-control, kindness, and respect? Are we giving over the right values? How can we help them manage their emotions, handle disappointment, and make better…
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If Your Teen Is Out of School, You’re Not Alone
Sometimes I think…what did I do wrong? And sometimes I think…Hashem sent this challenge specially for us. One mother shares the conflicting thoughts of parenting a struggling teen who’s been in and out of yeshiva. Editor’s Note: While this isn’t the format of a usual Between Carpools post, we felt that the honesty contained here…
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3 Things You Need to Know If You Are Parenting a Complex Kid

This coming Tuesday, October 13th, psychologist Ilyssa Bass, PhD will be hosting a free online event: Meltdowns and More: Navigating the Parenting Journey with Complex Kids and Teens. Dr. Bass has been working with complex kids and families for over 20 years–and this class is an overview of the practical tips and important knowledge she…
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Welcoming a New Member Into Your Family
How to build connection, trust, and warmth from the first time that new son-in-law or daughter-in-law is at your table. There’s a shift in a family that doesn’t happen at a bris or a baby naming: it happens at the wedding. B”H, someone new is sitting at your table, not as a guest and not…
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Helping Our Children Embrace the Gift of a New Year

The message to our children: Don’t look back. Think of the possibilities and look forward to being the person you truly want to be. Rosh Hashanah is a serious time. We stand before Hashem, reflect on the year that has passed, and think about the choices we have made. We speak about teshuva, repentance, taking…
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What Season Are You In Right Now?

Some seasons are just meant for holding on. Some seasons are meant for pushing forward. And some seasons are just for holding back. My niece hurt her ankle recently. Nothing dramatic — just enough that she suddenly couldn’t do what she normally does. Almost overnight, she felt off. Not just bored, but thrown off. She’s…
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Protecting Our Children While Preserving Their Innocence

The best way to bring up the subject of personal privacy and safety with our children is naturally, in the context of our everyday lives. For many years, the idea of teaching young children in our community about personal safety felt uncomfortable. Parents wanted to preserve their children’s innocence, maintain tznius, and shield them from…
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The Last Minute Items You Need for Back to School

You’ve shopped your supply list. But there’s still some things hanging. Here’s some quick clicks to our favorites. And, yes, these items will still come on time! UPDATED FOR 2026 See this post for the top school supplies that teens love. Still looking for a backpack? See our backpack roundup over here. Read this post to prepare your daughter…
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Back-to-School Shopping Survival Guide

It’s a season with a long list, but shopping with your children, whether it’s for clothing or school supplies, doesn’t need to be a struggle. These tools will help. Back-to-school season is here—which means new shoes, clothing, and school supplies. It also means crowded stores, long lines, tired kids, and endless, “Ma, can I have…?”…
Filed under: ParentingTagged with: back to school -
A Parenting Toolkit for Your Highly Sensitive Child

Is your child having a meltdown? These are strategies that work. “Overdramatic.” “Rigid.” “Impossible.” Have these words ever been used to describe your child? Maybe, if you’re being honest, you’ve wondered the same thing yourself. When parenting feels like a constant struggle, it’s easy to assume something is wrong. People may tell you, “You have…




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