It’s really not fun to listen to a child complaining. But it’s more manageable when we know how to handle it. I’ve always had a hard time with my kid’s complaints. It brought up a lot of feelings, unpleasant feelings such as, “I didn’t do enough.” Or, “I’m spoiling her. Can’t she just get on…
parenting
Why Even a Mess Is a Blessing
This is my new perspective on dealing with all the bumps that come with motherhood. On a recent Motzaei Shabbos, I experienced an epiphanic moment. I had just finished reciting G-tt fun Avraham, the tefillah where I beseeched the Ribono shel Olam to send us a week of bracha, hatzlacha, and an array of blessings….
A Child Went Behind His Mother’s Back. Rabbi Brezak Explains How to Respond.
If your child is doing dangerous things, often punishing doesn’t work. This is what does. Parenting Challenge: We allow my seven-year-old to ride his bike near the house. Our street is very long, and we let him go down the entire street; but he knows he has to stay near the house and come home…
Does Your Child Always Complain, “I’m Bored!”
Maybe now you’ll have a response. If you type the word bored in the bcp search bar, the first few posts include ways to entertain bored kids. We have a post on a bored jar, ideas for a bored tween (written by a tween), ideas of things for bored kids to do on vacation, and…
How to Handle That Dinnertime Tantrum
Your child is throwing a fit because he doesn’t like your dinner and he won’t eat it. So, what do you do? What is the most effective way to parent in the following scenario? A seven-year-old boy consistently “drives his mother crazy.” He came home one night and asked what was for supper. “Chicken and…
This is the Best Way to Say “No” to a Child
There’s a reason why we tell our children “No.” And it’s not because we’re a mean Mommy. One day last year, my friend and I were walking home from the park together with our kids. As we strolled and chatted, the little ones started running ahead. When they approached the one street we needed to…
Have a Parenting Question? Need Personal Guidance? This is the Number to Call
For decades, Susan Lamm and Sterna Lerman of Torah u’Mesorah’s Counterforce have been guiding parents. Now, they’ve launched a new helpline to give you the tools you need to deal with any issue, big or small. Lots of us attend parenting classes. But what do you do when you need more personal attention, and a…
Why Punishment and Rewards Don’t Really Work With Our Kids
Punishments, rewards, threats and bribes may not be the best solution. Why do we always resort to that and what are our alternatives? Generation after generation, humanity has taught that good behavior should be rewarded (do good and earn a sticker or a prize!) while bad behavior will be punished (time outs and detention). We…
The Problem with Melatonin (And How to Fix It Without Melatonin!)
If a mom can’t get her kids to fall asleep, what else is she supposed to do? If we were sitting in a physical room right now, and I’d asked you how many of you have heard of melatonin, I’m guessing all hands would go up. And if I’d asked how many of you have…
How to Be Firm with a Child without Overpowering Them
You don’t need to fight or overpower a child when they’re not listening. This is what to do instead. In our last discussion in this post we wrote that being firm can be good for a child. We also wrote that fighting with a child is not chinuch. We explained the difference. Fighting means when…