If you grew up without a sister, you can still fill the gap. The letter came addressed to me as “Fave Sister.” This may not sound like a big deal, but to me it was. I don’t have a sister. I always wanted a sister. Being the big sister to my younger brother in our…
relationships
Climate Control When Dealing with Moody People
If you find yourself in the presence of negativity or difficult people, change your mood in these four quick steps. You look out your window, waiting for spring — when the snow melts into a small pond in your yard. At least indoors, you’re in control. Thankfully, thermostats make it simple to keep things steady….
When It’s Not Perfect — But It’s Worth It
If you’re packing up–or inviting guests–for Yom Tov, it’s not always easy. Being emotionally prepared to be spending lots of time with family will make your Yom Tov all the more rewarding. Ten years ago, I wrote about the logistics of moving into your parents’ or in-laws’ home for Yom Tov. Now, after schmoozing it…
Sending Him Back to Yeshiva – with Love That Lasts Beyond Goodbye
You can be there for your son–even when he’s not at home. There’s something tender about packing up again after bein hazmanim. The folded shirts, the snacks tucked into the corner, the tefillin bag checked one more time, it’s all familiar. But behind the packing lists and reminders lies something deeper: The quiet hope that…
How to Talk to Your Teenage Boys
Have you been getting one word answers to your questions? The way with teenage boys is less interrogation, and more invitation. If you’re the mother of a teenage boy, you’ve probably been here: You ask how his day was. “Fine.” You ask what he learned. “Stuff.” You ask if everything’s okay. “Yeah.” (shrug) Suddenly, you’re…
From “Uh-Huh” to “I Totally Get You” – The 3 Levels of Listening
What kind of listener are you? How to turn up the sounds so you really hear when people are speaking to you. You know how sometimes you’re chatting with someone – your bestie over coffee, your kids over supper, or even just a coworker – and you realize you haven’t really heard a word they…
Beyond Tantrums: Shift Your Teen’s Entitlement into Appreciation
Is your teen constantly asking for “stuff?” You can stay true to your values and raise an appreciative vs. entitled teen. One of the most common frustrations parents have with their teens is dealing with what feels like ungratefulness, entitlement, or a self-centered attitude. Parenting teens is already challenging—but when your teen seems spoiled or…
Your Teen & Their Friends
If your teens rather spend time with the friends vs. you now, it’s normal. You can still be involved in their life while giving them space to grow up. Parents may feel mixed emotions as they watch their teens grow up. They are happy, on one hand, that their children are no longer hanging on…
Five Tips for Handling a Moody Teenager
Don’t be frustrated – these five clear, practical tips will help you feel both empowered and empathetic when dealing with your moody teen. Anybody who’s ever been a teenager and anyone who’s ever raised a teenager (all of us, that is) knows that teenagers can get moody. One minute, they’re cheerful and prattling on about…
3 Ways to Connect to Your Teen
There’s so much potential in developing the relationship between you and your almost-adults. These are three easy ways that work wonders. Teens and preteens have always gotten a bad rap. Everybody knows that teenagers are their own separate creation. These days, however, many parents are finding it harder to relate to their teenagers than ever…
