how r u? i am gr8. ttyl ;) Teaching Our Children Writing Skills

Posted on: June 10th, 2009

The abbreviated language of text messaging has entered our everyday lives. While texting is an excellent, quick way to communicate with our friends and family, it is a symptom of a greater issue facing today's students: declining writing skills.

The Formula For Matchmaking

Posted on: June 3rd, 2009

About 10 years ago, I went to Israel for a brief visit and met up with the Kuper family, old friends I hadn't seen for many years.

Chronicles Of Crises In Our Communities – 6/5/09

Posted on: June 3rd, 2009

.

Part 17 – Breaking The Silence

Posted on: May 29th, 2009

Domestic abuse is an issue that affects people of all religious and cultural backgrounds. It is for this reason that most communities today have organizations that will respond to abuse in a manner appropriate for its constituents.

Chronicles Of Crises In Our Communities – 5/29/09

Posted on: May 27th, 2009

.

How To Build Trust

Posted on: May 20th, 2009

Last week, a frum-from-birth mother in one of my classes thanked me for encouraging her to stay home with her last baby (which was her sixth). She said, "Until I met you, I didn't know it was important for babies to be cuddled or held. Thanks to you, I decided to nurse for the first time and it was a wonderful experience. Instead of rushing off to work in the morning, he got a calm mom - at least until I returned to part-time work when he was eight months old."

Chronicles Of Crises In Our Communities – 5/22/09

Posted on: May 20th, 2009

.

Part 16 – Domestic Abuse Checklist

Posted on: May 20th, 2009

In an online article, Lisa Twerski, LCSW, identifies different types of tactics often used by abusers. This is only a partial list, but recognizing even several of these tactics in your own relationship can help you put a name to what has been going on and help clarify events or conversations that until now might [...]

Strep Throat And Anxiety: Is There A Connection?

Posted on: May 13th, 2009

Rachel is a bubbly and adorable 8-year-old girl. From a young age, she was afraid of the dark, but after a minimal amount of coaxing, would eventually go to bed. Outside of the home, Rachel loved school, excelled in her classes, and looked forward to going to school each day. Suddenly, one night, all of this changed. Rachel would not go to bed. She claimed she was afraid of the dark. After four hours of her mother sitting beside her bed, Rachel finally fell asleep; however, she awoke an hour later screaming, "Please don't leave me alone. I can't be alone." Rachel's mother, in an effort to calm her down, spent the night on the floor beside the bed. Even so, Rachel woke about every half-hour to check that her mother was still there.

Chronicles Of Crises In Our Communities – 5/15/09

Posted on: May 13th, 2009

.

Part 15 – Signs of a Controlling Personality

Posted on: May 13th, 2009

Here are some of the ways to know whether you are in a controlling relationship:

Part 14 – How Control Begins and Breeds Resentment

Posted on: May 8th, 2009

In most dating situations it would be highly unlikely for a person to act out in a controlling manner. For example, you would not see a young man rant and rave if his first-time shidduch is five minutes late for a date. Both parties are still in the illusionary phase of the relationship, where they are careful to limit any form of criticism and to maintain an air of civility during all interchanges.

Chronicles Of Crises In Our Communities – 5/08/09

Posted on: May 6th, 2009

.

Part 13 – Reducing Controlling Behavior

Posted on: May 1st, 2009

Controlling behavior may be the #1 reason that your marriage needs first aid. If you are unfamiliar with the topic of control, it’s no surprise. Most people are unaware that control is a major topic for counselors, therapists and psychologists-at-large, which until recently has not entered into the public’s attention.

The Balanced Literacy Debate

Posted on: April 29th, 2009

There is a startling connection between illiteracy and crime. One journalist in The New York Times noted that, "60 percent of the state and federal prison population of 440,000 cannot read above the sixth grade level." In other words, more than half of all criminals would be considered illiterate by modern standards.

Chronicles of Crises In Our Community – 5/01/09

Posted on: April 29th, 2009

.

The Case For Manners In Shidduchim

Posted on: April 29th, 2009

A friend of mine called me recently on her way home from a date. It was 11:30 p.m., and she was walking home from the subway, a 20-minute walk from her home. She said that she had a pleasant time, but was surprised when her date walked her to the subway at the end of the evening and said good night at 11 p.m. "Doesn't he realize that at this late hour he should be escorting me home?" she cried.

Part 12 – Learning To Say That You’re Sorry

Posted on: April 24th, 2009

In marriage, it’s inevitable that sometimes couples will step on each other’s toes; especially during the first year of marriage, where newlyweds find themselves tip-toeing around their spouse’s emotional roadblocks. Don’t forget that it takes time to learn about your spouse’s idiosyncrasies and to learn how to respond in a way that makes them feel at ease.

Chronicles Of Crises In Our Communities – 4/24/09

Posted on: April 22nd, 2009

.

Divorce and its Impact on Young Lives – From the Perspective of a Young Woman

Posted on: April 22nd, 2009

Dear Mom and Dad, Yes, I am addressing you both in the same sentence, because even though you are divorced, to me you are still Mom and Dad. I just want you both to know how much I love you. Things have been really crazy and I need to get a few things off my chest. You being divorced has really been hard on me. I remember how you argued so much that most of the time I parented myself. I was so scared ... When you fought, I felt so invisible.