A Torah Perspective On Educating Our Children About Sexuality (Part III)
While it once may have been possible to shelter our children from inappropriate exposure to sexuality, today it seems to be an impossible goal. Even parents who have made every effort to appropriately safeguard their family may find themselves unhappily surprised at what their child's friends have exposed him to. In addition, outdoor secular media such as billboards, bus ads and newspaper covers portray disturbingly graphic images that force us to confront the fact that our children are being exposed to ideas and ways of life we may consider to be harmful to their souls and their mental health.
Teens Who Give Up Their Religion
Let's look at an example of how mentoring improved the life of a teenager who had given up observing Jewish tradition.
Choices
In most homes, as women prepare to join the Seder (hopefully, somewhat rested), the anticipatory anxiety associated with the "P" word (pre-Pesach angst) is no longer. The cleaning, preparations, shopping and cooking are now a thing of the past. And finally, the Hagaddah's legacy of yetzias Mitzrayim (exodus from Egypt) takes front stage.
On The Same Page (Part I)
When verbalized in connection with parenting, the idiomatic expression, on the same page, at times, is misunderstood. Some people believe the term implies total agreement where one of the spouses gives up his/her right to disagree on an opinion, decision or direction s/he wishes to follow. In truth, while "agreement" is definitely implied, the undercurrent is one of a supportive nature.
Bully Roundtable: Ask The Experts
As the director of SOS (Strategies of Optimal Success), I see children, teenagers, and adults struggling with bully issues.
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.
Handwriting: What’s The Point?
Children develop at different rates – they say their first words, take their first steps, toilet train, read their first word, and lose their first tooth at different times.
Engaging Our Young
Dr. Yael Respler is taking a well-deserved vacation this week and asked Eilon Even-Esh to share some thoughts with her readers in her stead.
Shabbat Guests
Rabbi Horowitz:
We have very different views on the issue of having guests over for Shabbat meals.
The Science Of Making Friends (and Shidduchim)
She says that most people believe that making friends is an art.
Do You Communicate Or Connect – What’s The Difference?
If you enter a conversation, whether it is one-on-one, in a group, or in front of an audience and you are unprepared, uncommitted, uninteresting, or uncomfortable, most people will pick up on this right away.
Attachment Parenting: What’s It All About?
She wasn’t paying attention to what the child did when the mother was not in the room. Rather, her main focus was on what the child did when the mother returned.
Midwinter Break
Dear Rabbi Horowitz:
We find ourselves faced with an increasingly challenging experience each year when midwinter break comes around. Some of our children's friends go on expensive vacations with their families, and our kids are asking us to send them on similar trips. Our children are respectful whenever they discuss this with us, but there is a clear sense that they feel "left out" because they don't go to the exotic location like some of their friends.
Literacy Illuminated (Part II)
Like most first grade classrooms, the one I was observing had students with multiple reading levels. Accordingly, the head teacher had divided the students into different groups so that they could practice skills that were relevant to all members of the small group.
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.
Really Anxious That Your Child Is Anxious?
As most parents only want their children to enjoy and succeed, they feel a lot of pain when their child seems to miss out on so many of life’s rewards because they are scared of something.
De-escalating Crises at Home
Mr. and Mrs. S. came into the office with their ten-year-old daughter, Sharon. They were very distraught and had numerous complaints about Sharon’s behaviors. Not only was she having problems academically and behaviorally in school, but they also complained that every time they asked Sharon to do something at home it became a major altercation.
Test Him Before He Fails
Parents often bring children into my office when they are already failing several subjects in school. These students are dejected, frustrated, and often depressed. They believe that because of their past performance, they will never succeed in school. It is not strange that constant effort and subsequent failure have taught them to believe that failure is the only option.
The Road To Character
All of us wish to act in kind, compassionate and intelligent ways. We all wish to build character.
You’re Hovering!*
I was all excited that afternoon! I was 5 years old, and Bubby was coming to our house. We didn't see her often and I loved her so very much.
Finally I heard Mummy call: "Bubby is arriving. The airport taxi just pulled up to the driveway."
Change Is… Scary!
NFL coach Bill Parcells in Harvard Business Review wrote, “When you set small, visible goals, and people achieve them, they start to get it into their heads that they can succeed.”
Getting To Dry Causes and Treatment for Bedwetting
It is important that your child not feel ashamed. He should understand that it is something you will work with him to overcome.
Teenage Internet Addiction
Is Internet addiction the main cause of today's at-risk crisis? It's a topic most people shy away from, but it's one that needs to be addressed. Everyday more and more teens are getting hooked on the Internet and the effect of surfing may be taking its toll on our youth.
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.
Multi-Generation Blended Family
Multi-generational families are making a comeback these days. For some the choice is made out of necessity because of the unstable economy, for others it is due to the physical needs of either the younger generation or aging parents. And then sometimes the decision to live this way is out of a mutual desire to be full and present participants in extended family life. For us it was a combination of factors that brought us to this point.
Boys And Reading: Is There Any Hope?
In a recent New York Times article, Robert Lipsyte, a sports author, posed the following question: “Boys and Reading: Is There Any Hope?” For years, I have been dealing with this question in my office. In fact, the U.S. Department of Education’s reading tests for the last thirty years show boys scoring worse than girls in every age group, every year.
Changing Schools (Conclusion)
Our 12-year-old son is not doing well in his 7th grade local yeshiva class.
We are considering moving him to another local yeshiva in mid-year, as things are rapidly deteriorating. We are not asking for specific advice, as you do not know him or us. But can you share with us what questions to ask and answers to give when making this difficult decision?
Names Withheld
Summer Break
Just like your arm muscles need sleep to recharge and rest, your willpower needs the same.
Helping Our Children Deal With Tragedy (Conclusion)
Dear Rabbi Horowitz:
We are all aware of the terrible churban that recently took place in Yerushalayim's Merkaz HaRav yeshiva, where eight precious neshamas were taken from us.
Keeping Our Children Safe
How do we teach our children to keep themselves safe from the adult predators in our midst? Are our schools teaching them what they need to know? Are parents teaching our youth what they need to know? Does your child feel safe enough to approach you if their personal space is being invaded? How do you know?