At long last I am thrilled to announce that The Gift of Children is now available to pre-order! After months of waiting for printing, shipping, (and shipping delays due to the conflict in the middle east), the books have finally arrived at their destination and will be in stores in a week, with Hashem's help!… Continue reading What we have all been waiting for!
What Really Is Education?
I'd like to talk about education. And I know what you're thinking. You're right - I'm not a teacher, or any sort of professional educator at all. I'm just a mother raising her kids as best as she can. But hear me out. I've learned, over this past decade of raising my children, that I… Continue reading What Really Is Education?
And the Journey Continues…
Dear Friends, I am so grateful to update you that The Gift of Children will be on store shelves (and Amazon) in a matter of weeks, with Hashem's help. I know many of you are waiting to get your copy, so hang in there, and I'll be sure to let you know as soon as… Continue reading And the Journey Continues…
There’s a war in Israel, and I’m not at the rallies
“How are you doing?” my friend asks me, “I mean, with everything that's going on…” I pause for a moment. “I’m fine, Boruch Hashem.” I muster. “Really, more or less the usual.” Honestly, I'm not really following what's going on. That is, what's going on outside of my never-ending and all-encompassing role of mothering my… Continue reading There’s a war in Israel, and I’m not at the rallies
Some great news to share!
Dear friends, I cannot believe it has been over a year since my last update here, and I am grateful for all of your patience. In fact, much has happened in the past year. Above all, we have two wonderful pieces of news to share with you all. First and foremost: On the 25th of… Continue reading Some great news to share!
The Gift of Children is going to print!
Dear friends, Five years have passed since I started this blog. At that point we had four children; last year we were blessed with our seventh beautiful treasure. And I know that without this blog, it wouldn’t be the same. Time and again, I have returned to the words I wrote, to the ideas that… Continue reading The Gift of Children is going to print!
Trust Part III: Trusting the Unnatural
The conversation around having a large family is centered on the concept of bitachon: Trust in G-d. Here I dig a little deeper into what that really means. Read Part 1. and Part 2. The Rebbe has said some radical things, and held some positions that even other Jewish leaders had trouble accepting. One of them… Continue reading Trust Part III: Trusting the Unnatural
Is it rude and close-minded? Or is it something else?
What my children taught me about the power of an exclusively Jewish education.
Maybe I’m Not Good Enough to be a Parent
I don't feel prepared for this. It’s one thing to raise toddlers, who basically need food, sleep, and a generous dose of love. But now it’s getting more complex.
Any Great Party Leaves a Great Mess
Life is a party. Parties make mess. But at the end of the day, it's the good times we remember that make it all worth it.
Why I’ll Never Again Be Ashamed of My Mommy Brain
The kids are finally heading back to real school.Sigh of relief, anyone? It’s been a long summer.I don’t know if my summer was longer or shorter because of the crazy thing that I did. Listen to this: I ran a day camp in my own house. If you thought you remembered me saying I’m NOT… Continue reading Why I’ll Never Again Be Ashamed of My Mommy Brain
Getting enough help… when you really don’t think you can
I have always struggled with cleaning help. With a household of eight, husband who works full-time, and a part time job myself, there's lots of action, lots of mess, and too little cleaning up. I wish I could say it's just the deep cleaning that doesn't happen, but... that wouldn't be totally accurate. Do I… Continue reading Getting enough help… when you really don’t think you can
Trust Part II: Trusting Fate
Yes, G-d takes it upon himself to personally supervise every aspect of my life. It's a beautiful idea, and I think most of us really embrace it. But I think sometimes we forget what the real lesson of Hashgacha Pratis is.
Finding Strength within the Chaos
It felt like a lose-lose situation. Staying home was risky for our sanity. But leaving the house as it was seemed like a pretty bad idea too. Cabin fever won out, and we went.
Oh G-d, this is not what I signed up for!
I'm still reeling. I don’t remember another message that hit me as hard as that announcement on Friday. No. School. For at least a month. In the busiest season of the year. This can’t be real. This is NOT what I signed up for. I’m supposed to be able to send the kids out.I’m supposed to be… Continue reading Oh G-d, this is not what I signed up for!
Choosing Denial
I despise dirty stoves.Dirty counter tops get to me too, as do dirty dishes and pots. And I loathe clutter.But nothing gets under my skin quite like a grimy stove. And yet, this morning, my stove is dirty.I see it, but I pretend that I don't.Instead, I see my 17-month old in his high chair… Continue reading Choosing Denial
So How’s Life with Six Kids?
"I know it's hard now," she said, "but it will get better. It will be worth it in the long run." She has eleven kids. She's talking from experience.
Mama, It’s OK to Rest
Recovering after birth is always a journey... there's always that struggle, that feeling of guilt when we put ourselves in the center for a change. I wrote this three weeks after birth as I talked myself through that struggle.
Trust Part I: Trusting Nature
There are some pretty nice perks to living in Jewish Brooklyn. For one, there's the convenience of having practically any product you'd need available in Kosher or Jewish form, not to mention dozens of restaurants and cafes to choose from for any occasion. And while there’s what to say about its lack of green spaces… Continue reading Trust Part I: Trusting Nature
When It Comes Down to Trust
It’s been a little while since my last post. The main reason for that is the obvious: time. My job has been extra intense recently, and life with five kids is busier than with four. Bedtime now takes longer, depriving me of that precious post-bedtime quiet time I used to depend on. I also haven’t… Continue reading When It Comes Down to Trust