Toras Imecha Parsha Parenting

We and our children aren't similar to any one of the four sons, we are all made up of components of each of them. Let's stay away from limiting our family members by labeling them as one type or another.

Just as we partner with Hashem in raising our children, we also need His help making Pesach.

A lesson from Rebbetzin Zahava Braunstein on her yahrtzeit.

Parenting inspiration and suggestions are valuable, but we also need to accept that even without them we are doing a wonderful and important job. The reality of life is that we have an infinite number of terrific things we could do, and a very finite reality of what we will do. And that is more than enough!

Moshe listened and it was good in his eyes... Listening well is an accomplishment we can all strive for.

What can we learn from the way Moshe taught the laws of kosher and non-kosher animals?

Questioning and seeking is literally at the center of the Torah and it is also at the root of learning.

Our unity is because of, not in spite of, our differences. We can embrace each child's uniqueness and allow their individuality to enhance our family unit.

Chag Sameach! Purim can be too much (noise, sugar, freedom) for some kids, but we can still parent proactively on Purim and create limits and structures that allow our kids to thrive and really enjoy the day.

The power of Taanis Esther lies in prayer, and recognizing Hashem's salvation in response to prayer.

The exquisite sensitivity we can show our children by honoring their privacy...

We all want our children to be happy, but chasing that goal won't work. We need to allow our children to feel all emotions including negative ones, and then they will also be able to feel joy.

Our ability to memorize and retain information is slipping. How can we help strengthen our and our children's memory power?

One of our roles is bringing peace, similar to the Korban Shelamim, by balancing everyone in the family and making sure everyone is getting what they need.

Our children watch the sacrifices we make for Torah, and notice whether we're doing them wholeheartedly and with joy or begrudgingly and with complaints. Let's model joy!

Expressing our warmth and delight in our child's existence and closeness is a great gift that gives them security and belonging on a deep level.

Why did Hashem call to Moshe before every instruction? To connect with love. Doing the same with our children creates the conditions where they easily and naturally obey.

Engaging the whole family in chesed, and looking for opportunities for children to do chesed, adds unity and love to the Jewish people.

One suggestion to increase our joy, thereby lifting the mood of the whole family.

Sefer Shmos carries the theme of the Jewish Home from beginning to end.

Sometimes it may seem as if the woman of the house is accomplishing less than the others in her family, but really, all of their accomplishments belong to her too.

Who actually assembled the Mishkan? Rashi shares that Moshe's efforts were important, but not tied to the results. In raising our children, we too, do our hishtadlus, but the results are independent of us.

The Mishkan, and later the Mikdash, are central to Jewish identity, even today. What values are central to your family's identity and culture? What does it mean to your children to be a member of your family?

In order to say yes to our priorities we have to learn to say no to other valuable goals and activities. How can we identify our priorities for today?

The power and gift of renewal we've inherited gives us the strength to see potential and light in the midst of times of struggles.