“Im ein ani li, mi li? Aval im ani rak l’atzmi, ma ani?” “If I am not for me, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I?” -Hillel (Pirkei Avos 1:14) We all have own strengths, the things that come naturally to us, that we might even excel… Continue reading Being Your Own Advocate
My kids’ school has this excellent program called “Social Skills.” It teaches them very useful concepts like not interrupting, “friendly talk,” “brave talk,” and other ways of learning how to be in the world, how to deal with their feelings in a healthy way. I love this program because it presents these concepts to kids in… Continue reading You Are Doing Just Fine
A good year! I hope everyone who was observing Yom Kippur experienced a good day of fasting and prayer, in whatever form it took (i.e. at home with the kids, in a new shul, more/less kavannah than last year). May this upcoming year be a year of connection, of happiness, of growth, love and redemption.… Continue reading When There’s No Family In Town
Last week, I got an email from a Rachel Thomas inquiring about guest posting. I’m happy to help out other writers and bloggers, but often pass on guest posts from people I don’t know. When I was perusing her previous work (she wisely included links in her email), I noticed that she is an alumna… Continue reading First Impressions: Finding the Right Babysitter for Your Kids
Help me! That was the subject of an email I recently received from a dear friend. She had just had her third child (mazel tov!), and was now juggling the responsibilities of life with three small children. I think her oldest may be three? Something along those lines. Her email continued: Okay, Rivki…you’ve been… Continue reading A Letter to a Mother of Three Small Children
Just the other day I had one of those blissed-out mommy moments. The kind where I was enjoying motherhood so much it was euphoric. My baby was happily babbling, telling me all about the train he was playing with, helping me open the blinds, cheerfully toddling about the apartment, wide grin on his adorable face.… Continue reading The Truth About Motherhood
I never used to be a homebody. The minute I walked through the door I was itching to get out! A coffee shop, a concert, a jam session, whatever. I loved to be around people, action, excitement. You could say I thrived on it. Now, by the end of the day, I’m hearing the call… Continue reading Getting some Mommy Me-time
Warning: this post contains a high level of gross! Proceed at your own risk. I am not easily grossed out. I like it when my husband gives me gory details of some procedure he did at work. I flip through the pages of his medical journals and don’t wince at the pictures of who-knows-what. I’m… Continue reading Parenting is really gross
So I added this poll back in November, and it just kind of quietly hung out on the sidebar, waiting to be noticed. Here are the results of that noticing: Running things past mom (or dad, maybe) is a clear winner in this case. I think it’s kind of nice that there is still the… Continue reading What’s your take: Who’s your go-to person for your parenting questions
Back in the day, when I was a single girl, I was able to fantasize about what my life would be like after I got married and started a family. My children would be little angels, always cooperating without hesitation, never throwing a tantrum or screaming in public, making my coffee in the morning and… Continue reading Well, this wasn’t exactly how I pictured it
Rivki Silver ~ thoughts & music 