On Halloween: Let the Kids Play
After last night’s trick-or-treating, Jewish dad Jason Kapel wonders at what point can we just let kids enjoy what Halloween has become?
Tag: "Jewish parenting"
Minnesota Mamaleh: About Help
There have been a frightening number of teenagers killing themselves as a result of being bullied. Read that again. Killing. Themselves. Scared? Me, too.
Minnesota Mamaleh: Zero, Universe: One
People say that the universe keeps doling out the same lessons until we learn them. Do you believe that? I do.
Simchat Torah, Nerves and All
Halfway to the holiday, I start feeling nervous. “Where is Josh going for Simchat Torah?” asks Josh’s father. “I don’t know,” I reply.
Minnesota Mamaleh: Candy Coated Moments
My kids know who celebrates what. But they’re not sure of the sweet meshing required to make the world a better place. Yet.
Minnesota Mamaleh: Judgement, Shmudgement
I see myself as so open minded. But in reality? I only really and truly seek out others who are like me. Ouch. That hurt.
Minnesota Mamaleh: Just This Afternoon
Fall is here. All the signs say it’s true. Backpacks, zipped. Lunches, packed. And new shoes, breaking in. For once, we’re doing what all good Jews do. We’re taking it outside.
Minnesota Mamaleh: About a Bad Day
It’s easy to talk about the halo-glowing parts of being a mom. Ding! But some days just aren’t like that. It does a soul some good to share *those* days, too.
Minnesota Mamaleh: About A Puppy
I am so not an animal person. But that’s what you do when you’re the mom, right? Hold that leash, scoop that poop and love that (new!) dog. Oy.
Minnesota Mamaleh: About Joy
We feel so Minnesotan “roughing it” cabin style. Dishwasher? No. Mosquitoes? Plenty. But shockingly, our getaway was refreshing. Some might even call it joyful.
Minnesota Mamaleh: Slow Religion Anyone?
Many of us are taking a slower approach to our children and our families. I wonder how that would translate to religion and spirituality? Fascinating, right?
Minnesota Mamaleh: Mama, What’s Heaven?
There are many things that I want my kids to take at face value. But most things I want them to question and figure out all on their own. I’m quirky that way.
Minnesota Mamaleh: Yin Yang
I love our food-based religion. Our kitchen? Messy. Our waistlines? Ahem, challenged. But our Judaism? Strong. Because our tummys will never lead us astray.
Minnesota Mamaleh: The Hardest Word
The singing, the play doh, the occasional tantrum. Those I can handle. But making sure that my kids end up nice, kind people? That’s really and truly…hard.
Minnesota Mamaleh: Tradition!
What kids really want, need, crave and create memories around is simply the act of being together. Formal or casual, it all counts. And it’s all sigh-worthy.
Minnesota Mamaleh: Eight Going on Nine
Even I know that change is bitter but sweet, tricky but important. My kids are getting bigger, people and I’m trying to avoid the sniffles as they do.
Minnesota Mamaleh: “Spiritual But Not Religious”
Spirituality and religiosity exist hand in hand. Or separately. Who knew? A few Mamas, Oprah and a new acronym jump in to help muddle through it all.
Minnesota Mamaleh: L’Azazel!
The soccer games and the dirt stained capris? Those, I expected from mommy-hood. But the, ahem, unsavory language? *That* came as a surprise!
Minnesota Mamaleh: High Love, High Control
So much of parenting is based on love. And, admittedly, that’s the easy stuff. But some of it, like teaching your kids about drinking and drugs, is based on fear. And that’s the hard stuff.
Minnesota Mamaleh: About Raising Girls
Our society values oh-so-very many traits. Gentle but tough. Friendly but private. Caring but independent. Confused are you? I think our girls might be, too.
Minnesota Mamaleh: Religion is Coming Home
When something is over-the-top wonderful, you tell everyone all about it right? Books, movies, restaurants? Sure. But religion? For me, that just *can’t* be about “the sell.”
