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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
Sept. 6, 2007
/ 23 Elul, 5767
The Greatest Gift
By
Rabbi S. Binyomin Ginsberg
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
There is a present that every parent can give regardless of one's means. It's one that doesn't cost a dime and can't be bought. Yet it's likely the most valuable: Instilling a positive attitude in the hearts and minds of your children.
Many people post their favorite sayings on the refrigerator door. My mother has a great saying in Yiddish: "Tracht gut, un es vet zein gut." I have the same saying posted on the door of my office, written in English. It says, "Think good and it will be good."
Every parent I know wishes for their children to have a most positive experience in school. School is not and should not be the same fun experience as, say, an amusement park. It should, nevertheless, be a pleasurable experience for all children. Most parents would do whatever is reasonable to make sure that their children are ready for the great experience of school.
While it is reasonable to prepare children for a new school year, many parents go to great extremes. They sacrifice much to buy their children the nicest clothes, the fanciest school supplies and other items to put everything in place for their children to have a successful school year.
I don't want to minimize all of that. But allow me to share the most important thing you can do for your child to ensure a successful school year.
Share with your children positive messages about the school they will be attending. Let them hear that you are excited about the school year. Make sure that they know that your excitement is not because they will now be out of your hair. Rather, they should realize that you are excited because they are going to the school that is best for them and they are so lucky to have the best instructors.
The school that I work at has adopted "pride" as the theme for this school year. One of our teachers suggested that it would be a great benefit if all the members of the school — students, parents and teachers — would feel the pride of being associated with the school. All members should feel that their school is the best and they should feel proud to be associated with and part of the school.
Make that your top priority and you will be amazed at the results.
It is funny, but these things have a tendency of becoming self-fulfilling prophecies. The more you focus on the strengths and highlight the positive attributes of the school, the better the school becomes.
It is acceptable — and actually expected — for parents to have concerns with some aspect of any school. There is no school that can satisfy every request or wish of every parent. While the concerns and issues should be dealt with, the only healthy way is by approaching the school administration directly. It is not necessary, however — indeed, it's actually harmful — for children to be exposed to those concerns and dissatisfactions.
There are numerous ways to instill a positive attitude about school in your children. You will be amazed at the ideas you will come up with as you begin thinking about it. Just remember that you are giving your children the greatest gift — and a priceless one at that!
If you have a child who, for some reason, has already developed a negative attitude about school, there are ways of overcoming this challenge. The most effective technique is for the parents to focus only on the positive. For example, when the child comes home, instead of just asking the child how school was today, ask the child to tell you what the most positive part of school was. This creates an opening for the child to begin sharing positive details about the day in school.
Hopefully, one positive comment will lead to another and another.
May we merit to have much to be positive about and for our children to have a most positive experience in school.
JWR contributor Rabbi S. Binyomin Ginsberg is dean of Torah Academy in Minneapolis and a columnist for Yated Neeman. Comment by clicking here.
© 2007, Yated Neeman
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