Which of the following situations is disturbing, distracting, or inappropriate in shul? Cracking open a bag of Bamba for a toddler, who proceeds to distribute the contents around the shul Hansel and Gretel style. Shoving chairs right and left while pushing a monster stroller through the … [Read more...]
Birth, Death, Illness, and Breastfeeding
April 18, 2007 by
The other night I attended an evening of prayer and song for the recovery of Penina bat Shimona and her premature baby, Odeya Chana bat Penina. Please keep them in your prayers. At the evening I met a woman from my synagogue, who asked me what I do. When I said that I counsel breastfeeding … [Read more...]
My Favorite Parenting Books
March 1, 2007 by
In honor of Sephardi Lady's excellent post on parenting, or lack thereof, in the Orthodox Jewish community, I present some of my favorite parenting books. All of them promote a close, loving connection with children based on respecting their individual personalities and legitimate needs. Some people … [Read more...]
Close Spacing II: Fertility and Parenting Styles
January 12, 2007 by
Part 1: When Does Chinuch Begin? There is a direct connection between the type of parenting and child spacing. When the baby stays with his mother day and night, nurses on cue without bottles and pacifiers, starts solids gradually at about six months, and spends a good deal of his time either … [Read more...]
Child Spacing, Part 1: When Does Chinuch Begin?
January 12, 2007 by
I believe that mothers need at least a year, if not two, between pregnancies to recover from birth. Both the toddler and baby are also shortchanged with closer spacing. Each family is different and with a lot of help and support, along with an understanding of attachment and infant development, it's … [Read more...]
Breastfeeding Expert Dr. Jack Newman on Marketing, Heroin and More
November 23, 2006 by
Yesterday I went to hear Dr. Jack Newman at the La Leche League Conference for Breastfeeding Professionals at Tel Hashomer hospital. I have summarized some of the more interesting points below. In the context of discussing the International WHO Code of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes (Israel is … [Read more...]
Sex vs. Breastfeeding
October 9, 2006 by
Note: The columns by Rabbi Boteach are no longer available online. Rabbi Boteach urged a mother of an 11-month-old to wean in order to preserve her marriage. I agree with him that having a strong marriage is a top priority. If one or both partners are unhappy the children will suffer, and will … [Read more...]
How to Spend Virtually Nothing When You Have a Baby
September 29, 2006 by
I would like to share my story regarding expenses for infants. In our culture, we are led to believe that babies require a lot of things. There is no reason to "buy in" (pun intended) to this mentality. Disclaimer: I have made the choices that were right for my family at that point in time. I … [Read more...]
No, Emuna, There Are No Lactation Police
July 16, 2006 by
Emuna Braverman on Aish.com, with an article entitled: A Radical Parenting Theory. Quotes are in italics. Discussing lactivism, the editor wrote, "But there is a line, at least in my mind, between supporting the nursing mother and insisting that you know the best thing for her family. … [Read more...]
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