We used to take rain walks, and I’d let her jump up and down in the puddles. Some days, we’d make up silly songs. After visiting the doctor, especially if vaccinations were involved, I’d get her a chocolate chip cookie from the bakery down the street. There were weekly library trips. We’d check out picture…
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Parenting
Parenting
As a new parent, I craved routine
I remember talking to another mom during the delirious, exhausting period when my son was a newborn. “There’s no schedule,” I said of my 2-month-old son’s…
Mixed & Matched
Our grandson will be raised Catholic. How do we adjust?
Dear Dawn: My husband, Bob, and I are Jewish and we raised our two boys Jewish at a Reform synagogue. Now our youngest has married a lovely Catholic woman…
Parenting
My kids’ preschool teacher left an impression and beautiful legacy
The memory of her makes me smile, as it always does, and I wish, as I always do, that I could call her and tell her. I would tell her that we remember her…
Parenting
The games people play — and the ones my 5-year-old inflicts on them
Games have always been a big part of my relationship with my husband. When we were in college, we played endless hands of gin rummy, and we kept an…
Parenting
'Screens down. NOW! Time for school.'
I knew something was awry because it was quiet. Too quiet. In a house full of kids and a very vocal dachshund, I often crave quiet. I long for moments…
Parenting
It’s getting harder to pretend away school shootings
When 20 children and six adults were slaughtered at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012, my husband came home early from work. We were new…
Parenting
College-bound but still a teenager, and life changes again
The expletive that burst from his mouth was shocking, but only for a moment. I shook my head and even allowed myself a small smile. I didn’t yet know why…
Parenting
On shul-shopping with kids. Why silo us off into ‘family programming’?
It feels like I have been spending time in a lot of synagogue basements lately. Well, a handful. My family moved to Brooklyn less than a year ago, and in…