Parenting

Taken from The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: using Jewish teachings to raise self-reliant children, pg. 33-34:

"Through the study and practice of Judaism, I learned that the parents I counseled had fallen into a trap created out of their own good intentions. Determined to give their children everything they needed to ecome 'winners' in this highly competitive culture, they missed out on God's most sacred gift to us: the power and holiness of the present moment and of each child's individuality.
Judaism provides a very different kind of perspective on parenting. By sanctifying the most mundane aspects of the here and now, it teaches us that there is greatness not just in grand and glorious achievements but in our small, everyday efforts and deeds. Judaism shows us that we don't have to be swallowed up by our frenzied, materialistic world--we can take what is valuable from it without being wholly consumed."

I appreciate this reminder to find beauty, meaning, and significance in the most mundane interactions with my kids. In the midst of the craziness of having two kids running around, I want to cherish my moments with them. They are wonderful and I don't want to miss out on 'the power and holiness of the present moment' for each of my uniquely created children.