Yesterday we had our Lunchbreak webinar: “Planting seeds: Tu B’Shevat Lessons in Parenting.”
You can still view it online here after registering.
In our class we discussed how, as parents, we can just plant seeds and lay down the foundation of decency, responsibility and mentschlikeit. We want to teach the principle, Derech Eretz Kadma L’Torah.
It seems like a huge task, but Jewish parents are up for the job. We have a head start because we are family and community-oriented. We care so much about our children, our spouses, our parents, our siblings, our neighbors, our friends and our community.
So how can we plant these seeds? One simple way to do this, is to try to be a more confident parent.
Modern parents, especially mothers, sometimes lack confidence in their parenting abilities and this has taken its toll. Parents need to find a parenting philosophy that works for them and their family. They also need to plant positive seeds in their heads. Mothers often tell themselves, “I am such a bad mother…” This can lead to frustration, anger and loss of self-esteem.
Instead, mothers need to encourage themselves. They need to tell themselves, “I am a good mother…” It sounds silly, but just changing one’s negative self-talk to a positive self-talk can be extremely helpful in changing our mood. Instead of feeling frustrated and angry, they will be calmer, happier and less judgmental.
Once we are happier, calmer and less judgmental, this will carry over into our relationship with our families. We will actually be role modeling how to act like a mentsch. That is one of the best ways to teach our family how to espouse the principle of Derech Eretz Kadma L’Torah.
The words of this author reflect his/her own opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Orthodox Union.