By Carrie Salvatore

You made it through the Terrible Twos—the tantrums, the power struggles, the overwhelming sense of “What now?”; only to find yourself, years later, staring down the next developmental storm: Middle School. And what a storm it is, hopefully this will help you navigagte this voyage.

Welcome to the Terrible “Toos,” Part Two.

Middle School—whether you call it Junior High, the tween years, or simply grades 6 through 8—is a time of profound transformation for children and parents alike. It’s second only to the astonishing growth of the first four years of life. Think back: From birth to age four, your child went from total dependency to walking, talking, and asserting independence at every turn. Now, brace yourself, because you’re about to experience that all over again—only this time, with hormones, identity development, and social dynamics layered on top amidst growing challenges academically at school. (more…)

By Suzie Stern

Over time, after October 7, I heard the voices of Jewish community leaders in the diaspora (thank you for your advocacy and leadership) urging me to be a loud and proud Jew. But I did not feel loud. I felt helpless, weak, and wordless. Proud Jew? Yes. But, what did my Jewishness actually mean to me? I wanted to be a loud and proud Jew, but I didn’t know how – or even fully why.

So, I embarked on a journey of Jewish learning. Thank you to Jewish authors such as Sarah Hurwitz, Zibby Owens, Alan Morinis and others. Thank you Rabbi Leder, Rabbi Hirsch, Rabbi Brous, Rabbi Cosgrove, Rabbi Stutman, Rabbi Buchdahl, Rabbi Wildes and others for your books and podcasts. Keep speaking, keep writing– we need and are counting on you. I have found comfort, wisdom, and guidance in your words. Beyond that, I have found the pathway I was searching for after October 7 as a mother of two wonderful girls. (more…)

Elizabeth Lutsky, MA BCET and Lainie Donnell, MA ET/P

Co-Founders of LiLa Learning, LLC.

After a long, hot summer of lazy days that bleed into night, getting back into a routine at the start of the new school year can feel overwhelming for students and parents alike. Fortunately, we have some tips and strategies to help ease this inevitable, yet exciting, transition.

PICKING YOUR WORKSPACE: It all starts with a well-stocked, functional workspace. We highly recommend getting started before the school year begins. (more…)

By Randi Ball
As a lifelong New Yorker and a mom, I never imagined a place where I could slow down without giving up the rhythm and energy I love. But that’s exactly what I found in The Hamptons. What started as summer weekends eventually turned into a full-time move, and raising my children here has brought balance, beauty, and an unexpected sense of ease to our lives.

Finding Harmony Between Hustle and Hamptons

I still carry that New York hustle—strong coffee, tight schedules, big goals—but here, I’ve learned to move through it with more grace. My days are packed—real estate deals, school runs, client calls—but there’s something about doing it all under a watercolor sky with the sound of the ocean never far off that shifts your whole mindset. (more…)

By Shirin Yadegar

This Mother’s Day, I want to remind all of us: we are not machines.

We were not brought into this world to be Uber drivers, short-order cooks, maids, or tutors. We were brought into this world to create, to laugh, to love, and to live fully. And yet, somewhere between the laundry piles and lunch boxes, we can forget that.

As a mother of four daughters, I’ve learned that our children are always watching. More than listening to what we say, they absorb how we live. They take note of how we treat ourselves, how we treat others, and how we move through the world. And those quiet observations shape them more than any speech ever will. (more…)

By Shirin Yadegar

“Mom, there’s a big fire coming towards our house!” Camille, my 13-year-old, screamed from her room.

I rushed to her side, my heart pounding, and froze when I saw the flames—red and raging—getting closer, too close. I had never seen anything like it before.

“Pack a bag. Be ready to go, just in case we get the alert to evacuate,” I told her, my voice steady even though my insides were in turmoil. Lily, my 15-year-old, was already in tears, her face full of panic. I held her tight, trying to comfort her, while the fire continued its relentless march toward us. (more…)

By Jill Levin

“The greatest things we can give our children are roots and wings.” – W. Hodding Carter II.

As parents, one of our deepest desires is to offer our children a sense of security, love and belonging – the strong roots that allow them to feel grounded and confident in the world. But we must also give them wings – the freedom to explore, learn and grow beyond the familiar. In parenthood we must strike a delicate balance between nurturing our children’s roots and allowing them to spread their wings, take risks and experience life in new and exciting ways.

One of the most powerful ways to give your child those wings is by encouraging them to attend an overnight camp or participate in a specialized overnight summer program. These experiences aren’t just a way for children to fill a few weeks of summer; they are transformative experiences that often stay with them for a lifetime. (more…)

By Ashley Wenter

As parents, we share a universal goal: to protect our children and provide them with a safe environment to grow and thrive. In today’s rapidly changing world, however, that mission feels more urgent and complex than ever. The challenges we face—from emerging threats in schools to the uncertainty of global events—demand a fresh approach to safety and resilience. We need a new safety playbook, one that reflects the realities of our times and starts where all meaningful change begins: at home, with moms leading the way.

As husband-and-wife business owners, Cory and I, combine our unique talents to make schools and places of worship safer for families like yours. Cory’s journey started with service in the Marine Corps, with experience in presidential security, disaster response, and martial arts instruction, before spending 17 years protecting one of the country’s largest synagogues with cutting-edge safety measures, and advanced security training and protocols. I am a former teacher and school administrator, and strive to bring a heartfelt understanding of what educators and families need to feel secure and thrive. Together, we built Pangaea Consulting—a company blending Cory’s safety and security expertise with my educational insight to create practical, effective safety solutions. Our partnership is proof that when strategy meets heart, extraordinary things happen for the people who matter most: our kids.

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By Shirin Yadegar
As we stand on the threshold of 2025, I find myself reflecting on a year that has been both challenging and transformative. The past year has tested us in unimaginable ways, but it has also reinforced the profound strength that comes from standing together as a community. As a proud Jew, a mom, and a firm believer in the power of shared values, I’ve seen firsthand how connection and unity can help us rise above even the darkest moments.

October 7, 2024, is a date that will forever be seared into our hearts. The tragedy and heroism of that day remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of community. For the families of the hostages who are still waiting for their loved ones to return, we must continue to pray, to advocate, and to hope. Let’s keep their stories alive, teaching our children the power of empathy and the importance of standing up for what is right—even when it’s hard. (more…)

By Laura McCann Ramsey

We’ve all heard that routines are crucial for mental health. But let’s take it a step further—what if your routine could be a scented pathway to self-care, stress relief, and emotional balance? Welcome to the world of aromatherapy and chakra balancing, where each breath can be a step toward a better you.

The Power of Small Changes

Mental health routines don’t have to be complicated. It’s the small, consistent actions that make a difference, and with Adoratherapy, we believe those small actions can be intentional breaths—inhales and exhales powered by essential oils designed to reset your mood. Need a boost? Reach for our Chakra Boost roll-ons, your “life coach in a bottle” to guide you through the day. Aligning with the energy of your chakras helps ground those little habits, turning them into transformative moments. (more…)