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…)

By Shirin Yadegar

Fleeing Iran with my family was a decision born out of desperation, a leap into the unknown, grasping for safety amidst the rising tide of antisemitism. As a Jewish Iranian woman, my mother sought sanctuary for my brother and I in the United States. Becoming a mother of four daughters, I always thought my girls would always grow free from the shadows of hatred that had darkened my homeland. Yet, the events since October 7 have stirred the embers of old fears, igniting a flame of sorrow and anxiety that wakes me at night. (more…)

By Carolyn Mahboubi

The impact of Perfectionism is like the force of Gravity.

Most (I’m hoping all) of us are aware of it, and ignorance doesn’t shield us from its effects.

In other words, not understanding gravity will not prevent us from falling, and in that way, it’s shockingly similar to perfectionism. You see, not understanding perfectionism won’t shield you from its inevitable psychological and emotional damage. (more…)

By Shirin Yadegar

As the lazy days of summer wind down, the buzz of back-to-school preparations begins to fill the air. August is a crucial month for ensuring a smooth transition from carefree vacation mode to the structured routines of the school year. Here’s how I tackle the challenge of preparing my kids for the upcoming academic year.

1. Organization is Key
One of the first things we focus on in August is getting organized. This includes everything from decluttering school supplies to establishing a daily routine. According to organizational experts, creating designated spaces for backpacks, lunchboxes, and school paperwork can significantly reduce morning chaos. (more…)

By Emily Felt
Before We Held You in Our Arms is a recently released children’s picture book that draws on the love and desire of parenthood long before the baby cuddles and snuggles. Emily Feit, a Los Angeles native and licensed clinical social worker, wrote this book after her long personal journey with infertility. After having her twins through multiple rounds of IVF and her son through surrogacy, she was inspired to write this heartwarming story after she noticed that many children’s books about infertility did not touch on the emotions that go along with the infertility journey. Authoring this book is Emily’s way of helping to open the conversation between parent and child about how much the child was desired before they were born. Gentle and age appropriate, the book is a love story between parent and child. (more…)

I lost my father on August 28, 2022. This is my Father’s Day card to him in heaven.

By Shirin Yadegar

Dear Dad,
This is my second Father’s Day without your sweet smile, soft voice and strong embrace. The words for this card flow with the same rigor of my tears. There is so much lost in the past 22 months. The loss of hearing your genuine love, smelling your sweet scent and listening to your gentle voice. Camille, who you always called the “professor” hasn’t washed your sweatshirt she took from your closet so when she wears it she can hold on to your scent. (more…)

By Angela B.
We’re all familiar with finals season. Most teachers give you notice all year about their final exam. They tell you the things that might appear, give you a multitude of study guides, and yet the final exam always sneaks up on you when you’re least expecting it. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Everyone feels the antsy, jittery rush of May and June. (more…)

By Janis Adams

Whether your child is developmentally ready to make the move from preschool to kindergarten may depend on whether they are successfully mastering some very adult sounding competencies called “executive functioning.”

Executive functioning is a set of skills: the capacity to plan ahead and meet goals, display self-control, follow multiple-set directions even when interrupted, and stay focused despite distractions, among others.

In other words, executive functioning is the ability to prioritize tasks, filter distractions, and control impulses — lofty goals for a preschooler! (more…)

By Nathalie Kunin

What education during Covid has taught us, and how we are applying those lessons to how we educate our children today.

Looking back on schooling during Covid gives many of us PTSD, but we have learned many valuable and positive lessons from this experience. We learned how adaptive and resilient our children are. Most pivoted quickly to virtual learning which illustrates how flexible children can be and that there are many different methods of teaching. While an in-person school setting is ideal for most, we have learned that students can thrive in non-traditional environments.

(more…)