By Shirin Yadegar

Summer break is an important time to allow our children to relax and take time away from stressful assignments and homework, while still cultivating their curiosity and preventing the summer slide. Here are some ideas that have worked in my household over the years that I want to share with you.

Start a Summer Reading Challenge: Create a reading list with age-appropriate books and set a goal for your child to read a certain number of books during the summer. Discuss the books together and encourage them to express their thoughts and opinions. (more…)

By Shirin Yadegar

Motherhood is a never-ending cycle of wiping noses, cleaning up messes, and trying to remember where you left your sanity. As a mother, you’re constantly tired, constantly busy, and constantly surrounded by a never-ending stream of chaos. It’s like being stuck in a game of “Whack-a-Mole,” where every time you think you’ve got one problem solved, another one pops up. (more…)

By Carolyn Mahboubi

Transformational Coaching takes skill, creativity and commitment. But more than anything else, it takes time.

Can one conversation be full of insights and deeply valuable? Can it be unforgettable and impactful?

Absolutely.
But, when done right, this is life-changing work. And anything worthy takes time. That’s just a fact of life.

Philip is a smart, thoughtful and handsome young man. When we began working together, Philip was receiving his Master’s degree from one of the top universities in the world. But he wasn’t happy. (more…)

By Sonali Bridges

Every year, students look forward to summer break – a chance to unwind, have fun, enjoy time with family, and maybe make new friends at summer camp. In high school; however, the plan for summer starts to feel like it might carry a bit more weight than just having a good time. But how do colleges really view those few months between school years and how can students endeavor to use that time fruitfully?

In talking to students and parents each year, we often hear the same myths continually passed around. Things like students must have a certain number of service hours, or have to try a sport, or even that students should do a summer program at the college they wish to get into. Avoid the rumor mill; instead, students should view the summer as an opportunity to try on something they may not have the time or ability to do during the school year. What colleges really want to see from a student’s summer is that they’ve been productive, but that productivity is not narrowly defined. The activity or activities should be meaningful to the student and align well with their interests or needs. If it seems too early in this brand new year to be thinking about the summer, you’ve been fairly warned – many summer programs that require applications begin taking them (and may even have deadlines) in January! Below, we’ve shared our top recommendations for using summer like a pro (and why) – many students may do more than one in a single summer: (more…)

By Dorin Esfahani

Magen David Adom (literally Red Shield of David) is Israel’s national emergency medical service. It is also the country’s sole blood-services provider for Israel’s hospitals and defense forces. And, as a Red Cross affiliate, Magen David Adom responds to disasters around the world, including most recently in Ukraine.

But few people may know that Magen David Adom (MDA) operates and is home to Israel’s national and only human milk bank. Many premature infants can’t tolerate any other food source because of their underdeveloped digestive and immune systems. But for many reasons, mothers of preemies are not always able to provide their own milk. (more…)