You know the old adage “You are only as happy as your most unhappy child”?… So in the spirit of the Purim holiday, which begins February 25th and celebrates reversals of fortune and turning things on their head (nahafochu!), I think all parents everywhere should embrace a new adage “Let me be as happy as my happiest child!”
Sure there are so many things that we have to worry about:
- Are my kids eating cereal for supper every night?
- Will they ever learn to read?
- What about their social lives, where did all their friends go?
- Are their grades tanking so that all we can hope for them is that they will earn the status as a YouTube aficionado?
Leave Your Worry
Instead of perseverating on the whole laundry list of things that we could be worrying about, let’s throw that all out the window these weeks leading up to Purim. Focus on one of your kids where things are kind of Sababa or just fine with them. Leave your worry at the door and relish in their joy!
When we brought in the month of Adar this past Friday, Jews around the world sang Mi sh’nikhnas adar marbim b’simcha. This is loosely translated as, ‘the ones who bring in the month of Adar, and really recognize the potential it has to unleash within us great joy, they are the ones who increase and magnify joy in the world!’
The Language of Joy
And there is no-one that speaks the language of joy more than children. They are amazed at newly fallen snow and delight when you surprise them. They get excited when hot chocolate is served, and they burst out in laughter when you tickle them like crazy. Joy is so much more accessible to them than it is to so many of us. Let’s have them be our teachers this month.
So in the spirit of Adar, I invite you to take a break from worry, offer yourself a big dose of perspective, and bring in a little levity in your life. Turn to your kids to remind you that there is joy and possibility for laughter. We need that reminder now more than ever.
Happy month of Adar!
Dasee
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