Though each of my children has gone through brief phases of packing her own lunch or buying at school, I am, for the most part, our family's lunch packer-in-chief. I estimate that I have packed close to 4,000 so far. It is one of my most dreaded...

Just days ago, my older kid turned 16. Sixteen! That means in addition to driving us crazy, he’s driving himself and his little brother all over town. Said little brother will be 15 pretty soon.  These two above-average mensches are full of thoughts...

It was 2 a.m. in March of 2020, and my daughter and I watched the COVID news while scrolling through Hillel’s College Guide to find schools with a Jewish population. One by one, we went through the list to find a school with a Jewish population....

In case you have been living under a rock, there was a popular challenge on social media recently in which participants posted a photo of themselves 10 years ago, along with a current one. Though I see its pitfalls, I must admit I love social media...

“Mommy, Yoni made me look like a boy!” It was 7 a.m. and I had been up all night with the kids. Finally about 5:30 a.m., things settled and I fell into a deep and much needed sleep. When my daughter came to share this exciting development with...

Thanksgiving and Hanukkah both arrive around the same time this year, and it has made me consider the difference between being grateful for what we have versus craving the things we want. After all, Thanksgiving is a holiday devoted to the concept of...

In the program of the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, which opened last week, you will find a movie that every Jewish family needs to watch: a four-minute short named “Blewish.” The film may be short, but it packs an emotional...

Saying the word “snow” in my house is akin to other four-letter words that are less-than-polite. With the days getting shorter and darker, I like to subject my kids to listening to my off-key rendition of Debbie Boone’s hit from the 70’s, “You...

With the first night of Hanukkah roughly a month away (Hanukkah starts the night of Nov. 28 this year), shoppers are sure to be in the thick of present buying. Why not make things a little easier on them and suggest a great book (or four)? These titles...

Circus Flora When/Where: Through Oct. 31 at the Big Top in Grand Center Virtual/In-person? In-person RSVP required? Tickets for in-person shows are $10- $85 and available at metrotix.com. Description: As Circus Flora’s storytellers will describe,...

Circus Flora When/Where: Through Oct. 31 at the Big Top in Grand Center Virtual/In-person? In-person RSVP required? Tickets for in-person shows are $10- $85 and available at metrotix.com. Description: As Circus Flora’s storytellers will describe,...