“Maybe it’s time to stop bashing the seminaries (especially if we’re going to send our girls to them anyway)”
My 13-year-old son happened across the Know This about a woman suffering from misophonia, a sensitivity to particular sounds. I’ve never seen anyone light up like that! “This, this,” he said. “I think I have this. You know how I always complain about Dovi slurping his soup on Friday nights? It makes me feel like the lady in the article said.”
Wow, that took me by surprise. I’d always thought he was just being a brat and picking on his brother. I hadn’t imagined just how distressing the slurping sounds were to him and how much self-control it probably took for him not to react angrily. Well, we rearranged our Shabbos table this week and we’ve seated him on the other side of the table from his brother. Does anyone have any other suggestions I can implement to make this easier for him?
Y.K.
Lakewood
I was really moved by Rabbi Seplowitz’s advice when dealing with elderly parents with dementia to “deal with their reality, and speak to them in those terms.” My very elderly mother lives with me and is experiencing significant cognitive impairment. I usually try to reason with her and (respectfully) get her to see things as they really are. For example, she often wants to get dressed in Shabbos clothes during the week, and light candles. After I read Rabbi Seplowitz’s words, I tried a different approach and instead of trying to prove to her that it was Sunday afternoon, I helped her put on lipstick and perfume, and pushed her wheelchair to the sideboard and lit candles with her. On one hand, it was heartbreaking to go through this charade; on the other hand, seeing her palpable relief that she was lighting candles “on time” was very rewarding. Even though it seems comical, I think this will be my modus operandi from now on. Thank you Family First and Rabbi Seplowitz.
J.B.
London
To the woman who asks why people send their kids to seminary and then undermine it, thank you.
Create a free account to keep reading.
