“I’m 42 years old,” I told a friend, “and I’ve found one of the biggest joys I’ve ever experienced just now!” She nodded, “That’s wonderful!”

For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamt of ice skating. I’d imagine myself gracefully gliding across the ice as I drove in my car to pick up kids from school. I pictured myself doing fancy, energetic loops on the smooth surface to pumping music and audience applause, while I labored on presentations for work. In the back of my mind, for a long time, there it was — ice skating, always ice skating.

…

It was a well-oiled machine, this COVID vaccine location. In a nondescript government building, only five minutes from my house, was the haven we have all been waiting for. I drove up with trepidation, adjusting the mask on my face as I pulled into the parking lot. A young female attendant with kind eyes (which is all I could see of her, of course) asked if I have an appointment and guided me to the parking area. I could see a small, controlled line of people snaking outside the door. I parked, walked in, and followed the staff's explicit directions…

Over the years, teachers have told my daughter she talks way too much, one even calling her “too inquisitive.” But I’ve learned my 13-year-old’s love of conversing is one of her greatest qualities.

My daughter talks up a storm. She talks excitedly, fast, and often, ideas emitting out of her like lava from a volcano. She bubbles over with excitement, hurrying to get it all out before she’s stopped, interrupted, intersected.

Teachers over the years have told my 13-year-old girl that she talks a lot, raises her hand much too frequently, and asks too many questions. …

My daughter talks up a storm. She talks excitedly, fast, and often, ideas emitting out of her like lava from a volcano. She bubbles over with excitement, hurrying to get it all out before she’s stopped, interrupted, intersected. Teachers over the years have told my 13-year-old girl that she talks a lot, raises her hand much too frequently, asks too many questions. On a feedback form in 6th grade, one of her teachers commented: “She is very bright, but too inquisitive and likes to talk.”

As if being “too inquisitive” is possible.

They say my daughter talks a lot. She…

My daughter talks up a storm. She talks excitedly, fast, and often, ideas emitting out of her like lava from a volcano. She bubbles over with excitement, hurrying to get it all out before she’s stopped, interrupted, intersected. Teachers over the years have told my 13-year-old girl that she talks a lot, raises her hand much too frequently, asks too many questions. On a feedback form in 6th grade, one of her teachers commented: “She is very bright, but too inquisitive and likes to talk.”

As if being “too inquisitive” is possible.

They say my daughter talks a lot. She…

Year after year, it doesn’t get any easier to parent Jewish children in December. Christmas overwhelms our kids, especially those of them in public schools, particularly in the American South. During the month of December — and often much earlier — my two daughters, like all of our kids, are barraged daily with Christmas movie commercials, Christmas songs on the radio (all of which we love!), …

By Alla Umanskiy

Year after year, it doesn’t get any easier to parent Jewish children in December.Christmas overwhelms our kids, especially those of them in public schools, particularly in the American South.During the month of December-and often much earlier-my two daughters, like all of our kids, are barraged daily with Christmas movie commercials, Christmas songs on the radio (all of which we love!), heavy Christmas decorations around the neighborhood, Christmas parties among classmates (admittedly less so this year, but still virtual gift exchanges and so on), and many more accoutrements of this holiday that is spectacular and magical.

But is…

Embarrassingly, I don’t know much about football. It’s embarrassing because my husband is a big sports fan, following various teams loyally on his ESPN app, keeping track of scores, stats, and various other pieces of data. One would think that through osmosis I would have absorbed enough information from him to at least know who will be playing in the Superbowl. Sadly, I did not. I had to look it up a couple of days before the game, in order to be able to maintain at least a somewhat intelligent conversation with coworkers who were much better informed than me.

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