These days, ours is a home of deep voices and driver’s licenses, responsible summer jobs, man-cave bedrooms, ear-bleedingly loud electric guitar and scant-on-inquiring-minds-want-to-know-details about socializing that is described only as “hanging out with people.” But even as I’ve seen one son off to college and the other at work on applications for his future destination, I am still finding great comfort in the funny, touching, sage advice of Dr. Wendy Mogel, a practicing psychologist and best-selling author.
Back in the day, when I thought the biggest challenges would be in the rear-view mirror if we just made it through first grade, an insightful Seattle Jewish Community School teacher recommended Mogel’s “The Blessing of a Skinned Knee.” I found it to be, in equal parts, humorously incisive, accessibly Jewish and refreshingly pragmatic. “Blessing” is the one parenting book I read cover to cover and kept on my bedside table for years, regularly returning to it for a laugh, or a cry, or both.
If you haven’t yet encountered Wendy Mogel, you’re in for a treat. And, if like me, the skinned knees are under control but the parenting angst still bubbles up even as the empty nest draws closer, check out the good sense (and excellent literary references) of “Your Teen Is No Teacup.”
By Deb Frockt
Deb Frockt is Director of Marketing & Communications. She enjoys baking, beaching and learning about golf, both kinds of football, fashion and pop music from her husband and sons.
