secrets I just want to comment on R' Drizin's discussion of secrets. I do abuse prevention education in schools in New Jersey. The way we frame this topic is "secrets" vs. "surprises". Some secrets that we think are "bad" may not be so easily identifiable by children as such. However, we've found that children can generally understand the following distinction: a surprise is something mom or dad will find out about soon; a secret is something they're NEVER supposed to find out about. That is not okay. I think this a more helpful and safer way to frame this.
thank you very informative, practical, and crucial for every mother and father to hear. Thank you for posting!
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Leah -13 years ago
Excellent Our children are already grown and most married, so unfortunately your directives are too late for us.
You have explained so many good points very clearly. Don't anyone be fooled by the apparent simplicity of Rabbi Drizin's suggestions!! They are far from simple, altho' they may appear to be obvious.
Specifically he mentions, for the father to spend just 5 minutes a day with each child. From what I have seen this could have spared both my husband and my children much difficulty in their personal lives----and I am not even referring to molestation but just building confidence and personal strength and self esteem!! Yes, fathers are very busy making a living, learning etc and sometimes can forget who they are making a living and learning for!!
Rabbi Drizin--just curious---the reason you mention the father and not the mother is because of the natural closeness of a mother to her children...and any other reasons?? Should a mother also do the same and spend such time one on one with each child, or is it not as important for the mother in terms of molestation, etc ??
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Anonymous -13 years ago
Re: Excellent
Mothers are foundational and as rule they are readily available for their children. Fathers however, need to make an extra effort. If you want to help insure that your children will follow in your footsteps, the father needs to be engaged with his children. engaging means a father needs to spend at least 5 minutes a day, ideally 10 minutes a day, one on one eye to eye, no interruption I.e. No texts no phone calles.
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Moshe -13 years ago
Practical advise Thanks for the talk.
Lots of useful, practical tips for protecting our children.
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A
Anonymous -13 years ago
Abuse in Frum communities There is also much abuse by psychologists -yes even frum ones. I haven't seen this spoken about anywhere, but know of a few stories personally. In one case a frum, lubavitch therapist actually advised a newlywed couple to divorce out of Kibbud Av V'aeim to their parents who oppsed the marriage! This therapist also used an Igros letter to support his decision. Be careful who you go to to help deal with issues, sometimes the psychologists have ulterior motives. Very very sad. And shocking.
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A
Anonymous -13 years ago
Thank you thank you for this. I really learned a lot in terms of speaking to my little boy to help protect him IY"H. please continue to bring us such speeches.
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A
Avraham -13 years ago
Age Hi,
From what age should I teach to my children about this issue ?
Thx.
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A
Anonymous -13 years ago
Re: Age As soon as your children can communicate with you and understand you, start talking to them and educating them about “Okay touch and not Okay touching”.
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mls -13 years ago
lashon hara When children are taught in school that they should not speak lashon hara, what do you tell them so that they are assured that they are not transgressing when sharing their feelings or telling what someone did to them?
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A
Anonymous -13 years ago
Re: lashon hara There are a few exceptional circumstances when Loshon Hara is allowed, or even required. Most notably, tale-barring is required in a Jewish court of law, because it is a mitzvah to give testimony and that mitzvah overrides the general prohibition against tale-bearing. Thus, a person is required to reveal information, even if it is something that was explicitly told in confidence, even if it will harm a person, in a Jewish court of law. A person is also required to reveal information to protect a person from immediate, serious harm. For example, if a person hears that others are plotting to kill someone or being abused he is required to reveal this information. That is another reason why the commandment not to go about as a tale-bearer is juxtaposed with "you shall not stand aside while your fellow's blood is shed”. “Lo Saamod Al Dam Reecho"
Please leave your comment below!
Raffi -13 years ago
secrets
I just want to comment on R' Drizin's discussion of secrets. I do abuse prevention education in schools in New Jersey. The way we frame this topic is "secrets" vs. "surprises". Some secrets that we think are "bad" may not be so easily identifiable by children as such. However, we've found that children can generally understand the following distinction: a surprise is something mom or dad will find out about soon; a secret is something they're NEVER supposed to find out about. That is not okay. I think this a more helpful and safer way to frame this.
Rabbi Raffi Bilek, LSW
www.projectsarah.org
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a fan -13 years ago
wonderful class
what a great class thank you!!!
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Anonymous -13 years ago
HaYom Yom
22 Teves instead of 22 Shvat
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y cohen -13 years ago
thank you
very informative, practical, and crucial for every mother and father to hear. Thank you for posting!
Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.
Leah -13 years ago
Excellent
Our children are already grown and most married, so unfortunately your directives are too late for us.
You have explained so many good points very clearly. Don't anyone be fooled by the apparent simplicity of Rabbi Drizin's suggestions!! They are far from simple, altho' they may appear to be obvious.
Specifically he mentions, for the father to spend just 5 minutes a day with each child. From what I have seen this could have spared both my husband and my children much difficulty in their personal lives----and I am not even referring to molestation but just building confidence and personal strength and self esteem!! Yes, fathers are very busy making a living, learning etc and sometimes can forget who they are making a living and learning for!!
Rabbi Drizin--just curious---the reason you mention the father and not the mother is because of the natural closeness of a mother to her children...and any other reasons?? Should a mother also do the same and spend such time one on one with each child, or is it not as important for the mother in terms of molestation, etc ??
Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.
Anonymous -13 years ago
Re: Excellent
Mothers are foundational and as rule they are readily available for their children. Fathers however, need to make an extra effort. If you want to help insure that your children will follow in your footsteps, the father needs to be engaged with his children. engaging means a father needs to spend at least 5 minutes a day, ideally 10 minutes a day, one on one eye to eye, no interruption I.e. No texts no phone calles.
Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.
Moshe -13 years ago
Practical advise
Thanks for the talk.
Lots of useful, practical tips for protecting our children.
Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.
Anonymous -13 years ago
Abuse in Frum communities
There is also much abuse by psychologists -yes even frum ones. I haven't seen this spoken about anywhere, but know of a few stories personally. In one case a frum, lubavitch therapist actually advised a newlywed couple to divorce out of Kibbud Av V'aeim to their parents who oppsed the marriage! This therapist also used an Igros letter to support his decision. Be careful who you go to to help deal with issues, sometimes the psychologists have ulterior motives. Very very sad. And shocking.
Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.
Anonymous -13 years ago
Thank you
thank you for this. I really learned a lot in terms of speaking to my little boy to help protect him IY"H. please continue to bring us such speeches.
Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.
Avraham -13 years ago
Age
Hi,
From what age should I teach to my children about this issue ?
Thx.
Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.
Anonymous -13 years ago
Re: Age
As soon as your children can communicate with you and understand you, start talking to them and educating them about “Okay touch and not Okay touching”.
Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.
mls -13 years ago
lashon hara
When children are taught in school that they should not speak lashon hara, what do you tell them so that they are assured that they are not transgressing when sharing their feelings or telling what someone did to them?
Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.
Anonymous -13 years ago
Re: lashon hara
There are a few exceptional circumstances when Loshon Hara is allowed, or even required. Most notably, tale-barring is required in a Jewish court of law, because it is a mitzvah to give testimony and that mitzvah overrides the general prohibition against tale-bearing. Thus, a person is required to reveal information, even if it is something that was explicitly told in confidence, even if it will harm a person, in a Jewish court of law. A person is also required to reveal information to protect a person from immediate, serious harm. For example, if a person hears that others are plotting to kill someone or being abused he is required to reveal this information. That is another reason why the commandment not to go about as a tale-bearer is juxtaposed with "you shall not stand aside while your fellow's blood is shed”. “Lo Saamod Al Dam Reecho"
Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.