by Ari Yares | May 12, 2026 | Emotions without Chaos
A parent asks: “How was school?” “Fine.” “What did you do?” “Nothing.” “Did anything interesting happen?” A shrug. Most parents who wonder why teens give one-word answers worry about the same things: Is...
by Ari Yares | Apr 1, 2026 | Jewish Time & Structure, Preventive Parenting
About twenty minutes into the Seder, a child leans over and whispers: “When is dinner?” This is not a failure. It is information. The child has been sitting, listening, and watching adults read from a book for twenty minutes. And they are a child. Planning a Passover...
by Ari Yares | Jun 28, 2017 | Emotions without Chaos, Preventive Parenting, The Innovative Dad Blog
A parent described a moment many families will recognize. Her daughter came home upset about something that happened at school. Before the daughter had finished the first sentence, the parent had already said, “It’s not a big deal. She probably...
by Ari Yares | Mar 22, 2026 | Jewish Time & Structure, Menu Planning, Preventive Parenting
Passover planning for families starts the same way every spring. Someone opens a notebook or pulls up a notes app and begins the list. Chametz to clear. Kitchen to kasher. Menus to build. Guests to confirm. Haggadahs to locate. The Seder plate that has somehow...
by Ari Yares | Sep 18, 2021 | Menu Planning, Recipes, The Innovative Dad Blog
Our friend Isaac introduced us to this recipe from his Bubbie’s catering business. It’s a simple zucchini broth chock full of nutrition and yumminess. 4-5 lbs. zucchini or yellow summer squash 1 large onion 2-3 carrots 2-3 cups chicken broth or consommé...
by Ari Yares | Apr 7, 2022 | Recipes
It’s not Passover in our house unless there is sorbet. This simple, yet elegant dessert cleanses the pallet and serves as a delightful lingering taste before the Afikomen is discovered. It works well with any fruit juice, but our favorite is mango. If you...
by Ari Yares | Oct 24, 2012 | Preventive Parenting, The Innovative Dad Blog, Wicked Parenting Problems
A parent mentioned something in a session recently that I hear often. Every afternoon, the routine is the same. The kid gets in the car. Parent asks how the day was. Kid says, “Good.” Parent asks what happened. Kid says “nothing.” Conversation...
by Ari Yares | Apr 7, 2022 | Recipes
This Passover chocolate cake is so good that you will be tempted to make it even when it’s not Passover. It’s moist, rich, and everything a Passover cake recipe is not supposed to be. Don’t skip the chocolate drizzle. You will regret it. But before...
by Ari Yares | Apr 7, 2022 | Recipes
Every family has a few recipes that survive the years by becoming something slightly different each time. This one came home from a recipe exchange — shared by Rabbi Debi Wechsler. We made it as muffins the first time. Then, as a breakfast cake. Then with chocolate...
by Ari Yares | Mar 12, 2026 | Jewish Time & Structure
Every year, at some point during the Seder, an adult looks across the table and wonders: how do we keep the children engaged? It is the right impulse. But it is the wrong direction. The Passover Seder and children have more in common than most adults realize. It was...
