In Episode #29 of the Optimizing Mothers podcast, host Mrs. Sara Blau explores the topic of  parenting our children with intention with guest Mrs. Nechoma Itkin. Mrs. Itkin shares her perspective on how every detail in chinuch should be thought out. From visiting malls during the holiday season, deciding if her daughters can go ice skating and choosing which homes her children can visit, every decision was meticulously planned. My child is very smart and bored in class. What should I do? How can I maintain a high standard at home if not all my children are up to it? Find out more in Episode 29, “Intentional Parenting”:  

In Episode 35 of the Optimizing Mothers Podcast, host Mrs. Sara Blau sits down with Mrs. Gavriella Aber for a conversation on being honest with our children.  Mrs. Aber emphasizes how developing an honest relationship with ourselves and our children is vital. "So much of what stresses us out in parenting isn't actually the ikar, it's the outside pressure. The trends, the expectations, what everyone else is doing. But we don't have to let that into our homes. You can step back and ask yourself: Is this really my avodah, or am I just trying to keep up?" 🎧 Listen to Episode 35: "Honesty is the Best Policy" Available at www.bethrivkah.edu/brpodcast or on your favorite podcast platform.  

Tune into Episode #23 of the Optimizing Mothers podcast, hosted by Mrs. Sara Blau, Mrs. Shterna Ginsberg talks about guiding children in making minute to minute choices & showing them how their Neshama is their truest self. Her goal is to help mothers help their kids understand their inner voices according to Tanya. Are there skills I can teach my child to help them navigate their inner voice? "All my friends are smarter than me!" “Chani made me so mad today in school!” “My principal keeps on insulting me and making me cry!” Should I just validate them or is there something more to do? Have you ever thought about this? Listen in as Sara & Shterna explore empowering ourselves to flip a switch in the way you and your children think and make choices.  

In Episode #27 of the Optimizing Mothers podcast, host Sara Blau and guest Devori Nussbaum discuss how "Moach Shalit Al Halev" (the mind ruling the heart) influences optimal parenting. By harnessing cognitive faculties to manage emotional responses, you can engage more thoughtfully and intentionally with your children. When family chaos erupts and you feel a loss of control, how do you stay regulated and calm? Do you find yourself reacting impulsively to triggering situations and question the underlying causes of those disproportionate responses? Tune in as Devori shares her personal insights on how incorporating Chassidus fosters harmony and connection in her role as a mother and within herself. The purpose of this episode is to share tools to help overcome challenges with insights from Torah, specifically Tanya. Let us remember that Torah is Torahs Chayim, providing instructions for all areas of life and is not limited to any specific interpretations.

In Episode 26, Busy with Blessings, hosted by Mrs. Sara Blau, Mrs. Raizy Mendelsohn, the first Shlucha to Wyoming, talks about raising her eight children in a place where their only friends are their siblings. She is passionate about living in the present and making your life work according to your strengths. When life just becomes a game of juggling and you feel drained, are there things that you can let go of and delegate? How can you get yourself to replace the “Oy” with joy?  In this candid conversation, Raizy shares how replacing stress about the future with Bitachon and Emunah enables us to find true inner joy and live a Tefach higher.  Hear Raizy's insights on freeing her children from tech cravings by replacing screen time with nature and creative activities. This episode is dedicated leulei nishmas Toiba Raizel A”H bas Yosef Yitzchak.  

Tune into Episode 25 of the Optimizing Mothers podcast, hosted by Mrs. Sara Blau, Rebbetzin Bassie Garelik, one of the pioneer shluchas sent by the Rebbe, imparts timeless wisdom on raising today's generation. Rebbetzin Garelik shares mind-blowing, personal Rebbe stories and imparts timeless lessons on nurturing children with high standards and a genuine appreciation for Yiddishkeit. When challenges arise, do you feel discouraged and wonder, "Am I even cut out for this mothering thing?" Hear the Rebbe's uplifting response to a woman who felt so downcast, doubting her capabilities. How do you give your children a strong feeling of pride to be different, amid prevalent social influences that could naturally make them feel ashamed? In disciplining your child, how do you effectively balance firmness with unwavering love and support? In this inspiring conversation, renowned educator, Rebbetzin Garelik emphasizes how the Rebbe esteemed women, drawing attention to their crucial roles as akeres habayis. This profound episode offers real chizuk and empowerment.    

In Episode 24 of theOptimizing Mothers podcast, hosted by Mrs. Sara Blau, Mrs. Chaya Raskin opens up about her experiences as a busy mother of eight children and a proud Shlucha in Ellenville, NY.  Given the constant juggling act of work, motherhood, cooking, and managing our to-do lists, it can be easy to fall into a pattern of self-criticism.  What is the key to switching from feeling frustrated to truly valuing the moments? Tune in for an inspiring conversation, guided by the wisdom of Torah and Chassidus, as we discuss practical strategies for embracing the imperfect yet beautiful journey of motherhood. Tune in and feel empowered and inspired by this engaging and authentic dialogue. Through her blog thegiftofchildren.com, Chaya shares her experiences, together with insights from Torah and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, aiming to empower mothers and challenge stigmas about family size seeping in from modern American culture. She has compiled her writings into a book called The Gift of Children, available for purchase now thon MosaicaPress.com.  

In Episode 21 with Mrs. Dina Rosenfeld, an accomplished writer and educator, discusses ways to enhance mothering with creativity.  How often do you tell your children personal stories? Is bedtime a power struggle? Childhood lasts for a very brief amount of time. The clock is ticking on transmitting the Rebbes values. Mrs. Rosenfeld shares how you can impart valuable lessons in Chinuch through creative mediums such as art, music and storytelling. In this practical conversation, learn how thinking slightly out of the box can ease your daily mommying routine. Mrs. Rosenfeld shares a wide buffet of ideas to choose from that can expand your child's creative expression and foster a deeper connection.