Family Communication
Famous Family Quotes

Shalom in the Home Book Review

Wise quotes from Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Part Two

Part One

Shalom in the home, domestic tranquility, is the ultimate blessing.

Fighting between siblings is inevitable, but there is a good way and a bad way to fight.  Let your kids know that physical violence and profanity will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

If we begin treating people lovingly, we will ultimately begin to feel love for them.

When we make a promise or deliver a warning to our children, we must carry it out.  And when we parent, we must show a unified front.  We cannot undermine each other, especially when we discipline.

Responsible parenting involves teaching our children appropriate actions and appropriate emotions.  Anger is the most destructive of all emotions, and we must do our best to help our children gain control over, and end, a tantrum.

In relationships, actions speak louder than words.  Be careful how you treat one another in front of your children.  They’re watching, and they’re copying!

It is categorically unacceptable for someone to speak disrespectfully, sarcastically, or humiliatingly to another person— especially to your spouse or in front of a child.  Rise above provocations to respond acceptably.

We love our children with two hands.  With one we coddle and comfort them; with the other we establish borders and restraints.  To give them only one hand of love is to cripple them as they move through life.

Married couples need to know love, and sometimes they need to know how to fight.  Before you start something, ask yourself three questions:

1.   Is this worth fighting about?
2.  Is this worth fighting about now?
3.  Am I saying this in the most constructive way, or am I just trying to get the other person’s goat?
And, once engaged, remember the first rule of combat: Do as little damage as possible.