My son was going through a stage. If I lifted my eyes off of him for a millisecond, he swiftly managed to knock down a bag of sugar or a ceramic mug. No matter what I locked up or how high I put things, there was a Code Red alert in my home, 24-7.

It was exhausting. And hard to remain positive. But then I read something that helped me view this stage as a very precious one.

During the years that a child needs to be watched and guided every moment of the day, he is most dependent on his mother. Therefore, the mother is in a unique position to lovingly teach her child, and to be responsible for the education of her child.

Thoughtstream: Today, I will remember that it’s not only about not letting the child out of sight, but about using each moment as a teachable moment.

(Adapted from El N’shei u’Bnot Yisroel, pg. 376.)