Mindsets, desserts, and give your kid a duster

Hi ,

We love structure, and usually, JAM is pretty predictable in its content. But this week, we’ve just got a mashup of Pesach-related bullet points.

We’ll clean up JAM once we’re done with the house!

JUST A THOUGHT

I know that you know that “your kids are not the korban Pesach.” You know the easiest way to avoid snapping at your kids and having your stress spill over onto all your family members? Actually BE less stressed. (So easy, I know 🙄😂)

Seriously — find a way to enjoy the prep. There’s a nugget in there that you can connect to, I’m sure. 

It might be… 

⚡The teamwork of everyone in your family (in our nation!) working together towards the same thing

⚡The freshness of wide-open windows and a bleach-scented spring breeze

⚡The joy of getting things CLEAN

⚡The family time that is to come

⚡The nostalgia attached to tasting brownies in a tinfoil-covered kitchen

⚡The perfect-match socks and crisp new dresses waiting to be worn

⚡The satisfaction of working so incredibly hard for something so important (a massive mitzvah, an experience for your family, and a holy yom tov)

👉 Reply and tell us: what is it for you?

Find that thing. Focus on it.

Make Pesach prep feel better. 

And, make sure you feel better!

💧 Hydrate. All day. 

🍵 Treat yourself to a giant iced tea (or coffee) as you work. 

🎵 Blast the music. Spend 10 mins making yourself a playlist of music you’ll enjoy. 

👣 Take a break and take a walk. I hope you have beautiful weather where you are!

JUST THE KIDS

Some ways to involve your kids in the work of the next two weeks, or simply prevent them from undoing what you get done 😆

★ Let kids choose which toys/games will be kept out for Pesach by cleaning the ones they want :) Everything left will be packed away!

★ Set a “finders keepers” rule and hide coins for them to find as they clean. (Toy buckets or the car are awesome places for this!)

★ Toddlers can clean, too: Give them wipes to clean toys and areas that don’t really need Pesach cleaning (moldings, etc). A giant bucket of water/a hose/soapy sponges can keep them busy outside and get your garbage cans/strollers/etc cleaned. And, dusters are fun for kids to clean run around with!

★ Instead of spending a week chasing your kids with a wipe, get rid of all your chametz now and either hide it really well and only serve it when you’re ready to supervise, or stock up on kitniyos (rice cakes, rice crispies, corn chips or puffs, bamba) so your kids can eat freely.

JUST THINGS FOR YOU

✨ REC: Listen to a shiur. The first 5.5 minutes of this shiur will change the way you view Pesach cleaning and this beautiful talk gives perspectives on leil haseder in under 8 minutes.

✨ REC: Make something yummy. 3 Pesach desserts we made (and yes, tasted! 😋)

• Ultimate vanilla cake (made in a 9x13)

• Limonana sorbet (insanely delicious, fresh flavors)

• Jam bars (used apricot jam)

✨ REC: Buy yourself an afikomen present. Treat yourself to something to make your life easier (a skimmer spoon, mini chopper, good knife) or comfier (a yummy throw, scented candle).

(Yes, we’re 100% in Pesach mode. We’ll be back with hacks, tips, and fun stuff after Pesach 😊)

MOTHERHOOD MUSING

JUST FOR LAUGHS

That’s all for today!

See you next Tuesday!💜☕

The JAM Fam

PS. Have a friend who should be JAMing with us? Send her here.

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