A Bouncer’s Advice for Breaking Up Sibling Fights

April 11, 2020

A roundup of new guidance and stories from NYT Parenting.

We had our first Zoom Seder this week. I had never hosted Passover in my home, so we had zero essentials and, though I tried to get what I could at the store, a lamb shank is not easy to come by in this particular moment. So, my kids drew the big bone and the gefilte fish on a piece of paper, and my 3-year-old insisted on eating a tortilla with ketchup instead of matzo. We read from a PDF Haggadah I found on Reform Judaism dot org. And you know what? It was still pretty special.

Ahead of Easter on Sunday, NYT Parenting contributor Matt Weber found joy in creating his own backyard church for his children. Despite his lack of construction skills, Matt wanted to remind his “kids of sacred spaces even if our usual one is off limits; to make this forced ordinary time in our spiritual lives just a bit more extraordinary.”

Also this week: Emily J. Sullivan asked a bouncer, a hockey referee, a police officer, a kindergarten teacher and a therapist for advice on how to break up her children’s fights. Leah Chernikoff asked experts for tips on how to create boundaries between work and family now that so many of us are trying to watch our kids and be productive at the same time.

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NYT Parenting reporter Christina Caron looked at the recommendations for breastfeeding during coronavirus, and offered help navigating unclear and conflicting information. Finally, Hallie Levine had guidance for what to do if all of a child’s typical caretakers get sick, and how to make sure you have backup for the worst-case scenario.

Thanks for reading!

— Jessica Grose, lead editor, NYT Parenting

Getty Images

Should You Breastfeed if You Have the Coronavirus?

Here’s how to navigate the emerging guidance on breastfeeding in a pandemic.

What the experts say

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Janik Söllner

Kids Won’t Stop Fighting? A Bouncer, a Therapist and a Referee Have Advice

Hell hath no fury like a sibling scorned.

Get their best tips

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Rachel Levit Ruiz

My Church Is Closed, So I Built My Own

During Holy Week, I wanted to remind my kids of sacred spaces even if our usual one is off limits.

Read Matt’s story

The New York Times

When Parents Get Sick, Who Cares for the Kids?

Here’s how to ensure everyone stays safe.

What you can do to prepare

Rose Wong

8 Ways to Set Boundaries Between Work and Kids

Communication, flexibility and a bit of grace are key to blocking out time for child care while logging in from home.

How to keep a balance

Tiny Victories

Parenting can be a grind. Let’s celebrate the tiny victories.

I convinced my son to “teach” his little sister how to do things like brush her teeth, get dressed and sit at the table for dinner. This means he actually does those things and she is learning it from her big brother, whom she idolizes! — Katie Irish, Brooklyn

If you want a chance to get your Tiny Victory published, find us on Instagram @NYTparenting and use the hashtag #tinyvictories; email us; or enter your Tiny Victory at the bottom of this page. Include your full name and location. Tiny Victories may be edited for clarity and style. Your name, location and comments may be published, but your contact information will not. By submitting to us, you agree that you have read, understand and accept the Reader Submission Terms in relation to all of the content and other information you send to us.

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