What Would We Do Without Research?

Self-control at an early age helps avoid pitfalls.

This is something that a lot of parents know instinctively.

I've tried to do this will my kids. One thing that I have actually found very helpful is observing the Jewish Sabbath.

I was not brought up in a religious household, but keep the Sabbath now.

In addition to there being a commandment in Jewish law to keep the Sabbath, for me-it has also been a way of showing my kids that there is something beyond their immediate desires. There is something bigger than their particular wants and needs-there is a big world out there.

A certain spiritual discipline is required to shut out and shut off electronic devices, electricity and traveling in order to focus on the family, and rest.

Actually, in literal terms the blessing over wine describes that on the Sabbath, that one "shavat"-from the Hebrew SH/V/T meaning a pause, or a break and "lehinafash", which is a beautiful phrase that turns the word N/F/SH, the spirit or the soul ("nefesh") into a reflexive verb: to restore one's soul.

So many people grow up so selfishly, and so focused on the flesh, the pleasures, the immediate gratification.

If there is no big picture in a child's life, and no discipline, life will be shallow and unsatisfying.