The 90% Rule You Need to Know

Did you know that approximately 75% of the time you will ever spend with your child will happen before they are 12 years old? And by the age of 18, already 90% of the time is gone. That means the time that you're going through right now, the noise, the carpools, the homework, the bedtime stories, this is not just a stage. This is the majority of the relationship you will ever have with your child. One day the house will get quieter, the seats around the table will be empty, and all that you have is the memories that you created with them when they were younger. That is why Shabbat is so powerful. It's not just a day of rest, it is Hashem's weekly gift to the Jewish people. For one precious day, the phones are silenced, the laptops closed, the endless notifications stop, and something beautiful begins to happen. There's real connection. Your children no longer see you somewhere in the house, they actually feel your presence. There is no Facebook, there are real faces and a real book. You have a table filled with singing, questions, stories, laughter, moments that become the foundation of a child's identity forever. So on Shabbat, don't just show up to the meal, be active, talk, listen, learn, laugh, connect. Because we think we have all the time in the world, but the truth is, time is slowly slipping away.