Jewish Life Digital Edition October 2015 | Page 35

On a serious note…

PARENTING
Where ideology & practicality
join hands I By Michael Sieff, Chev

photographs: SUPPLIED

Group CEO

Even under ideal conditions - stable family,
solid marriage, financial security - there
are no guarantees that children will grow
into productive and responsible adults. In
this uncertain world we parents do our
best but it’s a tough job. We invest time
and offer encouragement, provide guidance and advice, lavish them with love, introduce good role models and pray continually that our kids will grow up with worthy values and build meaningful lives.
But even that is not enough. Ask any
parent... amidst all the lofty, idealistic
goals are thousands of far-reaching, practical decisions to be made: which school is
the best academic and social fit, which
friends a positive influence, which talents
to develop? Routine tasks presen Ё