Nachas From My Daughter

Of all the things people tell me about my children, I got the most nachas from my brother-in-law's recent compliment on how frequently my two year-old daughter says "thank you".

While some people may put their primary efforts into ensuring that their children excel academically, I am more concerned about raising my children to have middos tovos.

There are few things more important than teaching children to express gratitude for the things they receive in life. Raising a child to be a little genius without placing an equal emphasis on raising him to have warm and caring heart is a recipe for disaster.

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Rabbi Yochanan said to them: Go and see which is the best trait for a person to acquire. Said Rabbi Eliezer: A good eye. Said Rabbi Yehoshua: A good friend. Said Rabbi Yossi: A good neighbor. Said Rabbi Shimon: To see what is born [out of ones actions]. Said Rabbi Elazar: A good heart. Said he to them: I prefer the words of Elazar ben Arach to yours, for his words include all of yours.

(Pirkei Avos 2:13)