Preface

I was inspired to write this book when I began learning Pirkei Avot, or "Ethics of the Fathers," a tractate in the Jewish Mishnah. Pirkei Avot is filled with words of wisdom from the rabbis of the second Temple period. As a Jewish woman, I’ve often struggled with the lack of female voices in Jewish texts. I wanted to create a book like "Ethics of the Fathers," but this time around, give the women a chance to share their wisdom. I wanted readers to feel the love these mothers have for their children, and learn from all their experiences.

The idea for this book came to me a few years ago, but as a full-time high school student, I never actually had the time to make it happen. When senior year rolled around, I had to start thinking about what I wanted my future to look like. I definitely had no clue what I wanted, and I still don’t, really, but I did know that I wanted independence. College applications, gap year decisions, and internships all forced me to choose someone or something new to be in charge of me and to tell me what to do, so when I was given the chance to work on a passion project instead of a senior internship, I jumped at the opportunity.

It had been a few years since I’d come up with the concept of an advice book from moms, and it took a while to figure out exactly how to make it work. Thanks to Tyler Cole at W.S. Cole Press, I was able to use an amazing new format of book to publish this content. The beauty of the PWB, which you just learned about, is that it can constantly be updated, and it’s incredibly simple. Tyler is the author of one of my favorite sites (that he recently converted to this format) and I’m so grateful for all his help in making this book come to life. I could not have done it without him.

This book is divided into two main sections: Advice submitted by mothers, and advice submitted by kids (that they’ve learned from their moms). Each mother submitted advice for kids and advice for other mothers, and each child wrote a little bit about their mom along with the advice they were given. All these people had so much wisdom to share, no matter their age. As I grow and meet new people, the things they teach me will be added to this book, so the wisdom of our mothers is forever expanding and being shared. I have three main goals for this book:

1) Help mothers raise strong, independent, kind children

2) Teach children the wisdom of their own mothers and others

3) Most importantly, serve as a guide to children who are not fortunate enough to have a mother in their lives

I also want to thank my mother, who raised me to care about others and to strive to make a difference in this world. Her wisdom has allowed me to become the person I am today, and I hope that someday I’ll be as wise as she is. I love you, Ima.

Anyway, I hope that this book teaches you something. I know it’s taught me a lot.