How was your Rosh Hashana?

I'll start:

Night 1: Tehillim That Wasn't

The older kids (5, 7, 9) joined the meal for challah and apples dipped in honey. It was lovely.

Then I got them into bed, cleared the table and sat down inspired to say the whole Tehillim the first night, maybe even twice!!

I got up to kapitel 14 when the baby woke up crying. I fell asleep with him.

Day 1: Self-Care with a Dash of Realism

Starting off strong with a great breakfast (bougie cheese + crackers) because I remembered to buy something I actually want to eat. (I shared this in my Shabbos talk... I only share what works!)

I then got myself and the baby (15.5m) ready for shul, because he toddles around nonstop and can totally walk two blocks. So of course, just as I headed for the door, he threw a fit and promptly fell asleep in my lap.

Also, the head of the fish (previously forgotten in the fridge) made for great entertainment at lunch.

Night 2: Beautiful Chaos (jk, Beauty then Chaos)

The kids joined the night meal again. New fruits were sliced, eaten, discussed and enjoyed. There was singing. It was beautiful.

Then it suddenly got too late. Like switches flipped, everyone started kvetching and crying and bedtime took forever.

(I did manage to get some Tehillim in after, though.)

Day 2: A Regular Sunday, but it Happens to be Rosh Hashana

I planned to pack lunch and take the kids to the park, so of course it was pouring rain. The older kids went to shul. I waited at home with the baby and 3 year old for the rain to cease.

We came to shul. I found the older kids and stuck sandwiches in their hands.

We heard shofar. Baby fell asleep in my arms again and I put him in the stroller, realized that my boys were on the men’s side and for a brief moment considered… walking back into shul and maybe actually davening musaf??

“Mommy! I had two lollipops! Are we going home! Can I have more snack!” children popped up. My children, to be clear.

So I took the 3 and 5 year old, and sleeping baby, home. Surely the baby would take a nice long nap in the stroller, the other two would play and I could prepare the meal or even finish that Tehillim.

I went upstairs to change. I came down to find the baby out of the stroller, happily making messes with his older brothers.

Our meal started a little too late (cue some more kvetching) but ended up being very nice, as was our Tashlich.

I finally finished the whole sefer Tehillim.

And everyone was sleeping before havdalah.

Why am I sharing this?

Because… we don’t usually get a glimpse into other people’s Yom Tov schedules - there’s no social media! But we have our own experiences from childhood, seminary or pre-kids, when we had time and space to sit and daven, eat the simanim and “check off” whatever makes for an inspiring experience.

It can be a hard adjustment when our prior experiences or assumed expectations don't match the reality of what our daily lives with kids looks like.

And every year - or every stage - can look different.

This year, I genuinely thought - between my older boys, who actually sat in shul really nicely, and my walking youngest - that I would be able to participate more fully.

And I did... just not in shul. I participated in creating my children’s experience of Rosh Hashana and Yom Tov for my family.

Whatever your Rosh Hashana looked like, I hope you were able to enjoy the stage you are in and that your tefilos (however they were offered!) are answered for good, so that we all merit a very sweet, blessed new year!