Parenting with a Soft Heart in a Hard Time
I speak with Ruti Dariel—mother of three, psychotherapist, expressive arts therapist, and certified parenting coach with over 20 years of clinical experience.
Ruti’s journey is deeply personal and profoundly relevant to this moment. A few years ago, despite her professional expertise, she found herself facing questions many parents know intimately:
How do I truly connect with my child when things get hard?
How do I set boundaries without losing myself?
How do I respond to frustration and aggression in a way that actually helps?
Especially as a mother of highly sensitive children, Ruti realized that many conventional parenting tools simply didn’t reach far enough. Her search for deeper understanding led her to the attachment-based developmental approach, through years of study at the Neufeld Institute and beyond.
In this conversation, we explore the emotional toll of living—and parenting—through war in Israel. I asked Ruti:
How does ongoing conflict affect our children, especially the more sensitive ones?
How can we stay emotionally present when we’re anxious and afraid ourselves?
What can we do when our kids act out or shut down—and how do we help them find resilience and hope?
And how do we talk to children about things like fear, bereavement, and the future in ways that are age-appropriate and honest?
Ruti offers not just wisdom, but warmth—a sense that we’re not alone in our struggle to show up for our children in such uncertain times. This episode is for any parent asking: How do I hold my child’s heart, even when mine feels heavy?
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Sexuality, Healing, and Resilience: Tools for Intimacy in Times of War
In this deeply insightful episode of Raw, I sit down with Smadar Miller—an educator, writer, and founder of transformative programs like “Krovim” for relationships and sexuality, and “Miller College” for women’s financial empowerment. With a unique blend of expertise in relationships, sexuality, and self-fulfillment, Smadar shares her profound perspective on how collective trauma, like the ongoing war, impacts intimacy, desire, and our connection to ourselves and others.
We delve into:
• The events of October 7 as a “symbolic assault” on Israeli society and their ripple effects on personal and collective sexuality.
• The challenges couples face during prolonged conflict—disrupted routines, long separations, and the impact on intimacy.
• How sexuality can serve as a healing force, reconnecting us to our bodies, our partners, and the present moment.
• Tools and practices for rebuilding intimacy and rediscovering pleasure during times of immense stress.
• Insights into parenting and how to talk to children about sexuality in ways that foster security and resilience.
Smadar’s thoughtful approach integrates culture, body awareness, and emotional independence, offering a roadmap for navigating relationships and intimacy even in the most challenging times. Whether you’re seeking solace, understanding, or tools for growth, this episode will inspire and empower you.
Tune in for a conversation that bridges the personal and the universal, reminding us of the healing power of connection.
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