Second Chances

 

Chag Sameach. Tonight is Pesach Sheini!  While it not a holiday we typically celebrate, (although Ms. Terry always gives out some matzah!), I believe that Pesach Sheini holds a significant message for us as parents.  

Pesach Sheini is the 14th day of Iyar when those who were either impure due to contact with a dead body or lived too far away from the Beit HaMikdash to make it in time to bring the Korban Pesach were given another opportunity to bring the korban. In essence Hashem told them that although they missed the Korban Pesach He would give them a second Pesach- a second chance!  Symbolically speaking, no matter how far the Jews are from Hashem, both in their spirituality (i.e. being impure) and in their actual physical location, Hashem will give them another chance. 

In essence, the same concept holds true with Teshuva- repentance. No matter what we have done, or what terrible sin we have committed, if we do true, sincere teshuva, Hashem will give us a second chance.  And, while teshuva is most focused upon during the time of the yamim noraim, we can do teshuva every day of our lives. 

Hashem, Avinu Malkeinu, models for us a prime example of “Second- chance parenting.”   I recently found this quote online. I do not know who said it, but it says it all:

And, when you think about it, we, the Jewish people, behaved pretty poorly throughout different times in history. And, yet, Hashem always gave us another chance and believed in us. 

As parents, no matter how our children behaved one day, no matter what grade they got on their tests, or no matter how rude they were at the dinner table, we relay to them the message, “No matter what you do, you will ALWAYS get a second chance.”  I will never write you off as impossible or incorrigible.  The secure feeling that a child gets from that message ensures that he will share his worries and trouble with you before things get out of hand. Children who are worried that their parents have given up on them give up on their relationship with their parents.  “You may have skipped your homework five times in a row.  While I need to possibly implement some consequences, and sit with you every night to make sure you are doing your work, you can always redeem yourself.  I believe in you.”  

Another practical way we can give our children a second chance after they have done something wrong is by asking them the question, “What could you have done differently?” as Alyssa Miller says in her article “How a Second Chance Question Can Make Us Better Moms.”   Miller describes how this phrase, which allows the children to redo the scenario again with a better outcome, literally has changed her life.  Previously, she describes, when seeing her children fighting over the scooter, for example, she would have done something like this: 

1. Calm them down. 2. Ask what happened. 3. Ask them to stop talking at the same time. 4. Calm them down, again. 5. Ask one kid what happened. 6. Listen while kid #2 hops around desperate to tell their side of the story. 7. Decide who should have the scooter. 8. Listen to protests. 9. Send them back out to play, operating on a very weak truce. 

 

Now, she explains, she simply says, “I see you are upset with one another. What could you have done differently.”  She then hears them say what she would have said in a lecture.  And, then says, “Great answer! You know how to handle the situation. Now get going!”  “Honestly? It’s like magic. Even my 4 year old knows where he’s gone wrong, and how he could do things differently. And since the question is entirely self focused, my children spend their brainpower fixing what is actually in their power to fix, instead of blaming or trying to control one another. I know it almost sounds “too simple” to work, but trust me and try it. It’s kind of awesome.”   We give them a “do over” and we tell them that we believe in their ability to choose the right path after thinking it through again. 

 

But, not only should our children get second chances. Parents get second chances too!  I love the way Miller shares how she gives herself as a parent second chances. 

“I am a wreck. It’s the end of the day and the kids are finally in bed. I was grumpy, impatient, grumpy, annoyed, grumpy, tired, grumpy, frustrated and…grumpy.

Closing the doors to their rooms after kissing them goodnight was akin to dragging myself across the finish line of a 100 mile ultra marathon. Except harder.

I could have lamented about how miserable I was at being a mom. I could have listed all the things I did wrong. I could have berated myself for not living up to my ideals.

Instead? I asked myself a simple question, “What could I have done differently?”

After I’ve sufficiently answered, I continue the conversation with myself, “Great! Now go do that tomorrow.”

When I ask that question, I know that those thoughts are the only ones that matter. I am better able to recognize guilt, condemnation and other unhelpful thoughts and replace them with positive actions I can take the next day.”

 

We can all relate to that grumpy parenting!  We need to give ourselves second chances.  And, if we admit to our children what we could have done differently, they will see us as human and will learn how to give themselves second chances as well.  For it is not enough for us as parents to give them a second chance. They too need to learn how to forgive themselves and realize they always have a “do over” in our eyes. 

 

When we make a mistake as a parent we model for them how to get that second chance. First we need to be honest and acknowledge what we should have done differently.   We then ask for forgiveness. Then, we make some tangible changes.  Second chances often mean attempting to actually repair a harm that has been done. 

 

We also thereby teach our children to be “forgivers”  when they see us say, “I’m sorry” and ask for forgiveness.   There is always a chance for their friends and other adults in their lives  to have a second chance and to right a wrong.  (Just to add, that there are clearly circumstances when a friend has gotten too many second chances, and there are times when a friendship may not be the best for the child).  Even good people make bad choices. And, we can even practice with our children how to graciously share with another that he/she is forgiven.  

 

As educators, we too do try to remind ourselves that no matter what happened with a child the day before, children all get second chances, and each day is a fresh start and a new opportunity. 

 

But, how about “You never get a second chance to make a first impression?”  We know the stories about the teenager who posted something on instagram and then did not receive a college acceptance. We do speak to our students about their digital footprints, and once something is out there, even if we change our minds after and realize that we want a second chance, it is often impossible to get one.  And, while we do believe people change, it is not easy to change one’s reputation. 

 

I have been working in schools with teens for 25 years now, and I can share with you story upon story about bumping into a graduate or a parent of a graduate who when he/she was a student he/she struggled behaviorally.  This young adult (or even full-grown adult, married, with family), now has overcome his/her challenges and is a huge success in life and more importantly a huge “mench.”   All he needed was a second chance.  All she needed was someone who believed in her ability to do better tomorrow- to get a do over.  All they needed was a “Pesach Sheini” - a second chance!   

 

Advisory Update:

Sixth Grade:  Students discussed real-life friendship dilemmas and how to do with conflict with friends.

Seventh Grade:  Students began discussing the bystander effect and how we as bystanders must do something when we see injustice.

Eighth Grade:  Students began a lesson on smoking as part of their substance abuse unit.