Shalom in the Home

EPISODE TITLE: "The DiJoseph's"

This episode was probably my favorite one yet. Rabbi Shmuley goes to Miami to help Paula and her fiance' Gary deal with Paula's ADHD-diagnosed daughter, Savannah, who is around 7 years old.

After witnessing Mom completely lose her cool time after time, Shmuley tells the Mom his painful diagnosis - Savannah’s erratic behavior is a direct result of Paula's parenting, and she probably doesn't need ADHD medication.

Paula (the Mom) was sitting in Shmuley's trailer with a HUGE chip on her shoulder, and within 2 minutes he totally melted her and she was ready to do anything to change her behavior. It was fascinating to watch him calmly and lovingly speak truth to her that took her from being angry and defensive to a puddle of tears and wanting change.

The other incredible part was when he was speaking to Savannah when she was misbehaving at a zoo. He got down to her level and firmly spoke to her that she was not allowed to act like she was, but while he was doing that he was lovingly touching her face - she made eye contact for the first time (she never made eye contact because she was afraid of the adults in her life) and she totally got it. IT WAS AMAZING!

By the end of the show they had taken Savannah off her medication, fixed some problems in the Mom from her childhood, and mended some problems in the relationship with her fiance', who was helping her parent.

If you haven't started watching this show yet - you've gotta see it! It's on Monday nights at 10:00 on TLC. Click here for the fan site.

Life Lesson:
Pain should not be a family heirloom passed down through generations. Give your children the best of what you got from your parents but don’t pass on the pain.