Posted by JF&CS
We sat down with Lauren E. Rubin, one of our co-chairs for the 2019 Women's Breakfast, to learn more about her and her connection to JF&CS.
1. Tell us about your involvement with JF&CS and CERS.
I knew about JF&CS over 30 years ago because my husband was on the Board. At that time, I was working at Gan Yeladim Day Care Center and met Peggy Kaufman and Marion Ross, who started working with one of the families at Gan Yeladim. This was when I learned about a new program Peggy was launching called "Visiting Moms" that would send experienced mothers into the homes of new mothers to offer support. I thought it sounded like an incredible mitzvah and hoped that after I had become a mom I would be able to volunteer as a visiting mom in the community to support others.
2. Tell us about your family.
My husband Mark and I have been married for 30 years. We moved from Boston after 10 years and have lived in Newton ever since. I have two children, Jake, age 26, and Grace, age 23. Jake lives in Somerville and works as a consultant at a health care analytics firm in Boston. Grace lives in Washington D.C. and is a staff assistant for Congressman Brad Sherman of California.
3. What is your favorite JF&CS memory?
So many great memories of JF&CS over the years. Perhaps one of the best was when the office moved from Newton Center to the beautiful building in Waltham. It was a very exciting time for the agency and for all of the volunteers.
4. What is one piece of parenting advice you'd share with others?
I suppose if I were to choose one piece of parenting advice, it would be to relinquish the idea that you can control things. Often, new parents report feeling like their lives are out of control. They can't keep up with laundry, work, emails; their baby isn't napping; their parents are too eager or not available. Trust the unfolding of the experience rather than resist it. Surrender to imperfection. Be a "good enough" parent. Many parents read books, blogs, and advice columns trying to understand and find a sense of control amidst the chaos of raising a child. Learning to let go of the idea that you can control another person or every situation will help ease your mind. You are not alone. Find other parents and share your truth that raising a child is difficult.
5. What is your favorite children's book?
I loved reading the book Ferdinand with my kids when they were little. He was a calm, peace-loving, unperturbable bull, making him unique among the other bulls. I also loved reading anything by P.D. Eastman and Dr. Seuss because they were pure silliness.
6. What are you most looking forward to about this year's Women's Breakfast?
I am looking forward, alongside my wonderful co-chair, Lori Shaer, to celebrating Peggy for her unwavering and innovative support of families and children. It is exciting to have the opportunity to showcase the outstanding work of CERS to our friends in the community.
Join Lauren and many others at this year's Women's Breakfast on Thursday, May 30 at the Boston Marriot Newton. Visit our Women's Breakfast page to learn more.
We sat down with Lauren E. Rubin, one of our co-chairs for the 2019 Women's Breakfast, to learn more about her and her connection to JF&CS.
1. Tell us about your involvement with JF&CS and CERS.
I knew about JF&CS over 30 years ago because my husband was on the Board. At that time, I was working at Gan Yeladim Day Care Center and met Peggy Kaufman and Marion Ross, who started working with one of the families at Gan Yeladim. This was when I learned about a new program Peggy was launching called "Visiting Moms" that would send experienced mothers into the homes of new mothers to offer support. I thought it sounded like an incredible mitzvah and hoped that after I had become a mom I would be able to volunteer as a visiting mom in the community to support others.
2. Tell us about your family.
My husband Mark and I have been married for 30 years. We moved from Boston after 10 years and have lived in Newton ever since. I have two children, Jake, age 26, and Grace, age 23. Jake lives in Somerville and works as a consultant at a health care analytics firm in Boston. Grace lives in Washington D.C. and is a staff assistant for Congressman Brad Sherman of California.
3. What is your favorite JF&CS memory?
So many great memories of JF&CS over the years. Perhaps one of the best was when the office moved from Newton Center to the beautiful building in Waltham. It was a very exciting time for the agency and for all of the volunteers.
4. What is one piece of parenting advice you'd share with others?
I suppose if I were to choose one piece of parenting advice, it would be to relinquish the idea that you can control things. Often, new parents report feeling like their lives are out of control. They can't keep up with laundry, work, emails; their baby isn't napping; their parents are too eager or not available. Trust the unfolding of the experience rather than resist it. Surrender to imperfection. Be a "good enough" parent. Many parents read books, blogs, and advice columns trying to understand and find a sense of control amidst the chaos of raising a child. Learning to let go of the idea that you can control another person or every situation will help ease your mind. You are not alone. Find other parents and share your truth that raising a child is difficult.
5. What is your favorite children's book?
I loved reading the book Ferdinand with my kids when they were little. He was a calm, peace-loving, unperturbable bull, making him unique among the other bulls. I also loved reading anything by P.D. Eastman and Dr. Seuss because they were pure silliness.
6. What are you most looking forward to about this year's Women's Breakfast?
I am looking forward, alongside my wonderful co-chair, Lori Shaer, to celebrating Peggy for her unwavering and innovative support of families and children. It is exciting to have the opportunity to showcase the outstanding work of CERS to our friends in the community.
Join Lauren and many others at this year's Women's Breakfast on Thursday, May 30 at the Boston Marriot Newton. Visit our Women's Breakfast page to learn more.
