Rachel Hochheiser Schwartz
Rachel, a Maryland native, is the Associate Vice President of Conferences and Events at an International non-profit organization. Living in Bethesda, she stays busy as a mom to three kids: Hannah (2010), Josh (2012) and Emma (2017). In her spare time, Rachel teaches Zumba, serves as a room parent, and sneaks in as much exercise as she can. When she gets a moment to relax, she loves watching TV, wine dates with friends, baking and ice cream.
Why an Au Pair is Also Great Past the Baby Stage
Six and a half years ago, I was pregnant with our third child. The understanding that we were about to be outnumbered sent my stress level through the roof. My husband works long hours,...
Hanukkah In-Person and Virtual Events
It's that time of year! Hanukkah is just around the corner beginning THIS Sunday evening!
This year, Hanukkah starts with the first candle on Sunday, December 18th and ends with the eighth candle on Monday, December...
3 Ideas to Create a Meaningful Rosh Hashanah with Children
Rosh Hashanah is one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar (the reason this holiday, along with Yom Kippur, are called the High Holidays or High Holy Days). Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish...
Ready To Celebrate: Purim 2022
The Jewish holiday of Purim, which is filled with costumes, stories, celebrations, treats and shenanigans, begins on the evening of Wednesday, March 16th and runs through Thursday, March, 17th. As a side note, the...
Hosting An Au Pair: Is it the Right Fit for Your Family?
For years after we had children, my husband suggested participating in The Au Pair Program. I was very hesitant and worried about someone else living in our house and having to entertain them 24/7....
5 Movie Theater Rental Options to Safely Take Kids to the Movies
I love going to the movies. The smell of popcorn, the quiet darkness, a moment to be entertained. I also love taking my kids to the movies. Yes, I will admit, 90 minutes of...
Travel Stories from A Vaccinated Life: First Flight Back
I'm writing this post from an airplane. It is my first flight since February 2020. Pre-pandemic, I traveled all of the time for both work and fun. As I sit in my seat recapping...
Big Kids, Big Problems: Managing Anxiety in Children
I am not one for clichés about childrearing. I find them dismissive of the parenting experience and they only give me guilt about the moments when I am not appreciating everything. However, there is...
Ten Months Later: My New Self in My Old Office
Ten months to the day after I left my office for the last time pre-lockdown, I went back. I walked into the building a new person in a new world. The city was different...
The Anti-Resolution Guide to 2021 Resolutions
January has arrived, which means that people everywhere are promising themselves that things will be different this year. They are planning to make huge changes to their lives based on what they think they...
Hanukkah 2020: The Festival of (Virtual) Lights
Hanukkah is a holiday of miracles. It was a miracle that the Maccabees found oil in the Temple after its destruction. It was a miracle that a very small amount of oil lasted for...
Keeping the Memory Alive of Grandparents Our Children Never Met
The pain of losing a parent at any time is overwhelming. The pain of losing a parent too young is devastating. Part of that pain is our own—not having our loved one physically in...
You Can Do Hard Things: When the Global Pandemic Challenges Us
I am a huge Peloton fan. Instructors often say, "you can do hard things." This mantra is commonly shared by instructors before leading the group up a steep hill on the bike or as...
Room Parent Update: Celebrating the End of the Virtual School Year
Nine months ago I wrote an article with tips for being a room parent. I could never have guessed that I would end the year writing an addendum to that piece with ideas about...