Personal Preference
Monday, 7 March 2011
I don’t know why I am surprised. After all, each one of them has his or her specific likes and dislikes. About everything.
Each one of my children prefers a different way of doing the Bedtime Sh’ma:
- Beernut likes me to sit behind him so that I can scratch his back.
- Poppyseed likes me to sit with my face close to hears so that I can smooth her hair. Sometimes she sings along, but mostly she just lets out cleansing sighs.
- and Peach? Peach likes me to lie next to him so that he can take my face in his hands while we sing the prayer in unison.
Each ritual is my favourite for each one perfect for its rightful owner.
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Frume Sarah is Shabbos-observant -- in a Reform way, that is. Please note that from Friday afternoons until one hour after sundown on Saturday evenings, Frume Sarah will be unavailable, in observance of the Jewish Sabbath.
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Thank you for your understanding...and gut Shabbos!!! 
Frume Sarah's World 
So sweet! With my oldest, we say it while he’s in his crib, and when he covers his eyes, he likes to cover just one eye, so he can still watch (I think). It’s scrumptious.
Aw…the mental picture is so sweet.
Interestingly, though I close my own eyes when I recite the Sh’ma, we’ve never done that with the kids. Probably should get on that…
I’m curious–when people say the Shma with their kids, do you/they recite just the first line? The first and second line? Or the whole “V’ahavta et Adonai eh-lo-heh-cha…” In our house, we sing that first line and whisper the second line. But we don’t do the whole thing. I know it’s each to her own, but I’m curious what others do. Always looking for ways to change things up. 🙂
@Jenny,
We sing the first line together, and I say the second to myself silently. I’m interested in other answers to your question too 🙂
We have a “long version” and a “short version.” Which one we do depends on certain variables including, but not restricted to, the time, behaviour, and fatigue.
Long Version:
Sh’ma (both lines) — Sulzer
Hashkiveinu — Zweiback/Brodsky
Shelter Us — Jonas
Sh’ma (first line only) — Friedman
Short Version:
Sh’ma (both lines) — Sulzer