clean for pesach - protect your marriage

You've met them before.

The mom who discovers that her 3 year old has been feeding chocolate cake to her lifelike baby doll (look, mommy, her mouth really opens!)

The kids who found the perfect place to stash their shalach manos goodies - and track the crumbs around the house every time they sneak a snack.

The toddler who stands up in her stroller at the store and tips over - she is fine, but she cracked $39 worth of eggs in the process.

At times like this, it's time to unsheathe your most powerful weapon.

Yup, you've got it. Sometimes, you've just got to laugh!

Laughter can help lessen stress, depression and anxiety, while improving your self esteem. It certainly improves marriages, which can really come in handy if your husband wanders in to the kitchen one evening a few days from now and asks, "Hi honey - what's for dinner?"

Not that you asked for it, but here's my personal advice for minimizing Pesach stress and maximizing  sanity and continued vertical posture:

• Tempting though it may be, 10 days before Pesach is NOT the time for spring cleaning. Stick to halacha - it will give you plenty to do

• Ask for help from your husband - and do it right. Release your expectations, relinquish judgement, make your request calmly, tell him how he can make you happy

• Find time for real self care: 5 minutes of deep breathing, stretching, music or exercise. (And chocolate, of course.)

• Try to get a decent amount of sleep (7 hours may be out of reach, but can you grab for 6?)

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Remember, Dirt is not chometz. And your family is not the Korban Pesach.

When all else fails - laugh! Chances are, others will join you. It might not get the Cheerios out of the air conditioner faster, but it will sure make it more fun!