Getting Ready for Passover

Passover is just a few weeks away. I asked community members for stories and advice that might help you feel a little less overwhelmed by the cooking and cleaning involved in making Passover wonderful for  your family. For eight days a year we turn our worlds upside down. So take a deep breath, take it one step at a time, and before you know it, it will be over and you’ll say, “That wasn’t so bad.”

Every year I write down what I bought, what I used, what I could’ve used more of, and what I didn’t need in terms of food and utensils. I also keep a separate recipe list of ingredients. Saving menus year to year is great too. It’s important to keep these lists in an easy-to-reach place—not in your attic or crawl space. You want this info someplace where you’ll have access to it in the weeks leading up to Pesach.
Sarina B

Toys and games related to the Seder really keep the kids excited all night. We give out small prizes and treats when each child reads. Seating the kids around the head of the table or seating the “leader” at the center of the table helps keeps the kids involved, which is really what the Seder is all about. You can chat with your sister-in-law at lunch tomorrow.
Randi D

Ninety-nine cent stores have great cheap Passover games and puzzles to keep the kids busy while you’re cleaning and cooking. Buy a lot!
Karen M

As you are scrubbing, cooking and cleaning, because you have such a big family, take a deep breath and remember that there are some people with tiny families who wish they had to cook and clean for lots of relatives. Many spend Passover alone. When I feel overwhelmed, I take a moment and thank G-d for my big, beautiful family.
Joan T

My advice would be to clean a little everyday. Housework doesn’t have to be drudgery. If you break your work down into small enough jobs, it’s manageable. When a room is done, put up creative signs letting your kids know not to mess it up again.
Barbara G

Start cleaning and preparing early. I make my Passover order one day after Purim. I clean the rice the next day. Be organized when you have a big job to do. Break it up into smaller jobs, pace yourself and keep your cool. Hire someone to help you. Even if you never get a day worker, it’s worth it for one day. You will be amazed how much it will help you. If you really don’t want to hire someone, splurge on good cleaning products and don’t be tempted to do spring cleaning, save that for after Passover.
Sophie R

Organize your time. Yes, you have to clean the whole house and get rid of all the hametz, but once you get over the “I have so much to do” feeling, it really isn’t that difficult. Every year, as I’m about to light the candles, I think “it really wasn’t that bad.”
Cheryl C

Don’t panic! Just for fun, picture this: It was an ordinary Tuesday morning in the beginning of February and I was going about my normal routine. I had just completed a couple of minor errands where I had gotten parking spots right in front and I was having a good hair day. All in all, things were good. I was on my way to the supermarket. I parked my car, got my wagon and was armed with my circular. The doors opened wide and then I looked up, and almost ran screaming for cover. There it was, the dreaded beast that comes around once a year to work terror into the hearts of Jewish women everywhere: the Passover aisle. I began frantically looking around. Was I imagining this, perhaps I was in a parallel universe where it’s Passover all year around? Logically I knew it was too early for this—Passover is not until April—but the pressure squeezing around my heart was hacking into the rational part of my brain. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. It was way too early. I was simply unprepared to face “the aisle.”

I opened my eyes and it was still there, mocking me, daring me to check it out. The aisle, as I call it, represents hours and hours and weeks and weeks of cleaning and sorting and organizing. While I come armed and ready for this each year, I think seeing it there so early in the year startled me silly. When the thought of Passover overwhelms you, do what I did. Take some deep breaths, don’t panic, call forth your inner yogi and get your mental bearings. As I walked past the aisle, I did not make direct eye contact with any of the products. Way too scary.
Eliana F

The consensus seems to be: don’t let the cooking and cleaning overwhelm you. Take it easy, leave yourself plenty of time, ask for help if you need it and be grateful for the opportunity to spend Passover with your loved ones. Have a happy and healthy holiday!
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Randi Shomer is a community member, mother of four children and a freelance writer.