Ask for More: The Universe Isn’t on a Budget—and Neither Is Your Child’s Potential

Hi, I’m Ben, founder of CoolCantor—and I believe the universe isn’t on a budget. Neither is your child’s potential.

A few years ago, I had the honor of meeting an extraordinary couple from Toronto: Jax and Brit. They weren’t just looking for someone to officiate their Jewish wedding ceremony. They were searching for a partner who would understand their dreams, respect their roots, and inspire their future together.

As a Jewish wedding cantor, I felt blessed to walk with them from the moment we planned their Jewish wedding chuppah to the laughter-filled Jewish wedding reception, rich with meaningful Jewish wedding music, heartfelt Jewish wedding vows, and the joyful Jewish wedding hora.

Our conversations didn’t stop with their Jewish wedding planning. They often asked me questions like:

“How do we raise children who are confident, but kind?”

“How do we teach them to chase their dreams without fear?”

“How do we give them a sense of identity and pride?”

These questions inspired the very tips I’m sharing with you today—three unfiltered

strategies every parent can start using immediately to build unstoppable confidence in their children.

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Tip 1: Don’t Praise Results—Praise Effort

Let’s start with what might seem obvious but is rarely practiced. Most parents praise their child with statements like:

“You’re so smart!”

“You got an A—amazing!”

But here’s what this teaches: that their worth is tied to success. It wires them to avoid challenges for fear of losing approval.

Instead, praise the effort.

When your child studies hard or shows kindness, say things like:

“I’m proud of how hard you worked.”

“That took real courage.”

This kind of praise creates what psychologists call a growth mindset. It’s how I’ve helped countless students thrive in Bar Mitzvah preparation classes, where challenges are guaranteed, and confidence must be built, not just hoped for.

Jax and Brit loved this tip so much they started using it with their nieces and nephews long before having children of their own—planting seeds of resilience that will one day flourish in their own family.

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Tip 2: Replace “How Was Your Day?” with “What’s One Win and One Challenge?”

Picture this: your child comes home. You ask the default question,

“How was your day?”

They shrug, “Fine.”

End of conversation.

If you want to open their heart, ask:

“What’s one win and one challenge you had today?”

This question does two powerful things:

1. It helps your child identify moments of pride, reinforcing confidence.

2. It teaches them to reflect on challenges, seeing obstacles as growth opportunities.

This shift in dialogue makes your home a place of trust, curiosity, and connection.

During our pre-marital meetings, Jax and Brit shared how they practiced this question with each other after busy days planning their Jewish wedding Toronto style. It helped them stay connected and better prepared for the lifelong partnership ahead.

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Tip 3: Teach Your Child to Say, “I’m Still Learning”

This phrase is a game-changer.

Kids (and adults) who fear mistakes avoid challenges. But when we normalize failure by teaching them to say,

“I’m still learning,”

they remove the shame from falling short. Mistakes become momentum, and setbacks become setups for comebacks.

This mindset is exactly what I instill in every student in my online Jewish education programs—whether they’re preparing for a Bar Mitzvah, a Bat Mitzvah, or exploring Judaism classes online.

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The Universe Isn’t on a Budget

In a world obsessed with limits—limited time, limited money, limited opportunities—I remind students and families of something bigger:

The universe isn’t on a budget.

There is no ceiling on your child’s potential.

There is no cap on their ability to grow.

There is no quota on dreams they can chase.

That’s why Jax and Brit’s wedding was so special. From the Jewish wedding invitations to the Jewish wedding photographer capturing every tear and laugh, they made sure every detail reflected their commitment to a life of abundance, love, and meaning.

They blended traditional Jewish weddings customs with modern touches, like a hand-painted Jewish wedding ketubah that included their shared values: growth, kindness, and courage.

They danced the Jewish wedding hora like the world was watching.

And when it came time for their first baby, I was there again—leading their baby naming ceremony Jewish style, celebrating not just a new life but a continuation of a legacy built on confidence and faith.

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Jewish Weddings and Baby Naming Ceremonies: Teaching Confidence in Every Milestone

A Jewish wedding ceremony or Jewish newborn ceremony isn’t just a celebration. It’s a teaching moment.

Under the Jewish wedding chuppah, couples pledge not just love, but a life of growth and kindness. During a baby naming ceremony, we remind families that every child is born with infinite potential.

From Jewish wedding traditions like the breaking of the glass to Jewish baby naming rituals like bestowing a Hebrew name, these milestones reinforce values of resilience, purpose, and hope.

As a Jewish wedding cantor, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful these traditions can be—especially when they’re led with heart.

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Final Thoughts: Ask for More—for Yourself and Your Child

As you navigate parenting—or prepare for your own milestones like weddings or naming ceremonies—remember this:

Don’t let your child settle for small dreams or quiet voices.

Teach them to ask for more.

To chase goals.

To believe they are worthy.

And if you’re planning a Jewish wedding Toronto style or looking for Jewish baby naming services, let’s create a ceremony that plants these seeds in your family’s story.

Because life’s most sacred moments aren’t just about the vows or names—they’re about who you and your children are becoming