Be kinder than necessary.


9, 15, 21



Never say anything behind someone's back that you wouldn't say to their face.


11, 14, 18



Water park for fifth birthday


10



In 2024 there’s a medical test to screen for cancer that involves collecting one’s poo and sending it off to the lab. They just called me to tell me they canceled my test due to a clerical error on the order. I was so mad. The thought of doing that poo test again was freaking me out. Why didn’t the flunky who handles the specimens call before they pitched it? Then it dawned on me: it’s someone’s *job* to process poo specimens. Probably hundreds a day. It’s okay they didn’t stop to call and straighten out my test.perspective!!


17, 21



Jon Stewart talking about Bruce Springsteen at Kennedy Center Honors: “I didn’t understand his music for a long time. I didn’t understand it until I learned what it is to yearn.” That’s why art hits you differently at different ages. You filter the art through the lens of your life experience.


15, 21



Poems are great tools to help them to read, recite, practice handwriting, and illustrate.


7



“I don’t give a rat’s $@!#% how much respect u garner out in the world if you don’t show respect and love and serve those you love at home.” ____loosely quoted from Glennon Doyle’s ‘Untamed.’


14, 19



Find what you love Do what you love Be what you love Live what you love Love what you love and never look back ... Except to love.


19



Never pretend o know what you don’t know. But you can bluff your way through a lot of interviews just by doing a 30 minute Google search. Research the company, the industry, its governing body, key terms, awards, criticism, etc. Check out their social media.


17, 19, 21



Watch Abby Wambach's 2018 Barnard commencement address together.


16



Use timers to motivate and structure. "Better have your jammies on and teeth brushed by the time the timer goes off!" Using a simple timer helps things not drag on and on.


2-5



I’ve stopped worrying about you being able to make your way through life. You’re not even 8 years old and I can see you’re going to be just fine. You’re smart, kind, curious, hilarious and so very lovable. I worry about your safety, I stress about your health, but I don’t worry about your character. I’m so proud of you, and I love watching you grow.


14



The only thing that matters is love. When we live with love - for God, for others and ourselves, that is what makes life worth living.


16



Anything can be an opportunity for you to grow if you approach it with the right mindset. “What can I learn” “How can I turn this into a way to advance my goals?” I know, it’s kinda corny but it’s true. Your attitude is everything.


8, 10, 14, 18, 21



Staying calm is 90% of the battle. Practice.


13, 15, 18, 21



"Discipline is helping a child solve a problem. Punishment is making a child suffer for having a problem. To raise problem solvers, focus on solutions, not retribution.”- L.R KNost


2-15



The $@!#% never ends. Dealing with the $@!#% IS your job. If you think you’ll ever reach a “post-$@!#%” stage in your life, you’re wrong.


14, 19



Screw “achievement.” Do things you enjoy, share experiences that expand your capacity for joy and compassion. It doesn’t matter if you’re any good, it just matters that you’re in your groove.


16, 21



Something to remember on those days when the kids are making you nuts and you’re at the end of your parenting rope: “They love you no matter what. They always want to be close to you. Even when you’re screwing up, they still think you’re amazing. They want to be just like you when they grow up. You are their hero. You may be their mom, but they’re constantly reminding you of your worth.”


2



Music, arts, words or dancing can have a profound effect on the spirit. Let's find something that gives you chills!


11-14



The more you move, the happier you are.


10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21



Numbing doesn’t work. Let it hurt, let it heal, then it lets itself go.


15,21



Stay put, don’t wonder if lost when we hike.


2, 3, 5



“When you are not fed love off a silver spoon you will learn to lick it off of knives.” Lauren Eden (poet)


0, 20



Hold fast to what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)


10, 15, 21



Wintergreen snow sledding trip.


6



Do something that feeds your soul every day. Experience or create joy, even if just a small spark of it.


17



Keep a pair of nail clippers in the car - much better lighting outside. Clipping tiny fingernails is terrifying!


Infant-1



Just do the next right thing. One step at a time, you’ll get there.


13, 18, 21



Give baby a banana before bed and they’ll sleep through the night. (Obviously once they’re on solid food.)


1