Coda

Write “thank you” notes, send pics of them wearing the outfit Grandma gave, etc. You get so many gifts...Be a grateful recipient.

7

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Relationships & Career

Which line of poetry would you get tattooed?

17

Arts, Literature & Self Expression

You are never too old to play in the snow.

16

Fun, Adventure & Travel

Theme this year: Self Control (Repeat every year until age 99)

6

Character, Education & Self-Reliance

“You will encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” -Maya Angelou

17

Character, Education & Self-Reliance

When they turn 18 they should have a will, a financial power of attorney and a medical PoA.

17,18

Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism

Check out Long Lake Summer Camp in NY. Theater, the arts, etc.

12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Arts, Literature & Self Expression Fun, Adventure & Travel

Turn off main water line when you leave on vacation.

21

Family & Home

Don’t feed the thing you’re fighting.

13, 17, 21

Emotional Development & Mental Health

If you don’t know what to do ask yourself how you want to feel. Once you have a good idea of that you can find lots of paths to get you there.

16, 21

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Faith & Philosophy Relationships & Career

The better you eat, the better you feel. (And look.) if you eat like sht you’re going to feel like sht. Eat your vegetables! xoxo

17, 21

Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance

The universe is cheering for you!

14, 16, 18, 20

Faith & Philosophy

Plan a trip someplace where we can see the Northern Lights.

15

Fun, Adventure & Travel Nature, Animals & the Environment

If you want to know what girls like, read the books they’re reading, watch the shows they watch, etc. Porn is entertainment not education. Movies books and shows marketed to 12 year-old boys get it wrong most of the time, can’t learn anything from them. Chick flicks is where you’ll find a little instruction on how to flirt in a non-creepy way, how to kiss, how to be in a healthy relationship. Study the difference between the male gaze vs female gaze.

14

Relationships & Career

Be open to the possibility that you might be wrong.

12, 14, 17, 21

Relationships & Career

Great article on how to explain that bodies AND brains are undergoing rapid changes during adolescence. Re-read and then chat! https://www.upworthy.com/amp/this-mother-s-description-of-her-tween-son-s-brain-is-a-must-read-for-all-parents?c=ufb1

10

Family & Home Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance Emotional Development & Mental Health

People don’t abandon people they love, they abandon people they’re using.

19, 21

Family & Home Character, Education & Self-Reliance Emotional Development & Mental Health Relationships & Career

Google earth app means there's always a globe at hand. Point out states, countries or oceans when we hear about them.

4-9

Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism

Robin Williams was one of the best examples of how to be a good human.

15, 19, 21

Faith & Philosophy

Sweetheart you don’t have room in your life for people who don’t get you. Let your light shine…and f*@k anyone who doesn’t appreciate it.

14, 16, 18, 20

Emotional Development & Mental Health

Never post a pic to social media that you wouldn't want Grandma to see. NEVER send or ask to receive naked pictures. It's tacky, gross, illegal and not worth it. Even if "everyone does it". It's rude and disrespectful.

11-13, 18

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Relationships & Career

“In the middle of the pain you didn’t cause, the change you didn’t want, the reality you didn’t know was coming . . . your life can still be beautiful.” Lysa TerKeurst

20

Family & Home

You don’t have to like everyone you go to school with, or work with. You don’t even have to like your family! BUT, you have to treat everyone with respect and kindness. They are worthy of that no matter what your opinion of them may be.

15, 21

Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism

Ask: What are you responsible for?

15-18

Character, Education & Self-Reliance

Do what makes you happy. But what if you’re not sure what that might be? If you’re at a crossroads and you don’t know where you want to go, just go where you’re needed. That’s a good first step. Trust the Lord to take it from there.

18

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Faith & Philosophy Relationships & Career

Your body and brain are always trying to protect you.

17

Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance Emotional Development & Mental Health

“Dress braver than you feel. Act braver than you feel.” - Ray

17

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance

Keep going. It’s never, NEVER hopeless.

14, 16, 18, 19, 21

Family & Home Character, Education & Self-Reliance Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance Arts, Literature & Self Expression Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge Fun, Adventure & Travel Faith & Philosophy Finances Emotional Development & Mental Health Nature, Animals & the Environment Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism Relationships & Career

“Natural” deodorant doesn’t work. Go with trusted brands here. There are times when it’s fine not to look your best, but stinky is never okay.

13, 18

Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance

Hand out tulip bulbs (or some sort of bulbs) at my funeral and ask people to plant a few in their yard. But NOT daffodils. I hate daffodils. And lilies, hate ‘em.) So tulips then.

21

Family & Home Nature, Animals & the Environment

Write “thank you” notes, send pics of them wearing the outfit Grandma gave, etc. You get so many gifts...Be a grateful recipient.

Which line of poetry would you get tattooed?

You are never too old to play in the snow.

Theme this year: Self Control (Repeat every year until age 99)

“You will encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” -Maya Angelou

When they turn 18 they should have a will, a financial power of attorney and a medical PoA.

Check out Long Lake Summer Camp in NY. Theater, the arts, etc.

Turn off main water line when you leave on vacation.

Don’t feed the thing you’re fighting.

If you don’t know what to do ask yourself how you want to feel. Once you have a good idea of that you can find lots of paths to get you there.

The better you eat, the better you feel. (And look.) if you eat like sh*t you’re going to feel like sh*t. Eat your vegetables! xoxo

The universe is cheering for you!

Plan a trip someplace where we can see the Northern Lights.

Be open to the possibility that you might be wrong.

Great article on how to explain that bodies AND brains are undergoing rapid changes during adolescence. Re-read and then chat! https://www.upworthy.com/amp/this-mother-s-description-of-her-tween-son-s-brain-is-a-must-read-for-all-parents?c=ufb1

People don’t abandon people they love, they abandon people they’re using.

Google earth app means there's always a globe at hand. Point out states, countries or oceans when we hear about them.

Robin Williams was one of the best examples of how to be a good human.

Sweetheart you don’t have room in your life for people who don’t get you. Let your light shine…and f*@k anyone who doesn’t appreciate it.

Never post a pic to social media that you wouldn't want Grandma to see. NEVER send or ask to receive naked pictures. It's tacky, gross, illegal and not worth it. Even if "everyone does it". It's rude and disrespectful.

“In the middle of the pain you didn’t cause, the change you didn’t want, the reality you didn’t know was coming . . . your life can still be beautiful.” Lysa TerKeurst

You don’t have to like everyone you go to school with, or work with. You don’t even have to like your family! BUT, you have to treat everyone with respect and kindness. They are worthy of that no matter what your opinion of them may be.

Ask: What are you responsible for?

Do what makes you happy. But what if you’re not sure what that might be? If you’re at a crossroads and you don’t know where you *want* to go, just go where you’re *needed.* That’s a good first step. Trust the Lord to take it from there.

Your body and brain are always trying to protect you.

“Dress braver than you feel. Act braver than you feel.” - Ray

Keep going. It’s never, NEVER hopeless.

“Natural” deodorant doesn’t work. Go with trusted brands here. There are times when it’s fine not to look your best, but stinky is never okay.

Hand out tulip bulbs (or some sort of bulbs) at my funeral and ask people to plant a few in their yard. But NOT daffodils. I hate daffodils. And lilies, hate ‘em.) So tulips then.

The better you eat, the better you feel. (And look.) if you eat like sht you’re going to feel like sht. Eat your vegetables! xoxo

Do what makes you happy. But what if you’re not sure what that might be? If you’re at a crossroads and you don’t know where you want to go, just go where you’re needed. That’s a good first step. Trust the Lord to take it from there.