Never consent to a search. Ask if it’s required. If not, no search. If yes, ask for your lawyer.


17, 21



Every “yes” to something is a “no” to something else. Take your time processing the choices - write in your journal, sweat it out, listen to music, talk to someone you trust, read books from experts. Once you’re clear about what you’re giving up, let it go and don’t look back. (Remember there’s no advice that’s right more than 99% of the time. Always trust your gut. Just remember an impulse isn’t the same thing as a gut check.)


15, 16, 19, 21



Birds of a feather flock together


14



Teach to use nail clippers


7



The more you want, the less you get.


14, 16, 21



I’m going to start you in Mathnasium or some other STEM (math) activity. Not because I want u to score high on your SAT but because I want You to be confident in your math skills you will use it every day and it will come in handy no matter what you choose to do for a living


7



Use Shutterfly or something like it to make Christmas books and birthday books each year.


Infant-21



Human creativity is nature manifest in us.


15, 21



Your spouse will be absolutely unbearable roughly 10% of the time. So will you be, by the way. Give grace. Receive it too. Also, physical distance helps, even for a few hours.


21



The moment you lose your cool, you’ve lost.


12,13, 14, 15, 16, 21



Fire drills. Practice what to do, where to go if the house is on fire. Have an escape plan.


5-10



Imagine hearing the apology you need to hear. Often times that really helps, even if the person never actually says it. It makes it easier to forgive and move on.


18



Thinking of asking her out? Want to apply for a job that sounds great? Remember you start off at “No.” You currently do not have a date with her. If you ask and she says no, you’ve lost nothing.


15, 17, 21



My favorite version of myself is when I’m not worried about what others think of me. I


11, 13, 15, 17, 21



Look into Space Camp for next year


8



Enjoy your success but don’t flaunt it.


21



Guard your health and fitness as if it were your most valuable possession. (It is.)


14, 17, 21



Not all babies are born healthy. There’s grief over that, a painful letting go of hopes and expectations, but eventually parents begin to dream different dreams for their baby. You have it within you to love deeply


21



It's very important to me, the idea of the scale of good and bad, of beauty and suffering. I think we should do everything we can to increase the beauty and to take away from the suffering. We have to work hard to tip the scale in the direction of good.


1Infant-14



“ It was my high school drama teacher who made sure I knew there was space for me in this world. Her kind words had a tremendous impact on my life. If you don’t know where to begin, start with “I see you. I love you. I’m so happy you’re here.”   -Chasten Buttigieg


12



Teach them about shaken baby syndrome.


13



90 seconds or less. No one wants to hear you talk for more than that. (In a personal setting like giving a toast.)


17, 21



Look into going to college abroad. Research international universities. Spain, Netherlands, etc.


15, 16



Sometimes (oftentimes) the truth is easier to find than to face.


14, 20



Let people do what they want to do so you can see what they’d rather do.


16



Consider the source. When you get information, look at where or who it’s coming from. Do you trust them? Are they an expert? When someone criticizes you. Do they know why they’re talking about and are they taking chances themselves. Pay no attention to hecklers.


15



Birthday traditions: 1) Plant something every year. 2) Birthday interview on camera or voice recording.


5



“There’s a part of me that’s a part of you” said a painter whose name I can’t remember. I don’t think he was talking to anyone in particular, or if he meant we’re all a part of each other. Either way, it’s a beautiful thought.


20



Read "A Wrinkle in Time" (me too.)


10