What does entitlement mean to you? I think it means the assumption that we are owed something simply by virtue of who we are rather than what we’ve earned.


10



Actions have consequences- so does inaction. Avoiding a problem or decision is not an effective solution.


18



“I don’t know what I think until I write about it.” - Joan Didion


15



“Write hard and clear about what hurts.” - Ernest Hemingway


12, 15, 21



You can love someone and still not tolerate their abuse. Protect your peace and safety.


17, 21



For parties, collect cell phones and put them in a basket. "Parent calls only. Enjoy the people here! They're pretty awesome!"


12



Be willing to say “I don’t know” if you don’t know! Don’t just make stuff up.


15, 20



“Where you stand depends on where you sit.” It means your personal situation informs your stance on issues. Try to imagine how you’d vote if you were sitting at a less privileged place.


15, 21



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


17



Look into YMCA “family camp” in PA.


7



Be generous in all things. That is my hope for you.


14, 18, 21



Change “I need to” to “this matters because”. Instead of “I need to walk the dog” say “it matters that I walk the dog because he needs exercise and to check p-mail.” (Helps!)


8, 11, 16, 21



Have dinner guests sign the under side of the dining room table. Let the kids’ friends sign too - or have their own version of a guestbook - the inside of a cabinet or the basement door, etc.


5, 12-14



You can get into big trouble (with school and the law) even by fake / joke threats of violence (bomb threat, etc.) No jokes or pranks that have anything to do with violence.


11



You are never too old to play in the snow.


16



Ask him to memorize and recite William Ernest Henley poem “Invictus” as a Christmas present for me.


15



“Abhor what is evil. Hold fast to what is good.”


10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21



SAT prep https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/opinion/how-i-learned-to-take-the-sat-like-a-rich-kid.html?referer=http%253A%252F%252Fm.facebook.com%252F


16



Dating advice: If they like you, you’re gonna know. If they don’t, you’re gonna be confused.”


16, 21



When setting off fireworks...Keep a hose or a bucket of water nearby. Also remember Costco is a great place to buy them!


5, 7, 9



Stay away from anything or anyone that denies or disparages a person’s humanity. (Or a group’s humanity.)


12-21



Spend 20 minutes a day watching a show you like in Spanish (or whatever your target language is) with reactionary subtitles. You’ll pick it up in no time!


13, 16, 19



Someone I admire is __________. Talk about someone you admire and why. Ask them to do the same. Do this often as you can. Reticket through age 18.


4



Trust yourself.


20



Drill on stuff that will be valuable throughout their lifetime: Vocabulary, geography, addition and subtraction.


10, 12, 14, 20



You’re gonna be misunderstood a lot. Some people just won’t like you. It’s okay. Wish them well and let it go.


10, 13, 16, 21



Watch the local news together.


12



Sesame Street has great resources on teaching finances to little ones.


4-5



Make sure they have resources other than us. Hotlines for teens such as Boys Town National Hotline, National $@!#% Prevention Lifeline, etc.


12



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


4-9