Be yourself. No need to pretend to like something the crowd is doing. Half of them are probably just as unenthused as you are but are afraid to say so.


12, 15



Ladies, don’t waste a moment of your precious time trying to get a man’s attention. If he’s interested he will love heaven and earth to get YOUR attention. Save your energy for joy and work and learning and doing whatever floats your boat! Let him be the one to twist himself in knots.


15, 18, 20



Sometimes it feels really good to say “no.” (Or “no thank you.” Or “$@!#% no!”)


14, 20



Remind them there’s nothing they could ever do to lose your love. They’re so afraid of disappointing you. Emphasize the difference between making mistakes and being a “bad” person.


5, 10, 15, 21



No one knows what they’re doing. Just be kind and brave and curious. You don’t have to have it figured out.


17



Let’s talk about hungry kids. What can we do to help? Donate? Volunteer? Start a Little Free Pantry?


7-12



If you see a kid sitting alone, he or she might be your next best friend. Go say hi! Ask him/her to sit next to you / play on your team, etc. No need to worry about whether that person is “too cool” or “not cool enough,” they’re just a kid. Like you.


8



No matter how successful you become you’re still expected to act with integrity and respect.


14, 18, 21



Plan a few screen-free weekends every year. (Reticket until 16.)


7



Control isn’t safety. Safety is putting in the physical/mental/intellectual/emotional/spiritual work so you’re confident in your ability to address whatever comes your way and thrive, bounce back after getting knocked down.


14, 21



The opposite of addiction is connection. Genuine connection can take lots of forms.


14, 17, 19, 21



Pour energy into what’s right with you and see what happens.


20, 21



Educate yourself. You can't solve a problem if you don't understand it.


14-21



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


17,18



Toddlers fall... a lot. Most falls are harmless but sometimes bad accidents happen. Head injuries are scary because they bleed and swell. If bleeding doesn't stop within a few minutes or you can see it's a big gash, head to the urgent care. And remember if the swelling goes out (“goose egg”) that’s a good thing: Better out than in.


2



Toddler years: Tater tots make everything better. The smaller ones cook faster and you don't have to turn them.


2



Find an activity / sport that they enjoy and support it. Get them outside and in the fresh air.


6-16



Checkout Bedtime Math app. It’s a tool to make math fun.


5



Read JAMA article by Brooke Peterson Gabster.


18



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



Read the Hobbit aloud with him. Afterward, encourage him to read The Lord of the Rings by himself.


9



Read If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin. Young adult coming of age story.


14, 17



When disciplining remember: First acknowledge the emotion, then address the behavior.


2-4, 13, 15



1

Participate in an exchange program - either through hosting or traveling yourself & immerse yourself in the new culture


17



Sometimes procrastination is part of the process. Eventually though, doing the thing is easier than stressing over it or hiding from it.


10. 12, 15, 21



Inevitably you will make mistakes in your career. Someone will dress you down for it. It stings. But they are doing you a favor. Thank them for it. We all have to learn, and we can’t do that if our pride gets in the way. Be humble and accept constructive criticism.


16, 21



Don’t be “too” sure of yourself. There’s always a chance you could be wrong, so be open to what others are saying and consider the possibility they could be right. They very easily could know stuff you don’t. Their experience could be a lot different from yours, so just be careful of insisting you’re right.


15, 21