Give people the benefit of the doubt. Unless someone gives you a reason not to trust them, assign the best possible motive to their actions.


14-18



Following your conscience is more important than getting ahead and will make a greater difference in how happy you are. Getting ahead or not isn’t entirely up to you, but listening to your conscience is.” - Senator Mitt Romney (paraphrase)


16



Highly recommend book about math and multiplication techniques:“The Best of Times” by Greg Tang.


10



Sad but important fact: You’ll never be enough for some people. Never. -Chasten Buttigieg


18



Trust yourself.


20



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


16



Talk to people like they belong and are valued exactly as they are in that moment.


12-14, 21



This! Your energy is beautiful and precious. Don’t waste it on people who are $@!#% bent on negativity. https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRxcJWem/


16



“When happy, be kind. When sad, be kind. When ever…be kind.” - Cory Booker


9, 12, 15, 19, 21



If it makes you happy it doesn't have to make sense to anyone else.


11, 14, 20



Kids (and people of all ages) need attention, affection and appreciation. It’s not all they need, but it’s a start!


11



Replace “but” with “and.” “I love you but...” Becomes “I love you and that’s why...” etc.


9



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


14, 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



When you’re in a disagreement with someone or feel you’ve been wronged, it’s helpful to remember who the other person is. Are they someone of integrity? (If they’re your friend I bet they are.) Remember then, that even though they may have done something to hurt you, they were likely believed their actions were doing (or at least trying to do) the right thing. People sometimes get it wrong. Or they don’t have all the facts. Or their mind is just somewhere else. The pain you may feel from a perceived slight is probably not intentional, but even if it is, try to forgive and let it go. We’re all just doing the best we can.


16, 21



It’s your civic duty to vote (including midterms!) Be an informed voter.


16, 18



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


15, 16



Consensual sex requires no persuasion, convincing or begging.


14, 17



Check out news-for-kids websites like Dogo News and NBC Learn.


7



If it’s the right thing, if something needs to be done… Make yourself do it. You’re never going to “feel like it.” Practice daily with things big and / or small without complaining.


9, 12, 15, 21



Model good nutrition and fitness routine.


4



Just love them. With all your might, them for who they are, and where they are. Forget about the other stuff.


15



Say it early and repeat it often, so that it sinks way down deep: There is nothing you could do to make me stop loving you. No mistake, no failure, no decision, nothing. There is no hole so deep that if you fell into it I wouldn’t climb down to help you out of. I love you no matter what.


7



Shampoo their hair. Nice luxurious shampoo. It’s a treat. In “5 Love Languages” speak, its an act of service and physical touch.


5, 7, 9, 12



Turn on the closed captions on tv. Reading them is almost unconscious. Even better, set the audio to a language other than English and turn on English captions.


4-9



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


4-5



Big secret to happiness: Let other people talk sh*t about you. They have a right to an opinion and you have the right to ignore it. The only standards you have to live up to are your own.


12, 14, 17, 21



Rudeness is a weak person’s imitation of strength.


13, 21



Avoid love bombing.


15, 17, 21



Listen to podcast “1912” about an incident of alarming racial injustice Forsyth County GA.


12