Give him a copy of The Secret Lives of Great Composers by Elizabeth Lunday.


14



No absolute restrictions on food but stress that some foods are “party food.” Chips, for example. (I love potato chips!)


4



The more you want, the less you get.


14, 16, 21



Ask him for Christmas present: recite Andy Weir’s “The Egg.” Bonus points for memorization! Also great idea for audition tape. )I’m assuming you’ll be in theater!) xoxo


15



One of the most important things I can teach you is to help you learn how to deal with big feelings without resorting to destructive behavior or violence. Everyone on the planet will experience loss, disappointment, grief, heartbreak, betrayal, etc. Tools to deal with these feelings: counseling, journaling, art, music, exercise, meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, being in nature, talking with friends, joining a support group, movement like dancing or skating, singing, acting, anthropomorphic dialogue with your emotions, naming your emotions and describe how they physically feel in your body. Asking the emotion what it needs you to know.


1Infant-20



Meditation isn’t about a quiet mind, it’s about training a distracted mind to remain in the present. Focus on your breathing for one minute (set a timer.) Every time your thoughts wonder, gently bring your focus back to your breath. You may have to do this 10, 20, 30 or more times during those 60 seconds…but eventually you’ll get better. When you do, increase to two minutes, then five, all the way up to 30 minutes or even an hour.


16



Best take on parenting: “My kid is never gonna not feel safe with me.”


1, 5, 10, 15



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



Ask smart questions. More importantly, ask stupid questions! So many people are afraid of looking stupid that they totally fake understanding. Even in the very highest levels of career and society. Ask basic questions if something doesn’t make sense. Start at a kindergarten level understanding of a concept then build on it.


15, 20



“For better or worse means no matter what life throws at us, not no matter what you do to me.” - Brenda Linn


19, 21



Keep a pair of nail clippers in the car - much better lighting outside. Clipping tiny fingernails is terrifying!


Infant-1



We struggle so much when we don’t know ourselves. Are you a thinker (creative, big picture) or a doer (meticulous, task-oriented.) Both are great by the way.


16, 21



It’s very difficult to pull off sarcasm in written form. It does not translate.


15



I get it. It’s exhausting when they’re little. But you will never be so needed or so loved as you are during these years.


2, 3, 4



Beware that when you’re first exposed to a new thing: a car, a college tour, house, etc. you will feel AMAZING and totally seduced by the shiny newness. Be cool. Remember that glitters is not gold. Things don’t need to be perfect and even if the house is it doesn’t mean life will be.


15, 18, 21



“Things are not perfect, because life is not TV and we are real people with scarred, worried hearts. But it’s amazing a lot of the time.” - Anne Lamott


14



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


11



“You matter to me.” Is a beautiful way to express your feelings when a relationship is new.


15, 17, 21



Your intuition speaks in statements


17, 19, 21



Sex isn’t something you “score.” It’s not a competition. Whether the encounter is casual or within a committed relationship it’s something that is shared.


16, 19, 20



Anything you wear on purpose is fashion.


14, 19, 21



Watch Ken Burns’ “The US and the holocaust.”


17



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


5



Sign up for typing class. (Keyboarding)


13



Read maps.


9-14



Yoga for kids classes or YouTube


5-8



Just because you love someone doesn’t mean they feel loved by you. Meet the kids where they are.


2, 9, 21



Fall in love with a person, not a feeling.


19



It’s very easy to wander into trouble- not usually easy to wander out of it.


12