Never make someone feel bad for liking something. Not your kids, your friends or colleagues. Joy is a beautiful thing. Cherish it in yourself and in others.


8, 9, 12



One of my favorite things is the smell of celery and onion being sautéed in butter. It’s the smell I woke up to on so many Thanksgiving mornings as my mom was making the stuffing.


21



Don’t confuse a broken dream for a broken future. Or a broken heart for a broken life.


13, 15, 17, 19, 21



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



Stay put, don’t wonder if lost when we hike.


2, 3, 5



People may have all kinds of different motives for doing what they do, saying what they say. To “give someone the benefit of the doubt” means that you consider what the best possible reason they may have for doing what they did and assume that was the motive. If someone has earned your trust, even if it’s that they’ve done nothing to break your trust, give them the benefit of the doubt.


11-15



Happiness, beauty, health, fun, success: define for yourself what each of those things mean. People and society are gonna try and convince you to share their definitions…don’t let them.


13, 15, 17, 21



In social situations it's better to talk too little than too much. Don't over-share with people you're not close to.


15



1

If you can’t afford to tip the server, you can’t afford to be there.


15



“Distraction is the death of art. But boredom is the birth place of it.” (Forgot who said this)


12, 15, 21



Frustrated with school or work? It bothers you because you care or you hurt. That’s human.


14



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


11, 13, 15, 17, 21



Don’t stay down too long.


16, 19, 21



Train for a mini-triathlon together as a family this year.


12



What do you think about the word “refugee?” Let’s talk about what it means. Personally, I don’t understand all the complexities of immigration policy, but I figure anyone who escapes violence and walks hundreds of miles with kids in tow, trying to get to safety and gain an opportunity for a better life for their family can live next-door to me anytime.


13



Numbing doesn’t work. Let it hurt, let it heal, then it lets itself go.


15,21



Roll-play confrontational situations so they can practice staying calm, not reacting in situations like road-rage, bullies, being screamed at by a boss or a customer.


11, 15, 17



Do something that feeds your soul every day. Experience or create joy, even if just a small spark of it.


17



“Be brave. Be resilient. Be kind. Be grateful.” -Hillary Rodham Clinton


12



Happiness comes from giving and helping, not buying and having.


14, 19



NEVER sit while someone near you is working.


14-21



ABC's of video game addiction: Autonomy, Belonging, Control. Try to find ways to developing these things in areas outside of gaming. Games are great, but not at the expense of everything else.


1Infant-13



1

“If you want to be beautiful, make beautiful choices.” - (Greek philosopher whose name I can’t remember.)


10, 13, 17, 21



Jam is an incredible resource of fun learning activities and projects in a safe online environment. Ages 6-16.


6



Plants eat sunlight. Eat mostly plants.


14, 17, 21



When they confide in you or tell you something that makes them so vulnerable u don’t know what to tell them, just sat “I’m so glad you told me.” (You’re not alone, I heard you, I’m here and will stay with you until it’s resolved.) re-ticket yearly.


9



You are always responsible for how you act, no matter what you’re feeling. (Or whether you’re drunk or in any way impaired.) Hammer this point home for the next 10 years!


13



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



Stupid is as stupid does - it’s not something you “are” it’s something you do.


4, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 19, 21