The most important things I can teach you is how to love and be loved


14, 19, 21



SAT Prep https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/opinion/how-i-learned-to-take-the-sat-like-a-rich-kid.html


16



“You belong in every room you enter.” - Shonda Rhymes


6-21



I heard a song today, “I love you to the bone” by Sammy Copley. It’s a beautiful story of a lifelong love. It’s my prayer for you that your spouse will have that song played at your funeral after you shared a 75 year- long happy marriage. It’s my prayer that your life is filled with love and laughter, and most importantly a partner who grows with you in all good things. And that you love each other to the bone.


21



“The flower does not dream of the bee. It blossoms


15



You are a miracle. Take good care of yourself: Mind, body and soul.


21



Teach car maintenance: Adding air to tires, checking oil, etc.


13-17



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



Always wear an undershirt with a dress shirt.


15



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


14



People want to be heard. Listen to your clients, even when they're upset. Don't make excuses or anything, just let them talk. They mostly just want to be heard. Once they're calm, you can solve the problem.


21



Help them develop a positive attitude. http://www.momentsaday.com/10-activities-help-young-children-develop-a-positive-attitude/


5



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


15



Commonly misspelled words - find tricks for remembering. Example desert vs dessert. “Dessert” has an extra “s” for sugar. Search for mnemonics.


11



In marriage there will be times or occasions when one of you will be “pilot” and the other “copilot” (depending on skills, abilities, circumstances, etc.) Both pilot and copilot are good! But never be a “passenger” in a relationship.


21



Check in on your friends. Even the ones that seem fine.


14-21



1

Marry for character, not just chemistry.


17, 21



The person who lives in the body gets to say who touches that body.


5



Don’t waste your time with anyone who doesn’t love you for exactly who you are. Move on, because there is someone out there who will!


17



One of the funny/sensitive things about puberty is that kids can be the same age chronologically while being wildly varied in terms of development. Kid might be 6 feet tall in seventh grade or be a senior in high school and still not shaving. Everyone is self conscious, praying to avoid embarrassment. It’s all just part of growing up. Be kind to yourself and to your equally mortified peers.


11, 12, 13



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


15



Talk about how to speak up for themselves and others.


1Infant-12, 16, 21



“ A vocation is where our anger and our joy meet.” -Sarah Bessey


16



Uplift your friends and surround yourself with friends who uplift you. In person and online. Encourage each other to let your lights shine brightly. Never bully or steal someone’s joy.


11, 15, 18, 20



Theme this year: Self Control (Repeat every year until age 99)


6



Let decency be like a religion to you. Practice it …but don’t preach it.


14



“Natural” deodorant doesn’t work. Go with trusted brands here. There are times when it’s fine not to look your best, but stinky is never okay.


13, 18



Sex is something you do *with* someone, not *to* them. It should never be about scoring or bragging. It doesn’t make you a man. A man is someone who respects himself and others


13-17



Dress to people will listen to you, not look at you. (This is especially true at school and work.)


15, 18, 21



I just want to to know that I didn’t know what the $@!#% I was doing. It’s a miracle you turned out so beautifully! Just know you don’t have to have it all figured out. You’re going to have a wonderful life. xoxo - Mom


21