Start playing Jokers and Marbles. Get it on Amazon or Etsy.


9



Read JAMA article by Brooke Peterson Gabster.


18



Don’t ask for anything until you’ve done what has been asked of you.


5



Appreciate other cultures when traveling or interacting among people from different cultures. Once on a mission trip, the locals brought coffee and cookies by in the afternoons, but I never took any. I regret that lost opportunity for connection.


14, 18, 21



Sometimes the job will require you to do menial tasks. Do them enthusiastically because nothing is “beneath you.” If the good Lord can wash people’s feet, you can make coffee at the office. Get over yourself.


16, 21



Google the “tea metaphor” for a discussion about consent.


17



“If we could see our prayers we would never stop praying.” - Bunmi Laditan, by way of her angel.


11, 17



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


21



Institute a “Wall of Fame” for accomplishments and victories, big and small. AND a “Wall of Shame” for minor infractions such as not changing the toilet paper roll, etc. We have to be willing to put ourselves on the wall of shame too - and that’s the lesson: We all make mistakes but we own up to them, fix them if possible and learn from them always. Also good fun. Start our with actual paper version but transition to a shared iCloud album to post wall of shame pics once they are old enough for phones. Maybe even continue through adulthood if they “shame” themselves!


5-15, 18, 21



Spend time with people you admire, in person and biographies, documentaries, novels and movies.


14-17, 21



Save where you can. Spend when you have to. Splurge every once in a while.


15, 21



Changed behavior is the only real apology.


15



You’ll miss me when I’m gone, but if I did my job right you won’t need me.


21



Just because I forgive you, it doesn’t mean I trust you. Trust has to be earned.


15, 18, 21



make your own latch board / "busy board" for plenty of hours of learning and entertainment. Find lots of great ideas on Pinterest.


1-2



Life is difficult...Focus on the joy.


16, 20



Are you proud of the work you did today? Were you respectful and kind? Did you tell the truth and look out for the little ones? If so, I’m happy. I don’t care one bit about grades.


5



Which line of poetry would you get tattooed?


17



Just let them be who they are. Enjoy getting to know them.


1-21



***Manners!! *** Etiquette is the secret sauce. Everyone appreciates being treated with respect. Etiquette is the art and science of respecting others. It’s timeless and universal. Customs change, hence the need for constant study, but respect is always the foundation. In summary: Be nice. Start with yourself. Study etiquette. It will help you in every single interaction you have, social, professional, financial, everything. Manners apply to every human, in every interaction, even on the hard days. Hence, the need for practice.


3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21



Grandpa always said everything boils down to how you treat people. Always treating people with kindness and respect is the most important lesson he wanted to get across to us.


12-21



Go as a family to local high school musical productions.


7-18



Change is scary. But scary doesn’t equal bad. I don’t know what it’s going to look like but I know you will figure it out. You’re going to be okay no matter what curveballs you’re faced with. Stay calm. Be kind and respectful to everyone and every thing, including (especially) yourself. xoxo


5, 10, 15, 20, 21



There is a cost and a duty to everything we own. Rachel Maddow


16



Don’t quit your job until you have another job. Suck it up and make the best out of it.


21



Connect with people however you can, in whatever way feels natural to you: Talk, listen, perform, compete, create, laugh, pray, explore, share your truth, acknowledge the divine in yourself and in everyone you meet.


16, 21



“Parents detect fake friends. Kids detect fake relatives and friends detect fake love.” - I forget who’s grandma said it.


14



Find one or two scary documentaries on the dangers of gambling. Watch together. Betting on sports is a big thing in some schools and I want to scare the $@!#% out of him about how bad gambling can screw up his life. Check online tools from gamblers anonymous.


15



At dinner time, go around the table and share your “highs and lows” for the day. (Re-ticket up to 21)


5