Get book “Talk to Me First: Everything You Need to Know to Become Your Kids'Go-To Person about Sex.” by Deborah Roffman.


7



I want to talk about when NOT to join in. Friends are great and feeling like we belong feels so good. But there are times I hope you muster the courage not to go along: Never cause anyone or anything pain in order to be liked. Don't confuse cruelty for humor. Never participate in things that may cause harm to yourself or others. Can you think of some things you want to make sure you don't go along with?


11



Explore American Sign Language. Libraries have books and websites like Lifeprint.com are great resources. It’s a good skill, helps build vocabulary and verbal skills. Seems that preschoolers are naturals -they just think it’s fun.


4-5



Ask him to memorize and recite William Ernest Henley poem “Invictus” as a Christmas present for me.


15



“Tell me something you want to be when you grow up.”


5, 8



On marriage: Your spouse will change. You will change. Some for the better, some parts for the worse. Tastes, plans, health, body shape, education, needs, beliefs... all change throughout our lives. It’s growth. (It’s also decay!) Support each other through both. Encourage each other to be true to yourselves. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Be kind. Pray for each other. Have fun together. Keep learning about each other. Be your partner’s biggest fan.


21



We’re born full of love. Life is about choosing where you want to put it. -xo


15, 19, 21



Someone else’s success doesn’t subtract from yours. Celebrating with them and encouraging them won’t make you the loser and them the winner. We’re all in this together.


12, 15



Listen to The Moth (storytelling) together.


15



Be a safe place. Teach them to be a safe place too.


12



Devotion is revealed by behavior, not intention.


15, 17, 21



Mom’s scrambled eggs: Use fresh eggs. Scramble vigorously. Don’t add water or milk, just cook in copious amount of butter. Add salt and pepper.


12



Learn how to sail together


12-15



Concussion testing - baseline


15



“If you want to be holy, be kind”. -Frederick Buechner


14, 19, 21



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


17



Action is the antithesis of anxiety.


18



What I most want to teach you this year is that you can always trust me. I will always love you, take care of you and never harm you. You may not always like me, but you can always trust me.


1



The things we invite to protect us take their job seriously. They will not abandon the watch without a fight to the death. So be careful, very careful about what u invite as armor. Please don’t place your trust in drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, working, disconnecting, etc. Put your trust in that which is creative, honest, loving, beautiful, interesting, inspiring, challenging or peaceful. These things make much better bodyguards, and they will never turn on you.


13, 16, 20



Ask: What are you responsible for?


15-18



Don’t play hard to get. Be hard to earn.


16, 21



If baby / toddler is melting down, put them in the bathtub or bring them outside. A change in temperature will calm them.


Infant-4



It’s when the sh*t hits the fan that real discipleship begins.


21



Be mindful of privilege. Discuss the concept, point it out where you see it.


11-18



1

Put a few drops of tea tree oil in their shampoo bottle to keep lice at bay. If there’s a outbreak at school, add more. (Or spritz their hair with a tea tree oil solution.)


5-7



Talk to him about applying to Democracy Summer program started by Rep. J. Raskin.


18



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


14, 17



“The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw Listen to audio or read together


14



You will never be good enough for the wrong person. This truth is profound and one I wish I learned a lot earlier in my life. Stop tripping over yourself to please someone who doesn’t get you.


21



Put down your phone and be in the moment. Teach this. Model this.


7