If you’re unable to help someone, help someone else. Throw some goodness or beauty in the bucket of humanity.


16



Partnership or pride…pick one.


21



Put your purse, (wallet,bag, phone, or shoe) in the backseat with the baby. Unattended babies die every day and it’s my worst nightmare.


Infant-3, 21



“It takes about 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” - Warren Buffett


12, 14, 16, 19, 21



This! Your energy is beautiful and precious. Don’t waste it on people who are $@!#% bent on negativity. https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRxcJWem/


16



Give yourself a break from thinking about yourself.


13, 16, 21



Just focus on shining on your own terms. Your shine is not dependent on anyone or anything else.


15



“Bullies are scared people hiding inside scary people.” -Michelle Obama


8-12



General rule for health and happiness: avoid excess.


10, 14, 17, 21



Just do the next right thing. One step at a time, you’ll get there.


13, 18, 21



Check out the website Brightly for timely and age-appropriate book recommendations. All sorts of subjects and themes.


5-12



You always have a choice. Always.


15, 19, 21



Be mindful of the patterns we’re falling into as a family. Teach them to be mindful of their patterns too.


6, 8, 12, 18



Learn to tie knots.


10



Plants eat sunlight. Eat mostly plants.


14, 17, 21



Police officers and members of the military put their lives on the line to protect us. Be respectful of them and thank them for their service.


9



vaccinate! Science is good.


0, 1, 2, 3, 5



Girls forget a good bit of compliments they receive but they remember every single insult. Speak gently, remind them they’re beautiful. Never qualify it.


12, 14, 17



Kids make fun, it’s not nice but they just do. Just blow it off if kids make fun of you got something silly. They’ll drop it if they don’t get a ride out of you. ... But bullying is different. If kids are being mean, threatening or scary, tell me and your teacher.


7



Sometimes (oftentimes) the truth is easier to find than to face.


14, 20



“It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to grieve. Because you can also live your life, and love your life, and be happy too.” Excellent advice from 9/11 survivor.


12, 15, 19



Take out your aggression on inanimate things, never on people or animals.


9



Emphasize "First things first." Distraction is always a challenge. Redirect focus to first things first.


5



Addiction is when you can’t get through the day without something. It’s not that you need to feel high, it’s that you can’t live without what gets you high. Humans are all wired to be at risk for addiction


13, 15, 18, 20



The moment you lose your cool, you’ve lost.


12,13, 14, 15, 16, 21



I hope you find a partner with who are your most authentic self, and who you love for who they genuinely are.


15, 21



Have the first of many talks about what consent means. Tell them (boys AND girls) that consent needs to be informed, enthusiastic, sober, ongoing and freely given. Stress that, in no uncertain terms, the absence of consent is rape. Discuss the legal, moral and emotional consequences.


12



“If the pain was deep you will have to let it go many times.” Yung Pueblo from book Lighter


15, 18, 21



take advantage of the bike trail. Bike places as a family.


11



Remember the tool of “Yes. But first...” Kids ask for things they want ALL DAY. To avoid saying”no” all day, (and avoid tantrums) don’t say no. Little One doesn’t touch her dinner except for the applesauce. Then she asks “Mommy can I have more applesauce?” Tell her “Yes!” “After you finish your meat and vegetables.”


2