Have somebody take him skiing. I never learned to ski but I hope he learns to ski or snowboard.


6-11



Spend time with people you admire. Real-life acquaintances, biographies and documentaries, and fictional characters in novels, plays and movies.


13, 15, 18, 21



Make yourself a good hand. Don't wait to be asked, just jump in when you see a need. Wash a dish, make a bed, change a tire, help out a friend or a stranger whenever you can.


14-20



The more you move, the happier you are.


10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21



Watch the documentary Kelce (2023)


12



You may lose a relationship but you keep the love. It becomes a part of you. It changes you for the better.


15, 19, 21



The thing about hiding is you’re always worried you’ll be see, caught, or found out. It takes a toll. I hope you never hide from who you are, or feel like you have to fake it to be liked. I will always accept you as you are, and I hope to raise you so you accept yourself (and others) as well.


14,17



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


14-17, 21



“Tell me the story of your day.” (Works better than “how was your day?”


5, 6, 10



We all want to be liked. But consider what you’re willing to *not* be liked for: If things like kindness and loyalty and being genuinely yourself *cost* you friends, is that a bad thing? Were they really friends then? Try not to do or say anything simply out of a desire to be liked.


11, 13, 16, 21



Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower.”


14



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


14, 19



Don’t be a mooch! Contribute: To your home, your relationships, your work, your community, your church, your country, the world. Think about how much you get from all these things. It’s so much more from all these things than you could ever pay back, but that doesn’t mean you don’t try. Dig in and contribute wherever you can. Never free-load. That’s not who we are. Be brave and contribute your talent, treasure or whatever you can. Duty and compassion both demand it.


11-18



Pool safety- never touch equipment and always have a grownup present when swimming.


3-8



Little trick for acne treatment: dandruff shampoo. Wash your face with Head and Shoulders and watch your skin clear up.


13-17



You can’t hit ‘em all outta the park. Some days (dates, reviews, vacations, report cards, etc.) are just going to fall flat. No worries, the next one will be better.


15, 19



Highly encourage typing/ keyboarding class.


14



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


14, 20



Always hold the door open for the next person.


4-14



You can’t be a good parent if you’re a miserable person. Take care of yourself. Make the changes necessary to get in a good place. Ask for help. The happier you are, the happier they will be.


1, 10, 15



I want you to remember that for the first three years of your life I couldn’t take a poop without you on my lap. So there will be no shirking hugs from Mom now that you’re a teenager. xoxo


14



When you’re tired, the next best thing to sleep is a shower.


16



Never open someone else's mail, or listen to their conversation, etc. If it's not your business to know, don't snoop.


14-21



Research says working with your hands is good for your mind and spirit. Even if it’s just folding laundry or doing yard work. Let’s find a hobby u might like working with your hands.


12



Teach them how to eat a chicken wing in one bite


12



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



Try not to say insulting or hurtful things, but NEVER write them. (Texts, notes, emails, etc.)


11