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


13-17



If you’re having trouble finding your passion, read biographies and memoirs of people from all walks of life. There are so many worlds out there! You’ll find one that excites you, where your unique talents and skill set can shine.


19



Best song for a good cry: “And so It Goes” by Billy Joel.


15, 21



Remember that whoever you’re grieving would only want the best for you.


20



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


15, 19, 21



Have them sort change, and eventually to count it. It teaches them to gather things that are alike, it's an introduction to money and it occupies them for 15 minutes! Just make sure they're old enough to be past the point of putting coins in their mouth.


3-5



A hard day’s work is something to be proud of, not afraid of.


8, 12, 15, 20



Read poem “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver. (“...You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves...”)


17



To avoid miscommunication and misplaced expectations, tell your partner what you need from them. But if what you need is for them to be a different person, that’s not fair to them or to you. Let them go and set about finding the right person.


18, 20



Alka-Seltzer is great for a hangover or even better, take it before you go to bed after partying. Disclaimer I’m talking about a few drinks. For the love of everything holy, please don’t ingest insane amounts of alcohol at a time. Buzzed is fun, drunk is stupid. And dangerous. Never drive once you’ve had a drink or weed.


18



If you’re waiting on someone to change for the relationship to work, it’s not gonna work. Love ‘em or leave ‘em. But forget trying to change them. (Same works in reverse. If someone wants you to change something about yourself before they commit, don’t walk away…RUN!)


14, 18, 21



Before a play date or sleepover ask the parent “Are there any unlocked guns in the house?”


6-9



Replace “but” with “and.” “I love you but...” Becomes “I love you and that’s why...” etc.


9



Grandpa didn’t drink coffee, but when he was in Korea he used to drink it just so he could hold the cup and keep his hands warm. (During the Korean War be enlisted in the Marines with a bunch of his buddies right after high school.)


14, 21



Look into going to college abroad. Research international universities. Spain, Netherlands, etc.


15, 16



Just for the record, I didn’t vote for Trump. I want my great-grandchildren to know that.


18



1

When baby has prolonged diarrhea and her butt is really sore, mix a concoction of 50/50 Aquafor and Mylanta to use as a diaper cream.


Infant-2



Read A Mother’s Reckoning by Sue Klebold (mother of Columbine shooter.)


12



Get at least 2, preferably 3 estimates on any major expenses for home or car.


21



ABC's of video game addiction: Autonomy, Belonging, Control. Try to find ways to developing these things in areas outside of gaming. Games are great, but not at the expense of everything else.


1Infant-13



Clip nails after bath. It’s easier to do when they’re softer. (Teach them the same thing when they’re old enough to do it for themselves.)


1, 10



It’s okay if you don’t know how (or don’t want) to move on. Start with something easier…just don’t go back.


16



Toddler years: Tater tots make everything better. The smaller ones cook faster and you don't have to turn them.


2



Sometimes there’s nothing you can say or do to help someone feel better. In times like that, just make sure you don’t make it worse.


14, 18, 21



Teach them about the law and how it applies to them: Here's what happens if you hurt someone, steal, drive drunk, use or sell drugs, sexting, etc.


12



Marry for character, not just chemistry.


17, 21



Teach them what to do if they hit an animal while driving on the road. (First find out what you’re supposed to do, THEN teach them.)


16



Read maps.


9-14



Summers in Ireland and UK Drama camps? I could work from there while he did his thing.


12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17



End of August by Robert Frost is one of my favorite poems.


20