If you witness a moment of vulnerability in someone, keep it to yourself. Be respectful of people's dignity.


14-18



Watch film “Radio” (2003) and talk about being brave. Teach them that doing what’s right takes courage.


8



There’s an art to speaking harsh truths in a delicate way. There’s an art in describing a ridiculous person or thing without being insulting. Mark Twain was a master at it. Read up!


17, 21



When they’re upset just ask what they need: space, distraction, or talk about it.


12



Review basic grammar mistakes: Their, they’re and there. “It’s” and “its” “a lot”, etc.


10



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


15, 19, 21



Caps Game this year.


11



If it makes you happy it doesn't have to make sense to anyone else.


11, 14, 20



There’s a lot of virtue to the “Let them” theory of parenting. It’s their life. Drop out of school? Not what I would want, but as long as I’ve had my say, the decision is theirs to make. The mess will be theirs too, but that’s just life. Stop trying to control everyone and everything. Give yourself and everyone else a break and as long as it’s nothing harmful, let them. Don’t try to bend them to your will, and keep your opinions to yourself.


12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18



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


11-18



1

It’s hard to want something and not have it. Kids have to learn how to sit with that.


3-17



Use timers to motivate and structure. "Better have your jammies on and teeth brushed by the time the timer goes off!" Using a simple timer helps things not drag on and on.


2-5



I’m going to keep from telling them how to feel.


4-18



Let your toddler brush your teeth. Goes a long way to them letting you brush theirs and it gives them a sense of autonomy and control.


2,3,4



You don’t have to choose to be single forever to enjoy being single for now.


17, 21



Universal Studios


12-18



It’s best not to cuss but writing bad words is even worse than speaking them. Even in casual texting, etc. Always an asterisk in place of a vowel to avoid being rude.


16



If you have to pretend to be someone else to get or keep a relationship or job, etc. then that relationship/job is not for you!


15, 17, 21



Keep in mind the human tendency (rightly or wrongly) to think “how it ends is how it was”. Could be a work shift, a class, a relationship, etc. try to end on a good note.


16, 21



Colin Powell’s 13 rules: 1. It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning. 2. Get mad, then get over it. 3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it. 4. It can be done. 5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it. 6. Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision. 7. You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours. 8. Check small things. 9. Share credit. 10. Remain calm. Be kind. 11. Have a vision. Be demanding. 12. Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers. 13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.


11, 14, 18



Talk to people like they belong and are valued exactly as they are in that moment.


12-14, 21



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


11



Drills (Writing pages of lines, grammar games,etc) Contractions, pronouns, commonly misspelled words, homophones like their and they’re, etc.) Drill drill drill! Written communication is so important and a simple mistake could cost big points at work.)


12



Conflict resolution tip: Are we talking about how we got here, or how we get out of here? Because those are two entirely different conversations.


14, 16, 20



Sometimes, no matter how great a thing is it can’t make up for what it’s not.


14, 19, 21



Name five women who contributed to our country’s history.


8, 13, 16



Use Shutterfly or something like it to make Christmas books and birthday books each year.


Infant-21



I wrestle with leaving the church but I want to save you a lifetime of feelings of unworthiness. It’s totally normal to feel like you’re not good enough. We all battle those kinds of insecurities, so the last thing we need is to be taught that God thinks it too. Know that in reality we are all precious, down to the subatomic level. So when you think you’re unworthy, shake it off! You belong in every room you enter.


13, 15, 21



Life doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful.


20