Let people do what they want to do so you can see what they’d rather do.


16



Plan out first concert.


11



Enjoy your success but don’t flaunt it.


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



You are a miracle. Take good care of yourself: Mind, body and soul.


21



Take advantage of all the help that’s available to you! Counselors, advisors, mentors, etc. Then pay it forward when you’re in a position to do so.


17



Challenge: Memorize and recite The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus.


10



Teach him what to do and how to act if he gets pulled over.


16



Mackinac Island trip


10



Something to remember on those days when the kids are making you nuts and you’re at the end of your parenting rope: “They love you no matter what. They always want to be close to you. Even when you’re screwing up, they still think you’re amazing. They want to be just like you when they grow up. You are their hero. You may be their mom, but they’re constantly reminding you of your worth.”


2



Universal Studios


12-18



Anything you wear on purpose is fashion.


14, 19, 21



If you don’t have anything intelligent to say on a subject it’s fine (encouraged) to say nothing. Listen. Learn.


20



Sometimes it feels really good to say “no.” (Or “no thank you.” Or “$@!#% no!”)


14, 20



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



1

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


3-17



Read (or listen to) A Fragile Stone together.


15



You can be angry. But you can’t drive while angry or talk to a child or work, or do anything dangerous when you’re angry.


15, 20



Parent the way you want your children to behave. Compassion, patience. Loving.


1, 2, 3, 4



Always clean from clean to dirty. Wash glassware first, greasy dishes last. Sink and tub first, then toilet. Then floor. Top-to bottom is another general rule.


13, 18



Read "You Can’t buy a Dinosaur with a Dime" by Harriet Ziefert. Teaches kids about earning money through work, making choices, even paying taxes!


9



Practice making yourself do something you don’t feel like doing. Practice and it gets easier


10, 12, 15, 18, 21



Marry for character, not just chemistry.


17, 21



It’s very difficult to pull off sarcasm in written form. It does not translate.


15



Be weird. Be happy. Be you. xoxo


12



Other peoples’ expectations are the guard rails on the road. They keep you safe and guide you he way - literally. They keep you from driving off a cliff. So if you want to be safe, and if you do that’s great, stay within the guardrails. But if you want to fly, you’re gonna have to run right over them.


18, 21



Start saving for retirement with your very first paycheck. Put away the MAX, you’ll never miss it. If the company doesn’t offer 401k then we’ll open a Roth IRA.


18



Be willing to say “I don’t know” if you don’t know! Don’t just make stuff up.


15, 20



Institute a “leave by” time instead of a curfew. That way they won’t panic / speed if something out of their control happens to make them late. “Leave Riley’s house by 10pm.”


13



Just love them. With all your might, them for who they are, and where they are. Forget about the other stuff.


15