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


11, 14, 20



Begin colon cancer screening at 40. We have a family history on both sides.


21



Teach them about Oliver Cromwell’s rule: “I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible that you may be mistaken.” Leave room for your mind to be changed by new evidence or perspective.


14



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


14-17, 21



Life is like the ocean: Filled with energy, beauty, scary schit, lots of interesting creatures and so much to be in awe of. We couldn’t possibly control it but we can be a part of it.


16



Look into YMCA “family camp” in PA.


7



“ A vocation is where our anger and our joy meet.” -Sarah Bessey


16



Don’t play hard to get. Be hard to earn.


16, 21



Teach them that when we hear sirens it means someone is in trouble but help is on the way.


2-5



When something is upsetting you...Name it...Take a deep breath...Imagine holding it gently in your hands. (This is a reminder to use this visualization myself and to teach it to you. I want to give you as many tools as I can to help you learn to cope with negative emotions in a healthy way.)


9-11



Theme this year: Self Control (Repeat every year until age 99)


6



Avoid bird seed or pet food near your home. It attracts mice, rats, ticks, etc. keep bird feeders that use seed a good distance from the house. Try liquid feeders near windows. Or use a feed tray or hulled seeds (little waste.)


20



They can shower themselves if you install a hand-held shower head and install a suction cup wall-mount shower head holder lower on the shower wall. It’s easy to do and very cheap. They love it!


4-6



Be thankful for opportunities to be of service. It means God is trusting you to help.


8-14



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



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



Read blog post from Parent's Corner: The Letter Your Teenager Can't Write You By Gretchen Schmelzer June 23, 2015


13-17



“If you don’t know what hurts me, how can you say you love me?” From a story told by Rabbi Levi Yitzhak ....Do you know what causes him pain or anxiety? What he’s afraid of? In an age-appropriate way....Talk about our fears and the things that hurt us. He will see it’s normal to have fear and pain, and he will learn he can come to me with anything that troubles him.


8



Consensual sex requires no persuasion, convincing or begging.


14, 17



Never consent to a search. Ask if it’s required. If not, no search. If yes, ask for your lawyer.


17, 21



Marry for character, not just chemistry.


17, 21



Set up automatic payments so they are initiated on your end, so that you send out money to the bill/ company you’re paying instead of giving them access to take money out of your account.


20



Don’t worry if they’re not listening to what you say...They watch what you do. They study it.


13



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


15



Never follow an “I love you” with a “but...” Instead, follow it with “and...” or “that’s why...” Remember this when they’re young, teach it to them when they’re older.


10, 20



Read (or listen to) The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw together as a family. It's broken up into small vignettes so it's easy to get through bit by bit.


15



Adopting a “do it right now” mentality has done wonders for my organization


10, 12, 16



Marriage tip: King sized blanket on Queen size bed.


21



Change always brings feelings of unease. It’s easy to confuse that feeling of unease with the feeling that something must be wrong. Give yourself time to adjust before deciding if a new thing is bad..


14, 18, 21