I hope you find a partner with who are your most authentic self, and who you love for who they genuinely are.


15, 21



Brennan Manning lectures and books.


19



When it comes to conflict- what is your part in things?


15, 21



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


11, 14, 20



“Your life unfolds in proportion to your courage.” -Danielle Le Port


15, 18



Letting go isn’t something active. Rather, it’s something you stop doing. Stop hoping. Stop fooling yourself. Stop wishing things were different.


17, 21



Default to "nice guy." Meaning it should require something significant for you NOT to be nice. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Cut them (and yourself) some slack. Life is hard. We're all in this together.


12



Relationships can end beautifully and bravely. They’re not all going to be forever. It’s much better to grieve the end of a relationship than to endure an unhealthy one.


15, 19, 21



Let's find little ways to practice self-control and build that muscle.


11



There IS such a thing as coming on too strong. Err on the side of leaving them wanting more.


15, 18, 21



Beware that when you’re first exposed to a new thing: a car, a college tour, house, etc. you will feel AMAZING and totally seduced by the shiny newness. Be cool. Remember that glitters is not gold. Things don’t need to be perfect and even if the house is it doesn’t mean life will be.


15, 18, 21



My mom used to proudly describe herself as an “Irish Catholic Democrat.” I think my dad voted for Reagan once but other than that we’re all pretty liberal.


18



“We don’t see the world as it is, we see the world as we are. - Prince Harry Or to put it simply, wherever you go, there you are.


12, 15, 21



Talk about how choices become habits. Habits can become addictions. Describe how pathways are literally dug into the brain and it's very hard to change them once those paths are made.


13-16



Anger diffuser game to help better understand coping skills when angry


8-18



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



“There is no such thing as a “bad kid” - just angry, hurt, tired, scared, confused, impulsive ones expressing their feelings


7, 12



Talk about de-escalation techniques.


15



There is all kinds of darkness in the world- disease, accidents, natural disasters, etc. But the worst darknesses are man made: War, violence, poverty, injustice, indifference. Push back against all of it as much as you can. Light will beat the darkness in the end. Fight on the side of the light. Love, truth, beauty, creativity, connection and compassion.


20



Quit trying to uncrazy the crazies


17, 21



So what you can. If you’re overwhelmed or depressed, and I can’t get it together to brush your teeth, rinse with water. Tomorrow, rinse with mouthwash. In a few days, brush without bothering to put toothpaste on the brush. This is a pretty extreme example but u get the picture. If you can’t do a load of laundry, just pick up the clothes into a pile. Tomorrow separate the pile. If you can’t face doing a full leg day at the gym, do one rep. Just do what you can, and eventually you will get up to speed. Give yourself grace, my love.


15, 17, 21



Get up early on a Saturday and go downtown. See how fun it is to be up before the rest of the world.


7-9



When they turn 18 they should have a will, a financial power of attorney and a medical PoA.


17,18



It’s not fair to resent someone for being exactly who they are.


17, 21



Learn to tie knots.


10



If you sleep with a girl, always call or text the next day. Don't be a d-bag.


18



Don’t be afraid of work.


12, 17, 21



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


15



Look into language school. Now is a good time to start learning Chinese, Spanish or Arabic.


5-8