“Success is liking who you are, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” - Maya Angelou


13, 15, 21



Ask them to name 2 current or historical figures that they admire and why (one man one woman).


6-18



Look into Rustic Pathways to see the world and do some good.


15



1

Adopting a “do it right now” mentality has done wonders for my self-discipline. Something on the floor? Grab it right now. Thinking about cooking later? Cook right now. Laundry finished? Put them up right now. Home from a trip? Unpack right then. It’s the small things.


8, 9, 12, 17



To paraphrase Chris Rock, “You don’t get points for NOT beating your wife.” Meaning, you’re EXPECTED to do the right thing. So do the right thing, without any expectation of praise.


14, 18



If car breaks down, if at all possible, avoid pulling over on the highway. Get off the highway and pull to safety.


16



Have a charity lemonade stand. Pediatric cancer research, immigrant children, etc. Lots of problems...Let them be involved in part of the solution.


7-10



Be the kind of man that people feel safe around. Safe from harm, safe from judgment and safe from ridicule.


17



Just show up. That’s all we can really control. Show up, (don’t run) and take it from there. You got this.


21



Book recommendation: “Star Fish” by Lisa Fipps.


11



Always hold the door open for the next person.


4-14



A wise friend once told me that the kids will do as well as you do. You can’t be a good parent if you’re a miserable person. Do what you need to do to stay healthy and sane.


1, 5, 15, 21



“First the pain. Then the waiting. Then the rising.” Glennon Doyle


16, 21



Home is where they love you.


13, 17, 21



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


12-14, 21



Ask smart questions. More importantly, ask stupid questions! So many people are afraid of looking stupid that they totally fake understanding. Even in the very highest levels of career and society. Ask basic questions if something doesn’t make sense. Start at a kindergarten level understanding of a concept then build on it.


15, 20



Love then when they least deserve it because that’s when the need it the most.


3, 13, 17



Once or twice a year my parents would clean all the walls and baseboards in the house. Every time I smell Murphy’s Oil Soap I think of that. They mostly separated work around traditional gender roles but only insofar as that’s what they liked. Mom had no desire to work in the yard, Dad didn’t like to cook (until he got a bread machine for his retirement!) They often worked together on big tasks no matter inside or outside. Teamwork! And clean walls.


21



General rule for health and happiness: avoid excess.


10, 14, 17, 21



Let decency be like a religion to you. Practice it …but don’t preach it.


14



Start a yearly “review” right before school year. Raise allowance as appropriate. If they want more money, they’ll have to take on more responsibilities.


8



Ask “What are you going to teach ME?” Let him work on something to teach.


11



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


14, 20



“A lot” is two words. (You wouldn’t write abunch as one word.) “Its” is a pronoun like his or hers (you wouldn’t write her’s) The contraction “it’s” ONLY means “it is.” They’re / there / their


10



Build something beautiful.


13, 21



Give books. Inscribe them. Just a line or two can turn a good book into a treasure. Great for any occasion.


17



Walk up the Washington monument. No elevator!


11



“I don’t give a rat’s $@!#% how much respect u garner out in the world if you don’t show respect and love and serve those you love at home.” ____loosely quoted from Glennon Doyle’s ‘Untamed.’


14, 19



Give them the book Starfish by Lisa Fipps.


12, 14



“1883” Season 1 episode 6 has one of my favorite scenes about grief. “When you love someone you trade souls with them. Part of them lives in you and part of you lives with them. When they die, part of you dies with them. But a part of them lives in you.” Beautiful thought.


17, 21