Theme: Dignity


11



Re-Read "Girls and Sex: Navigating the New Landscape" by Peggy Orenstein.


13



You gotta play with them. Down on the floor, at the park, in the water, in the snow. Connect through play, it will be the foundation of your relationship.


1-4



Go on a tour of the Kennedy Center. Free guided tours through Friends of the Kennedy Center.


10



Ask them “what would it take for you to_____?” (Keep your room clean, stay on top of your homework, feel like you had more control in this situation, etc.) Instead of nagging or lecturing, just ask.


13



Writing is thinking.


14, 17. 21



A red brow line is an early sleepiness cue. If you notice the skin around baby’s eyebrows seems red, they’re ready for a nap.


Infant-1



Assume any email or text you send will be distributed.


12, 15



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


15



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


8



Just put your best foot forward and get on with it!


14, 17, 21



Like me, you turn to food for comfort. That’s okay to a point, but it won’t help. That hole you’re trying to fill will just get deeper. So if you can’t or won’t stop eating for comfort please consider this suggestion: Do something creative first. Sing, write, paint, run, lift, act, improv, whatever. The hole will be so much more shallow when you go to try and fill it with food. Hopefully, eventually you’ll get to the point of staying in “creative mode” to feel better.


10, 12, 13, 16, 21



Ask”How can I be a better parent to you?” Listen.


1Infant-18



I’m going to start you in Mathnasium or some other STEM (math) activity. Not because I want u to score high on your SAT but because I want You to be confident in your math skills you will use it every day and it will come in handy no matter what you choose to do for a living


7



Remember your training and staying calm and kind is how you get through this. It’s all you need to excel. So do your homework, whatever it may be. Show up and have at it. Calm and kind, baby. You got this.


9, 12, 14, 18, 21



Sex is something you do *with* someone, not *to* them. It should never be about scoring or bragging. It doesn’t make you a man. A man is someone who respects himself and others


13-17



Devotion is revealed by behavior, not intention.


15, 17, 21



Great article about teaching young kids how to do better than “I’m sorry” when they’ve caused another child pain. https://offspring.lifehacker.com/what-to-say-to-little-kids-instead-of-say-sorry-1819288365?fbclid=IwAR0bKgo60isKj6a5D2s3cs1leWCIyK9TXTBK62upV9U1S_bR0otfJndwg_k


3, 8



Misquoting someone here: “It’s not about getting everything you want, it’s about giving everything you have.” Stuff will never satisfy. Pouring yourself into something heart and soul will.


16, 21



Numbing doesn’t work. Let it hurt, let it heal, then it lets itself go.


15,21



American Sign Language course


15



A hard day’s work is something to be proud of, not afraid of.


8, 12, 15, 20



Try house music for focus. Spotify “uplifting trance” playlists. Better than Adderall by a mile.


12, 13, 16



We are all incurably human.


5, 15, 21



Awesome game we did at preschool - play I SPY. Try with objects or emotions, such as "I spy something sad" or "I spy something joyful." To help him learn empathy.


3-5



Make a Shutterfly book for each year and give it to them on their birthday.


5-18



Let’s find an activity where you can work with your hands


11



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


18



You’ve been entrusted with so much. Think about how much of an honor that is, and how big a responsibility.


16, 18, 21



Harm springs from excess.


12