“You will encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” -Maya Angelou


17



Visit the Grand Canyon together


18-21



“Write hard and clear about what hurts.” - Ernest Hemingway


12, 15, 21



Never post a pic to social media that you wouldn't want Grandma to see. NEVER send or ask to receive naked pictures. It's tacky, gross, illegal and not worth it. Even if "everyone does it". It's rude and disrespectful.


11-13, 18



Try using “No doesn’t tell me your needs” when toddler / little kid disobeys. “Were you trying to be funny? Do you need a minute?”


3



A mommy-friend of mine gave me some good advice: "Count the wins." So what if you didn't clean the house, you showered! So what if she's wearing 9 different colors - she dressed herself! Great advice. So remember, especially on the difficult days - and there will be many: Count the wins.


1



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



YouTube Randy Pauch The Last Lecture. Watch together.


14



Look into "OK Go" videos.


7-14



Isometrics for “punishment” (wall sits, arm lifts, planks, etc.)


5



Avoid the tendency to obsess over someone. It’s not romantic, it’s self-destructive. You’re worth more than that.


13, 15, 17, 19, 21



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


15, 18



Sometimes you don’t know what to do, can’t figure out what’s the right direction for you. That’s okay. Try thinking about what you *don’t* want to do. (See John Cusack career plans speech in 1989 movie “Say Anything.”


11, 16, 19, 21



Buy “Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids” by Kristen Jenson


8



It matters more “how” you go to college than “where” you go to college.


16



Book recommendation: “Star Fish” by Lisa Fipps.


11



Do not be daunted at the world’s grief. Do justly now. Love Mercy now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it. -The Talmud


15



Help him write a letter to someone in power if he has a question or concern about something he sees going on in the world.


7-11



Plan a neighborhood "Winter Olympics" for snow days. Create indoor and outdoor events.


8



Shelter, water, Fire, food. (Outdoor survival priorities.)


12, 17



Get really clear about what you want so that you’ll be able to recognize it when it’s here. Get really clear on the kind of relationship you want so that you can realize when it’s not with the person you’re seeing.


17, 21



Don’t go to sleep on a full stomach.


10, 15, 17, 19



Jam is an incredible resource of fun learning activities and projects in a safe online environment. Ages 6-16.


6



None of us sit high enough to look down on anybody.


11, 14, 17, 21



When you apologize don’t offer excuses just acknowledge your mistake, apologize for the consequences, and assure them it won’t happen again.


12, 16, 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



Hold fast to what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)


10, 15, 21



Tragedy may occur in your life, but it does not need to define your life. YOU get to do that...through the choices you make. _______I know you’ll make good ones. xo


19



IMPORTANT: If you borrow money from someone pay it back as soon as possible. In full. If you borrow an item, return it in excellent condition. I’d say if you borrow a car, return it with a full tank of gas but hopefully by the time you’re driving there won’t be any combustible engines. So return it fully charged!


12, 14, 16, 21



Sleep paralysis runs in the family. If you ever feel like you’re awake but you can’t move - don’t panic. It will pass in a minute. It’s just a lag time in your sleep/wake cycle.


20