At dinner time, go around the table and share your “highs and lows” for the day. (Re-ticket up to 21)


5



It's very important to me, the idea of the scale of good and bad, of beauty and suffering. I think we should do everything we can to increase the beauty and to take away from the suffering. We have to work hard to tip the scale in the direction of good.


1Infant-14



Focus on the lesson not the pain.


14, 21



You have yet to meet so many parts of yourself. All kinds of different people, places and experiences will draw those parts out of you.


15, 18, 21



Be mindful of privilege. Discuss the concept, point it out where you see it.


11-18



To quote Harvard professor Adam Grant: “Argue like you’re right and listen like you’re wrong.”


15



Be yourself. No need to pretend to like something the crowd is doing. Half of them are probably just as unenthused as you are but are afraid to say so.


12, 15



Monty Python movies.


12-15



The bull-sh*t never ends. Dealing with the bull-sh*t IS your job. If you think you’ll ever reach a “post-bullsh*t stage in your life, you’re wrong.


12, 15, 19, 21



American Sign Language course


15



Watch the political conventions every election year. Listen and decide for yourself.


17, 18, 21



There's an old saying that goes something like "Don't focus on how big your problems are, focus instead on how big your God is." On a certain level, that's way too simple, even trite. But without discounting the real pain you might be experiencing in a moment of crisis, I encourage you to embrace that sentiment. You can't forget about the problem, but you can change your focus, and decide to cling to the goodness of the Lord.


15



Being numb is not the same thing as being happy.


15-18



“Human beings are linked, not ranked.” - Gloria Steinem (f*ck the patriarchy)


15



It’s okay to not understand things. Just be sure the only place your ignorance leads you is to education.


15, 19



You are a miracle. Take good care of yourself: Mind, body and soul.


21



The Language of the Universe: A Visual Exploration of Mathematics https://www.amazon.com/dp/1536215058/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_R83V51QC1RGYVEZ4ESMQ


8



Keep going. Push yourself. The struggle makes it all the more worth it.


17, 21



We don’t snoop. Never read a correspondence (email, letter, text, note, etc.) that is not intended for your eyes, or listen in to a conversation that is not intended for your ears. The right to privacy is sacred. Always respect people’s privacy and set the expectation that others do the same for you.


10



Be respectful with regard to how you treat girls:. How you talk to them, how you talk about them, and even how you think about them.


11-14



Send them outside with an age-appropriate pair of scissors and have them “give the grass a haircut.” Fine motor skills!


2-4



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



Just love ‘em up. Be patient and kind. Be present. Listen. Play. Take care of their needs. Each one will be different and need you in different ways. That’s all, just fill them with love and security and they’ll grow up beautifully.


1-18



Rent kayaks.


14-16



We’re born full of love. Life is about choosing where you want to put it. -xo


15, 19, 21



My theory is that it’s pointless to chase love. You’ll never catch it. Focus on DOING what you love. When you’re being who you’re meant to be, you’ll find the one you’re meant to love. That way, love chases YOU! And love always wins. ❤️


16



Watch the local news together.


12



It’s when the sh*t hits the fan that real discipleship begins.


21



Read up on the adolescent brain.


11, 13



Google earth app means there's always a globe at hand. Point out states, countries or oceans when we hear about them.


4-9