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



Be kind. Be brave.


5-10



Don’t let some dumb-sh*t’s overconfidence get you killed.


11, 14, 17, 19, 21



Have dinner guests sign the under side of the dining room table. Let the kids’ friends sign too - or have their own version of a guestbook - the inside of a cabinet or the basement door, etc.


5, 12-14



Explain the concept: "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."


6



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


16, 21



Two words: Kinetic Sand.


3



There is so much darkness in the world - keep pushing back against it every way you can. Be a force for good.


14, 16, 21



Netflix “Who Was?” A biography show for kids.


6-8



Not knowing what you’re doing is a lot less terrifying than not knowing who to trust.


14, 19, 21



Kitchen knife skills. Know how to properly and safely cut, slice, chop, dice, carve, etc.


15, 21



If there’s a ever a bird in the house, close the interior doors, open the doors to the outside and shoo it out with a broom.


18



Success = liking who you are, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.


14, 17, 21



Play this every year between 12-21. https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPd2b593U/


12, 14, 16, 21



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


15, 21



When driving in the car with your kids, ask them to count motorcycles, cyclists, pedestrians. Prize to the highest count! This will train them to be on the lookout for them.


10



Let go of things that aren’t good for you. Anger, fear, prejudice, obsession, grudges, snark, etc.


16, 21



Water park for fifth birthday


10



When baby has prolonged diarrhea and her butt is really sore, mix a concoction of 50/50 Aquafor and Mylanta to use as a diaper cream.


Infant-2



Tell them who they are: kind, creative, smart etc. A person of honor and integrity, a part of the divine universe. Demonstrate for them what it means to live according to your values. Encourage them to listen to their body, guide them on how they might best find (and align with) their truest nature. Listen to them when they’re exploring what that might look like. Support them when they decide.


1, 2, 5, 7, 12, 16, 18, 21



Never say anything behind someone's back that you wouldn't say to their face.


11, 14, 18



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


5-8



Attend a Pride parade.


9



Let them borrow your calm. Little ones (grownups too) sometimes just need to freak out a bit. Stay there. Be near. Don’t judge or even help. Just be there, and stay calm. Your loving energy is all they need as they work through it themselves. Keep them safe but other than that don’t help or advise unless they ask.


2-6, 17, 21



Always hold the door open for the next person.


4-14



1

You’re gonna be misunderstood a lot. Some people just won’t like you. It’s okay. Wish them well and let it go.


10, 13, 16, 21



Your brain seeks novelty. Try new things as long as you live. Take risks (but not safety risks!)


20



Enroll in cooking lessons. We'll need to find you someone who knows how to cook. (Don't tell mom I said that.)


14



Sometimes, no matter how great a thing is it can’t make up for what it’s not.


14, 19, 21



You should feel safe with friends. They shouldn’t try to get you hurt or in trouble. Anyone who makes you feel unsafe is not your friend.


8-15