Just let a sweet moment be. There’s a time for jokes or small talk, but sometimes silence is best.


15,21



The most important things I can teach you is how to love and be loved


14, 19, 21



The secret to getting sinks and surfaces to shine is to dry-buff them after you clean them. Keep a soft clean rag or washcloth around so you can dry fixtures and sinks and counter tops. (They should be cleaning their own bathrooms by this age.)


11



“Never let anyone tell you who you are. SHOW them who you are.” - Kamala Harris


12, 13, 17, 21



People are insecure. Be mindful of fragile egos (we all have them to a degree.) Avoid implying that people aren't doing a good job.


20



“Be brave. Be resilient. Be kind. Be grateful.” -Hillary Rodham Clinton


12



It's natural to avoid change. Try to learn to accept change, embrace it if you can! Change is good. :)


15



Always know where the main water shut-off is in your house.


18



There is a cost and a duty to everything we own. Rachel Maddow


16



Don’t be “too” sure of yourself. There’s always a chance you could be wrong, so be open to what others are saying and consider the possibility they could be right. They very easily could know stuff you don’t. Their experience could be a lot different from yours, so just be careful of insisting you’re right.


15, 21



Look into YMCA “family camp” in PA.


7



The opposite of addiction is connection. Genuine connection can take lots of forms.


14, 17, 19, 21



Actions have consequences- so does inaction. Avoiding a problem or decision is not an effective solution.


18



Depression can look a lot like a bad attitude. Try reacting to his chronic edginess with “Sounds like you’re in pain. You can come to me about anything, any time.”


15



If you can’t afford to tip the server, you can’t afford to be there.


15



It’s your civic duty to vote (including midterms!) Be an informed voter.


16, 18



Best song for a good cry: “And so It Goes” by Billy Joel.


15, 21



Bottom line bible quote: Psalm 37:3 “Trust in the LORD and do good.” That pretty much covers everything.


13, 21



You can’t hit ‘em all outta the park. Some days (dates, reviews, vacations, report cards, etc.) are just going to fall flat. No worries, the next one will be better.


15, 19



“Never allow anyone to be humiliated in your presence.” - Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel


12, 14, 17, 21



Surround yourself with people and ideas that inspire you and captivate you. Life is too short for destructive relationships.


13, 18



Listen to records, a whole album at a time. 2 or 3 in a row. Bring friends, eat, drink, hangout, be goofy, dance, etc.


14-18



Come and go in peace.


12, 15, 21



Before speaking (or texting) ask yourself three questions: Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary? If not all three, don’t speak. (PS “kind” isn’t the same as good news. You can deliver bad news with kindness.)


11, 14, 20



Try out Petra Lingua online language courses for kids. (Ages 3-10)


4



I hope you never abandon yourself to be loved or accepted by someone else. They’re not getting the real you and you’re missing out on the experience of being loved and accepted just as you are.


16,21



Failures are part of life. Feel free to fail. But behave with honor. Never do anything to tarnish your good name.


14, 18



Some people think the world owes THEM. They have a backwards. We are servants. How can we best serve?


12-21



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



My worst fear is that I will be unable to reach you when you’re in pain. All I want as a parent, what my whole job boils down to, is to be there when you need me. How can I help you?


13