Just because you love someone doesn’t mean they feel loved by you. Meet the kids where they are.


2, 9, 21



People want to be heard. Listen to your clients, even when they're upset. Don't make excuses or anything, just let them talk. They mostly just want to be heard. Once they're calm, you can solve the problem.


21



Do something that feeds your soul every day. Experience or create joy, even if just a small spark of it.


17



Talk about what patterns of abuse look like. Teach them to recognize red flags like love-bombing, isolating from friends and family, controlling behavior and threats of violence and/or self-harm.


14, 16, 20, 21



Purchase book "All Are Welcome" by Alexandra Penfold to prep him for kindergarten.


5



When making decisions or having a disagreement, it’s very easy to get stuck in defense of your position because we just feel so strongly about it. Without realizing it, we can discount good alternatives and or fail to see the strengths of other people’s viewpoints. As an exercise to avoid getting caught in this trap, make a habit of listing 3 reasons why you might be wrong. Stretch to accommodate the possibility that your strongly-held belief just may be wrong.


14, 18, 21



Read Big Magic by Liz Gilbert. Re-read every 5-10 years.


19, 21



Give him a copy of The Secret Lives of Great Composers by Elizabeth Lunday.


14



Ditch the serving bowls, plates, tablecloth and utensils. Cover middle of table in tinfoil for the food. Give each kid a tinfoil placemat in lieu of a plate. Let them eat with their fingers. (Works great with spaghetti, chicken, ribs, shrimp, etc. Try it with ice-cream and cake for a birthday party!


3-6



When you feel like you’re on fire with anger or fear, if you can’t shake it, put that fire to good use.


14



Discuss the concept that “It’s not always about you.” Some days need to be about supporting someone else in their joy - or sorrow. Your needs take a backseat.


11, 14, 17



No threats, not even jokingly.


15



SAT Prep https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/opinion/how-i-learned-to-take-the-sat-like-a-rich-kid.html


16



There will be some losses or changes that completely shake you to the core. But remember that some bad experiences are like pooping your pants - Totally horrible but also kind of a relief.


19



Sign up for typing class. (Keyboarding)


13



“You can miss a person every day and still be glad that they’re no longer in your life.” — Oprah Winfrey


19



Don’t ask for anything until you’ve done what has been asked of you.


5



Never resist a generous impulse.


9, 12, 19



Time is of the essence


16



Zoom out! Perspective is your friend. At certain times in our lives we have the focus turned up so high that we don’t see beyond ourselves. (Adolescence is one of those times, totally natural.) Zoom out. You’ll feel better.


13, 15, 17, 21



Let decency be like a religion to you. Practice it …but don’t preach it.


14



There are all kinds of parenting and mommy blogs with good resources. A quick Google search will get you started.


Infant



Don’t go to sleep on a full stomach.


10, 15, 17, 19



They’re very teachable at this age. When behavior is bad, send to their room for a brief “time-out.” Then go get them by sitting and putting him/her on your lap. Talk (1-3 sentences) about why we don’t behave that way and how I expect you to behave instead. Then hugs and kisses. If the offense is really bad, introduce consequences (which have to be immediate, they wont understand missing out on something hours from now, won’t make the connection.)


3



Happiness: Someone (or some creature) to love, something to do and something to hope for. Don’t get too caught up in the rat race, money doesn’t mean you’ve arrived.


20



“The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw Listen to audio or read together


14



Look into Rustic Pathways to see the world and do some good.


15



"Discipline is helping a child solve a problem. Punishment is making a child suffer for having a problem. To raise problem solvers, focus on solutions, not retribution.”- L.R KNost


2-15



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


1Infant-18



“The more you sweat, the less you bleed.” True in boxing and in life. Put the work in. No shortcuts.


14, 18, 21