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


15



Cut people some slack, everyone is entitled to a bad day.


17-20



Major regret: focusing too much on being liked (or loved.) You can’t *make* anyone love you. Some people just won’t like you… that’s okay. Make yourself proud. Do YOUR thing. Spend time on what matters to you.


14, 21



Watch Abby Wambach's 2018 Barnard commencement address together.


16



Keep in mind the human tendency (rightly or wrongly) to think “how it ends is how it was”. Could be a work shift, a class, a relationship, etc. try to end on a good note.


16, 21



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


Infant



Learn to tie knots.


10



Practice your signature


13



Anger is the bodyguard of sadness.


12-15, 21



Start a tradition of setting goals for Ne Year. Keep a notebook in with the Christmas ornaments and each year we all add in whatever we want to focus on: such as our resolutions, goals, hope or plans, etc. That will be something fun to do at the end of the year when we’re taking down the tree and putting away all the holiday stuff.


8



***Manners!! *** Etiquette is the secret sauce. Everyone appreciates being treated with respect. Etiquette is the art and science of respecting others. It’s timeless and universal. Customs change, hence the need for constant study, but respect is always the foundation. In summary: Be nice. Start with yourself. Study etiquette. It will help you in every single interaction you have, social, professional, financial, everything. Manners apply to every human, in every interaction, even on the hard days. Hence, the need for practice.


3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21



When you’re tired, the next best thing to sleep is a shower.


16



The better you eat, the better you feel. (And look.) if you eat like sh*t you’re going to feel like sh*t. Eat your vegetables! xoxo


17, 21



Two rules: First, don’t be a sh!tty person. 2. Try to have some fun. Everything else is just “whatever.”


13, 21



Just focus on shining on your own terms. Your shine is not dependent on anyone or anything else.


15



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


14



When the poop hits the fan, that's when real discipleship begins.


15-18



Read or listen to The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest.


17, 21



Go as a family to local high school musical productions.


7-18



Dream big. Work hard.


18



Follow your dreams…not your boyfriend’s.


16



Procrastinating is an Olympic sport for those of us with ADHD. Talk about ways to get “unstuck.” 1. Change your body - move to a different room or take a walk. 2. If you can’t move your body, move your focus. 3. Ask your brain how it’s trying to help you by paralyzing you. 4. Take deep breaths and let go of the shame and self-doubt you feel for getting stuck.


8, 9, 10, 14, 21



Marry for character, not just chemistry.


17, 21



On marriage: Your spouse will change. You will change. Some for the better, some parts for the worse. Tastes, plans, health, body shape, education, needs, beliefs... all change throughout our lives. It’s growth. (It’s also decay!) Support each other through both. Encourage each other to be true to yourselves. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Be kind. Pray for each other. Have fun together. Keep learning about each other. Be your partner’s biggest fan.


21



Go to Planet Word and do the Lexicon Lane puzzle experience.


12



Listen to podcast “1912” about an incident of alarming racial injustice Forsyth County GA.


12



If they like you you’ll know. If they don’t you’ll be confused.


15, 21



Have somebody take him skiing. I never learned to ski but I hope he learns to ski or snowboard.


6-11



In 2024 there’s a medical test to screen for cancer that involves collecting one’s poo and sending it off to the lab. They just called me to tell me they canceled my test due to a clerical error on the order. I was so mad. The thought of doing that poo test again was freaking me out. Why didn’t the flunky who handles the specimens call before they pitched it? Then it dawned on me: it’s someone’s *job* to process poo specimens. Probably hundreds a day. It’s okay they didn’t stop to call and straighten out my test.perspective!!


17, 21



Work on controlling temper. Read books about how to reach this at a young age and keep updating the conversation as he grows. He needs to be able to control his temper.


4-7