Adult whining is worse than kid whining! We all have unpleasant comments to say in every day life, but do your best to keep snarky comments to yourself. Be mindful of what you're putting out there.


12-16



Make an album Or Shutterfly book about Mom and Dad’s wedding and marriage. Stress themes of love, kindness, sacrifice, shared values and putting the other first. Talk about managing conflict in a loving relationship doesn’t mean never fighting but it does mean fighting fair. Make it an annual tradition to read through it and talk about marriage on their anniversary. (The next best thing to modeling a happy marriage.


9



Chemistry is not the same thing as compatibility.


16, 19, 21



“You belong in every room you enter.” - Shonda Rhymes


6-21



Read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book on creativity. Re-read every few years!


17



Read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe together.


8



Remember to $@!#% the switch when you’re stuck: If you’re all up in your head, sad or anxious, do something physical. If you’re down with a physical problem, dive into your mind for diversion and healing.


11,14, 17, 21



Stay away from anything or anyone that denies or disparages a person’s humanity. (Or a group’s humanity.)


12-21



Resist the urge to give unsolicited advice. Wait…this entire thing is unsolicited advice!


15



Stuff is gonna happen! They will make incredibly stupid choices and get into all kinds of trouble. Take a beat. Be radically merciful. THAT is what they’ll remember and that is the lesson they’ll learn.


12-21



It’s okay to feel jealous. Totally normal, totally human. Just never act on jealousy.


12, 14, 16, 19, 21



We all have dark thoughts and moods every once in a while. That’s part of being human. But any sustained ideation or inclination to hurt yourself or someone else is a red flag and needs mental health intervention.


12, 14, 17, 21



Throw some love at a problem.


12, 15, 21



Let's find little ways to practice self-control and build that muscle.


11



1

Let your toddler brush your teeth. Goes a long way to them letting you brush theirs and it gives them a sense of autonomy and control.


2,3,4



Respect people’s privacy. No snooping, eavesdropping, peeping, etc.


11



None of us sit high enough to look down on anybody.


11, 14, 17, 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



My favorite version of myself is when I’m not worried about what others think of me. I


11, 13, 15, 17, 21



Sometimes there’s nothing else to do with the pain except to use it to build a new life.


13. 17, 19, 21



Tube first 2 or 3 years of your life I would sing to you after bath time as I was getting you in your jammies. Two songs: Oh Shenandoah and Danny Boy. Rubbing your tiny little feet with baby lotion while singing to you is one of the happiest memories of my life.


21



Watch the documentary Kelce (2023)


12



Some people have more money than sense. Just because u can afford something doesn’t mean you should buy it.


15



Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech.


10



Pool safety- never touch equipment and always have a grownup present when swimming.


3-8



"You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read." ~ James Baldwin


14, 19



You don’t have to keep it together. Let the tears come. Feel the loss. The big feelings never last long, they are a storm you can weather. Then the sky is brighter afterwards. Grief is medicine when expressed, poison when suppressed.


19, 21



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



You are 100% replaceable at work. You are not replaceable at home. A good work ethic is crucial but don’t drain yourself to the point that you don’t have anything left for your family and friends.


21



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


12