Drill on stuff that will be valuable throughout their lifetime: Vocabulary, geography, addition and subtraction.


10, 12, 14, 20



Open a Bank Account


8-12



Watch movie Sky Walk (2019) it’s about a school paper.


14, 18



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


18



The $@!#% never ends. Dealing with the $@!#% IS your job. If you think you’ll ever reach a “post-$@!#%” stage in your life, you’re wrong.


14, 19



Life is hard. But it's not so hard you can't figure it out. You're going to be fine. xoxo


11-21



Compassion: Acting with love when faced with another’s suffering.


16



Practice “going without.” Talk about how nobody gets what they want all the time. We should learn how to just choose to go without something we want. Get them in on the discussion and pick something every day to do without.


5-9



Speak up when it’s called for: Fight injustice, stand up for others, etc. but shut the F up if you’re thinking about offering an unsolicited opinion or advice about anything you’re not personally an expert in.


12, 16



When you feel hopeless that’s when you know it’s time to seek help. It’s a red flag in someone’s demeanor. Notify parents if you notice this feeling of deep despair in yourself or someone you know. Help really does help.


13, 15, 17, 19, 21



Do the work. No short-cuts.


14



At the hospital? Always confirm your name and date of birth and why you’re there.


16



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


6



Stuff will happen and you’ll think “I can’t get through this. I can’t go on.” In the moment it really feels that way. But ...You will survive. You’ll find a way. Never give up on yourself. I never will.


17



1

Sex is not an act, it’s a pool. Stay in the shallow end for as long as possible. Have fun. Be safe. Be respectful.


15



Small joys are what gets you through big grief.


14, 18, 21



Always wear an undershirt underneath a dress shirt.


13



You have to be in a good place to be able to make good choices. If you’re run-down, sick, grieving, addicted or in a really bad relationship, etc. you won’t be able to make healthy choices. It’s a catch 22 I know. My point is that you have to take care of yourself (or get help) so you can be in a position to make healthy, good choices.


17, 21



Quit trying to uncrazy the crazies


17, 21



Jam is an incredible resource of fun learning activities and projects in a safe online environment. Ages 6-16.


6



If you want to know what a woman wants in a man, I have a simple answer for you: watch the movie Scent of a Woman starring Al Pacino. Specifically, the tango scene.


14, 17, 21



Kindness is magic.


11, 15, 21



Always wear an undershirt with a dress shirt.


15



Book recommendation: “Star Fish” by Lisa Fipps.


11



“Distraction is the death of art. But boredom is the birth place of it.” (Forgot who said this)


12, 15, 21



SAT prep https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/opinion/how-i-learned-to-take-the-sat-like-a-rich-kid.html?referer=http%253A%252F%252Fm.facebook.com%252F


16



On grief: CS Lewis said somewhere that it isn’t just that his friend died, it’s that the part of him that only his friend could bring out would never be brought out again.


17, 21



Kitchen Commandment: She who cooks the dinner shall not clean up from dinner. I don't want to raise any of you to take housework for granted. It's hard. It's unfair and not cool to expect anyone (parent, spouse, roommate, etc. )to wait on you.


7-18



When you feel like judging someone, try to resist the urge and get curious instead. There’s always a story.


16



Mallomars in Christmas stockings. Mom NEVER buys Mallomars. But Santa does. (Reticket x 15 years.)


4