Great article about teaching young kids how to do better than “I’m sorry” when they’ve caused another child pain. https://offspring.lifehacker.com/what-to-say-to-little-kids-instead-of-say-sorry-1819288365?fbclid=IwAR0bKgo60isKj6a5D2s3cs1leWCIyK9TXTBK62upV9U1S_bR0otfJndwg_k


3, 8



Paint rocks with pictures or kind messages and find public places to leave them where they can hide in plain site. See RockOurWorldArt.


8-11



Make sure you always have Uber gift cards on hand for friends, emergencies or whatever.


15-18



Read Harry Potter series to him / with him.


9-10



Avoid love bombing.


15, 17, 21



If you have to pretend to be someone else to get or keep a relationship or job, etc. then that relationship/job is not for you!


15, 17, 21



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


12-21



When disciplining remember: First acknowledge the emotion, then address the behavior.


2-4, 13, 15



1

Look for examples of people who have dealt with loss without giving in to bitterness. What do they have in common?


17



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



Surround yourself with people, places and spaces that feed your spirit. At the very least, avoid those that drain your spirit.


17



Shelter, water, Fire, food. (Outdoor survival priorities.)


12, 17



Take the family on periodic “spending fasts.” As an exercise, go a day, a weekend or a week without spending any money. Make due with what you have. Encourage participation. Tie in spending fasts with holidays, lent or in support of a cause.


7



You don’t have to lower your standards, just lower your walls.


12, 15, 21



Check out School of Rock (Vienna) or Bach to Rock.


9



You are absolutely priceless. What someone thinks of you, whatever may happen to you, no matter who loves you (or rejects you), nothing can diminish your worth or your worthiness. You. Are. Priceless.


10, 14, 17



Begin colon cancer screening at 40. We have a family history on both sides.


21



Let them borrow your calm. Little ones (grownups too) sometimes just need to freak out a bit. Stay there. Be near. Don’t judge or even help. Just be there, and stay calm. Your loving energy is all they need as they work through it themselves. Keep them safe but other than that don’t help or advise unless they ask.


2-6, 17, 21



If you sleep with a girl, always call or text the next day. Don't be a d-bag.


18



“If the pain was deep you will have to let it go many times.” Yung Pueblo from book Lighter


15, 18, 21



Theme this year: Self Control (Repeat every year until age 99)


6



Practice your signature


13



No threats, not even jokingly.


15



Start explaining wants vs. needs. Continue explaining for the next 30 years. We don’t always get what we want. That’s okay. 4 year olds can begin to understand this.


4



Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. Unless you're a lifeguard. ;)


16, 21



Test


1-2



1

Floss!!! All kinds of health benefits including decreased risk for heart disease and diabetes. Plus you get to keep your teeth. It's a no-brainer.


14, 18, 21



Learn what triggers you. It’s probably just two or three things. Work on your issues


14, 18. 21



Enroll in a CPR course. Re-certify every year.


13



Curiosity is life-giving while judgement is soul-sucking. Get curious about yourself and others. Wonder why, try to understand without judging.


12, 16, 20