“All the best things in life live on the other side of fear.” - Will Smith’s grandmother.


20



The only thing that matters is love. When we live with love - for God, for others and ourselves, that is what makes life worth living.


16



Super good-looking people often don’t develop good people skills because they’ve been able to get by on their looks. Listen! Beauty fades. Get curious about people who don’t necessarily catch your eye right away.


16, 19, 21



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



Family trip to a NASCAR race..


6



I’m cool with “C”s. Do good work but don’t put too much pressure yourself.


14



YouTube Randy Pauch The Last Lecture. Watch together.


14



Marry for character, not just chemistry.


17, 21



Train for a mini-triathlon together as a family this year.


12



Doing something you don’t want to do just to look cool is the opposite of cool.


9, 11, 14, 15, 19, 21



You always have a choice. Always.


15, 19, 21



Newborn babies don’t know their tummy hurst because they have to pass gas. They don’t know how to fall asleep when they’re tired. We have to provide all that context and help them learn about themselves. And we have to be patient with them. It’s hard work being a baby!


0, 1, 2



It’s so tempting to write someone off, to dismiss them as “less than.” They’re too young or too old to be taken seriously. They speak a different language or have a different skin color. They may be poor, uneducated, disabled or just simply unattractive. RESIST that temptation. Remember that every human being is God’s creation, a masterpiece cloaked in dignity. No matter what they look like or even what they’ve done, everyone you meet is deserving (and in need) of respect. To be humble is to remember this. (Start lesson young, phrased age-appropriately, and reticket yearly. Look for opportunities to discuss.)


8, 10, 11, 12, 16, 21



Emphasize "First things first." Distraction is always a challenge. Redirect focus to first things first.


5



Make "place value cups" as a rainy day activity and way to teach big numbers. (google, youtube or pinterest)


6-7



“Your soul is more magnificent, beautiful, and gigantic than you can possibly imagine.” From short story “The Egg” by Andy Weir


1Infant-21



If it costs you your peace it’s too expensive.


19



Police officers and members of the military put their lives on the line to protect us. Be respectful of them and thank them for their service.


9



Listen to Celebrate Calm podcasts for help dealing with defiance.


4, 9, 15



Never tolerate abuse. But definitely learn how to throw annoying habits and stupid drama in the bucket of the 10% of things you don’t like about being in the relationship. Even the most beautiful stallions poo, everything produces waste. Clean the waste, deal with it as a constant byproduct of life. don’t $@!#% the horse so you don’t have to deal with poo.


17, 21



Read “Attack of the Black Rectangles” by Amy Sarid King.


12



Be open to the possibility that you might be wrong.


12, 14, 17, 21



There’s a difference between looking cool and being cool. A person who wants to look cool is trying to impress other people. A person who is actually cool is true to himself /herself. Dress how it makes YOU happy! And fun fact, it’s those people who are the most well-liked because they sort of give others permission to be themselves…and everyone wants to be seen and liked for who they really are. So if you want to be popular remember three things: Be kind. Be yourself. Don’t judge


12,15



Take a CPR class together. Emphasize importance of staying certified ( or making a habit of watching an online course every year on the same day, like the day after Thanksgiving or something like that.


17



Read Prefontaine.


13



Just for the record, I didn’t vote for Trump. I want my great-grandchildren to know that.


18



Chemistry is not the same thing as compatibility.


16, 19, 21



Being numb is not the same thing as being happy.


15-18



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


11-21