Never say anything behind someone's back that you wouldn't say to their face.


11, 14, 18



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



The mind replays what the heart wants to heal.


16



Review basic grammar mistakes: Their, they’re and there. “It’s” and “its” “a lot”, etc.


10



Ask”How can I be a better parent to you?” Listen.


1Infant-18



Physical contact between two people is only fun / appropriate / legal / healthy if both people are into it. If one party objects, demurs or even acts less-than-interested, that’s the ballgame. Stop physical contact immediately. Be kind and respectful at all times.


15, 18



Institute a “leave by” time instead of a curfew. That way they won’t panic / speed if something out of their control happens to make them late. “Leave Riley’s house by 10pm.”


13



The more you move, the happier you are.


10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21



Turn on the closed captions on tv. Reading them is almost unconscious. Even better, set the audio to a language other than English and turn on English captions.


4-9



Talk about how to act respectfully and be inclusive of children with disabilities and facial deformities, etc.


5-10



Wintergreen snow sledding trip.


6



Re-Read "Girls and Sex: Navigating the New Landscape" by Peggy Orenstein.


13



Participate in an exchange program - either through hosting or traveling yourself & immerse yourself in the new culture


17



Teach them that when we hear sirens it means someone is in trouble but help is on the way.


2-5



Drunken shenanigans are part of life when you’re in college, etc. but it gets old fast. That kind of behavior as an adult is just sad. Drink responsibly. Don’t make an $@!#% out of yourself. I recommend this rule: Don’t have more than one drink at a work function.


21



When you meet someone for the first time try to clear your mind of any assumptions about physical appearance. Race, gender, age, handicap/disability, etc.


17, 21



Walk up the Washington monument. No elevator!


11



Live a life of dignity and joy.


14, 21



Apollo 13 and The Martian Great movies about space, science, engineering, etc. Watch together.


12



So you want to be a writer- then write. Anything. Play around with it. Journal. Fiction, non-fiction, biography, obits, blogs, plays, tv pilots, whatever. You will probably suck at it. Keep writing. Write more and more. You will get better, you’ll find your flow. This w


16, 21



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



What’s the Mark Twain quote about it’s not what you don’t know that gets you into trouble it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t true.


13, 21



Camp Arena Stage


8



Teach tuck to drive


15



Watch the documentary Kelce (2023)


12



Difficult conversations are…difficult. If you have to deliver bad news, don’t beat around the bush but prepare them for what’s coming rather than just blurting it out. “I have some news that’s going to be difficult to hear…” Or “Is this a good time to talk?” Those are just a couple examples, but many more are available. Look it up or ask people who routinely have to give bad news.


20



It’s hard to want something and not have it. Kids have to learn how to sit with that.


3-17



Watch Abby Wambach's 2018 Barnard commencement address together.


16



Show up. Be there when people are counting on you. Be at the celebrations and the funerals. Be at work and school when you're supposed to be.


12-19