Theme: Dignity


11



Read Thanks for the Feedback by Heen and Stone. Crucial for ADHD and rejection sensitivity. Wish I had it when I was about to launch into my career!


15, 19, 21



Read “Lighter” by Yung Pueblo. Read it every year.


17, 19, 21



Remember Mom's birthday


2-21



Just love ‘em up. Be patient and kind. Be present. Listen. Play. Take care of their needs. Each one will be different and need you in different ways. That’s all, just fill them with love and security and they’ll grow up beautifully.


1-18



“If you want to be holy, be kind”. -Frederick Buechner


14, 19, 21



Don’t ask for anything until you’ve done what has been asked of you.


5



When the poop hits the fan, that's when real discipleship begins.


15-18



Google earth app means there's always a globe at hand. Point out states, countries or oceans when we hear about them.


4-9



Two words: Kinetic Sand.


3



Put your purse, (wallet,bag, phone, or shoe) in the backseat with the baby. Unattended babies die every day and it’s my worst nightmare.


Infant-3, 21



You're about to come into a ton of energy and strength. It will seem like a lot to manage at first, but you'll get used to it and learn to use it constructively. Push your limits (within reason.) Challenge yourself.


13



Rock those babies to sleep as often as you can.


0, 1, 2



I love that you got chills from watching Wicked. You were 10 and already affected emotionally and physically by music. Bonus points for listening to and acknowledging how your body talks to you.


13, 19, 21



Educate About Risks of Driving


12-15



Teach him what to do and how to act if he gets pulled over.


16



It’s very difficult to pull off sarcasm in written form. It does not translate.


15



Opioids are highly addictive. If possible, stay away from them entirely and definitely not for more than 2-3 days. Manage pain with NSAIDS or Tylenol.


16, 18, 21



Uplift your friends and surround yourself with friends who uplift you. In person and online. Encourage each other to let your lights shine brightly. Never bully or steal someone’s joy.


11, 15, 18, 20



Be mindful of the patterns we’re falling into as a family. Teach them to be mindful of their patterns too.


6, 8, 12, 18



Go on a tour of the Kennedy Center. Free guided tours through Friends of the Kennedy Center.


10



Have the first of many talks about what consent means. Tell them (boys AND girls) that consent needs to be informed, enthusiastic, sober, ongoing and freely given. Stress that, in no uncertain terms, the absence of consent is rape. Discuss the legal, moral and emotional consequences.


12



take advantage of the bike trail. Bike places as a family.


11



Psalm 37:3 “Do good and trust in the Lord.” That pretty much covers it.


9, 15, 21



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


15, 18, 21



Spend time with people you admire, in person and biographies, documentaries, novels and movies.


14-17, 21



Check out the Jesuit Volunteer Corp. A short but deeply meaningful immersion into service, faith in action, selflessness and living on a lot less than you think you need.


19



White privilege doesn’t mean that your life hasn’t been hard, it means that your skin color isn’t one of the things making it harder.


14



Fire drills. Practice what to do, where to go if the house is on fire. Have an escape plan.


5-10



If you’re waiting on someone to change for the relationship to work, it’s not gonna work. Love ‘em or leave ‘em. But forget trying to change them. (Same works in reverse. If someone wants you to change something about yourself before they commit, don’t walk away…RUN!)


14, 18, 21