Plan a neighborhood "Winter Olympics" for snow days. Create indoor and outdoor events.


8



At dinner time, go around the table and share your “highs and lows” for the day. (Re-ticket up to 21)


5



Look into a class for meditation for kids. I read an article on a Baltimore elementary school that replaced detention with meditation and had amazing success.


6



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



If you’re ever in a situation where you’re worried you might need people to believe you in the future, take contemporaneous notes. Write or record what happened, how you responded. Focus on the facts but don’t ignore your thoughts or feelings, include them in your notes. Date and sign it. Keep it safe.


14, 17, 19, 21



Puberty is like putting a 12 year old in the pilot seat of a fighter jet. A total sh*t show at first, then better but still erratic and dramatic until they really get a feel for the speed and the pressure, the gauges, etc. They’ll learn when to question or to trust their instincts. Tell him that he’ll fly this jet for the rest of his life and it will always be dangerous because it’s an effing jet, but he will learn how to fly it expertly. He’ll do good, have fun, accomplish missions and refuel.


12



If your car is overheating turn on the heat full blast. It draws heat off the engine.


16



Begin planning trip for 10th bday. Maybe to Atlantis in Bahamas or someplace he’d be excited about._____Get him involved in planning and saving.


8



Check out O.School Originals for sex-ed resources.


14



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


6



Give books. Inscribe them. Just a line or two can turn a good book into a treasure. Great for any occasion.


17



If someone wants to leave you, let them. Don’t waste your energy trying to prove your worth to anyone.


14, 19, 21



Monty Python movies.


12-15



Work towards your goal. If you screw-up, fix it. The worst thing you could do is give up just because you made a mistake. Nobody’s perfect. Keep going!


14, 19



You can’t hit ‘em all outta the park. Some days (dates, reviews, vacations, report cards, etc.) are just going to fall flat. No worries, the next one will be better.


15, 19



I’d rather you be brave than perfect. Take chances. Fail, then pick yourself up and keep going.


18



Read up on the adolescent brain.


11, 13



Purchase book "All Are Welcome" by Alexandra Penfold to prep him for kindergarten.


5



Live a life of dignity and joy.


14, 21



Write “thank you” notes, send pics of them wearing the outfit Grandma gave, etc. You get so many gifts...Be a grateful recipient.


7



Be thankful for opportunities to be of service. It means God is trusting you to help.


8-14



Always wear an undershirt underneath a dress shirt.


13



Talk about how choices become habits. Habits can become addictions. Describe how pathways are literally dug into the brain and it's very hard to change them once those paths are made.


13-16



Whatever you choose to do, do it well and there will always be a demand for you. (Quoting Adam Schiff from his book “Midnight in Washington.”


16



Being numb is not the same thing as being happy.


15-18



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


15



Learn to tie knots.


10



Talk about how choices become habits. Habits can become addictions. Describe how pathways are literally dug into the brain and it's very hard to change them once those paths are made.


13-16



Be ready to learn from around you. Curiosity = adventure. And when you’re curious, there’s no room for judgment.


17



Typically, brains aren’t mature until about age 25. ADHD brains take longer


17, 21