Prayer for Teen Years ___ Please God, let them make good choices and get through these teen years with pride and not regret. ___ When they make mistakes (‘cause we both know they will) ____help me keep things in perspective, forgive easily _____and pour love into them again and again.


13, 14



“It’s not as important how a message is received compared to how it is sent.” Sometimes you have to have uncomfortable conversations but the can always be kind and loving. Sometimes your message won’t land well, but if you expressed yourself truthfully and kindly, that’s not your burden to bear.


16



Talk about de-escalation techniques.


15



Best song for a good cry: “And so It Goes” by Billy Joel.


15, 21



Marriage vows won’t “fix” anything about a relationship. They won’t change how a person communicates. Never start out a relationship with the hope or expectation that your partner will change (or if they are hoping you will change.)It’s not fair to either of you. Everyone deserves to be loved for who they are, not who they could be.


21



The bull-sh*t never ends. Dealing with the bull-sh*t IS your job. If you think you’ll ever reach a “post-bullsh*t stage in your life, you’re wrong.


12, 15, 19, 21



Read “Spare” by Prince Harry.


20



Major life events such as the birth of a baby, graduations, new job, (lost job) are a big deal. Make a fuss. Take an interest in loved ones’ experiences. Acknowledge their feelings. Express a sincere interest in others (young and old) will profoundly affect your relationships.


15, 19



Check into Brilliant.org for STEM activities.


12



We feel best when we create. No amount of food, video games or any self-destructive habits will fill that hole. So why fight it?!? Create something, even if it’s as small as a little sketch or poem. Grow a garden, bake a cake. Start a business! Whatever your beautiful heart desires.


12, 15, 18, 21



Isometrics for “punishment” (wall sits, arm lifts, planks, etc.)


5



Check out Long Lake Summer Camp in NY. Theater, the arts, etc.


12, 13, 14, 15, 16



Teach them to clean the bathroom. Wipe down surfaces, clean mirrors, etc. It’s their job to keep it tidy. Everybody pitches in to keep up with housework.


4-18



Watch Ted Lasso together.


16



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


5



Your job is to help your kids find themselves, not to implant an agenda of your own.


1, 5, 10, 15, 20



Keep stuff on hand for guests. Be ready to be a good host / hostess at any moment.


16-21



Read the Hobbit aloud with him. Afterward, encourage him to read The Lord of the Rings by himself.


9



Do the work. No short-cuts.


14



A hard day’s work is something to be proud of, not afraid of.


8, 12, 15, 20



Read “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” by Dr. Marc Weissbluth


Infant



Caps Game this year.


11



Take the train to Roanoke.


10



Learn to tie knots.


10



Remember that your tend to act like/ think like the people you hang around most. Choose your friends (and your spouse) wisely.


10, 14, 21



My favorite version of myself is when I’m not worried about what others think of me. I


11, 13, 15, 17, 21



Spend time with people you admire. Real-life acquaintances, biographies and documentaries, and fictional characters in novels, plays and movies.


13, 15, 18, 21



Alka-Seltzer is great for a hangover or even better, take it before you go to bed after partying. Disclaimer I’m talking about a few drinks. For the love of everything holy, please don’t ingest insane amounts of alcohol at a time. Buzzed is fun, drunk is stupid. And dangerous. Never drive once you’ve had a drink or weed.


18



“Tell me the story of your day.” (Works better than “how was your day?”


5, 6, 10



Never pretend o know what you don’t know. But you can bluff your way through a lot of interviews just by doing a 30 minute Google search. Research the company, the industry, its governing body, key terms, awards, criticism, etc. Check out their social media.


17, 19, 21