Start explaining wants vs. needs. Continue explaining for the next 30 years. We don’t always get what we want. That’s okay. 4 year olds can begin to understand this.


4



So many young adults (and older one too) suffer from a lack of direction, living life without a sense of purpose. ______Here’s my advice: **Do what you love**. ____If you don’t know what that is yet (totally okay) then *go where you’re needed.**___ Make yourself USEFUL doing some sort of work that makes the world (or your family or your community or your country) a better place. Please don’t sit around playing video games or goofing off. That will make you miserable! ___ AND it’s a waste of God’s work (you.) Get busy. _____Stay involved in anything you care about deeply, or that needs you desperately. It will feed your soul and open all kinds of doors.


12, 14, 17



If you ever borrow someone’s car, return it with a full tank of gas.


20



Worst thing in the world is spending your life with the wrong person.


21



Watch the documentary Kelce (2023)


12



Con-men (or women) appear perfect. They are good-looking, kind, flattering, etc. Most people are good. But be careful of those who seem to be too good.


15



Sponsor a child in a developing country. Write letters, learn about their country and their life.


8



“Never be sorry for not knowing


17, 21



Read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book on creativity. Re-read every few years!


17



Be a safe place. Teach them to be a safe place too.


12



There’s an art to speaking harsh truths in a delicate way. There’s an art in describing a ridiculous person or thing without being insulting. Mark Twain was a master at it. Read up!


17, 21



Summer concerts at Wolftrap- get good seats so they can really get a sense of the experience.


13-16



There is a cost and a duty to everything we own. Rachel Maddow


16



Everyone gets crushes but if you’re having an imaginary relationship do so with an imaginary person. It’s disrespectful of someone’s dignity to obsess over them. Not to mention your own dignity!


12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 21



Never give unsolicited advice. Instead ask “How can I best support you?”


14, 20



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



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


15



Two rules: First, don’t be a sh!tty person. 2. Try to have some fun. Everything else is just “whatever.”


13, 21



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



It’s not fair to resent someone for being who they are. We can all improve ourselves, learn and grow etc. but we should never ask anyone to change who they are in exchange for our love. And that goes both ways - never change who you are to fit someone else’s idea of who you should be. Be open to ways to can improve yourself of course, but surround yourself with people who love you for you and encourage you to be your genuine self and who want the best for you.


12, 15, 18, 21



My love for you will never run out - neither will God’s love / patience run out. I will always instruct, discipline and give consequences for bad behavior- because it’s my job to teach you. But there’s nothing you could do to lose my love. Remind them daily.


5-20



Start a vegetable garden.


7



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


15-18



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


10



Universal Studios


12-18



Before a play date or sleepover ask the parent “Are there any unlocked guns in the house?”


6-9



Practice making yourself do something you don’t feel like doing. Practice and it gets easier


10, 12, 15, 18, 21



Robin Williams was one of the best examples of how to be a good human.


15, 19, 21



Teach tuck to drive


15



Golf lessons. Grampa loved golf, if he were here he would have taught you himself.


9