Things are rarely perfect, but things that are less-than-ideal aren't all bad to the same degree. Let's talk about making buckets for "not ideal but I can put up with it" and "deal-breaker." Works for all kinds of situations. Another variation of this is to grade the suckiness of a situation on a scale of 1-10. Have them decide at what point action is needed vs. just putting up with it. This one works well for hunger. Yes, you're hungry, but on a scale of 1-10, how hungry? It also works for relationships! There are plenty of things about a spouse that are less than ideal, but how many are true deal-breakers? Teach them to understand the difference.


5, 21



Check out teen life coach Coaching with Will.


13



Stand up (or sit up) straight in photos. Don’t slouch or lean. (You can touch or be close but don’t lean in.)


12, 14, 21



Check out news-for-kids websites like Dogo News and NBC Learn.


7



Sometimes, no matter how great a thing is it can’t make up for what it’s not.


14, 19, 21



I hope you find a partner with who are your most authentic self, and who you love for who they genuinely are.


15, 21



Build a backyard adventure camp


8



Send thank you acknowledgemnt for gifts received


1-21



1

Make a gift of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.


15



Research says working with your hands is good for your mind and spirit. Even if it’s just folding laundry or doing yard work. Let’s find a hobby u might like working with your hands.


12



Make yourself a good hand. Don't wait to be asked, just jump in when you see a need. Wash a dish, make a bed, change a tire, help out a friend or a stranger whenever you can.


14-20



Give baby a banana before bed and they’ll sleep through the night. (Obviously once they’re on solid food.)


1



Being well-read is better (and cheaper) than an advanced degree, especially for broader education. Stay curious and read!! Fiction, non-fiction, biographies ...


15, 18, 21



You don’t have to choose to be single forever to enjoy being single for now.


17, 21



Watch Parts Unknown together.


14-16



Two words: Kinetic Sand.


3



You don’t have to be friends with people you don’t like. But you can’t decide you don’t like someone unless you get to know them. (Rather than a look or a reputation or a difference, etc.)


10



Camp Arena Stage


8



Biographies: Be inspired.


12



Start a vegetable garden.


7



Resist the urge to give unsolicited advice. Wait…this entire thing is unsolicited advice!


15



To calculate military time starting at 1300, subtract 12.


15



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


5



We don’t snoop. Never read a correspondence (email, letter, text, note, etc.) that is not intended for your eyes, or listen in to a conversation that is not intended for your ears. The right to privacy is sacred. Always respect people’s privacy and set the expectation that others do the same for you.


10



Devotion is revealed by behavior, not intention.


15, 17, 21



Be weird. Be happy. Be you. xoxo


12



It’s very easy to wander into trouble- not usually easy to wander out of it.


12



Talk to them about how dangerous it is to buy pills online. Fentanyl is ubiquitous and lethal in small doses. Never never take a pull that wasn’t prescribed or purchased legally.


12