Ask”How can I be a better parent to you?” Listen.


1Infant-18



Thomas Jefferson’s Ten Rules of Conduct. This makes a good exercise for penmanship or for writing “lines” as instructional punishment.


11



If you sleep with a girl, always call or text the next day. Don't be a d-bag.


18



Zero-cost method to reaching your goals (academic, career, fitness and health): Get up an hour earlier. You’ll be amazed how much you can get done and how “on top of it” you feel.


16, 18, 21



When they turn 18 they should have a will, a financial power of attorney and a medical PoA.


17,18



Great message about not letting people hurt you just because they have painful scars. Their scars aren’t yours to heal, and you deserve to be treated well. Very well. https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPd2beHxu/


15, 21



If you’re having trouble finding your passion, read biographies and memoirs of people from all walks of life. There are so many worlds out there! You’ll find one that excites you, where your unique talents and skill set can shine.


19



Devotion is revealed by behavior, not intention.


15, 17, 21



Some books you loved when you were a toddler: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Horton Hatches an Egg, Room on the Broom, Gruffalo.


2-4



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



“I need help. But I don’t know what I need help with. Could you ask me a few questions and help me figure it out?” Keep this one in your back pocket.


5, 7, 11, 13, 16, 19, 21



Be respectful with regard to how you treat girls:. How you talk to them, how you talk about them, and even how you think about them.


11-14



“Human beings are linked, not ranked.” - Gloria Steinem (f*ck the patriarchy)


15



Read (or listen to) A Fragile Stone together.


15



“People are in your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Pain comes when we try to put them in the wrong category.” - random therapist I never met.


16



Avoid bird seed or pet food near your home. It attracts mice, rats, ticks, etc. keep bird feeders that use seed a good distance from the house. Try liquid feeders near windows. Or use a feed tray or hulled seeds (little waste.)


20



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


16-21



1

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


9



Motivation: Just start. Two minutes. You don’t need to feel good to get going, you need to get going to give yourself a chance to feel good.


16



Being a professional means taking your work seriously not necessarily taking yourself seriously but take the job seriously, you’re there to do a job your income and the income of those around you depend on it is not a joke. It is not something to be played with you made a commitment, honor it. Show up, prepared and ready to work. Be there on time dressed well alert and positive..


16, 17, 21



Never any point in arguing with drunks or fools.


17



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


10



Consensual sex requires no persuasion, convincing or begging.


14, 17



Make “good trouble” as Rep. John Lewis said. Justice is won, not given.


14, 19



Read article about Digital Learning/ transitioning to doing homework on a computer. http://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/it-doesnt-have-to-stay-on-the-screen


10



Try not to confuse excess with quality. It’s okay not to have the biggest house on the block. It’s okay not to drive the fanciest car.


21



Always hold the door open for the next person.


4-14



1

“Distraction is the death of art. But boredom is the birth place of it.” (Forgot who said this)


12, 15, 21



Jumper cables 101


14



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


Infant