Coda

Just fill ‘em with love. Every other parenting mistake or deficit can be fixed, but if a child grows up thinking it’s not loved and doesn’t have a place in this world, that is a recipe for permanent and painful damage. Not necessarily “spoil” them, but cut them slack as often as possible. Just love ‘em up.

Infant-21

Family & Home

Let your toddler brush your teeth. Goes a long way to them letting you brush theirs and it gives them a sense of autonomy and control.

2,3,4

Family & Home Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance

We all want to be liked. But consider what you’re willing to not be liked for: If things like kindness and loyalty and being genuinely yourself cost you friends, is that a bad thing? Were they really friends then? Try not to do or say anything simply out of a desire to be liked.

11, 13, 16, 21

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Relationships & Career

Win some, learn some.

14, 17, 21

Relationships & Career

Keep a pair of nail clippers in the car - much better lighting outside. Clipping tiny fingernails is terrifying!

Infant-1

Family & Home

1

In the words of Bear Grylls... '”Survival can be summed up in three words - never give up. That's the heart of it really. Just keep trying.”

14, 17, 21

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge Fun, Adventure & Travel Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism

Brennan Manning lectures and books.

19

Faith & Philosophy

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

18

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance

To avoid miscommunication and misplaced expectations, tell your partner what you need from them. But if what you need is for them to be a different person, that’s not fair to them or to you. Let them go and set about finding the right person.

18, 20

Relationships & Career

Plan a trip someplace where we can see the Northern Lights.

15

Fun, Adventure & Travel Nature, Animals & the Environment

Consider what you value. Act accordingly.

10, 14, 17, 20

Character, Education & Self-Reliance

They’re not rejecting you, they’re just becoming who they are. Give them some space.

12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

Family & Home

Don’t use a bad word when you can use a good word.

10

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Arts, Literature & Self Expression

Watch TED talk on Rejection Therapy: “What I learned from 100 days of rejection | Jia Jiang”

15, 21

Character, Education & Self-Reliance

Pool safety- never touch equipment and always have a grownup present when swimming.

3-8

Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance

We are all so precious. Each one of us. Let that be the lesson.

2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 17, 21

Family & Home Character, Education & Self-Reliance Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance Arts, Literature & Self Expression Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge Fun, Adventure & Travel Faith & Philosophy Finances Emotional Development & Mental Health Nature, Animals & the Environment Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism Relationships & Career

Grandpa never wore a watch. (This was way before cell phones existed.) Still, he always knew what time it was, and he was never, ever late.

14

Family & Home

Avoid love bombing.

15, 17, 21

Character, Education & Self-Reliance Relationships & Career

Always keep a can of WD-40 in the house.

21

Family & Home

Never consent to a search. Ask if it’s required. If not, no search. If yes, ask for your lawyer.

17, 21

Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism

Begin to teach self-policing. There are plenty of good things that I want them to be able to partake in (alcohol, a trip to Vegas, etc.) but alcohol and gambling are just a few of the things that can sneak up and take hold and RUIN your life if you don’t know how to self-limit. Respect the potential danger and be vigilant. keep re-ticketing and repeat yearly (age-appropriate)

11

Emotional Development & Mental Health

One of my favorite things is the smell of celery and onion being sautéed in butter. It’s the smell I woke up to on so many Thanksgiving mornings as my mom was making the stuffing.

21

Family & Home

“Where you stand depends on where you sit.” It means your personal situation informs your stance on issues. Try to imagine how you’d vote if you were sitting at a less privileged place.

15, 21

Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism

Read “Lighter” by Yung Pueblo. Read it every year.

17, 19, 21

Arts, Literature & Self Expression Emotional Development & Mental Health

Surround yourself with people who are genuinely trying to make the world a better place. You’ll be in good company.

12, 14, 16, 19. 21

Family & Home Character, Education & Self-Reliance Arts, Literature & Self Expression Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge Fun, Adventure & Travel Faith & Philosophy Finances Emotional Development & Mental Health Nature, Animals & the Environment Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism Relationships & Career

Sometimes we’re just not ready to appreciate or understand a book or film or piece of art. Revisit them as you age.

19, 21

Arts, Literature & Self Expression

No one knows what they’re doing. Just be kind and brave and curious. You don’t have to have it figured out.

17

Emotional Development & Mental Health

Be kind. Be brave.

5-10

Character, Education & Self-Reliance

If you’re waiting on someone to change for the relationship to work, it’s not gonna work. Love ‘em or leave ‘em. But forget trying to change them. (Same works in reverse. If someone wants you to change something about yourself before they commit, don’t walk away…RUN!)

14, 18, 21

Family & Home Relationships & Career

Create.

10, 14, 17, 21

Family & Home Character, Education & Self-Reliance Sports, Health, Safety & Appearance Arts, Literature & Self Expression Science, Technology, Skills & General Knowledge Fun, Adventure & Travel Faith & Philosophy Finances Emotional Development & Mental Health Nature, Animals & the Environment Social Justice, Civics & Humanitarianism Relationships & Career

Let your toddler brush your teeth. Goes a long way to them letting you brush theirs and it gives them a sense of autonomy and control.

We all want to be liked. But consider what you’re willing to *not* be liked for: If things like kindness and loyalty and being genuinely yourself *cost* you friends, is that a bad thing? Were they really friends then? Try not to do or say anything simply out of a desire to be liked.

Win some, learn some.

Keep a pair of nail clippers in the car - much better lighting outside. Clipping tiny fingernails is terrifying!

In the words of Bear Grylls... '”Survival can be summed up in three words - never give up. That's the heart of it really. Just keep trying.”

Brennan Manning lectures and books.

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

To avoid miscommunication and misplaced expectations, tell your partner what you need from them. But if what you need is for them to be a different person, that’s not fair to them or to you. Let them go and set about finding the right person.

Plan a trip someplace where we can see the Northern Lights.

Consider what you value. Act accordingly.

They’re not rejecting you, they’re just becoming who they are. Give them some space.

Don’t use a bad word when you can use a good word.

Watch TED talk on Rejection Therapy: “What I learned from 100 days of rejection | Jia Jiang”

Pool safety- never touch equipment and always have a grownup present when swimming.

We are all so precious. Each one of us. Let that be the lesson.

Grandpa never wore a watch. (This was way before cell phones existed.) Still, he always knew what time it was, and he was never, ever late.

Avoid love bombing.

Always keep a can of WD-40 in the house.

Never consent to a search. Ask if it’s required. If not, no search. If yes, ask for your lawyer.

One of my favorite things is the smell of celery and onion being sautéed in butter. It’s the smell I woke up to on so many Thanksgiving mornings as my mom was making the stuffing.

“Where you stand depends on where you sit.” It means your personal situation informs your stance on issues. Try to imagine how you’d vote if you were sitting at a less privileged place.

Read “Lighter” by Yung Pueblo. Read it every year.

Surround yourself with people who are genuinely trying to make the world a better place. You’ll be in good company.

Sometimes we’re just not ready to appreciate or understand a book or film or piece of art. Revisit them as you age.

No one knows what they’re doing. Just be kind and brave and curious. You don’t have to have it figured out.

Be kind. Be brave.

If you’re waiting on someone to change for the relationship to work, it’s not gonna work. Love ‘em or leave ‘em. But forget trying to change them. (Same works in reverse. If someone wants you to change something about yourself before they commit, don’t walk away…RUN!)

Create.

We all want to be liked. But consider what you’re willing to not be liked for: If things like kindness and loyalty and being genuinely yourself cost you friends, is that a bad thing? Were they really friends then? Try not to do or say anything simply out of a desire to be liked.