Zoom out! Perspective is your friend. At certain times in our lives we have the focus turned up so high that we don’t see beyond ourselves. (Adolescence is one of those times, totally natural.) Zoom out. You’ll feel better.


13, 15, 17, 21



Read Big Magic by Liz Gilbert. Re-read every 5-10 years.


19, 21



Just because you love someone doesn’t mean they feel loved by you. Meet the kids where they are.


2, 9, 21



Drill on stuff that will be valuable throughout their lifetime: Vocabulary, geography, addition and subtraction.


10, 12, 14, 20



Inevitably you will make mistakes in your career. Someone will dress you down for it. It stings. But they are doing you a favor. Thank them for it. We all have to learn, and we can’t do that if our pride gets in the way. Be humble and accept constructive criticism.


16, 21



If they like you you’ll know. If they don’t you’ll be confused.


15, 21



Remember: “C’s get degrees.” Don’t tie yourself in knots over grades.


17, 18



Review basic grammar mistakes: Their, they’re and there. “It’s” and “its” “a lot”, etc.


10



Be discerning about your sources of information. Some red flags: Too good to be true. Get rich quick. Chosen race. Any race or group blamed for societal problems. Fear of change. Threats of real or metaphysical harm (I.e. $@!#%) or bribes with reward.


12, 14, 16. 18, 21



Read Moth by Amber McBride. Young adult fiction in verse about grief. Twists and turns.


15



Look into Rustic Pathways to see the world and do some good.


15



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


10



Win some, learn some.


14, 17, 21



When someone hurts us or REALLY pisses us off... We have to pray for them. It’s hard to stay mad at someone you’re praying for.


8-18



“There is no such thing as a “bad kid” - just angry, hurt, tired, scared, confused, impulsive ones expressing their feelings


7, 12



Teach tuck to drive


15



Give books. Inscribe them. Just a line or two can turn a good book into a treasure. Great for any occasion.


17



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


8, 12, 15, 20



Listen to Celebrate Calm podcasts for help dealing with defiance.


4, 9, 15



Your body will go through all sorts of shapes and sizes. You’ll have times when you’re gorgeous and times when you’re awkward or frumpy. Whether you’re having a great hair day or sporting a face full of angry pimples, your looks have never and will never define your worth. (And nobody else will ever be defined by theirs.)


13, 15, 21



“Pay yourself first” means save before you spend. You never know when you’ll need to tap into savings, so build it up early and heartily.


18



You're about to come into a ton of energy and strength. It will seem like a lot to manage at first, but you'll get used to it and learn to use it constructively. Push your limits (within reason.) Challenge yourself.


13



Concussion testing - baseline


15



Just do the next right thing. One step at a time, you’ll get there.


13, 18, 21



Everything not saved will be lost. This is true for documents in Word and in life.


16



Just let a sweet moment be. There’s a time for jokes or small talk, but sometimes silence is best.


15,21



When disciplining remember: First acknowledge the emotion, then address the behavior.


2-4, 13, 15



Zootopia is a good movie to illustrate what a bully is and how we should stand up to them when they are hurting or taunting other kids.


5-8



Learn how to release energy consciously, or you’ll end up releasing it unconsciously onto your loved ones in a negative way like yelling or arguing. Breathe, sing, shout, cry, sweat, play, bake, whatever floats your boat!


1-21



Stay put, don’t wonder if lost when we hike.


2, 3, 5