Following your conscience is more important than getting ahead and will make a greater difference in how happy you are. Getting ahead or not isn’t entirely up to you, but listening to your conscience is.” - Senator Mitt Romney (paraphrase)


16



Put him in charge of figuring the tip out when we’re out at a restaurant. Calculate 15% or 20% etc. Also emphasize that the difference between a good tip and a great tip is usually just a few dollars but it makes a difference to the recipient. Be generous with people who are in service professions.


12-14



Sometimes I think the best way to take care of them is to teach them to take care of others: Littler kids, sick or disabled, those who’ve been left out.


5-7, 1Infant-12



Talk about de-escalation techniques.


15



Cut people some slack, everyone is entitled to a bad day.


17-20



Three things you cannot change: The past, the truth, someone else.


18



“Take the risks. Make the big moves, even if they’re small moves. Forge ahead with your lives in any and every direction that moves you. I’m asking you to be fearless.” - Rebecca Pearson (character from NBC tv drama ‘This Is Us’)


21



At the hospital? Always confirm your name and date of birth and why you’re there.


16



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


2-4, 13, 15



“ A vocation is where our anger and our joy meet.” -Sarah Bessey


16



Read “Raising a Screen Smart Kid” by Julianna Miner before you consider giving him a phone.


10



People are insecure. Be mindful of fragile egos (we all have them to a degree.) Avoid implying that people aren't doing a good job.


20



Watch movie Sky Walk (2019) it’s about a school paper.


14, 18



Fall in love with a person, not a feeling.


19



Always know where the main water shut-off is in your house.


18



Okay algebra and geometry but other than that, spend time practicing addition and subtraction, multiplication and division. That’s 99% of the math you’ll need to know if you’re not going to be an engineer, etc.


10, 14, 15, 18, 21



If there’s a ever a bird in the house, close the interior doors, open the doors to the outside and shoo it out with a broom.


18



Poems are great tools to help them to read, recite, practice handwriting, and illustrate.


7



If someone wants to leave you, let them. Don’t waste your energy trying to prove your worth to anyone.


14, 19, 21



Teach him what to do and how to act if he gets pulled over.


16



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


21



There is nothing “basic” about basic human dignity. Never treat a person as though they are put on this earth for your amusement. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity because we’re all human beings. No matter their age, looks, status, even past wrongdoing, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.


14



Promise me you’ll never intentionally hurt anyone (including yourself.) There’s no need to suffer in silence, I will help you or get you to someone who can help you no matter what, no matter when, no matter why.


13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18



If baby / toddler is melting down, put them in the bathtub or bring them outside. A change in temperature will calm them.


Infant-4



Staying calm is 90% of the battle. Practice.


13, 15, 18, 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



“But what is grief if not love preserving?” - Unknown


18



Learn about current trends in social media. Figure out where you draw boundaries, what platforms are allowed and not. Teach them how to stay safe, be positive and kind and always respectful.


9



Don’t take criticism from people you wouldn’t take advice from.


16



Human creativity is nature manifest in us.


15, 21