Practice sitting still and quiet. Make it a game. Helps with focus and impulsivity.


4-7



Ask: What are you responsible for?


15-18



Be extra careful when you’re parking or pulling out of a driveway. It’s hard to see little kids or pets.


16



Follow your dreams…not your boyfriend’s.


16



There are always blessings hidden within heartbreak: a friend you would never have met otherwise, an opportunity that would never have come up, an experience, an encounter, a promotion, etc. Always look for the blessings.


9, 11, 18, 21



Come and go in peace.


12, 15, 21



I would rather deal with a big truth than a little lie. Whatever it is you’re going through we can solve it together but only if we’re both honest.


14



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



Are you proud of the work you did today? Were you respectful and kind? Did you tell the truth and look out for the little ones? If so, I’m happy. I don’t care one bit about grades.


5



Teach car maintenance: Adding air to tires, checking oil, etc.


13-17



Checkout Bedtime Math app. It’s a tool to make math fun.


5



If you’re unable to help someone, help someone else. Throw some goodness or beauty in the bucket of humanity.


16



Knowing the “right choice” to make isn’t always easy. Sometimes you have to decide then go for it. Make a choice, then make it right.


17, 21



Read maps.


9-14



Assume any email or text you send will be distributed.


12, 15



Today is not the day to lose your sh*t. Deep breaths, cold water, do your hair. You’re gonna be just fine.


1-21



“You can miss a person every day and still be glad that they’re no longer in your life.” — Oprah Winfrey


19



Don’t confuse a broken dream for a broken future. Or a broken heart for a broken life.


13, 15, 17, 19, 21



Harm springs from excess.


12



Watch “The Sandlot” together. Great story about friendship and showing up for each other.


8



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



Recruit the kids to help with cleaning the house. All hands on deck "round-ups" are fun and efficient: Round up sippy cups, trash, dirty laundry, give-aways, etc. Time them for maximum enthusiasm: "60 second trash round up...Go!" See who can collect the most trash in 60 seconds.


4



Plan out first concert.


11



There is all kinds of darkness in the world- disease, accidents, natural disasters, etc. But the worst darknesses are man made: War, violence, poverty, injustice, indifference. Push back against all of it as much as you can. Light will beat the darkness in the end. Fight on the side of the light. Love, truth, beauty, creativity, connection and compassion.


20



Great article on making math fun: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/how-to-get-reluctant-children-to-embrace-math/2014/03/04/4be99e46-959d-11e3-8461-8a24c7bf0653_story.html


6



Whatever you choose to do, do it well and there will always be a demand for you. (Quoting Adam Schiff from his book “Midnight in Washington.”


16



Plan a neighborhood "Winter Olympics" for snow days. Create indoor and outdoor events.


8



Train for a mini-triathlon together as a family this year.


12



If someone doesn’t want your attention or warrant your attention, don’t give it.


15