“It’s alright to be yourself. There ARE people in this world who will love you.” -Fred Rogers


12, 14, 17, 21



Never open someone else's mail, or listen to their conversation, etc. If it's not your business to know, don't snoop.


14-21



Sometimes we outgrow relationships. It’s no one’s fault. It’s okay to move on. You’ve grown…Don’t abandon your healthier self for a relationship.


14, 16,



Read or listen to The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest.


17, 21



Things are rarely perfect, but things that are less-than-ideal aren't all bad to the same degree. Let's talk about making buckets for "not ideal but I can put up with it" and "deal-breaker." Works for all kinds of situations. Another variation of this is to grade the suckiness of a situation on a scale of 1-10. Have them decide at what point action is needed vs. just putting up with it. This one works well for hunger. Yes, you're hungry, but on a scale of 1-10, how hungry? It also works for relationships! There are plenty of things about a spouse that are less than ideal, but how many are true deal-breakers? Teach them to understand the difference.


5, 21



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


18



Defending yourself from a bear: NEVER run from or turn your back on a bear. Remember the rhyme: “If it’s black, fight back. If it’s brown hit the ground, if it’s white like Similac, frozen bear gonna send u back.” - Mamadou Ndiaye


16



The secret to getting sinks and surfaces to shine is to dry-buff them after you clean them. Keep a soft clean rag or washcloth around so you can dry fixtures and sinks and counter tops. (They should be cleaning their own bathrooms by this age.)


11



One of the best doctors I ever worked with started his day by walking through the office and saying “good morning” to everyone. He’d do the same before he left at the end of the day, just making sure everyone was ok, to call him if they needed anything, etc. I don’t know what your career will be but if you’re in a position to do so, I hope you’ll adopt this habit.


21



If you can’t afford to tip the server, you can’t afford to be there.


15



Chemistry is not the same thing as compatibility.


16, 19, 21



I hope you become more of yourself with every passing year. I love you so.


21



Institute a “leave by” time instead of a curfew. That way they won’t panic / speed if something out of their control happens to make them late. “Leave Riley’s house by 10pm.”


13



Don't let the laundry pile up. This lessons extends to pretty much every chore: Stay ahead of it and you won't get crushed by it.


17



Imagine hearing the apology you need to hear. Often times that really helps, even if the person never actually says it. It makes it easier to forgive and move on.


18



Read the Hobbit aloud with him. Afterward, encourage him to read The Lord of the Rings by himself.


9



When you feel like you’re on fire with anger or fear, if you can’t shake it, put that fire to good use.


14



Rock those babies to sleep as often as you can.


0, 1, 2



vaccinate! Science is good.


0, 1, 2, 3, 5



Japanese multiplication (counting lines.)


8



Never make a decision from a place of hopelessness.


14, 16, 21



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


2-4, 13, 15



1

“Remember Divas and Friends, if you don’t think good things about yourself, how do you expect anybody else to?” - Sheryl Lee Ralph


11, 12. 14. 16, 17, 19, 21



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


16



Name five women who contributed to our country’s history.


8, 13, 16



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


16-21



1

Theme: Dignity


11



Life is difficult...Focus on the joy.


16, 20