They’re gonna be pretty mean to you for a few years. Love them, if only to spite them! (ha ha)


11. 12, 13



When they confide in you or tell you something that makes them so vulnerable u don’t know what to tell them, just sat “I’m so glad you told me.” (You’re not alone, I heard you, I’m here and will stay with you until it’s resolved.) re-ticket yearly.


9



Focus on being interesting (and genuinely interested) rather than focusing on being popular.


11, 13, 17, 21



Read (or listen to) A Fragile Stone together.


15



Ask “What are you going to teach ME?” Let him work on something to teach.


11



It’s fine, great, to be thrifty. But please don’t be cheap. Hard-earned money should neither be squandered or hoarded. Enjoy your success! But save more than you’re comfortable with. It’s like my running coach used to say: Keep going until you feel like you’re gonna poop your pants, then push yourself to do another mile. Point is, it should hurt a little.


16, 21



General rule for health and happiness: avoid excess.


10, 14, 17, 21



Look into Space Camp for next year


8



We don’t snoop. Never read a correspondence (email, letter, text, note, etc.) that is not intended for your eyes, or listen in to a conversation that is not intended for your ears. The right to privacy is sacred. Always respect people’s privacy and set the expectation that others do the same for you.


10



Practice road-rage roll playing. People are NUTS! It's hard to imagine how you'll react when someone gets aggressive with you. Let's practice staying calm when someone is shouting and in your face.


15-17



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


17, 18



Just remember sometimes you’re there for a good time but not a long time. Not every relationship (job, journey, experience) is meant to be permanent.)


15, 19, 21



Quit trying to uncrazy the crazies


17, 21



Puberty is like putting a 12 year old in the pilot seat of a fighter jet. A total sh*t show at first, then better but still erratic and dramatic until they really get a feel for the speed and the pressure, the gauges, etc. They’ll learn when to question or to trust their instincts. Tell him that he’ll fly this jet for the rest of his life and it will always be dangerous because it’s an effing jet, but he will learn how to fly it expertly. He’ll do good, have fun, accomplish missions and refuel.


12



Your body and brain are always trying to protect you.


17



“Whenever you think that some situation or some person is ruining your life, it’s actually you who are ruining your life. It’s such a simple idea. Feeling like a victim is a perfectly disastrous way to make go through life.” — Charlie Munger


13, 15, 19, 21



A simple trick to calm your nerves: Name 5 things you can hear right now.


5-15



1

Pick an issue. One single issue, i.e. the economy or the environment or coverage of a certain event such as a crime or a sport season. Read at least one newspaper article on that topic every day. NYT, London Times etc.


14, 15, 16, 21



Highly encourage typing/ keyboarding class.


14



Purchase book "All Are Welcome" by Alexandra Penfold to prep him for kindergarten.


5



Two big things. Control yourself, not others. Learn to react less.


12, 16, 19, 21



Be generous in all things. That is my hope for you.


14, 18, 21



Plan a few screen-free weekends every year. (Reticket until 16.)


7



Let’s talk about hungry kids. What can we do to help? Donate? Volunteer? Start a Little Free Pantry?


7-12



Don’t be a dick.


21



Google earth app means there's always a globe at hand. Point out states, countries or oceans when we hear about them.


4-9



Speak up when it’s called for: Fight injustice, stand up for others, etc. but shut the F up if you’re thinking about offering an unsolicited opinion or advice about anything you’re not personally an expert in.


12, 16



Don’t feed the thing you’re fighting.


13, 17, 21



Stay fit. Try to increase fitness every year in some way: Strength, flexibility, endurance, or a specific sport or practice. Never take your body for granted.


14, 20



Anything you wear on purpose is fashion.


14, 19, 21