No absolute restrictions on food but stress that some foods are “party food.” Chips, for example. (I love potato chips!)


4



Piano


21



My ballet teacher used to punish us by making us sit on the floor and hold our arms up. It hurts! But you learn how to sit with pain. You learn how to endure and how to use your mind to make your muscles really don’t want to do.


14, 20



Being numb is not the same thing as being happy.


15-18



Remember what a teenaged sh*t you were before throwing in the towel on the next generation. We’re all self-centered, entitled and oblivious when we’re young. The goal is that they don’t *stay* that way. Be the parent they need, and they’ll listen. It may take a year or twenty, but they’ll see the light if you just pour love into them.


12-21



Read Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson together.


17



I stopped worrying about you by the time you were seven. (I’m not talking about your safety and health, that I’ll always worry about!) But I knew you were a joyful, generous, kind, smart and well-mannered person. You were a great friend, supportive and fun. You would be a good partner, and would contribute so much good to society. I could see you had a curious mind, an active imagination and more than a healthy dose of courage.


15, 21



When you know better, do better. No one is born a fully actualized human being! We are all in the process of becoming who we wish to be.


16, 21



Check out Harmonia School on Mill St Music Art Theatre


6



“Love is giving your heart without expectation.” - Dan Fogelman


16, 21



Anything can be an opportunity for you to grow if you approach it with the right mindset. “What can I learn” “How can I turn this into a way to advance my goals?” I know, it’s kinda corny but it’s true. Your attitude is everything.


8, 10, 14, 18, 21



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


7-12



Always remember - cheesecake is the best cake.


21



Practice sitting and standing "like a statue" to teach them how to be still. Start with a goal of 5 or 10 seconds, gradually move to 2 minutes. Same thing for "silent game" to teach them how to stay quiet when they need to. Bribery helps teaching this concept!


3-4



Sometimes there’s nothing else to do with the pain except to use it to build a new life.


13. 17, 19, 21



Approach difficult conversations looking to learn something, not to prove something.


16, 21



American Sign Language course


15



There will be some losses or changes that completely shake you to the core. But remember that some bad experiences are like pooping your pants - Totally horrible but also kind of a relief.


19



Geocaching


5-11



Don’t waste big money on little things. Be intentional about what you spend.


16, 21



“If you want to be holy, be kind”. -Frederick Buechner


14, 19, 21



Guard your health and fitness as if it were your most valuable possession. (It is.)


14, 17, 21



“Beer muscles” is when guys gain a sense of indestructibility, an exaggerated sense of their own strength. Fights and aggressive behavior ensues.


15



Wintergreen snow sledding trip.


6



An exercise in assumption. Have them answer “Just because I _______” doesn’t mean _________”.


10



You an learn just about anything on Google or YouTube! Spend some time exploring together and caution about how to search safely.


9



Have family game nights this winter.


9



Most people are good. Some are bad. Many are crazy.


15, 21



When they’re upset just ask what they need: space, distraction, or talk about it.


12



We feel best when we create. No amount of food, video games or any self-destructive habits will fill that hole. So why fight it?!? Create something, even if it’s as small as a little sketch or poem. Grow a garden, bake a cake. Start a business! Whatever your beautiful heart desires.


12, 15, 18, 21