If you don’t know what to do ask yourself how you want to feel. Once you have a good idea of that you can find lots of paths to get you there.


16, 21



Golf lessons. Grampa loved golf, if he were here he would have taught you himself.


9



“Bullies are scared people hiding inside scary people.” -Michelle Obama


8-12



When you’re tired, the next best thing to sleep is a shower.


16



The moment you lose your cool, you’ve lost.


12,13, 14, 15, 16, 21



Isometrics for “punishment” (wall sits, arm lifts, planks, etc.)


5



Start “home economics” school with them. Laundry, cleaning, cooking, how to change a diaper, comfort a baby, soothe a toddler, what's involved in caring for pets, budgeting for food, keeping track of maintenance schedules for humans, pets, cars and machines. Engage with guests, be a good host, etc. Know when and how to tell someone to GTFO of the house (racist or misogynistic speech, etc.) Every kid needs to learn the art and science of home management. Look for and point out examples in books and movies of good home science skills.


5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21



“First things first!” It’s a constant struggle to get out of the house or complete a task. Hammer home “first things first!” After they’re dressed (or whatever task) THEN they can have screen time or playtime free-time, etc.


4



Make sure you always have Uber gift cards on hand for friends, emergencies or whatever.


15-18



Tell them who they are: kind, creative, smart etc. A person of honor and integrity, a part of the divine universe. Demonstrate for them what it means to live according to your values. Encourage them to listen to their body, guide them on how they might best find (and align with) their truest nature. Listen to them when they’re exploring what that might look like. Support them when they decide.


1, 2, 5, 7, 12, 16, 18, 21



change the wifi password often. Hold it hostage until chores are done. Work first, play later.


9-14



Start playing Jokers and Marbles. Get it on Amazon or Etsy.


9



Taken from a friend’s Facebook post: You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you or shakes your arm, making you spill your coffee everywhere. Why did you spill the coffee? "Because someone bumped into me!!!" Wrong answer. You spilled the coffee because there was coffee in your cup. Had there been tea in the cup, you would have spilled tea. *Whatever is inside the cup is what will spill out.* Therefore, when life comes along and shakes you (which WILL happen), whatever is inside you will come out. It's easy to fake it, until you get rattled. *So we have to ask ourselves... “what's in my cup?"* When life gets tough, what spills over? Joy, gratefulness, peace and humility? Anger, bitterness, harsh words and reactions? Life provides the cup, YOU choose how to fill it. Today let's work towards filling our cups with gratitude, forgiveness, joy, words of affirmation


12, 17



Toddler years: Tater tots make everything better. The smaller ones cook faster and you don't have to turn them.


2



Japanese multiplication (counting lines.)


8



Attend a school board meeting or some sort of government meeting. Attend / participate.


13



Harm springs from excess.


12



Pray for the courage to be yourself.


10, 13, 15, 17, 21



You’ll miss me when I’m gone, but if I did my job right you won’t need me.


21



Go as a family to local high school musical productions.


9-13



1

Talk about how choices become habits. Habits can become addictions. Describe how pathways are literally dug into the brain and it's very hard to change them once those paths are made.


13-16



“The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw Listen to audio or read together


14



Sponsor a child in a developing country. Write letters, learn about their country and their life.


8



People always say “Be yourself.” That’s good advice but really what does it mean? I think it’s easier to explain what it DOESN’T mean: When you’re being yourself you’re not pretending to be interested in something or someone you’re not. You’re not doing something just to please someone else (or just to tick them off.) You’re not wearing anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. You’re not pretending to have fun when you’re not having fun. You’re not trying to impress anyone. You’re not trying to fade into the background. You’re not trying to change anything about yourself or someone else. I think that’s a good start. What does “being yourself” mean to you?


11-14, 18, 21



Throw some love at a problem.


12, 15, 21



Check in on your friends. Even the ones that seem fine.


14-21



1

I’m going to keep from telling them how to feel.


4-18



Toast your wife at every occasion.


21



Awesome game we did at preschool - play I SPY. Try with objects or emotions, such as "I spy something sad" or "I spy something joyful." To help him learn empathy.


3-5



“It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to grieve. Because you can also live your life, and love your life, and be happy too.” Excellent advice from 9/11 survivor.


12, 15, 19