It matters more “how” you go to college than “where” you go to college.


16



Cut people some slack, everyone is entitled to a bad day.


17-20



Ask him to memorize and recite William Ernest Henley poem “Invictus” as a Christmas present for me.


15



Sometimes it feels really good to say “no.” (Or “no thank you.” Or “$@!#% no!”)


14, 20



Sometimes it just takes a while to catch on. I had to watch Game of thrones 3 or 4 times before I could keep track of all the characters and subplots. Record your lectures so you can replay them a few times.


13,15,19



Watch Ken Burns’ “The US and the holocaust.”


17



Grit.


14



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


17, 21



Listen to the radio stations they listen to. Know their favorite songs and artists.


12



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


16, 21



You tackled a big project and you're wondering if it will be a success. Ask yourself: "Was I fair?" Was I kind?" " Did I put in the work?" If the answer is yes, then rest well, no matter what the outcome. If the answer is no, go back and fix it.


17



Find an activity / sport that they enjoy and support it. Get them outside and in the fresh air.


6-16



So you want to be a writer- then write. Anything. Play around with it. Journal. Fiction, non-fiction, biography, obits, blogs, plays, tv pilots, whatever. You will probably suck at it. Keep writing. Write more and more. You will get better, you’ll find your flow. This w


16, 21



Painful or unpleasant emotions can’t grow if you stay in the present. (Easy way to do this is to focus on your breathing.)


10, 13, 16, 21



Never consent to a search. Ask if it’s required. If not, no search. If yes, ask for your lawyer.


17, 21



The bull-sh*t never ends. Dealing with the bull-sh*t IS your job. If you think you’ll ever reach a “post-bullsh*t stage in your life, you’re wrong.


12, 15, 19, 21



Be open to the possibility that you might be wrong.


12, 14, 17, 21



Book “8 Candles and a Tree” about celebrating interfaith holidays.


7



Enroll in a CPR course. Re-certify every year.


13



Frustrated with school or work? It bothers you because you care or you hurt. That’s human.


14



Life is difficult...Focus on the joy.


16, 20



Set up a 529 plan. Virginia has a great plan if you don't want to do too much research https://www.savingforcollege.com/


birth-age 3



Read BIOGRAPHIES. So many interesting stories and valuable lessons. Historical figures, those close to them (those are often the real treats!) Also people from all walks of life, different industries. Artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, statesmen, etc. Bonus points for listening to the audiobook if subject narrates it.


20



Being accountable means saying that I was responsible for making sure this did not happen - but it did happen. I accept the blame and an prepared to incur the consequences. I will work earnestly to earn back your trust and confidence. The opposite of accountability is to make excuses or blame someone else for your mistake.


10, 18



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


17, 18



Anger diffuser game to help better understand coping skills when angry


8-18



Don’t worry about finding your person. Focus on finding your people.


15, 21



Watch Abby Wambach's 2018 Barnard commencement address together.


16



If you want to know what girls like, read the books they’re reading, watch the shows they watch, etc. Porn is entertainment *not* education. Movies books and shows marketed to 12 year-old boys get it wrong most of the time, can’t learn anything from them. Chick flicks is where you’ll find a little instruction on how to flirt in a non-creepy way, how to kiss, how to be in a healthy relationship. Study the difference between the male gaze vs female gaze.


14



Make a deal: flying lessons IF he takes dancing lessons. A man has got to know how to dance! In fact, tack on some other prerequisites like good grades and responsible behavior


16