Be kinder than necessary.


9, 15, 21



Knowing something is right and application of it are two different things. To apply yourself takes discipline. Practice it.


15



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


15-18



Listen to The Moth (storytelling) together.


15



You don’t have to have everything you want. Practice saying “no thank you” to dessert or passing on the purchase you’re considering. Benefits are plentiful: Build self-discipline (which is like a muscle) and you learn you’re really ok and often happier when you don’t indulge a “want.”


13, 15, 21



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


4



Theme: Dignity


11



Put together a PowerPoint project outlining addiction: substance, gambling, shopping, hoarding, eating, etc. Have them so the research and put it together. Discuss. Reward its completion with a fun activity or trip.


15



Grit.


14



Remember that whoever you’re grieving would only want the best for you.


20



Play up your strengths. What are your strengths? What are you really good at or love doing?


13, 17, 21



Name a few male celebrities you would feel safe with alone in a room. Keanu Reeves, Jack Black, Barack Obama, to start us off.


11, 13, 15



“When little people get overwhelmed by big feelings it’s our job to share our calm, not join their chaos.” L.R. Knost


1, 2, 3, 4, 10



Practice “doing without” (or “going without.”). Even young kids can learn the concept. Nobody get everything they want. Sometimes it’s harder than others, but it’s not the end of the world when we have to do without something we want.


4-11



It’s okay to feel jealous. Totally normal, totally human. Just never act on jealousy.


12, 14, 16, 19, 21



Talk about de-escalation techniques.


15



“Praise in public. Discipline in private.” This is good advice for when you’re a parent and for when you’re a boss.


20



Anger is the bodyguard of sadness.


14



Avoid commenting on the number of children someone has (or doesn’t have.) Its none of your business to ask why a couple doesn’t have kids or remark if they announce they’re pregnant with their 7th (other than to say “Congratulations.”)


15, 21



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


21



Always remember - cheesecake is the best cake.


21



I’d rather you be brave than perfect. Take chances. Fail, then pick yourself up and keep going.


18



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


9-14



Remember Mom's birthday


2-21



Practice not putting stuff off. If it takes 10 seconds or less do it now. Then move up to 30 seconds or less. Keep going up to ~3 minutes. Good example is putting away laundry or emptying dishwasher, etc.


15



Affection is to be shared, never taken.


14



Shelter, water, Fire, food. (Outdoor survival priorities.)


12, 17



“Forget about sex. Just play first.” Forget about making a move and just have fun. Dance, listen to music together, go somewhere exciting, look at something beautiful, read to each other, play sports, let yourself be seen and encourage them to do the same. Communicate in a hundred ways: talk/send texts/ post on social media, pass notes, whatever. Sex isn’t the door to intimacy, feeling safe to be yourself around your partner is.


15-20



Let's talk about what armor you choose. People use all kinds of props and attitudes to try to protect or soothe themselves. Often it's that armor that ends up being much worse than the scary problems they were trying to avoid in the first place. Developing a healthy set of armor is crucial. Let's talk about some healthy ways to make ourselves feel better. Reference Brene Brown wholeheartedness.


12-16



If someone wants to leave you, let them. Don’t waste your energy trying to prove your worth to anyone.


14, 19, 21