Watch the political conventions every election year. Listen and decide for yourself.


17, 18, 21



Fact: when you drink to excess you are significantly more likely to cause harm to someone or be harmed yourself. Being drunk means surrendering your ability to keep yourself and others safe.


12, 15, 18



Rent kayaks.


14-16



Teach them about the law and how it applies to them: Here's what happens if you hurt someone, steal, drive drunk, use or sell drugs, sexting, etc.


12



Build something beautiful.


13, 21



We do what we do and feel how we feel because we think what we think. Our thoughts are so powerful. Let’s take each one captive today and be sure they’re the kind of thoughts we want guiding and influencing the way we live our lives.” -Lysa TerKeurst


14



Just for the record, I didn’t vote for Trump. I want my great-grandchildren to know that.


18



1

My love for you will never run out - neither will God’s love / patience run out. I will always instruct, discipline and give consequences for bad behavior- because it’s my job to teach you. But there’s nothing you could do to lose my love. Remind them daily.


5-20



Appreciate other cultures when traveling or interacting among people from different cultures. Once on a mission trip, the locals brought coffee and cookies by in the afternoons, but I never took any. I regret that lost opportunity for connection.


14, 18, 21



Ask “Is your belly full?” Instead of saying “Clean your plate!” Have them stay in touch with hunger/food connection.


3



Watch TED talk on Rejection Therapy: “What I learned from 100 days of rejection | Jia Jiang”


15, 21



Resist the urge to give unsolicited advice. Wait…this entire thing is unsolicited advice!


15



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


5



Model good nutrition and fitness routine.


4



Encourage creativity, science and engineering: Make a craft station / work bench for projects. Fill it with all kinds of art supplies, engineering kits, tools, pegboard, etc. Stock safety equipment like goggles and make sure the area has good lighting. Lots of ideas on Pinterest, etc.


8



Never trust your tongue when your heart is bitter. Hush until you heal.


12, 18



Help them develop a positive attitude. http://www.momentsaday.com/10-activities-help-young-children-develop-a-positive-attitude/


5



Best song for a good cry: “And so It Goes” by Billy Joel.


15, 21



Read “Lighter” by Yung Pueblo. Read it every year.


17, 19, 21



I highly recommend you read The Crane Wife by CJ Houser.


15, 17, 19, 21



Read maps.


9-14



Talk to him about applying to Democracy Summer program started by Rep. J. Raskin.


18



Focus on the lesson not the pain.


14, 21



Alka-Seltzer is great for a hangover or even better, take it before you go to bed after partying. Disclaimer I’m talking about a few drinks. For the love of everything holy, please don’t ingest insane amounts of alcohol at a time. Buzzed is fun, drunk is stupid. And dangerous. Never drive once you’ve had a drink or weed.


18



Piano


21



Actions have consequences- so does inaction. Avoiding a problem or decision is not an effective solution.


18



Sometimes progress is slow - Keep working. Sometimes change is swift - hang on!


16



Sometimes you don’t know what to do, can’t figure out what’s the right direction for you. That’s okay. Try thinking about what you *don’t* want to do. (See John Cusack career plans speech in 1989 movie “Say Anything.”


11, 16, 19, 21



In the wise words of Taylor Swift, you don’t have to forgive or forget in order to move on. You can just…move on.


15, 21