Check out Travel for Teens for summer travel programs. Let them choose from themes like service, adventure, animal rescue, etc.


14



Great article about teaching young kids how to do better than “I’m sorry” when they’ve caused another child pain. https://offspring.lifehacker.com/what-to-say-to-little-kids-instead-of-say-sorry-1819288365?fbclid=IwAR0bKgo60isKj6a5D2s3cs1leWCIyK9TXTBK62upV9U1S_bR0otfJndwg_k


3, 8



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


17-20



Read “Attack of the Black Rectangles” by Amy Sarid King.


12



Have fun at parties! Mingle, dance, participate in the good energy. But if there’s drinking to excess, someone needs to be lifeguard. Young people don’t know how dangerous alcohol can be. And sadly, someone needs to be bodyguard. Men often try to take advantage of intoxicated women.


14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19



“ It was my high school drama teacher who made sure I knew there was space for me in this world. Her kind words had a tremendous impact on my life. If you don’t know where to begin, start with “I see you. I love you. I’m so happy you’re here.”   -Chasten Buttigieg


12



It’s okay to not understand things. Just be sure the only place your ignorance leads you is to education.


15, 19



Read Moth by Amber McBride. Young adult fiction in verse about grief. Twists and turns.


15



Make “good trouble” as Rep. John Lewis said. Justice is won, not given.


14, 19



Be a safe place. Teach them to be a safe place too.


12



When someone hurts us or REALLY pisses us off... We have to pray for them. It’s hard to stay mad at someone you’re praying for.


8-18



Hand out tulip bulbs (or some sort of bulbs) at my funeral and ask people to plant a few in their yard. But NOT daffodils. I hate daffodils. And lilies, hate ‘em.) So tulips then.


21



That uneasy, uncomfortable or even downright painful feeling you get when you’re faced with something that challenges you ... resist the urge to run away from it. Take a breath and just sit with it for a minute. That feeling you’re feeling is growth. Growth always hurts a little bit. Give yourself a beat to get adjusted before you decide if you want to stay or turn back.


7, 11, 14, 18, 21



Don’t worry if they’re not listening to what you say...They watch what you do. They study it.


13



Your emotional energy is sacred, and there’s nothing wrong with treating it that way. If connection is what you’re looking for, save your emotional energy for those who will cherish it and share their own. - Yung Pueblo from his book “Lighter”


12, 14, 17, 21



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



Poems are great tools to help them to read, recite, practice handwriting, and illustrate.


7



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



The opposite of addiction is connection. Genuine connection can take lots of forms.


14, 17, 19, 21



Explain what “On my honor” means.


8



Talk about how to speak up for themselves and others.


1Infant-12, 16, 21



When you’re at home in your own skin you invite people to be at home in theirs too.


14, 20



Time management skills. Look for current resources. Teach about making lists when you're feeling overwhelmed. Start with listing 5 to-do's. Tackle the top 3 of those. Then reassess. New priorities? If no, keep going down the list. If yes, add them to the list in whatever order of importance.


12



Assume any email or text you send will be distributed.


12, 15



Plan a trip to Disney this year.


6



Appalachian Mountain Club


9-13



Sailing lessons.


14



Of all the things I worry about, addiction is very high on the list. Begin talks (age appropriate) about addiction.


7



It’s very easy to wander into trouble- not usually easy to wander out of it.


12



Some people think the world owes THEM. They have a backwards. We are servants. How can we best serve?


12-21