No threats, not even jokingly.


15



Mvzkhdkhd


19



Book recommendation: “Star Fish” by Lisa Fipps.


11



Yes, you’re beautiful. But that’s not ALL you are. And it isn’t all that’s expected of you. Surely you could “get by” on your looks. Is that what you want for yourself?


10, 15



Check out the Wolf Trap Children's summer theater.


4-11



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



The more you move, the happier you are.


10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21



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


5



You’ll be finished with school soon. The most important thing I hope you learned is that there is still so much yet to learn.


21



Be open to the possibility that you might be wrong.


12, 14, 17, 21



Introduction to 70’s Southern Rock. Skynyrd, Allman Bros, etc.


14



Talk to people like they belong and are valued exactly as they are in that moment.


12-14, 21



You can’t be a good parent if you’re a miserable person. Take care of yourself. Make the changes necessary to get in a good place. Ask for help. The happier you are, the happier they will be.


1, 10, 15



I would rather deal with a big truth than a little lie. Whatever it is you’re going through we can solve it together but only if we’re both honest.


14



Don’t waste your life’s purpose worrying about what other people think about you.


12, 15, 21



Life doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful.


20



When you feel like you’re on fire with anger or fear, if you can’t shake it, put that fire to good use.


14



“The more you sweat, the less you bleed.” True in boxing and in life. Put the work in. No shortcuts.


14, 18, 21



Difficult conversations are…difficult. If you have to deliver bad news, don’t beat around the bush but prepare them for what’s coming rather than just blurting it out. “I have some news that’s going to be difficult to hear…” Or “Is this a good time to talk?” Those are just a couple examples, but many more are available. Look it up or ask people who routinely have to give bad news.


20



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



Zootopia is a good movie to illustrate what a bully is and how we should stand up to them when they are hurting or taunting other kids.


5-8



You don’t have to go to college, but whether you do or not, I implore you to read. If you’re like me a slow reader, pace yourself but keep at it. Read bestsellers and classics. Fiction, biography, history, art, every damn thing. A big regret of my life is that I never tried to love reading as a kid. Do yourself a favor and carve out time to read every day. Even if’s it’s just a few pages. Your mind will sharpen and your heart will be full and your soul will be fed.


10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 21



Discuss the definition And ramifications of sexual misconduct (harassment, consent, etc.)


12



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



Build a backyard adventure camp


8



“Anger is a wonderful catalyst but a terrible companion.” - Brene Brown


15, 21



Default to "nice guy." Meaning it should require something significant for you NOT to be nice. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Cut them (and yourself) some slack. Life is hard. We're all in this together.


12



Sad but important fact: You’ll never be enough for some people. Never. -Chasten Buttigieg


18



Notre Dame Lullabies by the O’Neil Brothers is my favorite album ever. I used to play it at your bedtime when u were a baby and even sometimes when you were a kid. It reminds me of the happiest time of my life, when you came into it. Play it for me when I’m old and gray, okay?


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