Dream big. Work hard.


18



Best take on parenting: “My kid is never gonna not feel safe with me.”


1, 5, 10, 15



People always say “Be yourself.” That’s good advice but really what does it mean? I think it’s easier to explain what it DOESN’T mean: When you’re being yourself you’re not pretending to be interested in something or someone you’re not. You’re not doing something just to please someone else (or just to tick them off.) You’re not wearing anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. You’re not pretending to have fun when you’re not having fun. You’re not trying to impress anyone. You’re not trying to fade into the background. You’re not trying to change anything about yourself or someone else. I think that’s a good start. What does “being yourself” mean to you?


11-14, 18, 21



Give them marshmallows to suck on when they get a sore throat. Takes away the pain!


3,4,5,6



Focus on the lesson not the pain.


14, 21



Violent thunderstorms can be dangerous. Avoid driving or being out in severe weather: car accidents, downed trees, high winds, lightning, flash floods, etc. are all potentially deadly. Don’t take your safety for granted. If the weather is severe, stay sheltered unless you absolutely positively have to be out and about.


12-14, 16, 21



Practice sitting still and quiet. Make it a game. Helps with focus and impulsivity.


4-7



If you can afford to send flowers when a baby is born or when someone dies, do so.


21



Check out First Stage and Wolftrap performances


15



Kitchen Commandment: She who cooks the dinner shall not clean up from dinner. I don't want to raise any of you to take housework for granted. It's hard. It's unfair and not cool to expect anyone (parent, spouse, roommate, etc. )to wait on you.


7-18



Read Big Magic by Liz Gilbert. Re-read every 5-10 years.


19, 21



Start a vegetable garden.


7



Practice sitting and standing "like a statue" to teach them how to be still. Start with a goal of 5 or 10 seconds, gradually move to 2 minutes. Same thing for "silent game" to teach them how to stay quiet when they need to. Bribery helps teaching this concept!


3-4



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


14, 17, 19, 21



Sex is something you do *with* someone, not *to* them. It should never be about scoring or bragging. It doesn’t make you a man. A man is someone who respects himself and others


13-17



It’s when the sh*t hits the fan that real discipleship begins.


21



Every time your heart breaks, your vision gets better. You appreciate beauty and recognize and respond to others’ pain better.


12, 15, 18, 21



No threats, not even jokingly.


15



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


14



Slow down and normalize making out without it leading to anything more. Physical intimacy can mean lots of things that aren’t sex: kissing should feel safe, personal and playful. ALWAYS be respectful and never assume that just because your sweetie is into it that they want to go farther. If your goal is to “score” do it by yourself.


15, 21



When trying to make a u-turn with a tight turning radius, go VERY slow. .You’ll be more likely to make it and if you don’t make it you won’t cause damage.)


16



Ask them to name 2 current or historical figures that they admire and why (one man one woman).


6-18



The thing about behavior is that if you practice you get better. That goes for good behavior and bad behavior. The more you lie, cheat, etc. the better u get. Decide What kind of behavior you want to be good at and then practice practice


7



Check out the Wolf Trap Children's summer theater.


4-11



Make a Shutterfly book for each year and give it to them on their birthday.


5-18



My mom did laundry twice a week: Tuesdays and Saturdays. She separated colors! It never piled up and we all had clean clothes. I do laundry daily, it's never done and we can't find what we need. Ask Grandma what was her secret to the science of laundry. Because it's now your job to do all your own laundry!


14



Google the “tea metaphor” for a discussion about consent.


17



Changed behavior is the only real apology.


15



If someone doesn’t want your attention or warrant your attention, don’t give it.


15