Thomas Jefferson’s Ten Rules of Conduct. This makes a good exercise for penmanship or for writing “lines” as instructional punishment.


11



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


18



1

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



Hike Jones Run Falls at Shenandoah National Park.


11



The secret to getting sinks and surfaces to shine is to dry-buff them after you clean them. Keep a soft clean rag or washcloth around so you can dry fixtures and sinks and counter tops. (They should be cleaning their own bathrooms by this age.)


11



People don’t abandon people they love, they abandon people they’re using.


19, 21



Toast your wife at every occasion.


21



No matter how smart you are or how much you know, you still don’t know everything. ALWAYS be willing to learn and to change your position when faced with new information or perspective.


15, 20



If you see a kid sitting alone, he or she might be your next best friend. Go say hi! Ask him/her to sit next to you / play on your team, etc. No need to worry about whether that person is “too cool” or “not cool enough,” they’re just a kid. Like you.


8



In professional setting: Limit one exclamation point per email, if any. Definitely no emoticons.


19



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


12, 18



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


14, 17, 19, 21



Affection is to be shared, never taken.


14



Never open someone else's mail, or listen to their conversation, etc. If it's not your business to know, don't snoop.


14-21



Re-Read "Girls and Sex: Navigating the New Landscape" by Peggy Orenstein.


13



The only thing that matters is love. When we live with love - for God, for others and ourselves, that is what makes life worth living.


16



Ask”How can I be a better parent to you?” Listen.


1Infant-18



Try out Petra Lingua online language courses for kids. (Ages 3-10)


4



Family trip to a NASCAR race..


6



All behavior is communication.


2-6



Check out teen life coach Coaching with Will.


13



Pray for the courage to be yourself.


10, 13, 15, 17, 21



“Courage is cheaper than Channel. It works better too.” - Scott Galloway


14, 15, 16, 21



It’s fine, great, to be thrifty. But please don’t be cheap. Hard-earned money should neither be squandered or hoarded. Enjoy your success! But save more than you’re comfortable with. It’s like my running coach used to say: Keep going until you feel like you’re gonna poop your pants, then push yourself to do another mile. Point is, it should hurt a little.


16, 21



Just because someone is an a-hole it doesn’t mean they’re wrong.


17, 21



Remember that your tend to act like/ think like the people you hang around most. Choose your friends (and your spouse) wisely.


10, 14, 21



If you have a goal, just dive in. It's okay if you mess up or fail. Start over, get help... but start.


13, 18, 21



Go to movie Star Wars


12



You can (and should) pray for help. But remember, you have to do your part too. Depending on the situation it could be a little or a lot, but don’t just sit back and expect to be rescued. Moses had to dip his toe in the Red Sea before God parted it. Ask for help, but do your part.


14, 21



Look into a class for meditation for kids. I read an article on a Baltimore elementary school that replaced detention with meditation and had amazing success.


6