Something to remember on those days when the kids are making you nuts and you’re at the end of your parenting rope: “They love you no matter what. They always want to be close to you. Even when you’re screwing up, they still think you’re amazing. They want to be just like you when they grow up. You are their hero. You may be their mom, but they’re constantly reminding you of your worth.”


2



“You will use up everything you got trying to give people what they want.” —- Nina Simone


17



Grit.


14



Look into summer jobs at national parks.


15, 17



What’s the Mark Twain quote about it’s not what you don’t know that gets you into trouble it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t true.


13, 21



“It takes about 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” - Warren Buffett


12, 14, 16, 19, 21



When they confide in you or tell you something that makes them so vulnerable u don’t know what to tell them, just sat “I’m so glad you told me.” (You’re not alone, I heard you, I’m here and will stay with you until it’s resolved.) re-ticket yearly.


9



Shirts and pants don't go into the laundry inside-out. From now on, they will be responsible for turning their laundry right-side-out. Will help instill that laundry is not done by the laundry fairy.


4



Let's all go on a "complaining diet." See how long we can go without a complaint for a weekend. Repeat often.


9-15



NEVER sit while someone near you is working.


14-21



Go as a family to local high school musical productions.


7-18



Sponsor a child in a developing country. Write letters, learn about their country and their life.


8



Remember Mom's birthday


2-21



Spend time with people you admire, in person and biographies, documentaries, novels and movies.


14-17, 21



Pick an issue. One single issue, i.e. the economy or the environment or coverage of a certain event such as a crime or a sport season. Read at least one newspaper article on that topic every day. NYT, London Times etc.


14, 15, 16, 21



“I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible that you may be mistaken.” - Oliver Cromwell ……. Great example of this is the story of Dr. Anthony Fauci with regard to his HIV/$@!#% research and corresponding dealings with the gay community. They started out adversarial but Fauci wasn’t above hearing their concerns and working together. Life-saving drugs got approved as a result. Dr. Fauci is one of my heroes. Huge brain, big heart and tiny ego.


15



It's a skill to learn how to love people the way they need to be loved. I highly recommend reading the Five Love Languages.


18, 21



There’s a big difference between being tired and being fatigued.


19



I wrestle with leaving the church but I want to save you a lifetime of feelings of unworthiness. It’s totally normal to feel like you’re not good enough. We all battle those kinds of insecurities, so the last thing we need is to be taught that God thinks it too. Know that in reality we are all precious, down to the subatomic level. So when you think you’re unworthy, shake it off! You belong in every room you enter.


13, 15, 21



It's very important to me, the idea of the scale of good and bad, of beauty and suffering. I think we should do everything we can to increase the beauty and to take away from the suffering. We have to work hard to tip the scale in the direction of good.


1Infant-14



Talk about how to speak up for themselves and others.


1Infant-12, 16, 21



Isometrics for “punishment” (wall sits, arm lifts, planks, etc.)


5



Teach tuck to drive


15



Go to Montgomery County Fair


5-14



When they turn 18 they should have a will, a financial power of attorney and a medical PoA.


17,18



Music, arts, words or dancing can have a profound effect on the spirit. Let's find something that gives you chills!


11-14



“Take the risks. Make the big moves, even if they’re small moves. Forge ahead with your lives in any and every direction that moves you. I’m asking you to be fearless.” - Rebecca Pearson (character from NBC tv drama ‘This Is Us’)


21



Remember: “C’s get degrees.” Don’t tie yourself in knots over grades.


17, 18



Yoga for kids classes or YouTube


5-8



The opposite of depression is expression.


15