Wrestling after dinner is a favorite activity in my house. I have three sons and they enjoy testing their strength and strategy against dad.  As they have grown older they have become much better at overcoming me with their cleverness.  When they were younger, I was able to simply keep them at bay with one arm. But now they work  the teamwork angle to wreak havoc. For those with kids who love to wrestle, here are a few things to avoid so it will remain fun.

1. Do not allow any punching at all.
2. Do not let one distract you while the other poots in your face.
3. Do not tickle them until they vomit on you.
4. Do not tickle them until they pee on you.
5. Do not wrestle if they have been playing outside and are sweaty.
6. Do not try the karate flip without having pillows on the floor beside the bed.
7. Do not teach them how to perform the pile driver move.
8. Do not leave  your mid-drift unguarded for more than half a second.
9. Do not let the older son close-line the younger son.
10. Do not let them do any flying moves off the headboard.
11. Do not teach them the sleeper move. They will try it on each other later.
12. Do not let them get points for putting a sweaty foot in your mouth.

More in the Dozen Do-Nots Series:

ANY_CHARACTER_HERE

• Preparing for a Mountain Bike Ride
• Being Civil With Others
• Marriage Communication
• Church Planting

If you are just getting into the hobby of Mountain biking, there are a few things you want to avoid. Unfortunately, I learned these Do-Nots the hard way.  My self-sufficiency would not allow me to ride with an experienced Mountain Biker the first few trips out.  As a result, I made some mistakes that took the shine off the hobby for a few weeks.  I hope these dozen tips on preparing for a Mountain Biking trail ride will help you enjoy those first rides

A Dozen Do-Nots: Mountain Biking Ride Prep:

1. Do not forget to properly hydrate. Drink lots of water hours before the ride .
2. Do not forget to eat some carbs before the ride. An energy crash on the trail is no fun.
3. Do not wear underwear under your biking shorts. The chamois pad and tighty whities will rub blisters.
4. Do not forget to carry your camel pack. You will need to stay hydrated during the ride.
5. Do not ride without protective eyewear. Tree branches poke out eyes.
6. Do not ride without a spare tire tube & pump in your pack. Walking the bike out of the trail with a flat tire sucks.
7. Do not ride without a helmet. You will get thrown off…You will hit your head eventually.
8. Do not ride without gloves. You typically break your fall with your hands. Protect them.
9. Do not ride in a cotton jersey. It does not wick away sweat and gets heavy fast.
10. Do not ride with your cell phone in your pocket. When you go down it will get destroyed.
11. Do not ride with keys in your pocket. They will leave a big bruise on your thigh when you get pitched.
12. Do not ride without identification with you. If you are knocked unconscious, people need to know who you are.

However, if you do find yourself violating one of the Do-Nots and sustaining some bodily damage, remember the old adage: “Pain is temporary, glory is forever, and chicks dig scars….”

More in the Dozen Do-Nots Series:

ANY_CHARACTER_HERE

• Pooting in Public (Indispensible Info!
• Wrestling With Your Kids
• Being Civil With Others
• Marriage Communication
• Church Planting

Here are one dozen tips on being civil adapted from George Washington’s “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior”.   This list is mostly a reminder to myself on how to treat people well.  In a world that applauds  an in-your-face-shoot-from-the-hip handling of others, these tips may seem absurd. However, I share these first dozen for your consideration hoping you find them useful.

A Dozen Do-nots –  Civility with Others

1. Do not ramble aimlessly when speaking.  Be short and comprehensive.
   
2. Do not argue with your superior. Submit your ideas to him/her modestly.
3. Do not blame others when they do their best, even if they do not succeed.
4. Do not argue with your superior at the time that they admonish you.
5. Do not make fun of anything important to others.
6. Do not criticize others for a fault that you have not eliminated from your behavior.
7. Do not be in haste to believe bad reports about others.
8. Do not speak about others with malice or envy.
9. Do not speak badly of others who are not present.
10. Do not go where you are not wanted.
11. Do not give unasked-for-advice.
12. Do not be quick  to talk about something if you do not know it is true.

More in the Dozen Do-Nots Series:

ANY_CHARACTER_HERE

Wrestling With Your Kids
Mountain Biking Ride Preparation