Randy Pausch was the Carnegie Mellon professor who inspired millions with "The Last Lecture." I didn't know him, but his death deeply affected me. And having done house calls to dying people for most of my 30 years as a psychiatrist, his passing caused me to pause and reflect on the collective wisdom that he and they have taught me.

Hillary Clinton + Anticipatory Rejection + Fearful Aggression = Lost Presidential Bid

Before I get into the above formula and something you should never do, I want to begin with something that is its polar opposite and something you should always do.

If you haven't got time for your child's pain, make the time; You can pay (attention) now, or you can pay (the consequences) later.

Heath Ledger dead at 28.  What a tragedy.  What a waste. Perhaps we should be surprised that even more young adults and adults do not fall prey to drugs. In all likelihood, many more are under their spell, but they don't quite go over the edge or are not famous enough to be "newsworthy." What is the real appeal of heroin and cocaine, or their lesser evil counterparts, alcohol/marijuana and amphetamines/speed? Are they a way for teens and young adults to escape or merely cope their lives or is there something else going on?

If you raise your children to be happy they won’t be;
But if you raise your children well they will be happy ...
and so will you.

I believe your most important responsibility as a parent is teaching your children self-reliance and preparing them to be effective in all aspects of their life. To do this, keep in mind the principle that it is less important what you tell your children, than what they are able to tell you, and then to instill in them the 3 P's of preparation: perspective, perseverance, and patience do the following: