Check out our February newsletter!
February 2025
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR A Little Goes a Long Way How Small Acts of Kindness Can Change Lives
Nick: Life, in general, is difficult. Everyone has bad days, and you never know what someone faces privately alone. At home, we continually reinforce that it’s essential to be kind and treat people the way they themselves would like to be treated. Even more, we should go out of our way to do kind things for others because it could make a meaningful impact on them if they are
When it comes to spreading kindness, sometimes even the smallest gestures can make a huge difference. Whether it’s in the courtroom, our community, or our personal lives, we both believe in the power of compassion. A simple act like holding the door open or giving a friendly smile can completely change someone’s day for the better, and it often has a ripple effect. Feb. 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day, and it’s a good reminder that treating others with care and friendliness goes a long way in our often stressful world. Zac: Things can get adversarial and contentious in our profession, even with other lawyers. So, working with a lens of kindness in the courtroom is especially important. You can effectively represent your clients and do an excellent job for them without being rude, condescending, or disrespectful to your opponents on the other side. Even though we may be against each other, representing opposing desired outcomes, I have always found the whole process is better when everyone tries to get along. We will always fight our fights in front of the judge in the courtroom, but when we are outside that space or dealing with the opponent, we will always be kind and professional. Ultimately, that will get the best results for our clients. It doesn’t take much to be kind. The most basic acts of kindness are small, like letting someone go ahead in line or waving hello. These take minimal
struggling. Being kind can change someone’s entire day, attitude, and maybe even life. Especially when you are dealing with someone who is being aggressive or rude to you, treat them with kindness. Unfortunately, in today’s society, we face many self-centered people, something I attribute partly to social media. People focus on their phones, video what’s happening in their lives, and don’t always see the opportunities to do kind things for others. Coming out of Starbucks the other day, I stopped and grabbed the door for a woman who was about to walk in. She looked at me in shock, thanking me for something I consider a small courtesy I’d extend to anyone. People aren’t expecting that anymore. There are a million kind gestures, something as simple as helping someone pick up dropped papers. They will remember it, and you might have helped them fix a bigger mess than you will ever understand. There’s no better feeling than knowing you took the time and effort to do something nice. For every little kind gesture — from holding doors to helping with life’s little messes we all face — the world becomes a little better.
effort, are free, and something everyone
should incorporate into their lives. The next step up is giving back to the community. Though it may cost money or time to contribute or volunteer, we should do it if we have the means. It’s better to give than receive, and we can feel a real sense
of accomplishment when we know we’ve done the right thing.
NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000 1 – Zac Leacox & Nick Norden
Bizarre Child Care Trends From the Past That Didn’t Age Well!
You’re Never Too Young for Tripe (1950s) Parents now generally feed babies milk for at least the first six months of their lives before introducing them to solid food. However, in the 1950s, parents weaned babies off milk at four months and started them on solid foods — one of those foods being tripe, the stomach lining of cows, pigs, and other farm animals. Bon appétit! Baby Cages for Fresh Air (1930s) Back in the 30s, when parents felt their babies needed fresh air, all they had to do was put them in a cage that hung outside their window. These terrifying baby porches were for children living in tall buildings in the city. At least they didn’t have to go down countless flights of stairs for fresh air. No Country for ‘Lefties’ (1910s) Being born left-handed was once considered a characteristic of a defiant personality and
They say the truth is stranger than fiction, and that couldn’t be truer in the world of parenting. However, keep in mind that what’s strange to us now wasn’t odd back then. In fact, it was “the norm”! So, fasten your seatbelt and enjoy a journey back in time to look at the strange child care styles of yesteryear. Baby Travel Made Easy (1950s) A perk of traveling with a baby is that the baby stays in the parent’s lap the entire flight without paying for an extra seat, right? Well, in the 1950s, British Overseas Airways Corp felt that babies sitting in their mother’s laps the entire flight was a problem needing a solution: The Sky Cot. This travel contraption was fastened to the overhead luggage rack with a protective net to keep the baby secure during turbulence, giving a whole new meaning to “the sky is the limit.”
something parents should train out of children. Treatment often included painful braces to restrain the use of the left hand, forcing children to make their right hand dominant. Parenting trends and child care standards have changed with every generation, but it’s safe to say certain child care techniques from previous generations are much better left in the past.
Caught in the Cloud
How One Thief’s Selfie Landed Him in Hot Water In what could be a plot twist straight out of a sitcom, a brazen thief turned himself into an unwitting internet star after his phone-snatching heist went incredibly wrong. Picture this: A cool evening, a group of movie-goers casually strolling Unfortunately for him, but luckily for law enforcement (and comedy lovers everywhere), he uploaded this gem to the cloud.
down their Houston neighborhood looking forward to a bucket of popcorn and a new blockbuster. Enter stage left: three not-so-well- intentioned young men with a half-baked plan. The trio of misguided musketeers approached the unsuspecting group with violent bravado. Brandishing a handgun, one of the alleged culprits demanded the victims’ phones and their respective passcodes. They even escalated the drama by pressing the gun to one victim’s head, threatening a finale no one wanted to see. Then, the robbers fled in their four-door white sedan, stolen wallets and phones in tow. But here comes the comic relief! In a blunder no one saw coming, one of the criminal “masterminds” decided it was his time to shine. He recorded a video of himself tossing gang signs and flaunting his newly stolen phone.
Thanks to his cloud-cast snafu, the authorities could get a full image of the newly minted most wanted. You could almost hear his fellow thieves’ facepalms as the video debuted on the victim’s account. The Houston Police promptly uploaded Mr. Selfie Bandit’s solo performance to their YouTube channel. Now, they’re hoping this unexpected audition tape will help put the fool of a thief behind bars. So, let this be a lesson to all would-be criminals: If you must commit a crime, maybe leave the selfies and social media out of it. We guess it’s true that not everyone is cut out for a life in front of the camera, especially when it leads straight to the slammer.
2 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Chore-Time Reinvented Turn Daily Chores Into Lessons in Responsibility and Teamwork
Preschoolers (ages 4–5) can handle slightly more complex jobs, such as making their bed and helping clear the dinner table, which teaches them about daily routines and basic organizational skills. Elementary kids (ages 6–7) can start taking on responsibilities that affect the whole family, such as setting the table and sorting laundry, helping them understand teamwork and household dynamics. Older children (ages 8–9) are ready to contribute more significantly by loading the dishwasher and helping prepare simple meals, skills that teach planning and basic cooking. Pre-teens and teens (ages 10 and older) can manage most household chores, including laundry and babysitting younger siblings, preparing them for future independence.
Chores can be an incredible tool for teaching children structure, discipline, and responsibility, all while keeping the home tidy and organized. The real challenge is getting your kids to actually do them. Here’s how to make chore time a positive, structured part of your family’s daily routine. Set the tone with timed tasks. Kick off chore time with a family-wide alarm each evening. This simple signal is a fun reminder that it’s time to tidy up together. This method helps eliminate having to nag and transforms chore time into a routine team effort, reinforcing the value of responsibility and teamwork. Assign age-appropriate chores. Providing children with tasks that match their developmental stage is crucial in promoting independence. Here are some suggestions on how to align chores with age:
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to see what they’ve accomplished and what they still need to do, adding a layer of accountability and accomplishment to daily chores. Search online for templates and examples to spark your creativity! Consistency is key. Make chores a non-negotiable part of the day to solidify the routine. Even when enthusiasm wanes, maintaining consistency ensures children understand the importance of daily contributions to family life. Regularly review and adjust chores to keep them age-appropriate and engaging. Integrating fun, structure, and discipline through chores helps keep your home orderly and instills lifelong values in your children, setting the foundation for responsible, well-rounded individuals.
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Toddlers (ages 2–3) can help with simple tasks like putting toys away and filling the pet’s food dish, which is great for developing early motor skills.
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Track chores creatively. Use chore charts, jars, or wheels to track tasks visually, helping kids stay organized. These tools make it easy
Have a
Skillet Chicken in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Laugh
Inspired by LeCremeDeLaCrumb.com
Ingredients
• 2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 2 tbsp butter • 5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs • 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1/4 cup pine nuts • 1 cup spinach
• 2 tbsp herbes de Provence • 3/4 cup canned sun-dried
• Fresh thyme, for topping • Salt and pepper to taste • Cooked rice or linguine, for serving
tomatoes, drained and julienned
• 1 cup chicken broth • 1/2 cup heavy cream
Directions
1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 7–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside. 2. In the same pan, add garlic, herbes de Provence, tomatoes, chicken broth, cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, pine nuts, and spinach and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, and stir periodically until thickened and spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes. 3. Return chicken to the pan and top with salt, pepper, more Parmesan cheese, and thyme, and serve over rice or linguine.
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Inside This Edition
2 1 Why Holding a Door Can Open Hearts Parenting Styles Through the Years
Thief’s Selfie Mistake Turns Into Viral Sensation
3
Master the Art of Chore Scheduling for Kids at Every Age
Skillet Chicken in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
4
Marilyn Manson’s Explosive Plea Deal
Bodily Fluids and Bad Behavior What Happened at Marilyn Manson’s Gilford Concert?
According to a police sergeant who viewed the concert video footage, “Manson blows a significant amount of mucus at Fountain,” he said — the camera view then changed and showed Manson pointing and laughing at Fountain before she walked away. His attorney, Kent Barker, wrote that Manson’s performances over the past two decades have been known to include evocative and shocking stunts like his actions at the New Hampshire concert. Barker further explained that since the victim knew about Manson’s unorthodox performances, she ultimately consented to exposing herself to such bodily fluids. Fountain didn’t attend the trial but submitted a statement outlining that Manson’s actions toward her were “the most disgusting thing a human has ever done.”
Marilyn Manson, gothic rock’s favorite artist, sent shockwaves through the media again, but not for his usual controversial stage presence and music lyrics. This time, he found himself facing two misdemeanor counts of simple assault. The origins of the encounter stemmed from a concert at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford on Aug. 19, 2019. Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, pleaded no contest to blowing his nose on videographer Susan Fountain, who also alleged that he spit on her. Prosecutors ultimately dismissed that charge. The police affidavit stated that Manson approached the videographer in the venue’s stage pit area, leaned in close to her camera, and then spit a “big lougee” at her. Saliva landed on both her hands. Later, he approached her again and proceeded to kneel toward her, covered one nostril, and blew his open nostril on her arms and hands.
Photo: Livioandronico2013
The judge in the case called Manson’s acts “egregious.” As part of his plea deal, Manson was fined $1,200. As a further stipulation, the rock star needed to notify local police of any performances in New Hampshire in the next two years and be free from any more arrests. This case is undoubtedly one for the books. Manson returned to the stage in 2024 for a short tour — though he held no concerts in New Hampshire.
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