If you haven’t read Jason Reynold’s article 10 Things I’ve Been Meaning to Say, it’s advice to young people. Per the suggestion of educator /writer, Kelly Gallagher, I used the article as a mentor text in an English 9 classroom. The purpose was to persuade my students to write daily (10 minutes/1 page a day). Their writing objective was to choose their own target audience and write ten things to them. I sat in my office yesterday and read their lists with emotional attachments forming to each one of them. They used their voice and told me such intimate things about their lives.

So, I was inspired…

10 Things I’ve Been Meaning to Say To My Kids

1. Deep down, I’m still a kid trying to figure out my own messy and complicated life.
2. Half the time when you’re talking, my hamster wheel brain is spinning and distracting me. I’m sorry.
3. I don’t have all the answers, but I have the time to listen.
4. I realize there are times I just need to stop talking.
5. You are the greatest thing I have ever created.
6. My hours of operation are: 6:00am-8:59pm. I am no good after 9:00pm for problem solving-just hugs.
7. When you are asleep, I sometimes stare at you. Your face still looks exactly the same as when you were born.
8. Watching you succeed are the most rewarding moments of my life.
9. If I do this parenting thing correctly, I hope you still want to spend time with me when you’re 40.
10. I know my young self would have found you in the hallway and become fast friends.