Letters to Me: 10 years old

Dear 10-year-old Sarah,

This is going to be a big year for you, Sarah. You're going to change schools, and it's going to be hard, but you can do it. You've struggled this past school year in 4th grade at the public elementary where you've gone to school since kindergarten. I know you don't like changes, especially ones as big as this, but keep in mind that your parents really are just trying to do what is best for you. Keeping a positive attitude during this transition will make a big difference.

At the Jewish day school where you will be in 5th grade, you'll continue to study the core subjects you learned at your old school, but you'll also get to study Hebrew and Jewish Studies during the school day. You don't know this yet as you haven't studied languages much so far, except perhaps weekly Spanish lessons with the neighborhood kids when you were in about 2nd grade, but you'll soon realize learning languages comes more naturally to you than the average person. Learn as much as you can because you are the perfect age to absorb it. Once you are a teenager and then adult, learning languages will become more challenging.

Spend lots of time with your dog Mali, because someday you'll wish you could hug her just one more time. Enjoy her sweet youthful years; she's still just two years old! She loves you so much, Sarah, and wants you to be gentle with with her even when you are angry or frustrated. She's a great listener, so take her in your room and tell her what is bothering you. Teach her to play fetch in the yard and take her for lots of walks in the neighborhood. You'll have a lot of fun and great memories that you will cherish in the years to come.

Not having a choice but to spend your days with whatever kids happen to be in your class at school can be tough but as you get into middle school and especially high school and beyond, you will have more choice about who you spend your time with. You'll have more freedom to spend time with people you like and to avoid people who are unkind. Try to keep that in mind when you feel trapped spending your time with the same small group of kids day in and day out.

Your parents have told you never to hit at school, but if someone physically harasses you, you have my permission to respond physically back. The response should be proportionate to the attack and should not injure the provoker, but when done right, the person should not continue to bother you. With verbal teasing, don't be too good to call them a name back. You better not start the name calling but you absolutely may respond to it.

Hang in there, Sarah. Being ten is going to be tough sometimes but it's also going to be a lot of fun. Enjoy hanging from the monkey bars, swinging on the swings, and eating huge amounts of junk food without getting sick.

All the best,
22-year-old Sarah