Dear Inner Critic,

This morning you woke up first and I didn't appreciate the way you started our day. You said how can I even think I'll be strong enough. You reminded me how hard it was to make lesson plans (in the PAST). You said the kids will misbehave and how will I be clever enough to take control, to get their attention, to demand respect and give it. You said I'll have to work too hard, I'll be working too much and I'll be unhappy. You said I'll be alone and it will be scary to go into the school for the first time, to walk the halls and imagine that I'll really be able to survive there. You said I may have medical problems; I'm not even done with therapy yet. This isn't wise. You said it's too expensive and I'll never afford the move. You said I'll miss Oregon and everyone here.
Please stop. You are trying to protect me but instead you are hurting me. You are pissing me off. I also want what's best for us. Please trust us that we'll take care of ourself. I'm making this decision for you. You need to put your energy into making this easier for us - that is how you can help. If you could instead start stocking away good teaching ideas, that would be amazing! I don't even need them for a few months so you can brainstorm and keep them to yourself and not be judged. Though you are your own biggest critic, you know.