My Turn To Speak
A few weeks back, Son #1 comes to me and says, “Dad, can you attend Career Day at my school?” Flattered, I answered “yes” and got back to finishing my work. Son #1 goes away happy and the next day he tells his teacher that I will attend.
Fast forward to just yesterday and I learn a few more things about Career Day — I am expected to give four ten-minute talks about what it is I do for a living to eight kindergarten classes (2 classes per session). Ouch!
Yes, little did I know that I was not only expected to attend the Career Day “festivities” but the expectation was for me to talk about what I do at each session. Not only was Son #1 going to hear me speak but his brother, who is also in kindergarten (Son #2) would get to hear me too.
Well, I am making the most of it all and will be bringing my laptop, a newspaper, and a magazine with me as props. I’ll try to keep the kids riveted to the screen as I explain to them what they are viewing (as we take a look at one of my web sites) while discussing how taking words and making them into a story is something that they should be able to understand (thank you wife for that tip!)
Yes, even if the computer hook-up goes awry, I’ll still be able to use my other props or classroom books to make my point. At the very least there should be two boys there who are happy that I attended, but maybe I can also get across to the children that writing, indeed, can be a way of life.

That’s such a great age! I am sure you will do an awesome job and your boys will remember it forever. Have fun with it!
Lisa
Thank you, Lisa. It went very well. By the third session I figured I’d pull out the fun stuff so I linked to the Peabody Ducks blurb I wrote and the kids connected that words and pictures do go together.
Matt goes to show and tell — with props! Love it. Great story.
Thanks, Bobbie. I survived kindergarten…again!
Matt,
This is a wonderful example of merging your work and family life, maintaining that all-important balance in life.
I’ve tagged you for a meme. I wrote a post on my blog about life balance, and at the suggestion of another blogger, I’ve turned it into a meme.
Here are the instructions on my blog:
To participate, write a post about balance in life and link back to this post: http://lillieammann.com/blog/?p=133. Answer any or all of the following questions or simply share your thoughts about life balance.
How do you achieve balance in your life?
What is your biggest challenge in balancing your life?
What are your priorities?
How have your priorities changed over time and why?
What advice can you share to help all of us balance our own lives?
Thanks for participating.