Being a Parent Volunteer……
A rewarding yet time consuming job
The rest of this week and next week are going to be crazy busy for me! I like to volunteer my time at my kids’ schools and for their activities, but sometimes the workload can be more than a paid job. I am in charge of Reading Week at my daughter’s school next week. This has included prep-time of organizing teachers and readers, finding parents to make baked goods, picking out books, and I will be there in the school all day each day next week to make sure everything runs smoothly.
This would be fine if it was all I volunteer to do, but I am also my daughter’s Girl Scout Brownie leader which is definitely a job in itself. It is the hardest volunteer job I’ve ever done. My daughter loves it so I continue to do it (for now), but it takes a lot of time, energy, and money to do. I actually pay money to be the volunteer basically because I have invested so much extra of my own money into being the leader. My choice of course, so I really can’t complain. I think next year will be the last year for Girl Scouts though.
My husband has decided to take on coaching my son’s tee-ball team this spring, and I live at the gym with my daughter who practices gymnastics over 6 hours a week (and she’s only in second grade). We are quite the busy family, as I’m sure you all are as well. The payment of volunteerism is not in money but in other things. Spending time and bonding with your children, getting to know people in your community, and feeling good that you are helping purely out of the goodness of your heart to give up your time in such a generous way. I will have to say I have cutback this year though and I am learning to say NO! =)
Once you are pegged as a parent who volunteers you get asked to do everything. I now know I need time for other things, so I’ve stepped down in taking board positions in my clubs I’m involved in, I dropped being the book club coordinator, and I’ve stepped back from other school board positions as well.
My advice to everyone is only volunteer in the things you really want to help out with. It’s a wonderful thing to volunteer, but make sure you have the time and energy to devote to it without overloading yourself.
What volunteer jobs do you do? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by how time consuming they can be?
I volunteer every now and then with community projects when I hear about them. I do plan to volunteer for things with my son…once he’s old enough to participate in sports or go to school.
I haven’t started volunteering yet because my son is too young, but I know that I WANT to do all these things…and then I hear the stories of parents running in all directions and I wonder if I should just lay low…
I’m also a big time school volunteer, been on the PTA for 4 yrs. The first couple years was awesome and we loved it but now I’m in the burnt out stage. We have LOW parent participation due to school issues but this is my last year at the school. The next school we go to I might take a year off, lol.
I just got done organizing/running a month long read-a-thon and in 2 weeks I’m in charge of the Book Fair- will be there every day until 6pm. But I do this for my kids and all the kids in the school. If we didn’t do these events the kids wouldn’t be able to experience such FUN!
My hubby always kids that I should have a job at the school because of all the time I’m there. My kids love to see me there and that is all that matters to me.
In our school all our fundraising goes to paying for the music teacher. We are a small urban school of 150 students. Every little thing helps!
Kudos to ALL the families who help any way they can in the schools, community, or wherever you can make a difference!
That sounds like a busy schedule! We currently volunteer at the local food bank right now but I hope to be more active when my kids are in school.
I’ve gotten myself into all sorts of messes with volunteering. Sometimes I just can’t help myself, other times I wish someone would stop me! Running around with 4 kids and running the household and a business doesn’t leave a lot of “me” time but I’m learning to take it easy on myself at least one day a week. So far it’s helping 🙂
Desiree’ with http://www.lifewithourfamily.com
I agree Kristen – Busy people get things done so they always get asked first. I’m finding that the word no is easier as you use it more 🙂 We put a premium on family time so the no’s are not as hard for me sometimes. I love volunteering and making my kids schools a better place too. Good for you to know you have to draw a line! 🙂
That is great you are so invested! I can’t wait to volunteer with the girls’ activities once they are older!
I’d love to volunteer a bit more for my boy’s schools, but you are definitely right, once you start volunteering, you get contacted for EVERYTHING, and unless you are strong at saying now, it’s a dangerous position. I’m so weak at saying no, so I try to stay on the side lines until my daughter is a little older and I won’t have her in tow all the time. It makes the job of volunteering twice as hard! It is nice though that my 8 yr old’s school teacher is a close friend and I’ve told her, when she’s in a jam, to give me a call. so she knows she always has a backup!
Aww, you’re such a good momma! I can’t WAIT until Logan is in school and activities so I can be involved — I always loved when my mom was our “Room Mom”. 🙂 It’s such a great way to get involved with your children.
I’m on the PTA board, I’m in charge of the Hospitality Committee, providing gifts or snacks for the school staff once a month. This month, we are also doing a food drive with March Madness as our theme. I have also been involved in the fall book fair, and now the spring book fair which starts next week. Plus, I’m a reading tutor for ESL kids. I do it because I have a special needs child of my own, and I see how much help he gets and how many different staff members it takes to fulfill his IEP. I feel like it is the least I can do to give back to the school who has done so much for my kids. Plus, I like being in the school and knowing all the teachers and staff members and what is going on. Makes me feel better having my kids there.
This is so great! I can’t wait to be a volunteer at Drews school next week!
That is awesome that you guys give so much back to the community! My big thing is volunteering at 5k races 🙂
Wow kristin you are busy!! I love to volunteer to get into the classroom and be a fly on the wall in my childs’ world! It does also help you feel connected to the community, but I know what you mean about learning to say “no”, I’ve been much better about it this year!
I of course haven’t done this kind of stuff yet, but I literally can’t wait. My Mom did SO much volunteering when I was a kid, and even though I work full time I REALLY want to try to do as much as I can as well!! It’ll be tough for sure, but I think it is important. I WILL have to remind myself to say no sometimes though…I have a tough time with that and then I get in over my head!
Ugh, this is yet another reason i’m glad my little ones aren’t in school yet! I love the IDEA of volunteering, but can see how once you do, you’re asked to do more more more. But you’re an awesome mama for being such a big part of your kid’s lives…they will love you for it, and appreciate it forever!
-Megan
xoxo
Your tips are spot on! I am my oldest son’s Cub Scout Den leader, I homeschool 2 of my children, I stand and watch 3 of them at gymnastics for 1.5 hours a week, and there are other activities that come up throughout the year.
Last year we participated in a weekly co-op with other homeschooling families. We enjoyed the co-op and made friendships but it nearly did me in. I knew this year I had to pull out of something so co-op got the ax. I haven’t regretted that decision one bit. I’ve learned that each school year and season I need to reevaluate our families goals and decide activities based on those. Saying no to great opportunities isn’t easy but is often necessary.