Taking time to really be there for your kids is so important. You all know I was a stay-at-home mom for years, and now I am a work-at-home mom with full-time hours. I am still working on finding my balance, but it is so important to find time to really be there for your kids. Of course before my full-time job, I had ALL the time in the world to devote to volunteering. I took positions in Moms Club, New Neighbors Club, helped with the PTG, and I was a Girl Scout leader for years. I had to give some of that up when I took my new job, but what I will not give up is volunteering when I can. I still want to be there for my kids and have them see that I am there.
My son wanted to sign up to play soccer this fall, so of course we were super excited that he was interested in sports and not just playing the iPad. I signed him up, but there would only be teams if some parents stepped up to coach. I played soccer growing up for MANY years, both my parents coached my teams when I was younger, so I knew this was something I needed to do for my son. I had been my daughter’s Girl Scout leader for the past three years, and I knew this was the time for me to volunteer for my son and bond with him.
I was nervous because I do work many hours, but I did find a way to fit it in! I told the league coordinator I could have practices after my work hours, and even though I was tired from working it was so worth it. I really liked being with my son, teaching him about soccer, and just doing something for him and with him! I could tell he was very excited about it too! There is just something to be said for making that time to be with your kids.
They will remember that you were the PTG president, the Girl Scout leader, in their classroom working, and that you were the Coach! It means the world to them that you are there for them. You can spend money buying your kids things, but that’s not what they will treasure and remember. It is you and your time that kids crave and means the most to them. I am glad that even with working I found the time to be there for my son. I will not regret volunteering one bit. Sometimes I had to do everything I could to gather the energy I needed to go and run the practice with a group of energetic 6-8 year old boys, but seeing the smile on my son’s face each day was all worth it! Be there for your kids, even when you don’t think you have the time or energy! You can do it! Be a parent volunteer!
Love this post!! Yes, even with all the work, I always find time to do activities and make sure I am active in their lives. It is so so important!!!!!
Awww, yes, it’s important and a wonderful bonding time.
Love this! I went on my first class field trip with my son’s class this week! I hope to be more involved as he gets older 🙂
Definitely agree! My kids are only young for a little while! I love being able to be there for them and their activities! It’s so important!
I want to do it all, but know it will be difficult between my own work schedule and the kids extra curriculars. You’re right about finding a balance, and doing as much as you can, they will remember that. I volunteered to be a “room mom” for my daughter’s preschool class, and they had too many volunteers, so I didn’t make the cut. But I will be sure to be involved as much as I can, I don’t want to miss a thing! You’re doing great, we are all super heroes in my book!
Yes! When the kids were small I was a crazy busy working mom, but always found time to volunteer. It was a lot of fun and I’ll never regret the time I spent doing that.
I am grateful to be a SAHD myself so i can bond with my son and watch him and his friends, and keep them on the right path.
Mitch
Sadly, I often don’t make time for volunteering but I know I really need to start 🙁 My kids are growing so fast and I know participating in activities such as these at school help their development, too. Thanks for the post!
I could not agree more!! I fully plan on doing whatever I can to volunteer as much as I can as my son gets more involved in activities. I think it is so important!!!
I volunteered in the scouts, church & our community even when I worked full time out of the house. It’s possible and so important!
Your point about being nervous to be able to fit it in is a good one. I heard a great quote once that said “we are all given the same hours in the day” and then listed famous people: Dalai Lama, etc. who do amazing things with their every day. I thought that was good food for thought. Great job with your kids!
I love this post! It’s so important to stay involved with your kid’s lives.
That is so great, I would like to volunteer more, I just wish I had a few more hours to do it. Sadly, I have to work quite a bit (hoping to cut back soon though!).
I love the pics! Sounds like you had an amazing time!!! 🙂
I really want to do some more volunteer stuff for my oldest, as my schedule is much more flexible now that I’m working from home. Looks like you’ve got it down=)
I have been volunteering for years…in the classroom, scouts, church…there are so many ways to get involved and it really helps you get to know your kid’s friends a bit better. Now that they are teens it is getting harder to find ways to participate but I will do it whenever I can.
Great post. I always try to involve myself in all of my daughter’s activities.
Volunteering at school and at kids extra curricular activities is a great way to stay involved. It shows them that your interested, and it’s a great way to bond with them and get to know their friends.
What wonderful photos, even more proof that being a parent volunteer is so worth it. I remember the couple of times my own mom did this.. it really brings back great memories 😉
Love this! I know how difficult it is to work full time and “discover” those hours to volunteer… but the time is magical. My husband Barry and I spent years volunteering as coaches, PTA parents, swim parents, etc., and those are the hours our kids remember and still talk about… and now volunteer on teams, projects, events with THEIR kids! Love this post!
Volunteering is great for both the parent and the child. The best learning children do is when they see their parents leading by example.
My mom used to work a LOT during the week but she always had weekends off so she could come to games or girl scout events or whatever but could never do field trips or things during the school day. One time the school was almost ready to cancel a field trip because they didn’t have enough volunteers so my grandma went and as a 7 or 8 year old kid it was the COOLEST thing to me that she got to come and I got to have her meet my friends and everything. It really does matter to the kids!
It’s great that you are so involved with your kids activities. I used to coach and help out when my kids were young and I didn’t realize that I would one day be inspiring them to do the same. They love to help out in their community.
That’s awesome. I need to find…well not find, but MAKE, the time to do more things like this. I’m always nervous that I’ll make this huge commitment and not be able to deliver.
That is great you are able to volunteer so much even with all your other responsibilities. It is definitely rewarding to volunteer for all of those things. There are not enough parents willing to do what you do – and they are really missing out. Keep it up!
I totally agree. No matter how busy we all get — family should always be priority. It’s so hard balancing work from home and spending family time. Thanks for the reminder at how important things like this are!!
I remember all of the time my mom spent volunteering in all of my activities. It’s a wonderful thing to volunteer with your kids as it will be some of their fondest memories.
That is seriously SO amazing for your kids that you are making volunteering such a priority. It makes such a difference when your kids see you actively involved in the things they do!
I have been a parent volunteer at so many organizations over the year. I think the other kids see parents who volunteer as the “cool moms.” 🙂 Good for you, Kristin!
Totally true… Hubby coaches every soccer team and I go on every field trip… I believe it is important to always be there and love that my kids don’t think anything of it, they just KNOW we will be there, HA!
My parents volunteered in pretty much everything I did growing up, and I hope to be able to do the same. Just found out my daughter’s pre-k limits times you can volunteer because of the abundance of help they are offered – pretty incredible.
Super post!!
We have for sure put time into volunteering for the kids activities!! I think it’s so, so, so important to show interest in THEIR interests!!
It can get tricky with a houseful, but absolutely make the time to do something!
I’m with you 100% on that. It’s something you will NEVER regret and they will always remember!
Loved reading this. I am trying to find time with all 3 kids still. :(. But they have to understand to that i don’t and can’t give 24/7 time. Idk maybe im wrong?
I’m sure there know you are there for them! It is so hard juggling everything. I understand. I have the same issues!! =)