I was chatting with a fellow mom outside the school one morning when the Parent Association President approached:
“Hi! We have school pictures tomorrow and we are a few volunteers short…”
I start nodding.
“… and I was wondering if either of you would be able to…”
I nod faster.
“… stay after drop off – “
“I can!”
“ – to help with the photos?”
“I’m available!!”
I am the super-keen-kindergarten-mom. I want to do it all. When the notice came out that names would be drawn if more than two parents volunteered for the class field trip, I made sure to arrive early the next day to get my name in there. On the first day of school I signed up for half the volunteer jobs at the PTA table. Volunteer burnout? Bring it on!
Why do I want to do so much stuff at my kid’s school? Am I not ready to let go? Am I trying to ensure a positive academic experience for her? Am I just a volunteer junkie?
I don’t think I am that unusual, most schools report a high parent involvement in the early years with a corresponding drop in participation as their kids get older. But do most parents need to resist the urge to jump up and down shouting, “Pick me! Pick me!” every time a lackey – er, volunteer – is needed?
It seems that we have parents doing a lot of the stuff I remember older kids getting to do: staffing concessions, photocopying, cutting, fundraising, etc. – the kind of volunteer jobs I always tried to sign up for so I could get out of class. I have to admit, it is still a bit of a thrill for me to be at school without having to do any actual schoolwork.
I don’t think this is a bad thing and I know the help is needed, so I might as well put my time in while I still have the interest. I am sure the day is coming when I will want to get in and out of the school quickly, without making eye contact, in order to avoid any possible volunteer requests. Until then I will keep saying “yes” and try not to jump too high when shouting, “Pick me! Pick me!”
Mmm…now where did I leave my scissors? I still have about 100 stars to cut out for the school’s Christmas charity project.
