Shout out to Parent Volunteers!
A few years ago, one of my dear co-workers here at Choicelunch and I would have lengthy conversations about her involvement in her kids’ schools and activities. On any given week, she would talk of all-day gym meets, nacho sales at softball games and room parent burdens. I was in awe in her, but maybe not as sympathetic as I could have been, not yet being a parent myself. She was volunteering, after all, and it was her choice to devote so many hours, days and years of her life in these endeavors. Right?
Fast forward to today and I have been lured into being my son’s preschool room parent. No one else stepped up (out of 14 working families) and Ms. Jenny had a look of desperation when she asked. Also, along with every other woman in my demographic, I can’t easily say, ‘No.’
Fundamentally, I think I’m trying to balance the scales and payback the Moms of the 1980’s in Lafayette, CA. My Mom never volunteered. She was mildly apologetic, but I think secretly proud of never attending a PTA meeting and never organizing her Saturdays mornings around my soccer schedule. I think expectations are different now, but I also remember being ashamed that other parents brought orange wedges for scout snacks when my Mom didn’t.
Now, I am trying to make up for that, and I am learning how much we all truly depend on school volunteers. Now that I am in the thick of it, I am proud to come back on Monday morning and tell my co-workers, “You will not believe how many Hanukkah cupcakes I had to frost last night!”
This is dedicated to all of you parents, Hot Lunch Coordinators, PTA Presidents and carpool volunteers. YOU are heroes and make the kid-centered world we live in work!
