Momtalk: Time Constraints

What obligations do you choose?

I find it interesting that whenever I volunteer at school I always see the same group of people.  I’ve noticed this for years, through six different schools in two different school districts.  No matter how large the school, it’s always the same people who show up to help on everything.  New people are approached on a regular basis, but too often the answer comes back that they are too busy.  Too busy? Really? Because those of us who do volunteer aren’t busy at all, right?

Busy schedules

We’re all busy; it’s a fact of modern life.  We have jobs, families, homes and other obligations that fill our days.  But ultimately, with the exception of our jobs, we choose which ones to spend our time on.   Over the years I’ve been involved in many organizations, sometimes several all at once.  I’ve gotten in over my head at times and have had to back off, but I still manage to give time to the kids’ activities and school because that is important to me and to them. 

Value of giving back

 Recently I stepped away from two activities that were unrelated to my kids.  I found that between work, family, home and everything else I wasn’t doing any of my obligations well.  So I choose to give up a couple of things and focus on doing the ones that were most important to me. 

I have always liked being involved at school.  It’s nice to know teachers, staff and administrators.  It’s even nicer to get to know parents.  Other parents are the best support network and give me valuable insight, something I would never have without being involved. 

Volunteering at school also shows my kids that I am interested in their lives and willing to take the time to be involved.  It’s easy to talk about the great things going on in their lives, but it means so much more to see it first hand and to have helped make things better. When I volunteer at school, in activities or the community in general I am teaching my kids a valuable lesson about giving back.  It’s easy to be one of the many who is too busy to help out, but it feels so much better to step up and make the time for the things that are important in life.  Whether your kids ever say it or not, they are aware when you volunteer and they like knowing you are involved. It sends a good message about your interest in their lives and the world.  Life will always be a juggling act, but rarely are we too busy to support our kids. 

What makes a parent step up? 

The next time someone asks you to help out at school or on the athletic team, what will your answer be?  Couldn’t you spare a few hours over the course of the year?