Have you every volunteered at your child's school?

Question

Also, how did your presence influence your child? I'd like to hear good and bad experiences of volunteering at your child's school. Also, I've filed this under grade-schooler, but preschooler and toddler parents are welcome too. Thank you.

Answer 1

Don't lose any opportunity to volunteer at your kids school. You should be more involved at the place where they spend most of the day in, see what kind of kids they're getting involved in and see how the teachers interact with them etc. Plus the kids won't feel so cutoff from family if you're involved in their school and even as teens (aww Mom...!) they'll secretly appreciate having you around.

Answer 2

Yes, I volunteer once a week in the classroom for an hour. It is during independant work time and walk around and help the kids who have questions, check off work when it is done, help the teacher with copying, etc... I am also room parent, on PTA and school site council. Both my son (3rd grade) and daughter (K) love having me at school and love that all their friends know me as well. I love being there as I get to knwo the teacher better as well as the kids my children are playing with. I also like to think that my volunteering is benefiting the school. I think it has a very positive impact on children.

Answer 3

We will soon begin our 23rd consecutive year of having one or more children in the public school system. By the time our youngest graduates in 2015, we will have spent 30 years being volunteer parents. I have more time to be in the schools during the day, but my husband has willingly volunteered as well for an occasional field trip, family fun carnivals, playground improvement, and many other after school activities. My oldest daughter was not too keen on having me around when she got up into middle and high school so my volunteer work was more "behind the scenes" stuff - making copies, correcting papers, putting up bulletin boards, making phone calls, etc. It is a little ironic that she is now a teacher herself! My son said he didn't care if I was there or not, but now that he is 24, he says it made him feel good that I cared about him enough to want to be a parent volunteer and be involved in his activities (music was his "thing"). My middle daughter liked me to be there for EVERYTHING. My youngest is only going into 4th grade, but at this point in time she likes me to be there. Even if your child is INSISTENT that you'll be nothing but an embarrassment to him/her if you show your face at school, do what you can to be an involved parent. It is a good thing to have your face and name known around school for positive reasons and not just when there is a problem.

Answer 4

I volunteered a lot at my son's school last year when he started kindergarten. I went to every party. I popped in occasionally to check the teacher's basket of things she needed help with. I helped some in the work room near the office. I liked being around to get a better feel of the daily goings on at the school. My son loved that I was there. He would come up and hug me and return to his work. The other kids would say "there's your mom". I knew every kid in his class and most of their parents, just by attending class events. The parents knew me as the one who was always there. Even if you can't spend a lot of time at school, do so when you can. I never met some kids' parents because they never came to anything. If nothing else, just pop in or have lunch with your kid so they know you care like the other kids' parents do. Later, if he is embarrassed by my being there, I'll still volunteer but try to lay low.

Answer 5

Yes, I volunteer every chance I get. Our daughter loves it too. She says she knows that we love her because we're always there for her. It's a good feeling helping your own and other kids. They really appreciate it.

I think the biggest problem is the cliques. Often, the PTA and stuff has it's fave members and they get all the credit for the work done. None of it really matters though because it's for the kids, not the other parents. They can't deny you volunteering your time.

I've volunteered at many areas in school. From fund raising to helping the teachers to PTA and areas in between. This year, I'm on the list to be a substitute teacher and I'm very excited. I love being in the classroom.

I wouldn't change my experiences volunteering for school for anything. It's very rewarding and my own as well as the other kids enjoy it. They think the parents that help out are cool.

Go for it!! Good luck!!

Answer 6

I volunteered lots at the same time as my daughter become in middle college. She loved it. Me; no longer a lot. It become predicted from each and every of the mothers and fathers. once she were given into intense college....I particularly went to the figure/instructor conferences. If it 'complements' her adventure there, opt for it. If no human being volunteered, the youngsters would not be in a position to do as a lot as they are at the same time as human beings do volunteer. social gathering: I took over the school dances because no human being else ought to do it.

Answer 7

Yes he loved it. I volunteered friday's and was the head room mother, and also all the field trips. He loved it. I am his step mom but and his mother since he was 9 months old due to abesent mother. So he likes having me at school with his friends.

Answer 8

I am 15 and have 6 brothers and sisters. My mom would volunteer at our schools. She would do something with each grade that she had children in. And I know that all 7 of us really enjoyed it. Having many sibilings makes it hard to spend quality time with your parents expesually since we were all at school all day. So when my mom would come for resess will me, or my holiday parties, or help with "book buddies" (a program that is done at our school) it made me feel really special. I know that all of my brothers and sisters felt the same way.

It also helped us out alot. Our mom being there as often as she was put an extra eye on us. As you probably know, most children have 2 different lives, their home life, and their school life. With some kids it is like 2 different people. But since my mom started coming to my school i felt like she was always watching me (which i didn't mind at all), but this made me act more as i do at home. Since she started off volunteering at my school at such a young age i never had that seperate school life. Now that i am in high school I only do things that i would be willing to do in front of my mom. And i have to add that none of my brothers and sisters are trouble makers. We all get very good grades too. I would have to say that is mainly because our mom was involved so much.

If you volunteer at your child's school you will get to know all of her friends. That was great for me because my mom liked to know a child before i would go to their house. Well my mom knew everyone at my school and they all knew her. Now that i am starting to date, my mom doesn't know the people at my school as well now, but she remembers them all from elementary school. And she can still remember which boys were good kids and which ones she probably wouldn't want me with.

I think you should get involved with your child's school life. But ask her/him what she/he thinks first.

Answer 9

I volunteered a couple of times when my son was in Kindergarten and he was very happy. I guess it depends on the age of the kid and how comfortable they are seeing you in school.

Talk to your kids and see if they seem enthusiastic about the idea. That way neither of you are in for a surprise !!

Answer 10

(My little one was in prek last year.). I helped for class events , and other places in the school. It was easiest when she didnt know I was there. Most of the time she was fine a couple of times she was clingy and wanted to leave with me. The same thing happened when I voulenteered at my youngest brothers class.