My son starts school today, how can I be involved as a working mom?

Question

Hi.

My oldest child starts his first day of school today. I think it's important for me to be involved in his school and in his education as a whole to serve as an example that I think his education important.

I don't what my son to grow up thinking that I am too busy working to care about his grades and such. I would like to create the illusion that his schooling is more important to me than my own job.

I work a 40 hour a week job, and I am lucky enough to keep a 6AM-3PM schedule, but I have a 1 hour commute to get home.

What kinds of PTA programs can I participate in that allow me to only participate after 4PM or on the weekends.

I have taken a look at the PTA website for my son's school, but it wasn't very informative, and it looked like most of the meetings and such were during the day.

Any ideas will be appreciated.

Answer 1

Although it is nice to "be involved" at school it is far more important to be involved with your child. help with homework, make sure there is a clean and scheduled time to study, make sure they have a good breakfast, healthy lunch, snack and a good dinner. PTA is not the answer for all parents since it is mainly for those with open day hours - so you need to focus on the time you have for your child. Ask about school, invite friends to study over, get to know the parents of your child's friends - this will make a far better impact than a few cookies or serving ice cream on field day. Participate in their everyday education and you will see a child who succeeds in school.

Answer 2

You're a great parent!!

Teachers can always use help. Aside from planning and grading, they also have to produce bulletin boards and such. You can volunteer to help prepare them for your child's teacher. That could be anything from designing them for a certain theme to making and cutting out letters or pictures to simply sticking the thing up on the wall.

During PTA meetings or any other meetings, you could volunteer to arrive early and help direct parents. You could also help decorate your child's classroom. Teachers always have so much to do to prepare for these meetings.

If you have the time once in a while, you could take a half day from work and join the class. Speak with the teacher to arrange ways that you can help while you're there. That could be anything from tutoring small groups in reading or math to helping with science experiments to grading spelling tests.

Answer 3

Contact your son's teacher - send him/her an email. Introduce yourself, let the teacher know your situation, but you want to stay involved/informed.

If you can go to open house or parents' night (usually held the first few weeks of school), ask around - there's probably a table with PTA stuff. Find out if there's anything that will work with your schedule. Maybe ask if you can help keep the website updated. ;)