Do You Volunteer at your children's school?

[Earlybird]

Do you volunteer at your children's school - Parents Association, class rep, PTA, cake day organiser etc? Do you think it benefits you/your child in any way and if so, how?

If you don't volunteer, why not?

Interested to read several comments here from those who don't volunteer much because they've "got a life". Don't understand that remark which seems hostile and condescending. Is the thinking that those who volunteer do so because they're meddling busybodies with nothing better to do? Have you been burned in the past?

I used to volunteer when I was a nanny, at the school where 'my' children attended. I usually got stuck with some naff job like cutting pieces of paper to the right size, or doing some exciting stapling. One teacher was great though and used to give me all the messy and exctiting craft activities, thinking (quite rightly) that I was a scruffy yoof and would not mind getting covered in shoe polish etc.

I also ran a stall at the summer fete. I would do it again if my child attended a school; I think it's good to get involved in community things, and benefits everyone concerned. Those who do community work are less likely to suffer with depression, and it is linked with increased health and quality of life generally.

I've offered on a few occasions, but I'm not wanted/required because of DD. I've even been asked to do things on the assumption that it'll be easy for me to find someone to have her during the day, which seems to be what a few Mums can do I tried helping on our version of the PTA, but as I work evenings it was just too difficult to schedule for when they did things.

I do help out at fairs when I can, and do the whole cake baking thing and I've volunteered to take over the schools M & T group. Maybe when I've got all three of them in school I'll be able to help out, but tbh I think it's more likely that I'll be working.

For what it's worth I don't know if it would 'benefit' my children for me to volunteer (on a personal level) but I know they don't lose out because I can't.

I work part time so help out at parties/fetes etc when I can but I do find it quite the other mums who have been helping for a while are very clicky and quite territorial of the particular activity/task that they do. I don't let it worry me because I like feeling involved and being part of the school community but I have to bite my tongue when the same women complain that there are never enough helpers.

I don't believe helping out in school benefits your children, although mine always got a big kick out of seeing me there and would wave enthusiastically if they went past where I was, but IME it benefits the helping parent enormously - I think DD1 was in Y3 and DD2 was in Reception when I started helping, and at that point school (esp the Juniors) was for me a scary place staffed by aliens.

Going in once a week and getting to know everybody on first name terms (although not in front of the children, obv) made it homely and them human, and although they've all left now I still feel quite attached (except to the head, who always was and always will be an egocentric intolerant hypocritical cow )

Oops, I don't mean it doesn't benefit your children either, I lost a thought there - just that it's much more help to the parent.

I thought that Earlybird.

Agree that if you work full time it's going to be nigh on impossible to go and read during the day. But I've still got a 3 yr old and 1 yr old at home and I work for myself during evenings and weekends. I still manage to attend PTA meetings where you can at least contribute ideas or help work out a problem, even if you can't offer to help on something practical during the day. There is also stuff to be done in the evenings too - I'm doing refreshments at the school music evening in a couple of weeks and someone who worked could do that if they wanted to.

I'm not 'having a go' at anyone who doesn't help - it's entirely the individuals choice of course. However, it does annoy me when people use the excuse 'I just don't have time' - sometimes it's true and sometimes it's just cos they can't be arsed and if that's the case, I'd rather they were honest. Otherwise it's like saying 'you do it cos you haven't got anything better to do' and frankly with 3 children of 5 and under and a freelance career, I've got plenty to do but I choose to find the time to do school related things. I don't want a medal for it but I don't want people to think I've got all the time in the world and therefore let me get on with it on my own.

I would volunteer to help out at ds1's nursery but I have ds2 to look after. Also, if I did it once I think he would want me to stay every day and might make him reluctant to go without me.

Having said that, I think I might volunteer towards the end of term if I can get my mum to look after ds2.

I started helping at infants with ds and just carried on - I now work there 30 hours a week as 'ICT support', despite having no formal ICT training - it just started because I knew how to unfreeze a computer and the ICT coordinator was busy. Now I keep the school network running & do all sorts of other computer-related tasks - currently I'm proof reading & printing all the reports, having designed the form they're written on.
When I was helping I soon discovered that my dd loved having me around, but ds preferred me to work in the other parallel class, or in the library. I did get heavily involved with the infant/ junior PTA for a few years, but never got involved at secondary school - by then I'd had enough of trying to persuade people to help.
I have to say I'm not the only mum or ex-mum at my school to turn voluntary work into paid work - I can think of six others in recent years , three of whom are still there. We also have an ex pupil, now 19, doing a gap year in our ASD resource, an ex mum training to be a teacher on the graduate programme, and three of our full-time staff did their final teaching practice here - I guess we're just the kind of place people like to come back to!

IME (limited) people often do the same task every time because they did it once and like to stick to the same thing - it's their comfort zone if you like. One parent I know was really anxious about helping at an event, but once she did it once she really enjoyed it - but only wanted to do that particular task because that was what she was comfortable doing, and it was a real feeling, not just an excuse.

The PTA are often seen as cliquey because (again IME) they get fed up of being told no, so they ask the few parents they know will say yes (even if it is with a groan).

I love helping in class and the kids love it too when a parent comes to help I. I help at in the maths lesson and arts and crafts. Used to listen to the smaller ones reading too. I get a real buz purely because I adore children. I know the teacher really appreciates an extra pair of hands too. Would love to do more really but others help out too so I am not NEEDED for more than I already do.

Sorry but I had to laugh at the "I'm-accountable-so-as-it's-my-ass-on-the-line-things-will-be-thoroughly-sorted" type people being required to orgainise things properly. They are usually the ones that get sidelined while the rest of the PTA spend 4hrs debating
A. if they need plates
B. which kind of plates
C. what price of plates
D. where to get the plates
E. when to get the plates
F. who will get the plates and finaly
G. who will be responsible for the plates.
Each point will need a vote of course with a clear majority. All while some poor idiot is jumping up and down saying its OK I have 3000 plates in my loft. Ah the joys of the PTA meetings .

We don't have the time or the inclination for THAT sort of meeting.

Business sorted quick as possible, followed by a bevy or two in the pub.

I get involved with fundraising at ds1's school. Attend PTA meetings when I can, and coffee mornings when I can. Go to all events and lend a hand if I can (actually usually dh comes as well and helps with ds1 whilst I look after ds2 and ds3) Not much else at the moment because also have 2 pre-schoolers. DS2 starts school in September and have no intention of doing anything too hands on with the children because a roomfull of neurotypical kids is fast track to insanity for me. Will be happy to attend meetings and events though.

I am on the pta and a school governor also I am on the pta at playgroup too so I think I do my part.

I am on the PTA and a governor as well. Planning to help out on my non-working day next yr as DS2 starts at nursery school every morning.
I do it because I like it and want to get involved and help my children's school. Our PTA isn't cliquey but surely most woul dbe gla dof your help? They are fools if not!

I also think that it might be beneficial for some working parents to take part in the school association meetings. Not because they are any better than the SAHM at organising, but they may be able to add extra/different skills (not right word, but can't think of a better one at the moment - will get back to you if I do) to the group. Also I suppose these people may be out of "cliques" that form in the playground so may be impartial to any arguments or siding.

Just a thought though.

I have found that since being on several commitees that the kids of these parents seem to get treated alot better when it comes to trips and things.
Last week we help the country dance festival at our school and as such dd never got home til 11pm because I was helping to tidy up and due to this dd's tiredness was taken into account.

If parents communicate with the school, then this sort of thing would be taken into account anyway (as long as it wasn't all the time iykwim).

EG. Various children are involved in drama groups, and when a show is on they're up late everynight for a week. If staff are made aware then they will bear this in mind...irrespective of parental activity with the school.

This is how it should be, though I am aware that it's often not the case.

I am about to replace the current parent rep in my daughter pre school class. I help out on school trips although I haven't volunteered to help out in the classroom as I have a baby. When my DD starts primary school I have every intention of being on the PTA and if possible a school governor. I just want to be involved in my children's education and as a SAHM I have the time to do it. I also remember how fantastic it was when my mum used to come in school on a Thursday afternoon to teach cookery!! I was so proud!

I HELP OUT TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON, I LISTEN TO THE CHILDREN (4-5YRS OLDS) READ AND DO SCIENCE CLASS WITH THEM AND COOKING I LOVE IT. SAHM TOO SO HAVE THE TIME.

Dh on Governor's and I'm Chair of PTA.

We do it for a mixture of reasons - wanting to help, innate nosiness so good to be in a position of hearing any gossip and because we genuinely like the school.

At the risk of sounding a bit gushinhg, it's nice to feel part of the community.

I do have a secret snigger to myself from time to time though, as I've never been a 'joiner' and have always had a deep distrust of committees!

Must have happened by osmosis.

Our PTA is tiny. Same people generally doing everything, despite our best efforts to entice new blood. I'm fairly sure we are viewed as a clique, which is a shame as we try to get people involved, but I have a feeling it comes with the territory.

I would like some more people to join, but quite understand if they haven't the time, or, to be frank, the inclination.

We have had some grumbles from people, and that does annoy me. If they've something constructive to suggest, then great, but general whinges without offering suggestions/help can be very disheartening.

Fortunately last couple of events have been well-received, so we're on a bit of an up at the moment.

Although people have been running away from me lately, as I have that mad ticket-seller's glint in my eye

oops, sorry to make my waffle any longer, I think it does benefit our children. We've built relationships with staff there, so communication is easier, and knowing more about the children's background I think can be a help if there's a problem.

I don't get involved in reading etc, as helping out in the classroom is not my forte. I don't have the patience.

My DDs go to a state primary school.I am class rep for my older daughters class. This isn't too onerous. I organise a card and pressie at Christmas and the end of year for the teacher. At our Summer Fair I help run one of the stalls. I always help at events if I am free. However I don't feel dynamic enough to hold a big role like PTA chair or treasurer. I used to help on school trips when I could but now my DDs like to go without me, they feel more grown up. I don't help out in the classroom as groups of children are not my forte.

I think everyone should do what they are comfortable with, even if that is nothing. It annoys me when those on committees get annoyed when others won't join in. Not everyone is the same, they shouldn't feel forced to do something which is voluntary.

AUBINA, I couldn't agree more with your second paragraph.