Being pressured to be on committee next year, help!

[hmmSleep]

My dd goes to a parent run playgroup for which I am on the general comittee, but no substantial role. She will be leaving to go on to school in September, at which point my ds will start at the playgroup.

I'm feeling a bit of pressure to take a more active role next year as it has been (rightly) pointed out that it would be helpful to have someone on board who already knows the ropes.

I would have been OK with this apart from I've recently discovered I'm pregnant, due 1st November, and so really don't want to take on the extra work around that time.

Didn't want to tell anyone about it yet really as mc last year. Should I just appear rude and say I don't want to do it, say there are personal reasons why I can't, or just tell the truth. Might be the pregnancy hormones but it's playing on my mind!

A lot of people make the mistake of thinking they're joining the PTA to do a bit of light fundraising . Sounds like you've got a much more realistic idea of what it entails! It is a huge commitment if you're going to do it properly, and it's reasonable to think this might not be compatible with having a young baby.

Can you stall for time by saying you'll think about it (at least until you're more confident about telling people you're pregnant)/

Or just be very assertive and say no, I'm not prepared to take on a central role but I'm happy to pick up ad hoc projects / prepare documents / look after a specific area such as ordering workwear & uniform.

Good luck with your pregnancy, anyway.

Be very brave and just say no - if they ask why, just say "various reasons, but I really can't commit at the moment". Hopefully the enquirer will back off, but it leaves it suitably vague - could be anything, house move/pregnancy/new job/whatever. I did this at DD1's PTA when I was expecting DD3 - a few odd looks when I didn't take on a main role as they expected, but nothing untoward said and obviously they realised why a few month later.

Yes, make some vague "can I see how I feel a bit nearer the time?" noise until you're further on in your pregnancy and can come clean.

Thanks for replies, committee meeting next Wednesday so will get my assertive head on .