Thursday, September 5, 2013

I Volunteered in My Kid's Classroom

Yep, I did it.  For the first time ever I officially volunteered in my kid's classroom.  Cue the bells and applause!  

I actually have wanted to do this for a while because I like to spy on my kids I am service oriented; but when you have a little one at home it is just nearly impossible to do.

This year one of my friends generously agreed to watch Ryder once a week so I could go volunteer.

I felt like such a good mommy signing those forms, saying I could volunteer every other Wednesday (have to help in both classes can't make it seem like I have a favorite).  I signed those forms knowing the teachers would be knocking down my door to get me in, after all it's me I'm awesome super mom (insert sarcastic laugh here).

So I waited and I waited... and finally I heard from Lucas' teacher, or actually the room mom;  'Thank you for offering to volunteer we would love for you to help the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 11:15-12:00'.

Really 45 minutes?  That is all they could use me?

I sucked up my pride and said, awesome sounds great, immediately e-mailing Alex's teacher saying I could help out every Wednesday now from 9-11:00.

The first volunteer Wednesday finally rolled around.  I got dressed, even did my makeup, planned on curling my hair but ended with just a good brushing, then I was off to volunteer.  I dropped off Ryder then was suddenly feeling kind of funny.

Did the teacher even know I was coming?  What was I supposed to do when I got to the school?  Was she going to have anything ready for me to help with or was I going to totally interrupt everything? I knew these thoughts were a bit insane and everything would be fine, but that didn't stop them from flooding my mind.

I got to the school, signed in and got my little visitor sticker and headed back to the Lucas' classroom.  Crap, it is only 11:05, I wasn't needed for 10 more minutes.  I stood outside of his classroom trying to stay out of the line of the little window.  I stood there looking around.

Were their cameras somewhere?  Were they watching me just standing there wondering what I was up to?  I quick whipped out my phone pretending to respond to an important text.

11:07, dang.  Well might as well go in rather than stand here looking like a hoodlum. I pulled on the door, it is locked.  Stupid evil world where the schools have to be all locked up to keep kids safe.  Now what? Do I knock.. but I am still early. It looks like all the kids may be taking a test.  Dang I am sweating now.

I stepped back, guess I will wait another minute then knock...

Suddenly the door opened.

"Hi I am here to help out" I said with a fake confidence like I knew exactly what I was doing.
"Awesome! Usually I would have you help watch the groups during math but today they are taking a pre-test so could you staple these papers for me."
"Sure I would love to"

Let me tell you, I stapled those papers like a boss!  Oh and I did get to grade some pre-test math papers. Proud to say my son had one of the best tests and no I did not cheat!

I did it.  I successfully volunteered in my kid's classroom.  Now we'll see if I survive as a chaperone for a 1st grade field trip next week.  Wish me luck.

18 comments:

  1. These are big days! Volunteering will mean even more to your kids than it does to you. Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks, yes I am glad I am finally able to. Next year when Ryder is in preschool I will be able to even more

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  2. Field trips can be fun and oh so tiring at the same time! All those kids running around and only about 1/2 of them actually listening...
    Where is the trip to?

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    1. It is to the LA County Fair, so yea might be crazy

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  3. I've always enjoyed volunteering in the my kid's classrooms. I think it's fun to get to know the kids they are always talking about. It does become quite a piece of work when you have little ones though. I loved your post. Love the true emotions...makes me glad to remember we are all just the same. Excited and nervous and everything in between about all sorts of stuff. Hope it continues to be a great experience for you!

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  4. Yep, I think too many people like to act like they always have it together and under control when really we never know what will set us off.

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  6. Yes and I figure the more the teachers know me the better things are too

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  7. That's awesome that you were able to volunteer for your son's classroom! How exciting! I let my son's preschool teachers know that I would love to volunteer for his classes :D I am hoping that they ask me at least once or twice ha ha.

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  8. I would love to be able to volunteer, but I can't. I wish I could spend my lunch hour at the school, but I work half an hour away.

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  9. LOL! I couldn't help but laugh at the moment when you tried to open the door only to find it locked! I would have had the same reaction! :o) At least from here, it only gets easier! :o) (I was surprised to hear that this was the first time you volunteered. I just didn't think about Ryder keeping you from being there! At least he'll make a good excuse if you ever DON'T want to go help!)

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    1. Yea, I have always had at least one little one at home ever since Lucas started school, so have never been able to help out.

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  10. Good job volunteering...yeah...have fun on the field trip. I remember going on one as a chaperone when Eric was in second grade. Too much excitement for me. I was glad when we were back on the bus and on the way home.

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  11. I love volunteering!

    Obviously...right? Enjoy this time, as they get older there are less volunteer opportunities.

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  12. I loved volunteering in my daughters class. I was room mom every year thru 5th grade. She loved having mommy at school with her and I loved watching her learn and interact. You will have so much fun doing this!!

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  13. ha ha this post is hilarious :) love your honesty

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  14. I so want to volunteer, but with the baby, can't figure out a way to make it possibly. Sigh. I will just live vicariously through you, okay? Love the nervousness and fake phone business. So something I would have done!

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    1. Yes, this is the first year I am finally able to and Lucas is in third grade, so yea you are just like me I am just a few years ahead :)

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