Back-to-School Jitters and Track & Field
What are you signing up for this back to school season? We're asking the BIG question and getting heartfelt and intriguing responses from top bloggers and school parent volunteers from around the country. Check out this week's posts from Natasha Nicholes of HousefulofNicholes.com and Jen Christiansen of CookieAthlete.com - beautiful mothers and writers whose perspectives reflect the universal hesitation and excitement of back to school time.
Natasha Nicholes of HousefulofNicholes.com has got the back to school jitters but she's keeping it in balance as she juggles her kids getting older and prioritizing being an active school parent.
I’m anticipating great things this year, including more organization on MY part. Yes, you read that right. I need to get my menu planning, and grocery shopping, and Box Tops collecting, and paper area more organized. Of course the word “need” means that I have yet to do it. Hopefully by the time fall break comes around, I’ll be better. I’m just going to keep my fingers crossed.
This year, I also have my volunteer priorities better organized. One huge binder for Box Tops for Education, and another for all of the other fundraising campaigns that I lead. I’m ready for it! While I was at Type A, I was reinforced about a volunteer scheduling tool that I learned about through PTO Today called Volunteer Spot. I can’t WAIT to use it to get a better handle on parents coming through for things!
What have you done to prepare for back to school? Share some of your wisdom with my houseful!
Read all of Natasha's "I'm Signing Up" Post
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Jen Christiansen of CookieAthlete.com is signing up for Track and Field Day! Check out her humurous and inquisitive take on finding her place in helping out where she's comfortable and can do the most good.
This year I’m signing up to help with Track and Field Day and here’s why.
I learned that it takes a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering to use the copy machine, and I studied artsy stuff in school. Those machines also require patients that rival His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Copy Mom just ain’t me. I have to leave that job to the technical and/or patient folks.
PTO, yeah that requires interacting with adult people…on a regular basis! Again—not my strong suit.
I know they need parents to help administer standardized tests, but since I don’t really believe in exactness and stringent rules that one isn’t really a match either. “You may pick up your pencil NOW!” “And STOP!” I think the military is more lax.
There’s cafeteria crew, but the smell gets me every time.
And I think you have to be smart to qualify for math helper.
So where can an olfactory challenged, slacker parent with no social skills who does math on her fingers help out around the school? Don’t worry, I found my comfort zone outside (and your kids won’t be negatively affect by my volunteering.)
I choose to help with Track and Field Day because to quote Ralphie from The Simpsons, “That’s where I’m a Viking!”
I remember living for Track and Field Day. I remember winning the long jump and the high jump every year. (Which may or may not have had something to do with the fact that I was always the tallest kid.) For a kid who was spends her time in the lowest reading group, finally winning something felt awesome. That’s why I help with Track and Field Day. I want every kid to win sometimes.
Read all of Jen's "I'm Signing Up" Post
