Tonight, I went to a family literacy night at Ninjette’s school and I got this cool piece of paper.
The kids got to read a book, go on a bear hunt and do crafts. The grown ups got to sit in too small chairs and go through two power point presentations.
As I was sitting with the room full of parents, I was contemplating the idea of being an involved parent. I began to realize that I wasn’t really sure what that was supposed to look like. I knew what I would expect or hope to expect from parents from the perspective of a teacher, but now that I’m a parent, I’m a little clueless.
My parents involvement was somewhat limited when I was in school. They were never room parents, didn’t go on field trips or come as a mystery reader. I do remember my mom making food for a multicultural night and I remember my dad helping with science projects. Both my parents worked and I never expected them to be at my school or to come on field trips. I also don’t remember my parents really helping with homework or reading books to me. I do remember my dad putting me on an intensive reading and writing regimen to catch up my English. Although I was born in the United States, my first language wasn’t English and I had a stint in ESL classes as a kindergartener.
So I feel a little lost about what parental involvement should or could look like. Working makes it hard to juggle all of that as well. As a former student of education and teacher, I understand the importance of parental involvement. However, in reality, I’m not sure how this is supposed to work out.
I’m not sure why I’m so worried about being “properly” involved, but it’s something that has crossed my mind a lot. I know I need to figure out what is right for me, but for now, I would love to know how you are involved in your kid’s school?
Til then, I’m going to read my piece of paper and get the nerve to ask Ninjette’s teacher how I can volunteer.
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Interesting question? It really depends on how much time you have and where you want to be involved. I have always volunteered in each of my girls’ classes. It can be as little as helping one-hour with stations of reading, working as the parent helper in the school library, marking papers, and chaperoning on field trips. I am a PTA Board member this year which gets me more involved in school and not just my girls’ classrooms. I know each of my girls now 4th and 2nd graders love that I help in their classes. I ask permission every year to see if they still want me in their classrooms. I even when to them for permission to work as a noon supervisor in the cafeteria and the lunch recess time on the playground. So you can say I’m a little involved at school LOL! I am a stay-at-home mom so my time is more available to dive in. Friends who are working parents tele-commute one day a week and use that morning to be in class. I know our teachers really appreciate the parents who are in their classes giving a hand with anything! Good luck on deciding what you want to do 🙂
Yeah, I think that I just have to figure out what it means to be involved and what’s the right amount. That’s really awesome that you are at their school during the day and that you are part of the PTA board!
Thank you for this. I have a bit of a “mommy guilt” our schools do something almost every month that parents can attend and help . That is 10 full days off a year or 5 1/2 days off a year if my work is really nice about the time off. That is a whole week off to help at school. Many of my friends can go. I can’t. I feel horrible because my son asks “where were you mommy? ” I tell him I help the schools in other ways, I am a teacher and AWLAYS make sure the boys classrooms are stocked and holiday season I make sure office staff , special ed staff.,cafe staff are fully stocked with a simpler thank you and thing they need.
Parent involvement can be small like box tops or big like helping at school … EVERY bit helps.
Thanks – never thought about box tops, either! That’s a good point. Let’s definitely banish “mommy guilt” on this because we all are doing our part to help and we are also doing our best! Thanks for your comment!