I've been thinking about this ever since I volunteered to co-lead Lil Miss' Daisy Scout troop.
Back in the day, before I had children, I thought I would totally be "that mom." You know, the one who is involved in everything - PTA, Scouts, Dance, Baseball, Soccer etc etc. When Lil Miss started school last year, we did not join the PTA and I never volunteered to help. I did help out in her class a couple of times, but having a child at home makes volunteering at school impossible. I went on one field trip. I cut out stuff too. Helped with a couple of parties.
I have zero organizational skills so I know I will never be good at leading anything. I also can't make decisions to save my life. And I hate telling people what to do. I'm perfectly content handing the reigns over to someone else and have them tell me what to do - in a nice way, of course.
But even in this co-leading business (and I am literally the 02 on this) I have no idea what I was thinking. I'd rather just drop Lil Miss off and have none of the responsibility. I do hate other people's kids, so I can see this as being the worst idea I ever had. But Lil Miss is so excited her mom is a leader. And it's too late to back out now. And at least I am involved, right? sigh.
I just don't know if I am a participating mom or if I am a sit on the sidelines and cheer the kids on kind of mom. I guess we'll see how this co-leading thing goes. But I am worried I will disappoint not only my co-leader, but the girls and their parents. I have to wonder, am I really worried about participating or is it that I am afraid I will embarrass myself and disappoint others? Only one way to tell, I guess. I think I'll just shut my eyes and jump into the participating moms pool. It's sink or swim time....
I know exactly how you feel. I am so busy and exhausted from other parts of my day that I don't have it in me go the extra mile... and when I do, it's minimal. I can't stand the idea of "play dates" and hanging out with a bunch of other people's kids for the afternoon. I have other things I need to do - like spend the few precious moments I have with my own family on my days off.
ReplyDeleteI don't know who thought that people had to participate in everything all of the time. No wonder our kids have ADD and HDAD - they have no time to chill between their play dates and extracurricular activities. Thus, an all day PJ day on the weekends in our house is more than fine. We need not do anything to stay stimulated - we need to rest from the rest of the world.
More power to you if you can get in there and do your best, but it's perfectly okay not to, too. ;)
Funny how we continually doubt ourselves even after we've earned the right not to.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll do great. And if you do less than stellar, it's another lesson learned, right?
Denise, I am with you girl! I think a couple of extracurriculars are fine. I am trying to keep Lil Miss's down to 2. Daisies and horseriding. We do have plenty of PJ days!
ReplyDeleteLes, you are so right. It's like our kids are constantly forcing us to learn about ourselves!
I don't know if I agree with Denise's statement about ADD and ADHD. My lil one is being targeted and those letters have been tossed out at me. He is NOT involved nor has he been involved in a LOT of activities. 1 or 2 a year is about my limit, particularly because I work. His over stimulation is most likely TV which I try desperately to monitor.
ReplyDeleteI think ADD/ADHD is over-diagnosed these days and kids just aren't allowed to be kids. But let's not make this about ADD/ADHD. :)
I was raised by participating parents. My bio-mom was over my orchestra group's attire. She designed, planned and obtained our uniforms. My step-mom was a stay at home Mom and went to everything we had interest in and attendance was a family affair. Everyone had to go to everyone's activity to show support.
That's the kind of Mom I hope to be. I want to be a participating parent. Now, participating does not necessarily mean leading. I will be a part of any activity my son decides he wants to partake of, but that does not mean I have to or want to LEAD it. The sideline works quite well for me.
You know me Anamika. LOL... lil man will be sick of seeing at all his events but when he's older he'll appreciate the involvement I had in his life in the same manner I do with my parents.
Blessings!
just one thing more. Have fun! Girl scouts is supposed to be FUN and not all that serious. Your involvement is what matters most to her.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!