Let me guess, op. You drop your kid off to events and programs and never give a second thought to the labor required to make them happen.

That was me. I was fortunate to have the time to do it, and I made a lot of friends and connections that way.

I don't volunteer for everything but when I do volunteer it's usually for something where I am with the kids instead of with other parents. I really love kids. I have no delusions that they all love me, but I'm grateful for the chance to get to know some of them. And kids are just hilarious. I sometimes think I missed my calling as a teacher, and this is how I channel that.

OP, why are you so judgmental of other people?

Actually, these volunteers are typically envied. They ‘get’ that age group. The other parents are the ones who are less in touch. Those few parents I have seen as understanding youth and having a compassion to ‘give back’ to youth organizations. We are thankful for giving and caring adults. Glad that some parents can be so active and generous with their time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anybody else feel bad for the parents who feel the need to volunteer for everything their kid does-helps on the field for every football game, chaperones every field trip, flies to every school trip?
And they act like they know all the kids and the “kids just love” them.

It’s almost like they are reliving their youth

No, you sound jealous. Sorry you don't have the emotional energy, free time, or bandwidth to give back to your community.

I'm sorry, but most people who volunteer don't have a ton of bandwidth or free time. We just prioritize it.

Yeah, I volunteer because I genuinely enjoy my kids. I volunteer because I know that the parents who volunteer for everything are the only reason my kids get various opportunities (especially rec sports, but also school and church related things). I volunteer because giving back to my community is one of my core values.

I don't feel at all like a kid when I volunteer.

No. I never think that. I'm so grateful to the people who step up and help out in these situations for those that have a harder time doing it for whatever reason.

Huh? We step up to coach, be scout leaders, volunteer at school because no one else will. Not trying to relive anything.

Field trips are fun, but my kids beg me to go on them. I only go on one per year per kid. I'm very annoyed at parents that sign up for every field trip because it doesn't give others opportunity to go.

PTA is where I draw the line. I'm not stepping up to do things that I think admin or central office should be doing. I also just want to treat teachers like professionals, not some pink collar job where we give them free snacks one week a year.

or you could just say thank you and be done

These programs run on volunteers. These people put the time in so that their kids and the whole community benefit from it. Honestly, having spent hours doing unglamorous things at my kids’ school so that events don’t fail, I’m just going to say STFU. Oh, and try volunteering yourself sometime so the same parents don’t have to do everything.

I’m on the other side of it, and always asking for volunteers for various youth organizations. Very few parents step up. Oftentimes, no one steps up.

But you are right: the same dozen parents are the ones volunteering.

Wow that’s quite a take.

Anonymous wrote:Anybody else feel bad for the parents who feel the need to volunteer for everything their kid does-helps on the field for every football game, chaperones every field trip, flies to every school trip?
And they act like they know all the kids and the “kids just love” them.

It’s almost like they are reliving their youth

No, you sound jealous. Sorry you don't have the emotional energy, free time, or bandwidth to give back to your community.

No, I'm grateful for these parents so I don't have to volunteer at every event.

Anybody else feel bad for the parents who feel the need to volunteer for everything their kid does-helps on the field for every football game, chaperones every field trip, flies to every school trip?
And they act like they know all the kids and the “kids just love” them.

It’s almost like they are reliving their youth