School volunteer

I love schools. Actually, I love hospitals too. I don't know why but if I had to be somewhere all day, an office could never cut it for me. I need to be where there is action. Things happen, people to cure and/or colorful glue art on the walls. Ok, I'm really generalizing but you know what I mean right?

Anyway, I volunteer every week at the school. I've always volunteered in some format. Either room mom or holiday parties or some such thing. This year I go in every Thursday and help out. Mostly I assist in the 5th grade class because its the one that needs the help! I figure that works out since he won't soon and I have years to be in the other classes. I do centers sometimes with Kindergarten and as much as I love the Pre-K they just don't need me. They have a teacher and two assistants who shuffle and guide and watch the special needs kids etc. Its really not beneficial to my child to be in on that one because I'm a wall flower. Ok so back to 5th grade.

Mostly I keep them up to date or ahead on all work to be copied. I collate, copy, staple. You know. Guess that year as an office manager and playing with all the fun office toys is paying off. Not that anyone really couldn't do it. Sometimes I color things, cut things out (as a helper I promise, not for fun!). I even coordinated all the help, food and games for the Halloween party that got canceled due to bad behavior. So much for 'that' work.

The thing is, that every single Thursday I debate not going. I just think of other things I could get done and time spent without rugrats and such. Its so tempting. Besides 1. its not my job to go in so its not like anyone will mind if I don't 2. I have a million things to always do so why not do THOSE things. (this is what I tell myself)

The reality...I go in. I stay. I say Hi to teachers I know, chat with them, see volunteers. I'm in the mix. I might not want to be but, as soon as I sign in and turn around to walk down the hall, I feel good. Not just good but great. I enjoy being there. Everyone is so kind and glad I could help out. I really really enjoy the change and feeling like I'm doing something ELSE. Ironic that every single week I debate not going but I'm never sorry I did. Not sure how that happens but I guess when I get in a rut as I just might do when Doc is gone for weeks and weeks. I need to remember to at the very least go to the school. There is always things to do and that change and people (the adult kind I see there that appreicate me) are so refreshing.

So yes, I'm a Mom to Three Monkeys. I Volunteer. AND I think I like it.