You know them…..
They are the moms that send me pictures of my kid from the class party I wasn’t able to attend because I was swamped at work. They probably also organized and sent the SignUp Genius for that party. They also made sure they were early to help set up with the decor they spent many weeks and sleepless nights creating themselves. No store bought decorations up in here! They even created the perfect games for the students to play together. Perfection, per usual.
They are the moms who regularly go up to your child’s school to deliver the secretaries and teachers treats and Sonic drinks. They like to bring crockpots full of yumminess for the staff to enjoy on random days in the teacher’s lounge because they deserve it!
They are the moms that collect all of the data needed to have the, “Best Teacher Appreciation Day Ever!” Their spreadsheets put some accountant’s spreadsheets to shame. I bet they not only remembered your child’s teacher’s birthday- but also the principal, counselor, speech pathologist, librarian, janitor, and the secretary, too!
They are the PTA officers and members that help and organize the fundraisers, carnivals, back to school nights, muffins with moms/donuts with dad, grandparent night, fun runs, dress up days, movie and popcorn days, and every other “night or day” fun activity that you could possibly think of. They are the people selling and creating the yearbook and the school merchandise.
Of course there are times I have mom guilt because I wish I was the mom who could do it all. But really, I just want to look the overachievers in the face and say………THANK YOU.
Because, here’s the thing. I don’t have time or the energy. I have tried in the past – I went to the meetings, helped organize fundraisers, and I was a booster club officer at my daughter’s cheer gym. But I simply didn’t enjoy myself and found myself pretending like I did! Really, I was forcing myself and thought if I wasn’t involved in all of my children’s activities, I was a bad mom.
It took me a long time to realize that, just like I shouldn’t compare my children to other children, I shouldn’t compare myself to other moms. We need stop buying into the societal pressure of being perfect mothers who need to be involved in their kids’ every move and just be ourselves!
Everyone has a role in the school “village.” While some of our roles are to organize and execute, some of us are just meant to write the checks and send requested items to school with our kids. And sometimes when work allows, I might just pop into that school party too! (But just as a guest, of course).
So to all of you fabulous moms that help take care of our wonderful school staff and kids, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You wonderful women (and men!) make sure that our children have wonderful memories to look back on. Your selfless, unpaid, hard work is noticed and appreciated!
And if you’re a mom who’s involved in all the things and find yourself miserable, it’s okay to leave. It’s okay to find other ways to help with your children’s school and activities, while still feeling like you made a difference.
And to all those PTA moms who have wondered where I ran off to? It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem. It’s me! AND THAT’S OKAY!
