Is there somthing wrong with me and DW?

[joeokw]

Ok it is 12/20 5 days before Christmas, and we have yet to write Xmas cards, the tree just went up and why do we feel so behind? Let me see. I am a adult volunteer in the BSA.. Boys Scouts of America otherwise known as the Babysiters of America, a Manager of the local LittlelLeague, otherwise known as the the League of Besieged Managers-parent. i am also a Active Band Parent in my DS's son high school marching band. My wife also volunteers in the same organizatiions . I am sitting here and wondering why I see the same volunteer faces in all 3 of thse orgainzations. We get so much abuse from parents who drops theit kids off and never come to any events unless their kid is getting "short changed" Maybe we all just a bit strange, maybe we don't follow the same rules as rest of the country who sits home and watches the same mindless TV shows that are on each week. I work full time as a RN in a Neuro Intensive care unit, works 12 hours overtime a week. Dw works part time also as a RN as Rehab RN... we do not have to to surf the net at work like most of Americans do. I guess i am just crazy because I heard this morning as I was at my DS's cub scout 's caroling event as the local nursing home, a couple of parents who never shows up except to pick their kids up say " look at those stupid adult leasders.. they do not have a life." GRRRRRRRRRRr

 

[Lorix2]

Joe - you have had way too much on your minds lately with your son. We can't always do things as we've planned, just do what you can when you can. Christmas is christmas no matter how soon the tree goes up or the cards get mailed.

It's what you make of the holiday that counts. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. Slow down a bit and take it all in.

 

[Pembo]

Joe-Thanks to you and your wife for being so involved!

 

[disykat]

If I were you I'd be tempted to talk to those parents about how comments like that can be overheard and be hurtful. Shame on them. Just remind yourself that their kids need people like you in their lives! Thanks for all you do.

I've heard very similar comments about PTA involvement. Stangely enough they come from the same parents that complain if there are not enough school functions etc.

 

[poohbears5]

Don't worry about those nasty people keep in mind that these are the same people that are not only not involved with their childrens activiities they most time cannot even attend to watch thier child participate and then they look at a person like you that is always doing and feel like a heel and to make themselves feel better they resort back to highschool mentality and act like a {l}.

 

[Cruisin]

Sounds to me like you need a little down time.

Forget the Christmas cards this year, is the world going to end because you did not send them? I don't think so.

Slow down and take some time for yourself and your family.

 

[Nagle]

It's not just you Joe.
My wife and I are both on the executive of the Minor Hockey Association this year. I also coach my son's Peewee Team. No one volunteered to work as team manager this year so guess who's doing that. DW is also in charge of organizing and running our Peewee tournament which is on December 29th this year. We are still running around getting loose ends tied up for that. Did someone mention that Christmas is next week? Also, the only vacation day we both have left will be used to be at the rink on the 29th for the tournament. When we have a 7:00 AM practice it is not uncommon to have 5 out of 17 players show up.
I sat on the executive for the Minor Lacrosse Association this past year. A little less time consuming but similar issues.

DW works full time (days) and I am on shift work, 2 weeks days, 1 week afternoons, 1 week midnites, and so on.

We hear lots of feedback about the various programs, unfortunately 80 % of the time people only get motivated to call when they are not happy about something.


Why do we bother? Because when all is said and done, we enjoy most of it. Without people like us, these things would just not happen.

So the Christmas cards are a little tardy this year, no biggie in my books. Your are to be commended to even get them done. I have beeen receiving cards this week and feeling bad that I have not even started sending them out. My family is still in Montreal (about 2 hours away) and I can't remember the last time we were able to get a weekend away to go visit.


MERRY CHRISTMAS JOE!

(and all the other volunteers out there

 

[JetMom]

Joe - as an Assistant Cub-Master, Kindergarten & 6th grade room parent, Drama club booster, and Director of a Pre-school -- I feel your pain!

But as my DH (assistant ScoutMaster, Webelos Den Leader, Basketball coach, and full time IBM slave( alays says --"we are here for the kids, not their parents."

They are the ones who are missing out on the lives of their own kids!

Somehow, everything always winds up getting done. Analyze your holiday traditions -- which parts of the holiday do you truly enjoy? Keep those parts and scrap the rest.

Merry Christmas!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Hang in there! You do a better job of sharing the Christmas Spirit all year for the kids than those cards could ever say. Remember that you unselfishly give your time so that the kids will have someone to look up to, respect and talk to. Most of those kids will be changed for the better because of what you and DW give them. It is the same everywhere, with only a handful of parents willing to really do the work, we get tired and frustrated too, but the opportunities we provide for the kids is worth it! (Sometimes it helps to have required work hours too)

 

[DisneyObsessed]

You definitely need to slow down and enjoy life for a while. You just received good news about your son and it's Christmas. Relax and get back to basics. The heck with the Christmas cards. You are a very unselfish person. You can be selfish for a while. (I give you permission)

 

[Mamu]

There's nothing wrong with you.

DH and I did this for 20 years we volunteered for everything. It's the most rewarding think you can do. As grandparents we have slowed down a little.

We always ate on the run, never had time for ourselves. Yes we were babysitters for parents who never showed up.

What a warm feeling you get when a young adult comes up and says Thank You. You know it was all worth it.

Bless you and your DW. It takes a special person who cares to put their own life aside, and be willing to do whatever they can for youths.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hi Joe!

It's me the neighborhood trustee, girl scout co-leader, PTA board member, & roomparent for 1st graders!

I know what you mean. For years I had parents complain about picking up the kids or driving to the event we had planned.

I know what you mean...

 

[CajunDixie]

BSA.. Boys Scouts of America otherwise known as the Babysiters of America,

Ohhh how very true that is here too!!! My sons have crossed over to the Troop and I still have parents asking me why I missed the last 2 Pack meetings. Duhhhhh maybe because I am responsible for my own children and their patrols and not every single child in the Pack. But I must say after walking through the school Friday it is sorta nice to be so involved in scouts and PTO because so many of the kids know me and called out hellos and Merry Christmas' and a few even came over to give me a hug on their way out to the buses. One teacher followed me down the hall and asked if I knew 1/2 the school kids. The parents that do nothing with their kids are missing out on so much....their loss and my gain.

" look at those stupid adult leaders.. they do not have a life."

Maybe we have no life but we have many, many children that know they can count on us.