The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 8

[babytrees]

Wow! $5?!? I was cheated as a child!!! I only got a buck!

My kids only get 50 cents!!

 

[triplefigs]

I am working on our VBS registration and can I just tell you the things that annoy the crap out of me?

first off - I hate people who enroll 3-4 kids in the program and don't volunteer to do ANYTHING!! I know some people work - but couldn't they at least volunteer to bake or do pre-work?!?!

then I hate people who volunteer but refuse to buy the shirt that everyone wears - it is only $7 - and it really helps us identitfy who is in the building and should be - and trust me the people not buying it are not doing it for financial reasons -they are doing it b/c they would never wear it again

finally - I hate when people request who their kid is going to be with - especially when they send in a last minute registration!! my favorite one tonight is a last minute registration of a mom with 2 kids and she wants her youngest in a class with one of his friends b/c he probably won't stay otherwise - but despite the fact that she has a child who she is not sure will be okay in the program - she is not going to do something in the building - again - maybe she works - but maybe she should have sent her registration in before the last minute!!!

Okay - vent over - I feel much better

oh - and I am putting Julia in the class with her best friend - but that is b/c I am in charge and I can otherwise I would NEVER request it! I guess I feel like since I would not be able to request her friends be in her class at school - I wouldn't do it here - eventually she will have to learn to be in a class where she might not know anyone!

Before I go to bed, I wanted to perhaps point out the other side to this statement. This is NOT a flame, but just another point of view. What I'm going to say isn't true for all of those families who aren't helping out, but it might be for some. It is DEFINITELY true for me.

We pay for VBS at our church and it costs us $75. I volunteer at church throughout the year. I teach Children's Choir every week Aug through the end of May, John and I teach Sunday School 2 Sundays per month, and we are always willing to pitch in wherever needed. I've worked the past 2 years all week at VBS teaching the music. Well, this year I'm not doing ANYTHING. No baking, so pre-set up, no helping at all, and I'll have 3 kids enrolled. I do not feel guilty at all. I definitely Volunteer at our church and put in time to nurture and teach the kids during the school year. So this summer I'm taking a break. It literally is my only week where I have some time to myself. With no family in the State and babysitting prices so outrageous, we don't have help. So I'm going to enjoy my week off while they are in VBS.

Just thought I'd shed some light on another view point. And, yes, I know many of those parents don't volunteer at all EVER, but some may volunteer in other areas that you're not aware of.

ETA: we all get frustrated when we feel like we are the only ones helping out or taking an active part in our kid's lives. We all see those families where the parents don't participate or volunteer., and it can be very upsetting. My message and point was just that sometimes those families may be helping in other areas or have a reason for not helping out all the time. This surely doesn't apply to all of those cases, but for some it does.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Change your forum skin. To do this, select Quick Links, Edit Options. Go all the way to the bottom of the screen to the Forum Skins. The default (Orlando Blue) shows the ads. The three I tested didn't have the ads. One was green something, the other Swan & Dolphin and the last was DVC. I don't know about all the other ones but I'd find a color combination you like and see if the ads are there.

thank you!

 

[babytrees]

Amy, I found the photos! They are terrific! I'm not sure how I missed so many pages earlier. No wonder I often feel out of the loop.

Beth

Beth-

I have felt that way the last couple of days. I think it has to do with the darn server. I think I have missed pages so I go back and can't find any posts I've missed but then later on someone will comment on a post I know I've missed.

 

[triplefigs]

And before anyone comments, yes, I changed my signature AGAIN! And I will continue to do so as the mood strikes!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

And before anyone comments, yes, I changed my signature AGAIN! And I will continue to do so forever.

just noticed that and i love it!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

We pay for VBS at our church and it costs us $75.

$75?!!?!?!?!!? I wouldn't volunteer either!!!

Ours is $15 includes a t-shirt and a fairly heavy snack each day! We rely very heavily on volunteers to do our baking and help prepare our crafts.

I understand that at some point people get burnt out - but since I am involved in the 3 biggest volunteer programs in a leadership position - I pretty much know who is involved and who isn't - and I know who uses us for babysitting!!!

Denise- I know there are definately circumstances where people just can't do it - and I completely understand that!

BTW - This year we have 2 sets of triplets in our 1st grade class!!!

 

[UP Disney]

Before I go to bed, I wanted to perhaps point out the other side to this statement. This is NOT a flame, but just another point of view. What I'm going to say isn't true for all of those families who aren't helping out, but it might be for some. It is DEFINITELY true for me.

We pay for VBS at our church and it costs us $75. I volunteer at church throughout the year. I teach Children's Choir every week Aug through the end of May, John and I teach Sunday School 2 Sundays per month, and we are always willing to pitch in wherever needed. I've worked the past 2 years all week at VBS teaching the music. Well, this year I'm not doing ANYTHING. No baking, so pre-set up, no helping at all, and I'll have 3 kids enrolled. I do not feel guilty at all. I definitely Volunteer at our church and put in time to nurture and teach the kids during the school year. So this summer I'm taking a break. It literally is my only week where I have some time to myself. With no family in the State and babysitting prices so outrageous, we don't have help. So I'm going to enjoy my week off while they are in VBS.

Just thought I'd shed some light on another view point. And, yes, I know many of those parents don't volunteer at all EVER, but some may volunteer in other areas that you're not aware of.

I definitely hear you on this one and you definitely shouldn't feel guilty. I was very involved in Girl Scouts and spent several years as a Sunday School teacher. When it came time for confirmation classes, I just couldn't give any more of my time. They started a new program where there was one adult assigned to 4 or 5 kids and they needed lots of adults. It was a neat program and I thought very worth while but I just couldn't do it. I felt guilty for about 5 minutes when I reminded myself of everything else that I had and continued to volunteer for.

 

[babytrees]

I had my knee surgery today and it was a breeze. We have a new surgery center and they had me in and out in less than 21/2 hours. At the hospital two years ago when I had this same surgery it took almost 5 hours to get in and out.

They also used some differnt kind of anesthesia and i felt great and very alert when I awoke from surgery. I was very impress.

I will be on crutches until Sunday afternoon adn then will be able to walk normal.

I had a torn meniscus and that part was removed. Everthing went great. I am on pain med as I am typing this so if I sound strange please excuse me. LOL

Delinda

Nice to see you back around!!

SO glad the surgery went well!!

 

[triplefigs]

$75?!!?!?!?!!? I wouldn't volunteer either!!!

Ours is $15 includes a t-shirt and a fairly heavy snack each day! We rely very heavily on volunteers to do our baking and help prepare our crafts.

I understand that at some point people get burnt out - but since I am involved in the 3 biggest volunteer programs in a leadership position - I pretty much know who is involved and who isn't - and I know who uses us for babysitting!!!

Denise- I know there are definately circumstances where people just can't do it - and I completely understand that!

BTW - This year we have 2 sets of triplets in our 1st grade class!!!

2 sets? That's impressive. My best friend and I both have BBG triplets at our church. Hers are 6 months younger than mine, but we will all be headed to Kindergarten together (in different schools).

And it's $25 per child for the week, t-shirt, and snack. But that's $75 total and no family and/or volunteer discount. Let someone else watch my kids for a while. I watch their kids all year round!

 

[triplefigs]

I definitely hear you on this one and you definitely shouldn't feel guilty. I was very involved in Girl Scouts and spent several years as a Sunday School teacher. When it came time for confirmation classes, I just couldn't give any more of my time. They started a new program where there was one adult assigned to 4 or 5 kids and they needed lots of adults. It was a neat program and I thought very worth while but I just couldn't do it. I felt guilty for about 5 minutes when I reminded myself of everything else that I had and continued to volunteer for.

I hear you too! And John and I are not teaching Sunday School this year. I'm still teaching choir every week and will probably do VBS next summer. Plus, if I get this job, I'll be working for the church as a teacher, so I'll be involved even more!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Quick drive by posting - no sleep for me tonight, but this time tomorrow, I'll be in Kauai!!

Wanted to say "aloha" to everyone, and to let you know that Andy arrived safely. Just did a quick post over on the Adventure thread - afraid no pics tonight, but I promise to update in the next couple of days.

Teresa - thanks for loaning him to me - I promise to take good care of him! (And Vicki and Paula - thanks for making sure he got to me in time!)

Hope everyone is well!!!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Still responding to Denise:

You know how there are some people in life who use the excuse that they just have too many kids to volunteer their time?

These are the people I am complaining about!

I can't go up to school and help out b/c I have Nick and no one to watch him while I go - but I do find other ways to be involved - I just don't think using the fact that you have a lot of kids as a reason to not volunteer is a cop out!!

I know everything you do and I don't think anyone would ever say you are an uninvolved parent!!!!!!!!!

I am sorry if I offended you!!

 

[UP Disney]

All of my eBay auctions have ended. I got the stuff that I wanted the most. I can't wait for it to arrive. I've already received the Build-a-bears for my brothers step kids. They are in great condition. I also received the Air Force uniform for them. Very cute and appropriate since my brother is a civilian that works for the Air Force. Lots more clothes to arrive yet. Some for the bears and some for Pal Mickey. I can't wait for the remote control convertible to arrive so that I can play with it. Pal Mickey will be home with me to test it out around June 15th. I'll make sure to get a picture and post it if he likes it!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

OH OH OH

I have been to Kauai and I have to tell you -

if you do NOTHING else -

YOU HAVE TO GO ON A NAPALI COAST SNORKELING TOUR

I promise you it will be one of the best and most amazing experiences of your life - I think we went on Captain Andy's -

where are you staying?

 

[KristineN]

I am in the same position as Denise...I am not doing ANYTHING for VBS this year. I have worked very hard at many things (including running VBS for a couple of years) I can remember thinking similar thoughts in the past "providing a baby sitting services, etc" The Pastor of the Church informed me that "it is not up to the lay people to worry about what other people do or not do, and that we should feel good about sharing the word of God with the children, even with the children who's parent's may not be up to our perceived standard" I thought a lot about what he said...and I think it was a good point...sometimes we all forget why we are involved in Church....

$75?!!?!?!?!!? I wouldn't volunteer either!!!

Ours is $15 includes a t-shirt and a fairly heavy snack each day!

I understand that at some point people get burnt out - but since I am involved in the 3 biggest volunteer programs in a leadership position - I pretty much know who is involved and who isn't - and I know who uses us for babysitting!!!

BTW - This year we have 2 sets of triplets in our 1st grade class!!!

 

[triplefigs]

Still responding to Denise:

You know how there are some people in life who use the excuse that they just have too many kids to volunteer their time?

These are the people I am complaining about!

I can't go up to school and help out b/c I have Nick and no one to watch him while I go - but I do find other ways to be involved - I just don't think using the fact that you have a lot of kids as a reason to not volunteer is a cop out!!

I know everything you do and I don't think anyone would ever say you are an uninvolved parent!!!!!!!!!

I am sorry if I offended you!!

I just wanted to point out the other side. Can you tell I'm feeling guilty for not working VBS? Just trying to validate me taking a week off. It always is the same people volunteering though, for choir, Sunday School, and VBS. You always see the same people doing it ALL in a church.

 

[triplefigs]

I am in the same position as Denise...I am not doing ANYTHING for VBS this year. I have worked very hard at many things (including running VBS for a couple of years) I can remember thinking similar thoughts in the past "providing a baby sitting services, etc" The Pastor of the Church informed me that "it is not up to the lay people to worry about what other people do or not do, and that we should feel good about sharing the word of God with the children, even with the children who's parent's may not be up to our perceived standard" I thought a lot about what he said...and I think it was a good point...sometimes we all forget why we are involved in Church....

Wow, what a good comment and boy does it make me re-evaluate my thoughts during the year when I'm volunteering all the time and others aren't... Thanks, Kirstine!

BTW, good to see you posting! How are you? How's Bill? Hope your moms are doing better. Hugs to you! And are your ****s still blue?

 

[UP Disney]

Quick drive by posting - no sleep for me tonight, but this time tomorrow, I'll be in Kauai!!

Wanted to say "aloha" to everyone, and to let you know that Andy arrived safely. Just did a quick post over on the Adventure thread - afraid no pics tonight, but I promise to update in the next couple of days.

Teresa - thanks for loaning him to me - I promise to take good care of him! (And Vicki and Paula - thanks for making sure he got to me in time!)

Hope everyone is well!!!

I am so happy to hear that he made it in time to catch his flight! Enjoy your trip. We can't wait to see pictures of you, Jonathon & Pal Mickey when you have time to sit back & relax.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

guess im going to bed..were still getting pretty nasty storms here, so might as well sleep!
have a great night guys