Good Deeds Not Unpunished

I've noticed lately a real sense of entitlement from the recepients of my volunteer largesse. The mom who assumes I'll bring her children home, the teachers who assume I'll drop what I'm doing and help them, the administrators who assume I have nothing better to do than their bidding, the teachers and administrators who assume they will be allocated the same funds with the same restrictions (or lack thereof) every year without question! I'M NOT GETTING PAID TO TAKE THIS CRAP. Every minute of my time is a gift, and should be treated accordingly. Remember that next time you pick your kid up from Sunday School, and say THANK YOU for donating your valuable time to my child. Look for opportunities to return the gift, just as you would return a favor for a friend or buy a friend a little gift in reciprocation for a thoughtful gesture. Most people wouldn't dream of not returning a favor or reciprocating for a good deed, but ignore the substantial contribution to their children by volunteers.

Going forward

I'm in the hot seat now. I agreed to PTO president for a second year in a row - (the current one had to step down). NOBODY else even interested. Sitting at a table with 12 women, asking for someone to step up, and stone silence. Lost of people want to help, nobody wants to lead. Fortunately we have really GOOD support people. One woman did step up to VP. I think she has potential, hopefully I can nurture her successfully.
What's really bugging me is the reception I'm getting. No "thank goodness, thank you for making the sacrifice, we're so glad", mostly just "oh, nobody else would do it?" A reasonable question, but not making me feel especially valued. I hope I'm not doing this in vain. I have to work hard to protect myself this year, and not give this job my soul. More on maintaining priorities later. It is easy to proclaim family first, harder to do.

volunteer... or not

I am mourning the loss of a sense of citizenship. I enjoy being a good citizen, contributing to the school or church or community, participating in making the wheel turn. I am amazed at the number of people who do nothing, yet expect so much. I have a parent in one of my organizations who cannot get her children to anything, always calling to ask for a ride. She has a husband who helps, three children just like me, but still can't manage to get her kids where they need to be. AND SHE EXPECTS ME TO BE ABLE TO DO IT! (mouth hanging open in astonishment!!!)
Bless those who do. Bless all the PTO moms who show up for everything. Bless the Sunday School teachers. Bless the scout leaders everywhere. They have no less on their plates than everyone else, but they GIT 'ER DONE.
The rest of you - step up to the plate. You may find that through the effort, you are blessed.

here we gooooooo!

Just gettin started on the blog thing, been threatening to write rants for years, time to put up or shut up. Coming soon to a cyber-space near you: Bailing out on Birthdays, what happened to real food, Country Club Church, Old Mom/New Mom, and so much more.

Food for thought: Just how did EMA people expect 20 percent of a million people to evacuate if they don't own cars? Why hadn't I thought of that until now, either?