What was your favorite field trip? Mine was a February adventure to the local museum’s space exhibit. Every student was assigned a role either in mission control or the space station. I was a communications expert and got to report the data from one room to the other through a two-way radio. For 1992, it was pretty high-tech. I even remember the ride to and from the museum. I sat in the way back of my friend’s mom’s station wagon.
As a kid, I always put the moms who chaperoned field trips or were always at school on a pedestal. It felt like they were these superheroes who were always there to help. Now that I’m not that mom, it’s left me feeling like I’m letting my kids down. I know how important it is for me to know my kids’ friends and their teachers, so I’m always looking for other ways to get involved. If you can’t chaperone or be the homeroom mom, here are 7 other ways to be involved at your kids’ school.
1. Join a short-lived committee.
A yearlong commitment to the PTA comes with nine months of meetings, emails, and probably a few events. Look for quick commitments instead, like the book fair, field day, or Christmas pageant. You get to lend a hand, meet other parents, and be in your child’s world, but with less tax on your schedule.
2. Be the mom who helps others stay informed.
My friend Jennifer has three kids in school and is super involved. She always knows what’s going on. Jennifer is quick to pop on our kids’ unofficial class Facebook page and say, “Remember! Tomorrow is a half-day!” or “Fundraiser forms have to be turned in by Friday.” On more than one occasion, I’ve seen other moms comment, “I don’t know what I’d do without you!” Not all parent involvement in school has to physically be in school. If you are good about staying on top of the school calendar and announcements, share that information and support a mom who has a hard time keeping it all straight.
3. Be a silent partner with the homeroom mom.
At my kids’ school, these moms are called “Homeroom Angels.” It’s a title they truly deserve, especially in kindergarten through third grade. There are so many parties and special occasions. I swear they can make a Sign-Up Genius page in their sleep. If you can’t be that mom, email her and say, “I can help behind the scenes. Just tell me what you need.”
4. Get creative with your skills.
Are you good with numbers? Email the principal and offer to help with the budget. Have a green thumb? Get permission to organize a weekend meetup of students to plant a flower bed on campus. Using your gifts and interests to point you in the direction of volunteerism sets a great example for your kids to model.
5. Organize the class teacher appreciation gift.
This might be the homeroom mom’s job, but offer to take it off her plate. She’ll have enough to do that week.
6. Be a guest speaker.
Some workplaces will give you paid time off to go speak at your child’s school. One of my sons has a classmate whose mom is a biologist and another whose dad is an umpire for Major League Baseball. How cool is that? These parents have come to share their professions and gotten to connect with the teacher while getting a peek at all the students their kids talk about.
7. Organize a quarterly brunch for the moms.
One mom in my older son’s grade takes it upon herself to organize a moms’ get-together every few months. These are priceless, and it makes me think I need to be the one who puts this in place for my younger son’s class. Knowing the moms of other students gives me a sense of community and safety that I wouldn’t have if they were all strangers.
Want to get your husband involved at school?
What would it mean to your kids if once a month, their dad joined them in the morning before school to engage in a meaningful conversation and an activity centered around a character trait? That’s what happens at an All Pro Dad chapter meeting. They’re super simple to join or start. Find out more here.
What other ideas do you have for parent involvement in school when you have to work?
