Working Mom Magic

When keeping it together is just an illusion

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5 ways working moms can get involved at their kids school

                

It is back to school time! My sweet little man is going into first grade and I learned a lot about school involvement during his first year in kindergarten. As a working mom, it is tough to ALWAYS know what is going on at his school, but I have found there are ways to stay in the loop.

Here’s 5 ways working moms can get involved at their kids school:

  1. Email your kids teachers: This is huge. Teachers offers up their info at the beginning of each year, use it. Send them an email introducing yourself. (It is tough for teachers to remember everyone they are introduced to during that brief meet & greet before school starts) For me, I let the teacher know that while I work full-time, I like to be involved when I can & that they are welcome to email me when they need something. Once the homeroom teacher is announced, I do the same thing. Since they probably won’t be seeing me around as much as other moms, I like to make myself known.
  2. Join the PTA: I don’t have ANY time to help with the PTA. None. Zero. But I joined anyway. Just go to the big PTA volunteer breakfast at the beginning of the year and introduce yourself. Last year, I got the contact info for dozens of fabulous moms who use their free time to make your children’s school experience a better one. I made it clear, that while my direct involvement would be limited, I could help in other ways. (make phone calls, donate money for parties, etc) That way I was included in some of those email lists and I always felt like I knew what was going on at the school, beyond my sons’ class. Since I was a PTA member, I was able to sign up as a school volunteer, which meant I got a background check and official badge with my picture. This made being able to visit the school much easier, especially when it was last minute.
  3. Speak Up: I can’t make it to many classroom events that parents are invited to. (there are a lot) I go to what I can. However, when I know I have a day off during the week I email the teacher & homeroom mom to see if there is any help they need on that day. Since they already know my situation, they will usually just offer to have me come in to help with a craft or something. Right now, this is easy since my son is in a younger grade. So if you have a day you can come into the school, just ask.
  4. Have a lunch date: Many schools, my son’s included, will allow parents to join their children during lunchtime. I did this ONCE last year, and Hudson still talks about it! It was a lot of fun, too! I got to sit with all the kids from his class and hear the 5 year old gossip! Also, since this is an occasional thing, Hudson was very excited that his mom came to see him and I could tell he felt very special. (esp since I totally surprised him) I will definitely be doing this a few times this upcoming year.
  5. Try to make your kids school functions: As a working mom, I know this is not always possible. But I do make a note of special events and if there is a way to fit it in with just a little re-shuffling, I do it. School plays, mini-graduations, book fair, and science fairs… they are important and special to your child. I may not make them all, but I will never just write them off simply because I work. If I have to go in late so I can see the Holiday Show, then be it. I find it works best to be honest with your bosses. I simply tell them “I have a thing to go to for my son, I will be in late, call me if you need me.” Done & done.
Some fun school events from last year!
These days A LOT of moms work. Teachers and other school employees are understanding, since they also want what is best for your child. Just because you have a full-time job, it doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines when it comes to your kids school. Just speak up, make friends & think outside the box, and you can make school time memories as well!

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Comments

  3. Suzanna Davies says

    Thanks for sharing these tips! My little one starts daycare in a couple of weeks, and though it's not the same as grade school, I can definitely utilize some of these ideas!

    Reply

    • Lauren says

      Yes, I was SO intimidated! But it really made such a difference when it comes to being in the loop. I was surprised by how many PTA members were totally fine with it too.

      Reply

  8. Nicole McGregor says

    having been on both sides: working moms have to work harder at it – because sahm's kind of "keep to their own" you really have to reach out to the other moms to be included in activities OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL too!

    Reply

  9. Dano M says

    Thanks for these tips! As a working mom I always feel like Im dropping the ball somewhere, but I have to remember that this is a team effort and the administration and teachers won't know how to help me keep a handle on my daughter's school year unless I speak up! Thanks for this! Third grade, here we come!

    Reply

    • Lauren says

      Yes, I have found that you can't expect anyone to keep you in the loop you basically have to put yourself out there, and just be honest. I was just like "Listen, I cant participate in a lot, but I want to be included… if there is an email list I can add my name to, please do it." BOOM! 😉 I hope your daughter has a WONDERFUL 3rd grade year!

      Reply

  10. Aileen Brian Van Pelt says

    Love these tips! I, too, always try to go to every school function I can because I know how much it means to our kids. When my husband and I couldn't attend one when Monkey was in PK3, she told us that night that she was the only one without a Mommy or Daddy there. I was devastated and vowed to try my best to have at least one of us present for those events. I have done what you do, too, with communicating with the teacher and room mothers. This year, both girls are in school and we're hoping for the best. Good luck with first grade!
    http://www.newsyparents.com

    Reply

    • Lauren says

      Yeah at my sons school its kind of a secret thing. They don't openly announce that you can do that, but if you call the office and ask they are like, "yeah.. its allowed." (something I learned from a PTA mom!) 😉

      Reply

  13. Shirley Wood says

    These are all great tips for the working Mom and the SAHM too! So glad you shared with us at Home Matters. Pinned it to our Home Matters board 🙂 Please come back Wednesday and share more matters of the home posts with us again.
    Shirley @Intelligent Domestications

    Reply

  17. Ai LTM says

    It's great you've been able to get involved! I like the lunch date idea! This is the time they're proud to have Mommy with them while they're with their peers. Not too long from now, they'll be embarrassed if you chaperoned at a school event.

    Reply

  20. Elizabeth Lund says

    I love that you wrote this! I know some moms that don't want to be involved. Having a face and a voice, even if you can't always have a presence is so important. It is important for your child as well as for you! Great post.

    Reply

  21. Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom says

    Excellent tips! Best of all is the vibe that you make an effort, but don't lament that you can't be there for everything (remember back in our elementary school days when parents were never in the classroom?!–we survived!). I also saw a great tip in action last year. Another working mom got on the volunteer schedule for the first Friday of every month. The teacher gladly accommodated her and the mom's work gladly accommodated her since it was only once a month and a set schedule, too.

    Reply

  22. Jennifer says

    I LOVE this!! I definitely want to be involved when my kids get to school. These are doable tips that will actually work and fit with my schedule.

    Reply

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