After four successful Cookies & Cocoas, two Auctions chaired, thousands of dollars raised, and countless (I mean COUNTLESS) meetings attended, I am working my way on out of the Executive Board.
However, I think I checked out long ago...
My advice to new Moms--sit back and watch first! Don't jump head first into volunteering because not only will it consume you for the rest of your kids' grade school careers (I already have people recruiting me for Middle School), but it'll make you resent doing the things you love. I love (or should I say loved) giving my time to something that was important, not only to me, but the to the future of my children. We all know that funding for public schooling in Colorado is a joke, and it was important to me that I played a role in filling that hole!
But, you give a little and the world tends to take a lot...so much that you find yourself in bitter conversations with the other volunteers who give more than they would prefer.
I didn't want to be that over achieving, relentless PTO bitch. That's not me and it only took five years to realize that I was giving more than what was necessary to make the difference that I originally sought out to make. I lost site of my intentions.
And so, I've checked out and I feel that lack-luster looks good on me.
However, I still have obligations, both to the school and my girls' educations, as well as to the many PTO friends I've made along the way. I got in way over my head, but I'm taking responsibility for my actions and seeing it through to the end of the school year.
I'll get through this, with a little assistance of Bota Boxes at Executive Board meetings and excuses to have a PTO meeting recap drink with my closest PTO pals!
Serving on the PTO has been a great honor, but I will be pleased when I have finally fulfilled my duty!
