Voluntering in Kindergarten 3x a week - is it too much?

Question

Is there such a thing as volunteering "too much" in a Kindergarten(or any) classroom? My son's Kindergarten teacher has requested atleast one parent volunteer everyday. She says they really need them atleast for the centers and activity time. So far, very few have signed up.

I have already signed up for 2x a week. I could go in three times a week easily. All my kids are in school, and I'm not working (changing careers, my classes are in the evening).

This is my third kid, and I already know all about our school's KG, the teachers and what they do. My kid is easy going and doesn't care much whether I volunteer or not ( so I don't get any brownie points there!).

So, coming to my question, would 3 times a week seem like too much volunteering. I know the teacher would welcome it and be very grateful.

But, I am wondering if:

- Other parents will see the volunteer schedule, and go "there is Andrew's mom again, does she not have a life or what".

- For my kid, will it be too much to have Mom around 3x a week in the class?

I don't want to be labelled a Mom who is always in school, but the KG teachers are desperate for volunteers too. I know I shouldn't worry if other parents gossip about moms-who-volunteer-too-much, but I happen to know most Moms at school, and I know they will and do..

Answer 1

If they're really desperate, have you considered signing up your third shift in a different kindergarten classroom? That would solve the potential problem about hanging out around your son too much of the week and probably also the gossip problem since you'd be on two different sign-up sheets and no one need know your total volunteering time.  Plus you'd get to know a whole new set of kids that your son may be in class with in future years.

If that doesn't work out, if they're really desperate and you've got the time, I'd say volunteer.  The other parents may feel guiltier (and hence snippier), but it's really the students who matter.

Answer 2

I agree you should consider signing up for another class.  Or if you really want to sign up for your child's teacher, then do it.  The only way it's not ok is if there are other parents that want to do it and don't have the opportunity because you're there too often.    When my daughter was in kindergarten I was in the classroom for centers more than any other parent.  I was also a stay at home mom.  Some parents aren't even interested in volunteering.  If that's your thing, do it.  The way I look at it is soon my kids are going to get older and go through a period of time where they want nothing to do with me.(although  I wish this wasn't true I'm afraid it may be inevitable)  I'm going to take advantage of every opportunity I can and if you're able, you should too.

Answer 3

There is no such thing as "too much," in this case.

I think the real issue here is that you are concerned about what other people think.  When you can get to the point of not caring about what others think, you will just do what works.

All the best.

Answer 4

This is a decision that you'll have to make on your own.  

If I were you and volunteering twice a week already, I don't think that I'd rush to sign up for a third day.    I would, however, tell the teacher that you can be available more if she needs the help and suggest that she ask you to volunteer at the times she most needs it.     If there are projects that you can work on at home, let her know your willingness to help.  

Teachers are grateful for parents who love to help.   However, I think that most teachers don't want one parent in the classroom too much.   The teacher may grow to resent your presence in the classroom.    The teacher may feel like you are taking over her territory.      The other parents may also grow to resent your presence in the classroom and this may actually prevent additional volunteers from signing up.      

If you enjoy volunteering at the school, you might offer to help in the library, lunchroom,  during field trips, or become involved in the parent teacher organization.    

All in all though, you know the school and you know your child and his teacher, so it's all up to you.    I really wouldn't worry about what the other parents think of you--if they are gossiping about you volunteering, they will find something else to gossip about.        

Answer 5

You know the other moms will say stuff, but do you, and SHOULD you, care?  s***w what they think.  You have the ability to help out more in the classroom, so go for it.  I'm sure they would if they could too.  If someone ever made a snide comment to you about it, you could always say, "I've really lucked up with the way my schedule is right now.  Since the teacher hasn't gotten many volunteers, I'm helping out while I can.  Once I finish my night classes and get a new job, I won't be able to help out all the time, so I'm really enjoying the time I have now."  And leave it at that.  

Since your kid doesn't seem to care one way or the other with you being there, I wouldn't worry about it being too much for him.  You might want to start volunteering less towards the end of the school year so that when he gets into first grade, he won't miss you quite as much.  He might not seem to care now, but if you stop coming cold turkey he might find that he really did like having you around.  :)