Kindergarten can really take a toll on the
parents. (Yes, I meant to say
parents.) I knew we were in for a lot of
activities and volunteering, but I did NOT know that it would become a second job
to be an involved school parent. I was
told that by volunteering and being involved, it would give your kids (and
their classmates) all the benefits. At a
private school (especially a Catholic private school), if there aren’t any
volunteers, there aren’t many activities.
So ultimately, I knew I had to participate. Could I have cut down on the activities I
chaired or took part in? Sure. Why didn’t I?
[Insert long sigh here.] Because
in the end, I realized that I wasn’t sending my child to a private school
because it was better than the public schools in the area. (We actually have great public schools in our
district.) I was sending my child to a
private Catholic school so she could
learn about her faith. The most
important lesson I can teach my kids is to be a service to others—their family,
friends, school, and community. They
need to know (and see) that. Volunteering
gave me that opportunity. I could talk
all I want about how to help those who need it and how to volunteer, but until
my kids see it in action, it’s meaningless.
I’m not claiming perfection, but I am saying that by taking on a large
role in volunteering at a small school that relies solely on volunteers to have
activities has provided Buggy with an example of what’s it’s like to be a
service to her community. It’s also
proven to me that I am able (even at my busiest of weeks), to put others
first. So many times I’ve found myself
saying things like:
“I’m so tired.
I’ll do the next activity,”
“Maybe next time,” or even slowly looking away when
they asked for volunteers.
After this school year, I know that yes, I could just
volunteer for the minimum hours. And
yes, I could just do the next activity, but I won’t. I don’t do every activity, but I don’t do the
minimum. I’ve pushed myself more this
year as a mother and as a wife and I feel really proud of that. I’ve learned that while I’m not perfect, I am
able. (For those that have kids, work,
and try to juggle it all, you know that more often than not, it’s just a matter
of making it through the week and surviving to do it all again the following week.) I’m not the first wife and/or mother to be
told, “You don’t have to do it
all.” We know. You don’t have to remind us. We do it because we love those around
us.
Kindergarten tested us all. We stretched ourselves to help our school
community and I’m grateful Buggy got to witness that. More often than not, she was there at every
event setup, helping too. Her teacher
has taught her so much about empathy and has helped her love Christ in a way I
never even imagined. I feel blessed to
have witnessed that on a daily basis.
These are the reasons why we sent her to a Catholic school. I’m proud of her. She has a new passion for faith and on most
days, holds us accountable for our actions and pushes us to be our best selves,
and to always consider “what God would think.”
Our Kinder grad is amazing. Only
12 more years until college. She’s this
amazing now. I can’t wait to see what’s
in store for her future.
God Bless,
Kat
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