Do you volunteer your time to volunteer-run organizations that your children are involved in?

My kids aren't in any volunteer run organizations right now, but my daughter was in soccer for awhile, she hated it. We were not thrilled with the "everyone is a winner" mentality that seems to go along with it. My husband wants our son in the Boy Scouts, I do not. I take HUGE issue with their policy against homosexuals being scout leaders, and seeing as my husband IS a homosexual he would be excluded in volunteering to help while Eli was participating. We do however volunteer at a charity in the Twin Cities that every year washes the feet of thousands of homeless people and distributes clean shoes and boots to them, as well as giving them a meal.

My husband and I volunteer in some, but not all, of the volunteer-run activities our kids do. Their volunteer-run activities range from a before-school math group to a neighborhood t-ball league to a soccer team to various pta events to a neighborhood crafts group, etc. With four kids and only two of us (one working long hours and frequently traveling), we have to make decisions about where to spend our volunteer time. When we're the volunteers running or helping run something (we do both), we're happy to get input from people who aren't helping out. We understand those parents are in the same situation we are; likely they volunteer somewhere else, but that doesn't mean they're not entitled to input. I would expect any input to be polite and constructive, and with the ultimate understanding that if we choose not to implement their advice, or can't do so, that they're welcome to choose a different activity for their kids, instead. But I'm always glad to consider people's suggestions. If I had complaints about the way an activity I wasn't volunteering in was being run, I'd similarly try to offer constructive, polite suggestions, and if they weren't implemented, decide how important the issue was. If it wasn't important, I wouldn't worry about it; if it was, I'd withdraw my kids from the activity. Anyone approaching a kid with criticism about their volunteer work should certainly do so with a double dose of politeness and understanding.

I am the Girl Scout leader for my daughter's troop. When I was signing her up for Daisies last year, they didn't have anyone volunteer to be the leader, so I stepped up. I ended up having a blast with the girls this year, and plan on doing it for as long as my daughter is in scouts. I had really great parents this year that helped me with driving, snacks, and stuff of that nature. I didn't have any complaints. I think that if I did, I would listen to the parent and ask them for suggestions on how to improve. As for if my child was volunteering, I think that the parents need to voice their concerns with the adult in charge, and have the adult approach the child. That is the way *I* would handle it.

I was the secretary of our local playgroup for several years while my kids were in it, and also used to help out as a volunteer assistant if they needed sick cover. (Plus as a mother helper of course, everyone had to do that). Currently I'm the child protection officer on the committee of our ice skating club. Both my kids are members, as am I (it's a family club, not a kids' club). Both my kids are also in Scouts, and I don't help with that (at least, only with special events). It's not my thing, and I feel like one committee is enough for me. Other people can take their turns too. One ongoing volunteer committment is enough for me. I try to see everyone as a fellow human being who might make mistakes, whether they are volunteers, shop assistants, teachers... and to treat them as I would hope to be treated if I made a mistake.